FAQ
Am I too old to start?
No! You can start learning capoeira at any age. People have played into their 90s.
What if I’m out of shape?
Capoeira is physically demanding, but you don’t have to get in shape, increase strength/flexibility, or lose twenty pounds before you start. The best way to get in shape for capoeira is to do capoeira, since the training itself – being both cardiovascular and strength training – will burn fat and build muscle, flexibility, and endurance.
If you want to run, lift weights, do plyometrics, pilates, yoga or other such supplementary training to exercise on the days when you don’t have capoeira class… more power to you.
What if I have no previous experience in anything?
Previous martial arts, dance, or gymnastics experience can be either (or both) a blessing or a curse, and is certainly not necessary to start capoeira. Other martial arts, dance, and gymnastics can help in the sense of having given you strength, balance, body control, flexibility, grace, etc., and you may find that you can learn certain capoeira moves more easily. However, you also might find that you have to get used to very different ways of moving than those you’re used to, and it can be hard to break established habits and re-learn the movements differently.
What if I have a physical disability?
You can learn capoeira! I’ve met deaf capoeiristas, blind capoeiristas, crippled capoeiristas, partially paralyzed capoeiristas – all of them playing and enjoying this wonderful art.
Do I have to speak Portuguese?
Although you don’t have to know Portuguese to do the movements, you must learn it in order to more fully comprehend capoeira. Portuguese is essential for understanding the songs and also for communicating with Brazilian mestres, instructors, and students who don’t speak English.
Find some resources at:
http://capoeira-connection.com/capoeira/2011/10/how-can-i-learn-portuguese/#sthash.JszxPdJF.dpuf
Is capoeira an effective martial art?
Like any martial art, capoeira’s efficiency for self-defense depends on the skill level of the practitioner. When used well by an experienced player, capoeira is extremely useful in a fight. Capoeira highly increases one’s ability to react quickly and dodge blows; it also contains numerous effective kicks and trips as well as nasty blows with the head, elbows, and knees. Capoeira is an art geared towards survival by any means possible. A good capoeirista will run away from a fight or talk his enemy down so that the fight never even occurs.
In the 19th century, capoeira was much more violent. It was illegal, and capoeiristas had to practice in secret because they were actively persecuted by the police. Fights among different bands of capoeiristas, or between capoeiristas and the police, were frequent and often ended in serious injury and death. The typical capoeirista of that era was very street smart and usually proficient with weapons such as the navalha (straight razor). The Brazilian government used to recruit capoeiristas to fight in wars, start riots, act as bodyguards or hitmen, and intimidate voters at the polling places.
What is the role of acrobatics in capoeira?
Capoeira is NOT acrobatics! A person who does lots of flips is not necessarily a good capoeira player. To truly understand the role of acrobatics in capoeira, you have to understand the concept of floreios - what are they, and how and when are they used in the roda? Understanding this is something that comes with time, experience and a recognition that there's a place for beautiful things even in difficult situations.
No! You can start learning capoeira at any age. People have played into their 90s.
What if I’m out of shape?
Capoeira is physically demanding, but you don’t have to get in shape, increase strength/flexibility, or lose twenty pounds before you start. The best way to get in shape for capoeira is to do capoeira, since the training itself – being both cardiovascular and strength training – will burn fat and build muscle, flexibility, and endurance.
If you want to run, lift weights, do plyometrics, pilates, yoga or other such supplementary training to exercise on the days when you don’t have capoeira class… more power to you.
What if I have no previous experience in anything?
Previous martial arts, dance, or gymnastics experience can be either (or both) a blessing or a curse, and is certainly not necessary to start capoeira. Other martial arts, dance, and gymnastics can help in the sense of having given you strength, balance, body control, flexibility, grace, etc., and you may find that you can learn certain capoeira moves more easily. However, you also might find that you have to get used to very different ways of moving than those you’re used to, and it can be hard to break established habits and re-learn the movements differently.
What if I have a physical disability?
You can learn capoeira! I’ve met deaf capoeiristas, blind capoeiristas, crippled capoeiristas, partially paralyzed capoeiristas – all of them playing and enjoying this wonderful art.
Do I have to speak Portuguese?
Although you don’t have to know Portuguese to do the movements, you must learn it in order to more fully comprehend capoeira. Portuguese is essential for understanding the songs and also for communicating with Brazilian mestres, instructors, and students who don’t speak English.
Find some resources at:
http://capoeira-connection.com/capoeira/2011/10/how-can-i-learn-portuguese/#sthash.JszxPdJF.dpuf
Is capoeira an effective martial art?
Like any martial art, capoeira’s efficiency for self-defense depends on the skill level of the practitioner. When used well by an experienced player, capoeira is extremely useful in a fight. Capoeira highly increases one’s ability to react quickly and dodge blows; it also contains numerous effective kicks and trips as well as nasty blows with the head, elbows, and knees. Capoeira is an art geared towards survival by any means possible. A good capoeirista will run away from a fight or talk his enemy down so that the fight never even occurs.
In the 19th century, capoeira was much more violent. It was illegal, and capoeiristas had to practice in secret because they were actively persecuted by the police. Fights among different bands of capoeiristas, or between capoeiristas and the police, were frequent and often ended in serious injury and death. The typical capoeirista of that era was very street smart and usually proficient with weapons such as the navalha (straight razor). The Brazilian government used to recruit capoeiristas to fight in wars, start riots, act as bodyguards or hitmen, and intimidate voters at the polling places.
What is the role of acrobatics in capoeira?
Capoeira is NOT acrobatics! A person who does lots of flips is not necessarily a good capoeira player. To truly understand the role of acrobatics in capoeira, you have to understand the concept of floreios - what are they, and how and when are they used in the roda? Understanding this is something that comes with time, experience and a recognition that there's a place for beautiful things even in difficult situations.