Farewell Capoeira Thanks and for all the “Good” Times

Coral does a head stand

Update on Authors- Coral continues her Superbuff journey in capoeira with intermittent breaks. She consistently cross trains in other sports activities and finally achieved the coveted “six-pack” abs.

Soldado (I am the one writing this) has discontinued his practice of capoeira , but trains regularly in Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Boxing. Oh and I still love  ice cream and Asian food!

*Disclaimer – The following questions and comments are my observations and those of our readers.  They are in no way a condemnation of Capoeira of those practicing it. Like anything else in life there will be varying opinions and mature adults should take the time to make their own qualified decisions. In some cases names have been changed to protect the innocent. For every jerk teacher out there, there are several more that are genuinely honest good people. The benefits of capoeira have been well documented in this blog. I have been asked about the negative aspects to balance out all of the positive things I have said over the years and here it is. Thanks for all the good times capoeira!

Through the injuries, disappointments and fatigue, I changed into my uniform and walked onto the floor to practice, seeking the energy and freedom  Capoeira afforded me. Well it’s time to move on. With this statement I list the questions and comments that have repeatedly been asked and sent to me. I do not necessarily agree with these views or comments, but they have been submitted to my email enough that I believe there is some validity to them.

“..Capoeira is not an effective martial art.” – Capoeira is like most forms of unarmed martial arts. It is not necessarily the art, but the person practicing it. However, there are more efficient martial arts one could train in if self-defense is
your goal. I believe boxing would be more efficient and a direct form of self-defense. Having said that I have also trained or been taught by advanced capoeira players I would be happy to have on my side during an altercation.

“Capoeira improves your health.” – Capoeira is a dynamic form of exercise, but a cautionary note, I had never experienced more injuries than I did while training capoeira. I had been in football, baseball, amateur MMA and professional careers that were more physically intense, but capoeira beat them all out for injuries. It is simple enough to verify this, just look at long time practitioners and you will see some taped up head to toe with athletic wraps and bandages. A much respected Mestre told me at a batizado that while he loved capoeira, it had rendered him virtually crippled at 55 years of age.

“Capoeira teachers play favoritism all the time.” Again I can only speak about my experiences, but teachers do have their favorites and it is not necessarily a hidden fact. More attention and invitations to parties are given to those who are liked by instructors.

“Don’t ever date a capoeira teacher.” This should be as well-known as not dating your boss, but it happens all the time. Many Capoeira instructors and mestres see females in their group as a part of their personal harem, and even though they are students will develop short-term relationships with them. These women and sometimes men are smiling and training one week and then gone the next only to be replaced by another one. Again, make your own adult informed decision based off your own sensibilities and note that some of the most professional and caring people I have ever met were in capoeira.

“Capoeira is a cult.”This is also true. Some groups more than others use shame, intimidation and forced integration to make their students beholden to them. One blogger told me that his mestre told the students that capoeira was a religion and they owed a portion of their income to support it ( this was a mestre in the United
States) he fled to Brazil after a charge was leveled against him by a female
student.

“Capoeira was used by the slaves to fight the oppression of their colonial masters.” If fight entails disobeying mandates not to practice Capoeira by practicing it then yes it was, however, some people believe it was used by chained slaves to fight against the Portuguese slave holders who had guns. Again there is always some truth in oral traditions, but I would never face off with someone on horsebackwith a gun using capoeira. Anything is possible, but common sense should be the rule.

 

**There are others, but these questions and comments (or variations of them) are the main ones that have flooded my email since the blog started. I have the benefit of several years of practice and interactions with many groups and students. These are based on those observations.  Make your own decisions and know that whatever physical activity you are are in will have pros and cons and you should take the time to research them. PEACE!!!!

 

Superbuff Life changes and we change with it workout-

Breath in, breath out and start your day anew.

Goodbye guys it was fun sharing our capoeira journey with you!!

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