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"There are several theories on
the history behind Capoeira," said Robert Varner, who started learning the
martial art in 1991 in San Jose. "As much as that's important, to me
Capoeira is a sport that's incredibly fun and highly competitive."
For six months, Varner has taught
Capoeira classes at the Y, offering eight classes for $22 for YMCA members,
$35 for nonmembers.
Learning Capoeira isn't just
about learning self-defense, Varner said. It can teach you how to fall.
"I was riding my mountain bike a
couple years ago, and I wiped out," he said. "But when I landed, I
instinctively protected myself with a 'negativa.'"
That's a defensive move - for
those who don't understand the lingo of Capoeira.
A cartwheel is called an "au"; a
kick, a "golpe"; and a head- butt, a "cabecada."
Varner's wife, Kim, 32, recalled
walking along slippery rocks in Santa Cruz, Calif., when she slipped on moss
and fell.
"I was airborne, but I caught
myself just before my head was about to hit one of the rocks," she said. "It
teaches you how to fall. It gives you balance."
De Santiago, 26, an Albuquerque
native who's now a student of Varner, said he's having a lot of fun.
"I took kung fu for a year," De
Santiago said. "But I wanted to learn more kicks, and so far I have."
What's more, students get to
listen to a different music while they're learning. One example of a
Capoeira song is that Mazda commercial, which goes "Zoom, Zoom, Zoom," Kim
Varner said.
"When I first heard that on the
television, I thought, 'Gee, that song sounds familiar. Where have I heard
that before?' Then I figured it out."
DETAILS
For information on how to enroll
in a Capoeira class, call the YMCA at 622-9622.
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