Nothing is more important than your health and we at Sikara always encourage finding a way to make physical activity fun for you, a way for you to celebrate yourself and your body. The art form of Capoeira mixes dance, music, as well as Brazilian and African cultural influences to make one action packed workout! The art form is characterized by swift movements and acrobatics. However, it is much better to hear about it from someone who lives it, so here is Sikara staffer, Jessica Loman to tell why she’s crazy about capoeira.

-How did you get started with Capoeira ?

An awesome friend, Laura Yang (also fellow Sikara fan), introduced me to capoeira about 10 years ago at a San Francisco event. The huge crowd of people created heart pounding music and an amazing energy around two people having a conversation through movements – kicking, flipping and gracefully gliding around each other. It was SO COOL! Now, after 6 years of training capoeira, I’m still hooked with so much more to learn.

-What about Capoeira helps you stay fit?

As a former gymnast, I have always been involved in sports that keep me fit somehow. Capoeira takes my fitness to a whole new level because it requires muscles that I never knew I had! Whether it’s conditioning with kicks, practicing technique, improvising in a game, or even playing music, Capoeira helps me stay fit in fun ways with great company.

-What do you enjoy about doing Capoeira?

Aside from the great workout, I love that capoeira is more than just about fitness. Capoeira involves dance, music, self-defense, Afro-Brazilian culture, Portuguese language, and a worldwide amazing community. Through capoeira I have met and trained with people in Virginia, Florida, Iowa, New York, California, Mexico, UK, and Indonesia. What’s not to enjoy?

-What is the most challenging for about Capoeira?

Every day that I train I discover a new movement that is challenging for me. One area of capoeira that has been consistently difficult is playing capoeira instruments while singing.

-Is there a Sikara piece that reminds you of Capoeira?

In Sikara’s Brazilian Collection, there are “Onze Circulo Step Earrings” that remind me of Capoeira. It translates to “Eleven Circle Step Earrings,” and reminds me of the many circles of capoeira around the world that are interconnected. There is also beautiful movement with this pair of earrings that remind me of the grace between two capoeiristas and within capoeira music and acrobatics.