CAPOEIRA
Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian art form created by slaves in colonial Brazil. It has been described as a martial art, dance, form of self-defense, or any hybrid of these.
Capoeira is combined ancient rituals and modern creativity into a rich fabric of motion, percussion, and song. A typical capoeira “game” includes traditional music, precise kicks, evasive defense moves, and breathtaking acrobatics. In the words of one of the renowed masters, capoeira is “a dance that is a fight and a fight that is a dance.” As anyone who has seen capoeira can attest to, there is nothing else in the world like it. Like other marital arts there are many benefits of Capoeira for Children. Many benefits include an increased ability to focus, development of endurance, strength, motor skills, coordination, flexibility and reflexes. Capoeira also boosts self-esteem and encourages cooperation, respect and trust.
By participating in the capoeira, participants will learn to about the Brazilian culture, move in new ways, get in shape, improve coordination, balance and body control. Participants will also have the opportunity to practice the musical aspects of capoeira.
Professor Joy is a leader in teaching capoeira to all-ages and abilities. As a NY State Certified Physical Education Teacher, she develops her lessons age-appropriately in a safe and nurturing environment. Currently, she teaches capoeira classes for the New York City Board of Education at Brooklyn Technical H.S. and has developed the children’s program at Amplify.
INSTRUCTORS
Professora Joy
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Joy San Agustin a.k.a “Coruja” began her Capoeira training with Grupo Capoeira Brasil. Though her home is New York City, Joy has spent significant time training in Brazil in places such as São Paulo, Aracaju, Salvador, and Rio de Janeiro. A talented martial artist, Joy has been a featured performer for Nike and Sony. Joy has also performed for non-profit organizations such as the Capoeira Foundation, Roots of Brazil, and Dance Connecticut in Hartford.
In addition, Joy has been featured in numerous TV programs including “EGG” on PBS Channel 13, MNN (The Manhattan Neighborhood Network) and “A Capoeiragem na Bahia” on the Brazilian Network TVE. In addition to entertainment and media venues, Joy is often invited to bring her Capoeira talents to educational and cultural centers. For five years, Joy has been a guest teacher at The Happen’n , an Annual Womyn’s World and Drum percussion workshop in the Catskill Mountains. An active member of the Capoeira community, Joy travels a great deal both in the US and abroad to play and to teach Capoeira.
Joy completed her M.S. in Physical Education at Queens College. Currently, Joy instructs children and adults here at Nexus as well as all levels of Capoeira in Manhattan. She teaches Capoeira classes for the Brooklyn Technical H.S. and the New York City Board of Education. Joy teaches children’s classes, which she finds extremely rewarding.