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capoeira?

B

buddahbass

Dec 22, 2004
83
1
51
Pittsburgh, PA
#1
i have been a big fan of the brazilian martial art/dance for a while but the closest school was 300 miles away. just recently one opened up in pittsburgh and i am very excited to check it out. has anyone been involved with this or give me any ideas on what to expect.
 
#2
Hey, Buddah.

Just wanted to say it's spelled "CapoeIra". I grew up in Brazil and saw it being done many times. Unfortunately, I've never done it myself so I can't help you there. Best advice I can give is this: wear comfortable clothes.

If you go, tell us about it when you come back!
 
#3
buddahbass said:
i have been a big fan of the brazilian martial art/dance for a while but the closest school was 300 miles away. just recently one opened up in pittsburgh and i am very excited to check it out. has anyone been involved with this or give me any ideas on what to expect.
Click to expand...


Just check out...Bernie Fokker(Dustin Hoffman) in "Meet the Fockers"

He's practicing Capoeira in the front yard when first seen in the movie. :hyper: :eyebrow:
 
#4
What to expect?

Expect a fun and amazing experience. To truly excel at the art, you will need great physical strength in both the upper and lower body. A sense of rhythm helps, but that can be learned. Again, while it's not necessary, to excel, stamina and strength are vital.

PS: How ******** was the plot idea for Meet the Fockers? While I enjoyed the film and laughed on occassion, how do to hard-working, open, positive parents raise such an uptight loser?
 
#6
The training tends to be bit expensive around here. They basicly treat it more like dancing than martial arts, so it's $200 per month at a dance studio :eek:

Perhaps it's more popular around your place.
 
#7
Ive taken a few classes. Its alot of fun, its a great workout & its set to music.

I dont think that its a very effective defense compared to other asian martial arts like ju-jistu for example.
 
#9
Friend of mine trains intensely. Its very physical and demanding, and you have to train for a long time before you will be able to do the more amazing tricks. Wait till you see someone doing push-ups in a handstand position - that takes strength!!!! :eek:

The history is quite interesting too. It began in South America when slavery was still practised. The plantation owners were very strict, and the slaves developed capoeira as a dance to disguise the fact that they were in fact training in combat techniques. Its true that apart from the physical side of the sport, you also have to practise in the musical side too - playing one of the instruments, learning the chants etc.

Great stuff!
 
#13
dancehallclasher said:
It seems pretty useless as a martial art, doesn't it? Inefficient use of energy. You never see someone try to use it on one of those ultimate fighting shows. Sure is pretty though.
Click to expand...

I don't think its use as a martial art has kept it alive. The beauty of the movements, as well as the supreme shape it probably keeps you in are likely the reasons people still practice the style. But yeah, I agree that it seems fairly impractical as a way to take someone down.
 
#15
dancehallclasher said:
It seems pretty useless as a martial art, doesn't it? Inefficient use of energy. You never see someone try to use it on one of those ultimate fighting shows. Sure is pretty though.
Click to expand...

Not exactly. Capoeira was actually originally made as a street fighting martial art. In fact, it was outlawed until the last 50 years or so when it was made into more of a "sport."

I love the music that goes with it. And gotta love that Berimbau! :bassist:
 

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