1) Listen to the music more
2) Play slower....SLOWER!!! Music in capoeria doesn't have much variation of tempo.....so play evenly, someone mentioned/suggested that you might be being too closed; is this because of all your transition movements eg. you say your Au's are 'rapid' whilst your kicks are slow??? play more evenly.
3) Playful attitude (ultra important!!) smile, relax, chill a bit, try not to think of set combinations and execute them, ginga a bit more, throw in the odd seemingly non-martial movement (like a giro say). Let movements come to you at the time you need them as opposed to forcing them out.
4) Try to get kicked (sounds like madness, but this will teach you loads) like how to escape and counter in one movement etc.
5) Try to kick them!! Now your playing slower it won't matter so much if you occasionally hit them ;-) More than this though, it actually helps in develop the game, rather than them just being able to move back, escape etc. trade movements more.
6) Play closer, risky when playing fast, learn loads playing slower. Also, you can do less at a closer range and still be threatening or dangerous if the need arises.
7)Mirror: One of the first things that we are taught in capoeira! And then all promptly forget!!! Works both ways; you say you favour 'fulid circles' for attacking kicks, this is fine for an aggresive game, can the person your playing with respond with several fluid esquivas???
8) is a game as they say in the olde pool halls!
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You all should slow down and watch what the other person is doing. Learn to interact and read your friend.
Theres plenty of time later for "macho chest beating", and at this point what do you really learn if I came in and jacked you up, or each other??.
I can bet that if i were to stop the games and ask what the last three movements your "opponent" was doing, 90% of you wouldnt have a clue.
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There are times when fast games are appropriate, and there are people who you can/should play that way with. I don't pound of kids on their first day of class. I pull my kicks and wait for their esquiva.
More on topic with the original post, I feel there is an art to blending the dance/fight. If you can switch back and forth easily and fluidly you can keep your opponent off guard, be more creative, and move in ways that wouldn't have been possible or apparent if it was solely a fight. To have people think that you're always looking forwhen to throw that martelo at their head means that they won't open up thier game to you. This in turn will limit your game, and prevent certain types of games from occurring. From a training point, slower games are where you learn to dodge, control your kicks, and work on movement and blending new moves into your game.
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A perfect game of Regional will be a mixture of ground and acrobatic moves that are well tuned to attack and defence conversations between the two players. What a lot of people forget when training regional is that it is possibly better to practice slowly ( a little more like Angola) but get the moves tight and perfected than to straight away try an armada with the fastest kick you can for instance.
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Capoeira is also powerful medecine. If you feel something coming on or you feel exhausted, push yourself to go and prepare to feel cleansed in a couple of hours.
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I'm not exactly traditional capoeira but Ill try to help. In my own experiance here is what I know. Capoeira is exausting(though I still get a feeling of exhileration at the same time) but it's not hard if you have a good teacher that lets you go at your own pace. Capoeira will build your arm and leg strength like nothing else while cutting fat. (because your on your hands more than your on your feet it gives you arm muscle and it takes stomach muscles to do stuff like handstands).
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* How hard is it for a beginner?
-I prefer the word "challenging" rather than "hard". Any time you start something new, it's always going to be a challenge, especially on the body and on coordination. The "ginga" stance (the basic movement of Capoeira) usually takes a couple classes to get (a lot of people won't have their hands guarding their face, or have their arms swinging in the wrong direction), but just remember, when you first started Kung-Fu, it took a while to get going too.
There are many, many advanced movements that take weeks, months, or years to master, so understandably, no one's going to expect you to pick them up right away.
* Are there 'Forms' and 'Kadas' like in Kung-fu?
It depends from group to group, although we prefer the term "sequencias" (sequences). Most of these are practiced with a partner and with most sequences, each person is doing something different. The late Mestre Bimba had a series of these (read "The Little Capoeira Book" by Nestor Capoeira for more details) and whatever instructor you sign up with will have his or her own as well.
One sequencia might go as follows ...
Person A Person B
Ginga (basic stance) Ginga
Galopante (open palm slap) Catula Alta (palm block)
Ponteiro (straight kick) Trava de Mao (low block)
Quiexada (step in circle kick) esquiva->cabecada (defensive dodge->headbutt)
* I am 15. How many kids my age are in Capoeira?
In my academy, there is a large range of age. The youngest are about five, oldest about mid-40s. The concentration would be people in their 20s, although there are a fair amount of teenagers in the group.
* I am looking to loose a little weight and build some muscle...is Capoeira good for that?
Hell yeah. Expect to go through several t-shirts over the course of your Capoeira career. Some guys who sweat a lot end up going through a few shirts a year. Your body will feel pretty tender the first few weeks as your muscles adjust, but they're going to get a great workout.
Being that it's specific training, don't expect to build muscle mass, but you will get very toned.
* How much equipment should I expect to buy?
Price of a standard uniform varies from academy to academy,,,abadas (pants) can be made out of really bizarre fabric and may be imported by your academy (read: expect to pay $30-60) while t-shirts are usually pretty cheap (under $20). Outside of that, you're pretty much ready to go.
Optional equipment can include martial arts shoes (just cheap lightweight canvas shoes with non-marking soles are sufficient, although you can go to Chinatown and get actual martial arts shoes) or tape (as it is, most people train barefoot, which really toughens up their feet).
