[Capoeira] Hey fellow Capoeiristas...

[M3inline6]

....I'm new to this forum and thought I'd introduce myself. I'm a member of Grupo Besouro, and have trained in other arts (mainly Hwa Rang Do) prior to my introduction to Capoeira. I'd like to hear from some of my fellow practitioners with regards to why you chose Capoeira? If you've studied other arts previously, how do you compare Capoeira to them? What was your first batizado like (i.e..did your mestre trip you up real good? :D )? And any other info that you'd like to offer.....

Axe'

[butterfly_knf]

hey, I'm freshly new 2.

My first background was Silat, to be honest.. I have no difficulties with my footwork- due to variations in Silat itself.
But then again, to test my handstand basics T(^o^)T I should train more.

Btw, the first learnings were awesome!
The people, the surroundings----they're perfect.
I really think it's another good way of knowing MA. 'Cos in Capoeira- you'll find nothing else but 'excitement'.

I'm saying this as a MA-st, who realize that- "when you really wanted to learn a Martial Art, then don't just peek at it by half..."

It really demands bodywork, oc every MA does.
But it is always a something special, when you live to learn- by (at least) leaving your 'tradition' behind.

A MA-st should grow 'wider'
Because there's actually no rules of styles.

Well, I guess, that's what I'm trying to do.. but hey--

I feel content.
:cool:

[Baqueta]

Sup sup camara

My background in capoeira is this: I was really into martial arts and combat sports for a long time, but after my sister's boyfriend showed me some gymnastics moves I started getting interested in those as well. I taught myself basic tumbling moves and eventually I joined a gymnastics gym. I was talking with my coach for a while about martial arts and he asked if I knew of capoeira? I said I have, having self taught myself the basics (au, bannaniera, headstand, methodoligy, but no ginga). I showed him what I knew (which was really bad then, I understand) and then he said "Cool. That's the martial art I'm into right now. I teach it here [the gymnastics gym], you should come take a lesson." And I started. Since then things have changed and we're now in a dance hall, and my instructors REALLY into capoeira now.

My initial reason for starting it was because I wanted to learn the cool flips and stuff, and I thought it'd be good conditioning and a good supplement to the martial art I was currently into. I honestly thought capoeira proper was useless, seeing what most peole see. But now I understand the art and am constantly learning. It has become such a part of me that when I occasioanlly spar at my uncles dojang I use almost pure ecapoeira, using the gunga, negativas, roles, kicks, punches, ocasionally grappling, etc.. And I always try to do it with a smile on my face. And as a joke, sometimes when I'm done I'll do like back flips and backhandsprings around the dude just because. Passive aggressive I guess. It feels to me as if all the martial arts I took before I studied for capoeira. In the future I hope to study more martial arts, not to enhance my jogo but to enhance myself, and in turn incorporate that into capoeira.

[Dazednsb]

Before capoeira, I had fairly limited experiences in a variety of martial arts. Aikido, tae kwon do, kung fu, sambo, jeet kune do. I studied all these for no more than a matter of months each. Having now started in capoeira, I find it much more exhilirating than any other martial art I've tried. The attitude and atmosphere just feels so right. I feel like I'm flourishing in martial arts like I never have before, both physically and mentally. In short, I love it!

[Baqueta]

I guess you found your niche in life.

[wayofthedragon]

hi, welcome to martial arts planet.......currently I don't study capoeira, but I did study it for a year once. I loved it. I still practice it everyonce in while with my brothers. I think it is a good martial art.

[valetudo74]

I trained formerly with Grupo Capoeira Centro Sul in Orange County, CA under Professor Gui. I trained with him for 5 years. Due to relocating out of state for a while, I stopped training, but held some beginner classes in the town I lived in North Carolina. Not much interest, so training pretty much stopped for me, but an occasional visit to Raleigh with CM Caxias of Capoeira Brasil was fun.

I think Capoeira is a fantastic art. It pushes you to your limits with the variety of techniques you can perform. Learning about the music, the language, and Brazilian culture was equally as fun. The only thing that irritated me really was how much emphasis was placed upon learning acrobatics and infusing them WAY too much in the roda.

Currently, I'm training in BJJ and Street Combatives, but still manage to break out some ginga in the living room.