‘Negative’

A core movement/position in Capoeira. Although the movement varies among different schools of Capoeira the general principle is the same. I differentiate 3 main types of negativa: Base Negativa, Negative Regional, Negative de Angola.

Personally, I think of Negativa a little bit like I think of Ginga - both allow a skilled Capoeirista to move in every direction, throw or escape a kick, transform to many (if not all) other Capoeira movements. Most of the floor based Capoeira movements that exist usually start from Negativa.