What is Capoeira? Capoeira is an art form that combines the elements of fight, dance and game. Originating from Brazil, it has taken the Western world by storm in recent years. Ironically, Capoeira was created by the underdogs of colonial Brazil - the slaves - who used innovative yet natural and flowing body movements to overcome their cruel slave masters.

According to Mestre Pintor, Capoeira is unique because it is not a martial art technically. In terms of its historical roots, it is firmly anti-establishment. This translates to an “overcoming the odds” quality about Capoeira which often draws not just the athletic but often the “underdogs” from various walks of life that often realise their true potential through working harder than their physically fit counterparts to perfect their form and skill. The results are often surprising to themselves and others.

Perhaps this is one of the many reasons why Capoeira is flourishing around the world.

At its basic nature, it allows people work at overcoming their physical and mental limitations. Its unique and graceful movements have defied categorisation such that it cannot be strictly pigeonholed as a sport, combat art or a performing art per se (leaving authorities very befuddled when trying to define it). Yet this 300-year-old tradition is instrumental in giving birth to one of pop culture’s greatest phenomenon: breakdancing. Inspired from Capoeira’s stylistic movements, break dance moves are embellished and modified accordingly, resulting in the breath taking results we are so familiar with today.