r/capoeira

Hey everyone, just need to vent and ask for advice. I love capoeira, but I am so exhausted by the constant pressure to perform when I explicitly say "no" or give facial cues that I don't want to do something.

I recently switched groups. Physically, I'm intermediate (about 4th cord, I've been in capoeira for about 5.5/6 years), but since I'm wearing a white cord right now in my new lineage, outside higher cords constantly try to "encourage" me and try to assume authority.

But what really burns me out is how people completely ignore basic verbal boundaries. Recently, a visiting Mestre forced me to test on the berimbau in front of an advanced class (learning iuna, I'm pretty early on in music now, late bloomer) after I repeatedly said "no, I can't do it," leaving me completely embarrassed, red in the face. At another event, a peer physically pushed me back toward the roda after I explicitly said I was frustrated because I kept looking at the bateria wanting to play, but they didn't acknowledge me, and just wanted to sit out. Looking back, even when I first started, a CM dragged me in to play with a kid before I was ready. Also, when I joined my current group, there was somebody who kept pushing me to change groups.

It feels like this culture constantly mistakes personal boundaries for "fear" and overrides consent under the guise of "encouragement."

Have you guys dealt with this? Is this a common thing in capoeira? How do you hold your ground against higher-ups who refuse to take "no" for an answer? Why does this happen? I hate it. For me, it doesn't help at all; it doesn't motivate me at all to continue playing.

Curious as to what people would like to read about! Suggestions appreciated, here is my first blog post

Read “Why I Lost Motivation in Capoeira“ by Sabiá on Medium: https://medium.com/@dianaalonzo312/why-i-lost-motivation-in-capoeira-f74d6c1e770d

Back when I was running a class we'd often come up with added challenges to force us to think about our games creatively. The ones I liked the most were things like 'the higher-ranked player must have at least one hand on the floor at all times', or, 'the higher ranked player cannot attack with kicks'. Some are quite tricky, like 'no ginga', forces you to completely rethink the way you transit the roda by chaining different movements together without ever returning to the ginga.

Anyone ever try something like this and what was the most fun?

After a decade or so of playing Capoeira (but really kind of only once a week for the most part), I'm good enough to hold my own against people at the intermediate level and at least make things look fun if they cooperate with people at expert levels, but one area where I feel like I fall short is playing against beginners. I've been improving on the not springing gotcha moments on them when they leave themselves open, but throwing those slow and telegraphed kicks seems to lead to so many snapped response attacks to the inner thigh or groin... And I know that this probably is revealing weaknesses in my practical Capoeira in that I expect people to only go after the "valid" targets, but I can't seem to find a balance between "play in a way that gives them an opportunity to attack" and "play conservatively enough that I don't get hit with panic kicks".

Hi!

So I'm in my 3rd year of training, and started at the age of 44. Which means I've lost a lot of my hip flexibility.

I've regained a lot of flexibility the last couple of years. And kicks like Queixada and Meia Lua de Compasso have improved a lot height wise, but I've struggled a lot with Martelo (and Armada) since the beginning.

My Martelo is still not very high, and I often get hip pains as I often end up kicking higher than what is comfortable. And are clearly lacking flexibility and strength to some degree.

I've discussed it with my professor, and he normally just recommends doing daily pancake stretches. But I struggle even doing that type of stretching. And I feel he has trouble relating to how to regain lost flexibility at an older age, as he has trained constantly since a young age.

So I guess my question is, can anyone recommend exercises that can help in this regard.

I would especially like to hear from people with a similar background, that have gone through the same type of challenge. But any input is welcome.

I'm curious to know. It's very typical that once a student reaches blue/red, they slowly stop practicing. It's a big milestone for sure, but only the beginning.

I understand the dedication and effort required on the body week after week, and progression now begins to require years. Just interested in getting perspective.