KUALA LUMPUR: When Farezza Hanum Rashid first picked up capoeira about 13 years ago, she found herself in a challenging situation as this sport was perceived to be against Islamic teachings.
Apart from that, not many women seemed interested in capoeira, a Brazilian form of martial art that combines elements of self-defence, dance, acrobatics and rhythm.
Farezza, 34, went ahead with her capoeira lessons and, at the same time, also did some research on the martial art and found it did not contradict her religion.
Today, the journalist credits her self-discipline and improved fitness level to this art form — the origins of which go back some 500 years — which is now gaining wider acceptance among Malaysians.
Farezza, who writes for a trucking magazine, runs a mini studio in Kelana Jaya, Selangor, where she conducts capoeira classes every Monday and Wednesday after work.
Johor-born Farezza has been interested in martial arts since she was a schoolgirl, having first mastered Ganda, a form of silat or Malay art of self-defence, in 1998. She even represented her state in the event at the Sukan Malaysia (Sukma) games in 2002, 2004 and 2006.
“I’ve been interested in self-defence since I was young. I went on to learn taekwondo and silat before I came across capoeira which I found very different from the others,” she told Bernama, recently.
As someone who loved to try out something new, Farezza, who was then a university student, did not expect to “fall in love with capoeira literally at first sight.”
The adventurous woman, who is also well-versed in boxing, Brazilian jiu jitsu and arnis (a Philippine martial art), also enjoys mountain climbing and participating in extreme sports involving four-wheel drive vehicles.
Farezza, who opened her mini studio to teach capoeira in 2013, said like other forms of martial arts, capoeira too has rankings. She attained the rank of Monitor in 2017 after having practised capoeira for 11 years.
“Monitor is the lowest ranking for instructors but it became my stepping stone to contribute to the development of this martial art in this country,” she said, adding that her studio was open to people in all age groups.
“Capoeira is suitable for people of all ages but for some reason, there are more male participants than female. Children as young as three years can take it up and I’ve seen people in their 60s learning capoeira. Each person’s progress is based on his or her ability and style. We don’t force them all to be the same.”
Farezza, who teams up with her friends to stage capoeira performances at various locations to promote the martial art, noted that it has started to gain a place in this country.
“Participants can not only benefit from its self-defence techniques but also get to enjoy the music and dance moves,” she said, adding that each training session is accompanied by the beat of drums and sound of tambourines.
“I feel that everyone should try practising capoeira because I’m sure they will be amazed by the agility of the movements with musical accompaniment. It’s also a great way to relieve work-related stress.”
Asked if she has any goals as far as capoeira was concerned, Farezza said all she wanted was to continue to be actively involved in the art and improve her knowledge.
“I also want to continue visiting Brazil... my last visit there was in 2014 when I and fellow practitioners from all over the world trained with our master. It is a very different experience altogether when training with Brazilian capoeira practitioners from different levels. That’s why I want to go back to Brazil if I have the chance,” she added. Bernama