Product Description

WHAT IS CAPOEIRA? -- Capoeira is a martial art developed in Brazil by African slaves more than 400 years ago. It is an all-incompassing art blending blending music dance singing acrobatics play and self defense. All these come together into a unique cohesive whole. Capoeira is the most physical of all the arts.As a form of excercise Capoeira engages all muscles groups helps develop flexibility balance coordination and endurance and offers significant toning and cardiovascular benefits. Accessible to persons of any age and body type Capoeira is much more than a martial art: It engages practitioners on a social level as well placing them in touch with a living tradition and a rich historic heritage.THE CAPOEIRA WORKOUT -- Created by Paula Verdino aka Instrutora Pimentinha The Capoeira Workout is an open-level program including both a step-by-step breakdown of many classic capoeira moves and a full set of non-stop high-energy workout sequences. The workout sections progress from isolated movements with transitional steps in between to graceful dance-like combinations. The program also includes Capoeira solo performance by Paula and Capoeira game demonstrations by Paula and her assistants Lara Silva and Marie Viggiano.THE MUSIC -- The rhythm of the capoeira game is determined by specific musical instruments and songs. All the music heard in The Capoeira Workout comes from the original capoeira musical recordings of Mestre Bimba (Manoel dos Reis Machado) as heard in his famous release Mestre Bimba e a Voz do Berimbau licensed via the Funda o Mestre Bimba Salvador Brasil.System Requirements:Running Time: 35 minutesFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: HEALTH/FITNESS UPC: 188883000352 Manufacturer No: 30141

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #9288 in DVD
• Brand: STRATOSTREAM
• Released on: 2007-05-22
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Color, DVD, NTSC, Widescreen
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: 1.00 pounds
• Running time: 35 minutes

About the Actor
Paula Verdino, aka Instrutora Pimentinha was born in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. She began training as a capoeirista under professor Sabia, the world-renowned capoeira teacher and practitioner of the GINGA MUNDO capoeira group.

Paula Verdino fell in love with the martial art and dedicated herself to capoeira, full time. She achieved the rank of "Graduada," allowing her to teach, and participated in many projects in Brazil working with underprivileged children and adults while teaching capoeira in public and private schools.

Paula Verdino won "Best Female Overall" at the World Capoeira Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and competing again one year later won "Best In Rank" among all male and female competitors.

After being brought to a capoeira event in New York as a special guest, Paula was quickly offered the opportunity to open her own classes in the city. Today Paula has received the Instructor rank and teaches regularly in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Long Island, and also travels widely, leading workshops and capoeira events across the US, as well as in France, Sweden, Portugal, and elsewhere.

Customer Reviews

Very short workout!
I used to do capoeira for a few years but haven't had time to go to classes for almost a year, so I was very excited to see that this DVD was coming out because I thought it would be a nice way to continue with my practice on my own. I did it for the first time yesterday, however, and was very disappointed by how short it is.

Although the DVD does start with a review of the basic moves/kicks you'll be doing and a brief history of this martial art, the workout itself is only about 20 minutes long, including the warmup. There is also no cool-down or stretch at the end.

On the positive side, all of the music is by Mestre Bimba and there are some good sample rodas to watch and learn from.

Overall, it's an alright workout that provides a nice overview of the basic moves (like Benção, Queixada, Martelo, etc.), but I felt like it could have been much longer.

Capoeira at its BEST!
Me and my husband tried this video for the first time and we loved it!!! Paula Verdino is an amazing instructor who provided clear instructions on the different types of techinques. I definitely apprecipated the background and history of Capoeira and its music.
The warm up was very good and the workout was intense, even a cave man can do it! Although the video was short we are hopeful that there will be a series to follow. This is a great video for beginners, who which to learn more about what makes Capoeira such an amazing sport in Brasil and around the world.

Different and challenging
This is a killer on butt and legs and pretty amazing all-around workout. I started going back to some yoga and and started Pilates to improve my flexibility and strengthen my lower back which also helped to compliment this program. I liked trying something different and will keep it in my workout mix.