Capoeira classes in The Hague

Location & time schedule

Class structure

During class I will emphasize to train within your own possibilities (but you will be challenged of course ;-). If you are more experienced we will step in from your specific level. Both experienced and beginners are welcome in my class. In general, classes are structured as follows: warming-up, capoeira techniques, combining techniques (with or without partner), and music/roda. Capoeira techniques are easily to learn. Compare training capoeira with learning how to ride a bicycle. In your first attempt you won’t start with a downhill mountain session. You would probably start with in a quite neighborhood with somebody walking next to you. This is similar to capoeira. The first techniques you can do if you are able to walk. As soon as you are able to run, I will give you more to learn etc. Besides this above we will also give attention to music during class[hyperlink ‘The music’]. All of this will come together in the roda. Capoeira in action!
In my classes you will get: a good atmosphere, enough sweat, your essential capoeira-vitamins and a whole heap of fuuuuuuuuuuuuun!

Class location / times

Gymzaal Waldeck Pyrmontkade 115

On Fridays* from 7-8.30pm (19.00-20.30). Classes are held in ‘the tail’ of the old building at the crossing point of ‘Elandstraat’ and the ‘Waldeck Pyrmontkade’. Across tram stop 3, ‘Elandstraat’. Here you will find a link to google maps:

Grotere kaart weergeven

*From 14 years old and above.

The Hague University

From the 11th of November capoeira classes are on Tuesdays from 7-8.30pm. We gather together at the main entrance of The Hague University.

The address is Johanna Westerdijkplein 75, 2521 EN The Hague. Here you will find a link to google maps:

Grotere kaart weergeven

Children capoeira classes

Two months before the children class will start, I will put up more information about the children classes right here. Your children will become familiar with: body movements and control, self-defence, songs, subtle discipline, making music, new friends and a whole lot more! ;-)

Training clothes & class fee

Clothes you wear during classes should be comfortable and provide room for body movement. Bring a loose fitting pants to your first class. If you want to train regularly you can ask me to bring official Capoeira Engenho clothing for you.

The class fee is €65,- for 10 classes. You can sign-up for the classes at The Hague University through the ACKU on the following website:

http://www.acku.nl/joomla/index.php?option=com_philaform&form_id=7

For the Friday classes you can contact me, Vitamina.

Objective

The objective of Grupo Engenho The Hague is similar to our overall objective: to promote health by spreading capoeira and Brazilian culture. We have certain special focus areas: social interaction, cultural exchange projects, development of children and (re-)unification of people.

Our group in The Hague distinguishes itself by my personal interpretation of this objective. I will combine basic fundaments of Grupo Engenho with my own thoughts and ideas.

Teacher Vitamina

Capoeira background

Hi there! I am Arnold Emile Baldé, better known in the capoeira world as Monitor Vitamina (‘Vita’). My first capoeira teacher was Professor Floris Mentzel. He also gave me my nickname Vitamina. Vitamina is a drink in Brazil made from milk and fruit with a healthy image. When I started capoeira in 2001 I also started the bachelor degree Food & Business. Enthusiastic as I was (and still am!) about nutrition and health, I spoke frequently about it. It perfectly describes who I am and I am thankful that he gave me this name. Unfortunately he stopped teaching due to busy schedules. Luckily, I could contact, via via, Mestre Valu. He founded Grupo Balança here in Holland and Balança came to Groningen in 2002. With a lot of passion and critical looks he tought me many things. Also, Professor Espirito Forte, also helped me a lot with capoeira. He leads Grupo Balança Groningen nowadays.

After four years of capoeira training it was time for me to go to Brazil. Six months I spend there to learn about my passion capoeira. Although I had met many nice and interesting people I hadn’t met the group that I wanted to train with. Four weeks after arrival I trained alone in a gym across the street. During one of my solo training sessions, Gnomo approached me and asked whether I wanted to see his group, Grupo Engenho. “Of course!” And off we went...During my first visit I already felt the warmth and the positive energy of the group. One of the things that attracted me that Professor Baianinho treated me as his equal. I missed the bus after class; luckily I could spend the night over at his place. Within a short period I felt a strong connection with Grupo Engenho. The social approach, emphasize on children projects and the capoeira style (with ‘balança’, swing, capoeira Angola and Regional and also the game Chico-chico we played). Everything made sense and I decided to join Grupo Engenho. When I got back I prepared myself for the next adventure; two years of studying Nutrition and teaching capoeira in Australia.

Instrutor Peroba and Corvo, Mestre Gege (Grupo Muzenza),
Professor Sabará and Monitor Vitamina, Salvador, Brazilië 2005

Nutrition, other cultures, people and health

In this part I also tell you about my interest in nutrition, other cultures, people and health. Reason is that I believe it helps me to put the work of Grupo Engenho into practice. I have finished two nutrition degrees: a bachelor of Food & Business and a Master of Nutrition (Australia). Currently (October 2008), I started with Nutrition and Dietetics in The Hague. My interest in other cultures got translated to live three times outside The Netherlands; Surinam, Brazil and Australia. The experiences with the people, the different cultures added a lot to my life. One of these things is that I sincerely welcome everybody, that is everybody, to my capoeira classes. Only then we can learn from each others cultures, thoughts and experiences. Another interest is people. I would like to get to know people and bring them together. Share the things that I love to do (capoeira!). In summary, practicing capoeira, singing, eating healthy, having people around me, sharing cultures all relate to health. For me this is important. How about you?