'Ginga'
To ’Gingar’, ‘Ginga’ (Jihn-gah)
To swing, sway, rock.
This is a short, mainly ‘mechanical’ look at this incredible movement.
Its crazy. After all this time having been teaching this art, I never thought of making a simple tutorial for a movement so profound.
‘Profound’!? I hear you, its only a step back and forward right, and whats more your not even moving anywhere!?
Time after time this is one of the beautiful things I find about this art and its contradictions, the simplicity and yet at the same time the infinite depth it spawns
This simple step has travelled through time, generations, borders, countries, continents, cultures, languages, fought wars, oppression. This step has influenced and inspired Dancers, Fighters, Trickers, Parkour (Traceurs)/Freerunners, Bboys/Bgirls, Fitness enthusiasts and movement culture. Every one of its steps, is a step toward understanding self
So strange, because most people I seem to encounter think that Capoeira is difficult and ‘not accessible’ in terms of learning its ‘movements’ when in fact ‘Ginga’ is probably the most ‘accessible’ and ‘functional’ movements out here! (As you practice you will find that its concepts will relate to and benefit most human movement: Walking, running, twisting, turning, jumping, hoping, spinning, bending, extending, squatting ect. Your mobility and flexibility as you will be moving through and across all facial lines of the body)
Over time what I have actually realised is the step it self isn’t the challenge, but rather it’s the cultural resistance to movement that is.
What do I mean? Well give people a ‘lunge’, ‘squat’ and ‘press up’, tell them to run, jump or lift a weight that there is ‘culturally accessible’ whether it is then labelled as ‘Yoga’, ‘Pilates’ or ‘fitness’ but show someone a ‘Ginga’ (backward/Side lunge) suddenly it’s ‘different’, ‘foreign’, too exotic sounding and in kicks the resistance.
Besides the music, if there was a Alpha and Omega, first and last physical ’step’ in the ‘mechanics’ of Capoeira movement this would probably be it.
In the context of Capoeira this is the movement which all others stem from and the one that the uninitiated naked eye is most likely ‘NOT’ to notice, while paying attention instead to beautiful ‘floreios’, ‘inversions’, strange looking yet beautiful arm balances, elbow levers, jumps, kicks, takedowns and acrobatics that Capoeira is usually promoted by
The ‘ginga’ in my point of view is like the Capoeiras (practitioners) identity in Capoeira, as it is unique to the individual like a finger print (or should I say foot print) similar in the way that each person has their own unique way of walking constantly in flux and in infinite variation, part taught and learned, the other an expression of self.
This like all Capoeira movements has its physical (seen) and metaphysical properties (Unseen)
Note: This step will be taught differently all across the world of Capoeira, with at times what can be seen as different ideas, mechanics and philosophical concepts. Best way to learn is in guidance of a good teacher.
So here below are some simple mechanics to help you begin.
Stand with feet just over hip width distance apart (‘Parallel’)
Now harness your weight by slightly bending at the ankles, knees and hip. Begin a soft shift of weight down and up
Step to a wider ‘Parallel’ position shoulder width distance apart and begin to ‘Rotate’ twist through the hip. Place your hands at the hip for feedback to make sure the pelvis is rotating. Notice the shift of weight from side to side. Then add a slight squat
Shift your weight to the left step your right leg behind and right arm in front this is the (‘Leg behind’ position). Step back to ‘parallel’, then shift your weight to the right and step your left leg behind and left arm in front
Stand with your right leg behind and right arm in front. Begin to rock forward and back as if you were going to take a step forward and hold! (5 counts)
Now ‘Ginga’ (Yes this is it!)
‘Balanço’ (Swing) rotate from the hip and swing to the left and right, from the parallel step do the same from the ‘Leg behind’ position
Ginga and ‘Balanço’ from the leg behind position.
I hope you found this useful. Wishing you a great practice!