That’s why the MARTIAL ART doesn’t get a decent attention, they think it’s all dancing, you PRACTICE Capoeira, not play it.

It’s means ‘Dangerous’. Mestro Pedro (son of Gato) and my instructor Tim came up with it for me way before my first batizado. Why? Weeeeeeellll…I had a very horrible habit of my foot seeming to connect quite intimately with various parts of the body…Mostly between the navel and the knees (if you get my drift).

I never discriminated either – man, woman, a little in-between – didn’t matter. My foot still seemed to find that sensitive part of the inner thigh close enough to certain ‘bits’ that left most men breathless with relief it didn’t land half an inch to the left. (and some women full on…I’m so sorry ladies, that made me cringe even more than the men!!)

It was never on purpose, mind you. I never thought ‘I’ll win this roda by taking someone out with a swift kick to the jollies!’ or anything. It was more or less innocent, yet absolutely perfect timing of two various body parts being in the wrong place at the right time.

After a particularly close call with my instructor, he had to ask Pedro what to call me as there is not a Portuguese equivalent to ‘Ball Breaker’. Pedro said ‘Ah, man, she’s just dangerous’. and that was it.

And I remember the first time it happened – it was my second class, and Saci (who is about 6’3″, large, muscular afro-caribbean man and gentle as all outside the roda, but scary and ‘H-E-double-hockeysticks’ in the roda) and I were playing – the first time I met this guy, when we go for opposite compassos as the same time. Now as he’s a gentle giant, and I’m…well…not, his compasso flew right over me with room to spare, while mine seemed to fly …into… him. It wasn’t fast, so no one ended up on the floor cursing my name, but lets just say my aim was spot on, and I actually felt the heel of my foot ‘lifting and separating’ things only his wife should fondle. There was actually a moment where we both froze (longest moment in time) before I scuttled off giggling like a moron out of pure embarrassment and hiding behind the atabaque waiting for my blush to die down before I could show my face again.

Perigosa is now a part of me. Once I got the name, it just stuck. Even when I took a few months off to try out kung fu (*ptooey!) My name always remained. On FB, it’s my ‘middle’ name. i never took it off as it’s that much of a part of me. Even I sometimes forget it’s only a nickname, not a real name. When I went to my batizado, some of the Brazilians couldn’t pronounce my name (Courtney) so they just went “Ah, whatever, Ok, ‘Perigosa’ “. People call me Courtney, people call me Perigosa. I answer to both.

It’s who I am.

Stumbled upon this blog…

Enjoyed reading all your stories!

I am Cegonha as well.

Was given my Apelido as a result of having met my Teachers at the Birth of their first Child together. I was their Homebirth Midwife’s assisitant at the time and am also a Mother and a Doula (Doula is a support person). My Instructor chose “Cegonha” – which, as you’ve may have read above, means Stork – ’cause as he explained… “The Stork, helps bring the Baby”!

Was never intending to train Capoeira. After the Birth I was invited to come check out the class with the youngest of my three Children who I knew would be interested. My Son started training and the Teacher and his Wife kept coaxin’ me to join in the Roda. Quite reluctantly, I did, and began training alongside my Son who is known as “Menino Maluquinho” because of his exuberant style of play. “Menino Maluquinho” is also the name of a Brazilian comic book character.

Thanx to Faisca for creating this forum!

Peace, Playful Mischief & Joyful Chaos To All!

;^D