Part of the Dancing in Jersey Spotlight Q&A series.
Welcome to the first edition of Dancing in Jersey's new Q&A series, Spotlight Q&A. In this series, founder Hayley delves into the stories and passions behind Jersey's vibrant dance community.
The series kicks off with a fascinating conversation with Corujinha Davey-Padidar from Jersey Capoeira. Corujinha shares her journey into Capoeira, the unique blend of dance, martial arts, and culture that defines it, and how this vibrant practice is growing on the island.
Dancing in Jersey (DiJ): What drew you to Capoeira, and how did Jersey Capoeira come to be founded?
Corujinha Davey-Padidar (CDP): I grew up dancing and wanted to learn a martial art too, so Capoeira having elements of both really got my attention. A friend of mine who had been to Brazil was describing it to me and I remember feeling really excited about learning it - so I engineered my placement year at university to go to Brazil (rather than Portugal) so I could learn it. I love Portugal too!
The Jersey Capoeira Association came about quite naturally. Being the first Capoeira club in Jersey, it felt like the right thing to do so I started teaching and working in schools, held events etc.
DiJ: For those unfamiliar, how would you describe Capoeira and what makes it unique as both a martial art and a dance form?
CDP: Capoeira is a Brazilian martial art that has its roots in Africa. There is a misconception that it is a dance, however, it is a ritualised form of fighting that is rhythmic and involves song and is practiced to its own music. It is also a game and a dialogue between to people, and has elements of acrobatics and dance all drawn from the cultural practices that were in play at the time of slavery in Brazil between the 15th and 18th Century.
DiJ: What kind of community have you built around Capoeira in Jersey, and how has it evolved over time?
CDP: Over the years, the Capoeira family in Jersey has taken many forms. We have worked with schools and at one point, I think most kids of a certain age had been in one of my classes. We have held cultural events and grading ceremonies, bringing masters in the art over to teach and grade students. We also used to work all the festivals doing performances and workshops.
Nowadays, you will find us in St. Aubin's Methodist Church Hall twice a week, and sometimes at the weekends where we gather for a game on the grass. We are a family, and we take that seriously - I have an extended family all over the world from various groups I have connected with over the years.
DiJ: What are the main goals of Jersey Capoeira, both for beginners and more experienced practitioners?
CDP: Our aim is to meet and learn from each other, to sing together, and learn the subtleties of Capoeira. We primarily strive to be fit and strong, but also to grow in our game and respect people in our circle. Capoeira is a path and comes with values passed down through different lineages. Once a predominantly male sport, Capoeira is now accessible to everybody and has evolved a lot even in the 25 years I have been practicing. Compared to other martial arts it might seem quite new and therefore it is still growing and changing to suit its environment - something I love about it.
DiJ: What does a typical Capoeira training session look like at Jersey Capoeira?
CDP: We usually start with a warm-up and stretch. I sometimes incorporate dance moves from other Brazilian art forms into the warm-up, to enrich my student's game. Then we work through a sequence from the ground up - this is usually a two-person sequence which we then practice in a ring (Roda) then we add in music and song. Whilst training is important, Capoeira only really happens in the ring.
DiJ: What key skills do beginners need to focus on when starting Capoeira?
CDP: Initially, students just need to follow as much as they can and not put too much pressure on themselves to be perfect; Capoeira is different and not like anything they may have practiced before. It’s like being a baby - you have to be humble enough to accept you are a beginner; always a good lesson in life!
Physically you will feel the effects of Capoeira straight away - it will challenge your strength, balance and flexibility, though none of these are a requirement; these are areas where you will need to do some homework. Then there is the musicality - learning to clap, sing and play percussion… that’s the fun bit for me, but not for everyone and not optional!
DiJ: How do you incorporate music and rhythm into Capoeira training?
CDP: We train to recorded music or the rhythm of an instrument, then we do a game 'Roda', and that is when the music comes in. The various instruments dictate the speed and style of Capoeira being played. There is more than one style of game and many Capoeira rhythms.
DiJ: How do you ensure that Capoeira remains accessible and inclusive for everyone in the community?
CDP: There is a saying that "Capoeira is for everyone, but not everyone is for Capoeira" and this means that Capoeira is a path, and most people seek it out. It's a discipline and it challenges you in many ways. As a result, you become stronger, more confident and physically aware. If you are happy to show up and try, then you are welcome. Our doors are always open to people who are keen to try it out respectfully. We have no restrictions, though I do ask that people contact me in advance if they have any concerns. At the moment, we are running adult classes and planning a kid's class in September.
DiJ: Can you share any success stories of students who have made significant progress or overcome challenges through Capoeira?
CDP: A success story is someone who is still practicing, playing and doing handstands at the age of 70. Someone who can still shrug off the norms and expectations of life and have a play fight in a ring of people they may or may not know, sing and clap in time with everybody else, and bask in the beautiful thing that Capoeira is. For me, Capoeira has always been my compass, it is my loyal friend, and I go to it when I feel sad, angry or disappointed and it always lifts my spirit. That is success.
DiJ: Do you have any upcoming events, workshops, or performances that people should know about?
CDP: Yes, we do! We have an amazing Afro-Dance workshop on 14th September, followed by a Capoeira Workshop in the afternoon. Everybody is welcome and both events can be booked on Eventbrite or via jerseycapoeira@yahoo.co.uk.
We are also on Facebook as Jersey Capoeira and Instagram as Monitora Corujinha.
DiJ: What are your long-term goals for Jersey Capoeira?
CDP: To never stop, to one day be a master, to grow into a bigger family, to spread the JOY and to hold a grading event known as a “batizado” maybe next year and bring our master over.
DiJ: Finally, what advice would you give to someone who is interested in starting Capoeira but might be hesitant?
CDP: Get stuck in, don’t wait, we’re a nice bunch. It’s fun, it’s different and it’s easy to get hooked. Once you have the Capoeira bug you have it for life!
