After four sessions of Capoeira, the children at Agape Christian Academy don’t just know how to pronounce it, they know how to perform it.
Jordyn Stewart, Kyla Carter, Jabari Rebmon, Sean Stewart, Marquies Weaver, Sybil Thomas, Marquitta Foster and Michon Sobers took the classes during their summer camp, and the group of 4-10-year-olds is already starting to learn some of the basic moves.
"The four basic moves are the dance step; evasion and dodge; flip technique; and kick," said Nile Fahmy. While it is considered a form of martial arts, the point is not to overpower the opponent, but rather "to make your opponent do something he doesn't want to do."
"It's all about trickery," said Fahmy, who is the lead instructor for the camp at Agape, as well as at several other locations.
Fahmy has been practicing martial arts since he was six years old. He started learning Capoeira about eight years ago and got his first belt after six months. There are 14 levels and it can take as long as 25 years to master. Fahmy is a high-ranking intermediate, the equivalent of a second-degree black belt in karate or Tae Kwon Do.
Not only are classes fun for the young students, they don't cost anything for the sponsoring institution. Funds for the program were awarded to United Community Ministries by the Community Resilience Project (CRP), part of a nationwide program created by the Federal Emergency Management Agency after Sept. 11 to create communities not only resilient but also tolerant of other cultures
TEAM LEADER for the South Fairfax County CRP division is Abida Ripley, the former director of Bryant Early Learning Center. She coordinates the program and also teaches women's self-defense and rape escape classes.
CRP’s purpose is to teach community members and businesses about other cultures, while also offering training to keep them healthy and let them defend themselves.
It can keep people healthy while preparing for future attacks or traumas, said Ripley. "We offer these services free of charge to child care centers, elementary, middle and high schools, alternative schools, teen centers, residential communities and businesses."
SOUTH AMERICAN in nature, Capoeira may have developed from the descendents of African slaves, brought to Brazil by the Portuguese during the era of the Atlantic Slave trade. Adding music and dance movements, they disguised martial arts training it as play.
"Capoeira is more of a game and less of a fight," said Ripley. "It is taught as a game but it does prepare the practitioner as a fighter in the event that there is a need. It combines elements of dance, singing, games, aerobics and martial arts."
One of the reasons Ripley likes Capoeira is because there is a lot of action. "One of the most attractive features for children with attention disorders is the constant movement in Capoeira," she said.
As someone who lives with AD/HD himself, Fahmy can relate to this premise. "Kids with AD/HD, you have to catch their interest," he said. "The music catches their ears and the movements catch their eyes."
The 20 or so children at Agape seemed to enjoy it. Before starting the weekly session, instructor Kris Lanham, otherwise known as doninha, showed them excerpts from a video on Capoeira.
"You get good ideas watching others," said Lanham, who goes to the Brazilian school in Washington, D.C., to watch Capoeira demonstrations.
After watching the video, he asked, "Are you ready to practice?" There were a few hesitations, but most of the children were ready to go. Instead of responding with “yes,” they say “si.”
"Teaching Capoeira vocabulary in the original language is a part of this multicultural lesson," said Ripley.
THEY FORMED A circle and Lanham started playing the berimbau, a bowed Brazilian string instrument. Fahmy entered the circle and told students to come up when they "got the nod from Chris," the signal that it was okay to enter the circle.
As each student came forward, he or she shook hands with Fahmy and then started their routine. As Fahmy kicked and flipped, it was up to the student to anticipate moves and counter-kick and flip; otherwise he was forced to dodge.
The students who came first, Rebmon, Stewart and Weaver, seemed confident and ready to take on Fahmy. Some who came later seemed a little less sure. It didn't matter the skill level, all students were treated equally. There was no physical contact and each one who opted got to try the moves. "I think it's very nice," said Marquitta Foster, coming to his fourth class.
After the demonstration, they practiced flips and then the session was over. Fahmy and Lanham were on to their next class.
As of now, the program is being offered at a variety of places including the Huntington Community Center, Sacramento Neighborhood Center, Hideaway Teen Center, Capital Kids, Childtime and Agape Christian Academy.
Fahmy and Lanham still have openings and Fahmy said, "Anyone who wants a program within our boundaries will get one." Aside from the classes covered by the CRP grant, Fahmy also teaches adult Capoeira classes at Gold's Gym.