Capoeira Mandinga Shanghai

TE: What is your name, where are you from and what do you do?

DIEGO: My name is Diego Pappalardo. I’m from Italy, I live in Shanghai, work for a European Bank and teach capoeira.

TE: Can you describe capoeira for us?

DIEGO: Originating in Brazil in the 1600s, Capoeira is the only indigenous American martial art, it was developed by African slaves in Brazil. Capoeira began to take form amongst the community of slaves that worked on the sugar cane plantations. It became a strong weapon in the life and death struggle against their oppressors. Capoeiristas learned to camouflage the forbidden fight with singing and clapping as though it were simply entertainment.The fight was disguised behind the dance – a dance that could be as graceful as a panther and as treacherous as a snake.Capoeira is an art form and self-defense; with strong aerobic and dance elements. It is a harmony of forces that gives you power, flexibilty, endurance and self-discovery. Capoeira balances the body, soul and mind. It is a graceful, exciting art form that teaches you to be alert.

TE: In China, how would you compare capoeira to other martial arts?

DIEGO: Capoeira is less martial, more creative. It involves music and history. It is a great workout and is demanding, even though the environment is friendly and students have fun during the training.

capoeira

TE: Capoeira is often seen performed without much physical contact. Is that by design?

DIEGO: As some Capoeira Master said, “There is no physical contact if you’re fast enough to avoid the kick.” The first thing that a capoeira student learns is to escape from kicks. The second thing is to kick with control. Our goal is not to hurt the opponent but to challenge him and to dialogue with him. We say “to play capoeira”, even though there is a challenge and there can be contact.

TE: How long have you been in China and what’s it been like there for you as a foreigner?

DIEGO: I have been in Shanghai since 2005, while I had also been in Beijing as student in 2004. I have now a full time job and a full time commitment to teach capoeira: I love my life here and as a foreigner who can speak mandarin I find the life in Shanghai pretty easy and convenient.

TE: If you had one tip for someone visiting China, what would it be?

DIEGO: If you’re visiting, be Chinese: eat Chinese food, visit the parks, the narrow streets, go to Beijing and have just a quick look at Shanghai. If you’re moving here for long term, then take this opportunity to realize your projects: China is the right place to do that.

Original article: “Travel Explotion“

During centuries, Chinese martial arts and dance have nourished the stlye of calligraphy strokes with their movement control and flow. Why not then bring the poetry of Chinese calligraphy into capoeira movements? This Shanghai capoeiristas let their bare feet and hands become their brushes soaked in Chinese ink. The result is a kind of abstract calligraphy that discloses the patterns created by the contact between the body and the floor element in capoeira. The capoeira performance you will see in this video is the final number in one version of the Illumin8tors’ rock opera Solar/Lunar, based on Chinese ancient myths.

Videos by Nico Virtual

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Capoeira is great for kids. It combines martial arts, gymnastics, music and dance and provides a fun challenging workout. Capoeira is also a great tool to develop coordination, since its movements involve the entire body. Thanks to its music component, children also learn to sing in Portuguese and play the traditional Capoeira instruments. Introducing fun kids games where the elements of capoeira are incorporated, children learn many important skills including discipline, self confidence and respect.

Kids classes every Saturday from 3:15pm-4:30pm on Yan’An Xi lu n.358, 3rd floor (near Nanjing Xi Lu)

Contact email: capoeirashanghai@yahoo.com

ICS TV went to our gym and produce a really nice documentary about our group…

check it out!!!

http://capoeirashanghai.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/ics_tv.flv

Axe Virtual

Starting from February 18th Diego “Guerreiro” will teach capoeira classes at Kerry Sport Center in Kerry Hotel Pudong. Classes will be every Friday from 7:30pm to 8:20pm.

For information on the classes please contact directly Kerry sport center.

Kerry Hotel Pudong, Shanghai
Pre-opening office, No.1388 Hua Mu Road Pudong, Shanghai 201204, China
T: (86 21) 6169 8888
F: (86 21) 6169 8899

The 3rd Annual Batizado of Capoeira Mandinga Shanghai will take place on the 10th-11th-12th of September!

Workshops, rodas, performances, party: it’s going to be a massive event!

Special guests:

- Mestre Marcelo Caveirinha, Founder of Capoeira Mandinga

- Mestre Espirro Mirim, Cordao de Ouro Tucson

- Contra Mestre Espeto, Capoeira Forca da Arte Osaka

- Contra Mestre Cipó, Capoeira Mandinga Mexico Cuernavaca

Special price for all the visiting capoeiristas: RMB400 for workshops and rodas

Further details coming soon.

Should you have any question, please send an email to capoeirashanghai@yahoo.com

Axé!

Dear camaras,

Dear all,

After 18 months of great capoeira classes, in the cold and in the hot, our Gym in Zhongshan Park will close for ever next Friday 31st of July. It will be demolished for the Expo2010.

We have found a temporary place for our classes during the month of August!

It’s an amazing room in 1147 Kangding Rd., by Wuning Rd. (15minutes walking from Jing’An Temple)
We will keep our usual schedule. I’ll let you know further details soon.

Thank you Princesa for finding the precious contact and thank you Nico, Bolacha and Biscoito for checking the venue.

THIS IS ONLY A TEMPORARY SOLUTION FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST: WE SHOULD KEEP LOOKING FOR A GYM/VENUE TO BE USED FOR THE FOLLOWING YEARS!

The best way to help is to call or to personally go to see the gym you have found. If there’s availability and you think that the place is ok, let us know ASAP.

Thank you for your proactive collaboration!

Capoeira Workshops in Shanghai China with C.M. Espeto and Capoeira Mandinga Shanghai!

Date: 17th-20th of July, 2009
Organizer: Capoeira Mandinga Shanghai

Special guest: Contra Mestre Espeto, Força da Arte – Osaka JAPAN

This event on Facebook — http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=105983044947

More details will be published soon.

UPDATE (January 8, 2012): Location corrections and changes.

If you want to get a simple, stylish and cheap bag for your berimbau (Diego, Macaquinho and I already have one), with a special section for the cabaça, you can have it made to order in a Chinese market’s stall (baazaar) located in Lanxi lu (near Caoyang lu). It’s just 25 yuan !

Address: CaoYang TieLu NongMao ShiChang, Lanxi lu 55 (near Caoyang lu). Caoyang Lu metro station.
曹杨铁路农贸市场, 兰溪路55号 (近曹杨路), 曹杨路地铁张. See updated information here.

Map: GoogleMaps, or eDuShi (3d map)

You can go there by metro, line 3, CaoYang lu station, exit no.3.

Even if you can speak neither Mandarin nor Shanghainese, I have put a picture of the bag on the shop’s wall, so you can just point at it and A-yi will make it for you.

You can also call A-yi (6210696) or her son (15921716705) on the phone to order in Mandarin or Shanghainese.

Thanks Requebra for the help

Camaras!

Saturday 13th of December a good friend of Capoeira Mandinga Shanghai, graduado Turista from Capoeira Brasil Barcelona, will come to our training and roda!

Everyone is invited to come wearing the white uniform and bringing the instruments.

Even if in China capoeira is still at its beginning, Shanghai is an international city and there are always capoeiristas visiting us from all over the world.

Axé!