Really nice to have is a berimbau, the Brazillian instrument which is the basis for Capoeira music and rhythm. These can wildly vary in price (really cheap if you're in Brazil, very expensive to import), although you're probably going to want to buy it through your academy.
* How much time should I expect to practice at home?
As much as humanly possible. Realistically, about an hour a day. Sadly, I don't have time (or, I don't make enough time) to do this myself.
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- i am almost 27. am I old for Capoeira?
No. Very simple :)
I'm 25, started 2 years ago, and while I am a little older than average, it's only a little, and there are people who start after 35.
- i have never ever trained myself into any kind of gymnastic or sport, but i have made this decision... to start urgently something... can this be capoeira or should i have some qualifications? (i know ... i used to be a very lazy person, but this will change soon!)
The only qualification you'll need is the courage to actually go to a class, and the motivation to endure some muscle soreness the first few trainings. It's like any new sport, you'll use all kinds of muscles you haven't used in ages...
But since Capoeira is so rewarding, I'm pretty optimistic that you won't want to quit after the first few trainings anyway :)
- are the schools/seminars expensive? A general answer would be fine. You know here in Greece when ever something "sells" the law of offer and demand is highly followed!!!!!
About as expensive as another martial art, at least here in switzerland. Which means, no, it's not cheap, but no, it's not terribly expensive either. I pay rather much, 280.- swiss francs per 3 months, which is about 200$. Plus a few pairs of abadas and some T-shirts.
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capoeira keeps you looking young.
it's the fountain of youth!
(there's two women in one of the classes i go to that are 32 and 37 respectively and i wouldn't have put them a day over 26)
go for it!
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after reading all of that, i have to say something. Some Good Advice Is Too Run. Running (Or Jogging) Will Keep Your Stamina Up So You Can Play In The Roda Longer, And Just Make You Last Longer Over All In Your Training. It Will Build Your Lungs Up Making Them Bigger So You Can Take In More Air. More Air, More Playing/Training, Less Recovery Time,And Over All... More Fun.
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Regarding that running advice - I know of two people who actually have back problems because they were running (too?) often. And I know of two people who are really really healthy because they are running every day. So, it really depends on your technique, if you run, make sure you do it properly and do some research about running technique and proper shoes and all first. I don't like running at all, so I can't give you any personal advice, and these are just my observations...
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btw upper body strength isnt really that important. I have none and i can do things that much strgoner ppl find very difficult or impossible. Its more about just practicing; your muscles dont get 'stronger' as such, they get better. For me anyway. Although you will get stronger...
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I agree, partially. I think it's mainly a weight thing. If you have no upper body strength, but very little mass, you have to move less body weight with your muscles. If you're stronger, there's more body weight to lug around.
I am sometimes really jealous when weaker (and skinnier) Capoeiristas just jump around as if there was nothing to it :-)
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You will develop as you go, don't worry about it. At first the cardio is hard, you're often out of breath and it's a little frustrating, so if you want to start to work on that it might be a good idea. And don't worry about how hard it is. You do what you can, and progressively grow. It's not like you're going to be a full capoeirista on the first class! Relax, there's nothing to worry about.
dont worry about how in shape you are now, muscle helps but strong or not your still going to get sore legs from ginga, and blisters on your feet aswell as wake up without being able to bend your back or shrug yoru shoulders..... after 4-6 months or so of capoeira depending on how often you train youll probably start to notice all these odd little things that have changed in the body, shoulders popping, jumping higher.. etc etc..
capoeira movements are often very physicaly demanding but is no more demanding than you are of yourself by the end of class.
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Capoeira is practice.
Once you start, you dont want to stop anymore.
If you are fat , you will sudden become thin.
If you are weak you will become strong.
If you are ugly, sorry ...maybe in another life... who knows...
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is it hard to start?? no - it's hard to stop :)
probably when you go to first training you will be confused ... people doing incredible stuff, strange commands, mysterius music... maby your body will dissapoint you, wou won't be able to repeat difficult sequences because your kneees will not hold your body anymore ... and the next day - you won't be able to move a muscle, but ... you will never be more agitated in you entire life!!!! you will go to another trening, and another... and before you realise what has happened - you are addicted, but in a good way :) you can't sleep, you eat more than usualy, you dream about it, talk about it ... and that how it goes:) To start capoeira you must find yourself a group, a trainer, some comfortable clothes, free time and offcours a courage to go to first training. When I started capoeira I was 19.I was starting my studies on Uniwersity and I've moved to a city from small village. I had a year gap in my phisical education so I was in a terrible shape. But then I had the oppotunity to start capoeira, so I found myself a group. First I went just to look, then the next day i came for a training. I also ceme the next day, to strech my hurting muscles, and the next day... and next day ... it was crazy and I felt every bone, muscle and string in my body ... but it was wonderfull!!! :)
My advice - and I think just not only mine - go and feel what it mean to train capoeira :) discover it by yourself because none of us can describe everything what is happening in our body and mind while we play in roda and train till we fall flat on the ground
I wish you luck and send a lot of possitive energy to all capoeristas :)
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I have often wondered if babies think to themselves: "How will I learn to walk?" or maybe: "Is it hard to learn to eat by myself with a fork and knife?"
The point is, yes. Everything is a new experience the first time you try it. If it is difficult or what have you, is purely subjective. What I might have thought very difficult and someone else picked it right up. Cada um é cada um.
"Each one is each one."
Can you dig it?
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OK OK! Enough for tonight! I'm just loving all the info.....
