For Kanani Fraticelli of Kailua, capoeira — a Brazilian martial art that combines dance and acrobatics — is a physical as well as spiritual outlet.

Fraticelli, 33, a mother of three, has suffered from mysterious seizures for the past three years. Doctors still do not know the cause of the seizures and have restricted her from driving a car, work and other physical activities.

Then in October she heard the beat of drums, voices singing and a one-string bow instrument called the berimbau coming from a dance studio. She went to check it out and discovered capoeira.

She plans to continue with it as long as she can.

"It’s helped me physically, mentally and spiritually," said Fraticelli, who first obtained her doctor’s permission to participate. "It’s given me life and brought me hope. I just fell in love with it."

Before her seizures began, Fraticelli enjoyed activities like paddling, kickboxing and dancing, and practiced other kinds of martial arts. Since beginning classes at Capoeira Besouro Hawaii, she says, she has had fewer seizures.

"It’s the music, the energy," she said. "With other martial arts you’re learning offense and defense. With capoeira it’s more of an art where you naturally flow and kind of go."

Mestre Kinha, whose full name is Paulo Linhares, is the founder of Capoeira Besouro Hawaii, which opened its doors in 2004.

The studio has about 100 students ranging from age 2 to 60-plus and opened a new Kaneohe location in March. Classes also are offered at Boca Hawaii on Cooke Street.

Capoeira is often described as a martial art disguised as dance and is believed to have been developed by African slaves working on plantations in Brazil during the 17th century. Many different styles of capoeira have developed. Moves include kicks, spins and low leg sweeps as well as cartwheels, handstands and flips.

The number of practicing capoeiristas in Hawaii is small but growing, according to Carmen Linhares, Linhares’ wife.

Besides Capoeira Besouro Hawaii, there are two smaller schools in Hono­lulu.

Capoeira hasspread throughout the globe and can be found in the trendy gyms of Los Angeles as well as in Europe and Asia.

Paulo Linhares, originally from Rio de Janeiro, where he was a state capoeira champion, also has schools in Brazil and Japan.

Heather Doyle, 39, of Kane­ohe said she looked at other martial arts and was drawn to capoeira largely for one reason: "The music is a big part of it for me," she said.

Doyle, who plays several musical instruments, has been practicing capoeira for eight years, and her 7-year-old daughter, Annika, and 11-year old son, Dylan, also take part.

"Everybody has a really positive attitude here, even if you’re having trouble with a move," she said. "Everybody is willing to help you learn."

She considers it a great way to improve strength, balance and agility, but the camaraderie and music are also part of the appeal.

Kapono Kiakona enrolled his son Nahele, 7, and daughter Nohealani, 5, in capoeira in October, even though his brother’s kids take tae kwon do. It’s a fun outlet that has also improved their strength, he said.

"They love it," he said. "I was looking for something for the kids to do. I’d rather sit and watch them practice capoeira than tae kwon do."

Classes begin with warm-ups, then move on to exercises. The basic move is ginga — a bouncy foot-to-foot movement. The sessions typically finish with a roda, or performance circle in which two capoeiristas "play" with each another without making contact. One player might kick while the other ducks, or one might strike and the other block. As they pair up and play, the other students clap, sing and play instruments.

"With children we focus on learning culture, language, music, camaraderie and having fun," said Carmen Linhares.

The youngsters get a chance to play the musical instruments and learn Portuguese songs such as "Maculele," a stick-fighting dance, or "O Sapo Nao Lava o Pe," about a frog that didn’t wash its feet.

As with other martial arts, there’s a colored-belt system to signify skill level. In capoeira it’s based on the colors of the Brazilian flag — beginners start with a green belt and work their way up to yellow, with a blue-and-yellow striped belt considered instructor level.

From a fitness aspect, capoeira offers a complete body workout. It’s aerobic, with fast-paced movement, and requires strength to pull off maneuvers such as handstands. Backbends and other moves require flexibility and balance.

But it’s easy to forget you’re getting a workout when you’re having fun, according to Daniel Lambayan, 24, of Aiea, who has studied capoeira for two years.

Initially, Lambayan said he hesitated to do capoeira because he thought he needed to lose weight first. A friend kept challenging him to try it, so he did and was pleasantly surprised. He’s since lost at least 10 pounds.

"I never thought I could do a cartwheel or a jumping kick or squat and touch the ground," he said. "It gave me more confidence in myself."

While he has much more to learn, Lambayan says he’s hooked.

"Everybody’s like family here," he said. "Nobody judges you or looks down on you."

Linhares said some people might feel intimidated when they first see a capoeira demonstration with fancy acrobatic moves, but students are encouraged to practice at their own pace and to have fun with it.

"Not everyone who does capoeira is going to learn how to do a double back flip," she said. "But you can still learn to play the game, how to sing, play the drum, play the berimbau and, most importantly, how to have fun.

"Really, capoeira is for anyone and everyone who’s willing to give it a shot."