Find the best capoeira classes and capoeira practice buddy at HeyKiki and learn how to do capoeira. Capoeira is a Brazilian art form that incorporates elements of martial arts, dance, and music. Its history stems from African slaves brought to Brazil in the 16th century, who developed capoeira as not just a fighting style, but a form of self-defense and a tool escaped slaves could use to avoid re-capture. Today, capoeira has become an integral part of Brazilian culture. In a capoeira game, participants spar in pairs, moving acrobatically in a circle, with the intent of catching an opponent off guard and attacking quickly. Capoeira techniques rely heavily on quick and complex moves, using kicks and leg sweeps, with ground and aerial acrobatics that can be reminiscent more of dance than of a martial art.