Disguised as dance, Capoeira is a martial art. Our New Yorker of the Week teaches it and much more. Roma Torre introduces us.

Welcome to the world of Capoeira where song and dance are a way of life.

"Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian art form which has been evolving for over 450 years," says Freddy Correa, our New Yorker of the Week.

He isn't Brazilian, but this Dominican, born and raised in Washington Heights, has dedicated his life to the martial art of Capoeira, offering free classes twice a week.

"There's a very thin line between my professional life and my personal life. I basically sleep, eat and dream Capoeira," Freddy says.

"It was brought to Brazil by the slaves," he explains, "The slaves at this time couldn't practice a form of martial arts where masters would see them practice in the open, so they had to come up with a form of martial arts that could be hidden within the dance."

At age 19, Freddy embarked on what he thought would be a three-week trip to Brazil to study Capoeira. Instead, he stayed three years. He mastered the language and the art, and now he's getting his students hooked on what they call its spirituality.

"This relates to life," says student Chala Yancy. "It's not just climbing the stairmaster or jogging on the treadmill. It has something to do with everyday life: how you see people, how you relate to people, what they say and how they react to you."

Or for more practical reasons, says another student. "I would say
Capoeira is the most amazing workout that I've ever experienced in my life. It gives you rock hard legs, butt and thighs," says Ariel Riggs.

Over one hundred students take Freddy's classes, either at P.S. 128, Hunter College or at Stonybrook. Many children take them for free; adults pay $$80. But everyone is required to participate in community service.

Besides the physical demands, the members have to learn an entirely new language. All instructions and songs are in Portuguese.

"Capoeira is not about strength, about who's more powerful than the other. It's like a body game of chess," says Freddy.

So for showing them ways on how to master life, Freddy Correa is our New Yorker of the Week.

Roma Torre

If you'd like to learn more about Freddy's classes, you can contact him by calling 212-927-9697, or email him at abadanyc@hotmail.com.

If you know someone who would make a good New Yorker of the Week, email us at ny1news@ny1.com, or write to us:

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