Capoeira fancy moves

Posted by Sorriso on June 5th, 2009 at 12:23am

Question:

I have seen capoeira, and those guys seem to be doing things that I would never be able to do. Is Capoeira still for me?

Answer:

Of course Capoeira is for you. There are other elements to this art form that more important than being able to pull off an acrobatic move. It is important to remember that Capoeira is first and foremost a martial art that contains unique elements that separate it from any other style. Some of these elements include the ability to execute proper attacking and defensive moves, the ability to play instruments and sing songs, as well as the ability to speak and understand the Portuguese language. Every player will find that they easily excel in one area while having difficulty in another area. Adding ones own personal style to all the elements is what makes a good Capoeira player.

A good capoeirista has the ability to recognize his/her strengths and weaknesses in order to play. For instance, someone who is good at doing a back flip may find it difficult to play the berimbau or atabaque. Or someone with a perfect understanding of the language may still have a problem singing or executing a proper kick. This is the beauty of Capoeira. It has the ability to expose an individual’s weakness as well as their strengths. The key is to use ones strength to their advantage and to work on their weaknesses.

It is important to not get discouraged. Imagine being able to watch someone get over their shyness and fear of performing in front of others, or finally master that one move they have been practicing for months. He/she is a better person because of perseverance and determination. Any challenging elements like rhythm, voice, flexibility, strategy, acrobatics, as well as many others can be conquered with time and drive. Eventually a weakness can be turned into an undeniable strength.

Another thing to keep in mind is that that player doing an awe inspiring, acrobatic move, still has to come down eventually. This creates a perfect opportunity to catch them off guard with a properly placed take down, or swift kick to the head. There is more to Capoeira than just stylistic acrobatics. The key is to find how it works for you.

Under beginner