Capoeira

[surf001]

interested in capoeira visit www.grupocafu.com

[Uke]

Capoeira is mostly done for fun and fitness. You have to be limber, agile and strong - like a gymnast. As far as combat effectiveness, it can't be worse than any traditional martial art that doesn't spar.

I originally felt the same way that Tom did. I know the history, and I attend a capoeira Batizado every year in NY. Until recently I was under the impression that Capoeira was just for fun and tradition. Boy was I wrong. I was only aware of the angola and regional schools of capoeira, but now think there are others. Others that train with knives, machetes and other edged weapons. And some of those schools train with full contact.

I thought "How effective could they be with all the flipping and handstands?". Well, turns out not all schools do the elaborate dancing. Some are focused on combat and evasion. When they flip, its to avoid getting hit and get in position to strike. My friend Mika'el was amazed to watch his instructor(maestro) completely dismantle a kickboxer and a shotokan fighter. What was so amazing was that he did it playfully even though they were going all out full contact. Then, he began showing opportunities where he could strike had he been armed. It was awe-inspiring to see mastery like that. Apparently, a skilled capoeirista can do many things including self defense.

However, I wouldn't recommend it for self defense even if it is top notch. The reason why is because capoeira is one of those arts that takes years and years to become proficient at. You have to be in incredible shape just to be minimally effective, let alone attain any degree of mastery. What I've learned about the way a capoeirista can use a staff has really amazed me. I've NEVER seen anyone in any style use a staff that way, and I've seen alot of weapons forms from many different disciplines.

A long time ago my first teacher told me that you can make anything lethal if you train at it long enough. Well, capoeirista's have a phenomenal work ethic. They have incredible balance. Awesome timing, and a grace that surpasses even wushu. They can be great fighters if that's where they put their energy towards. Unfortunately, most are just content to play in the rhoda.

I'd suggest going to meet a mestre who is known for fighting and weapons. Some of you might change your mind about what you think capoeira is. I know I did.

Good luck

[B.Y.O.B.]

You cant make any conclusion on any art if you dont seen it in action before, because everyone said that TKD cant match up against a MT but in some video we saw in this site shows how TKD kept on knocking him down.

Capoeira does spar against each other. I saw a pratice match with two guys n one guy kicked his leg n knocked him out.

[sapatiero]

Went to see a class at Ilha Grande in Rio state the other night.

It´s very impressive & beautiful to watch, but didn´t seem a practical art to my biased BJJ eyes Having said that, it could be (as someone else mentioned) useful if you´ve been doing for twenty years (a bit like aikido in that respect).

I know a couple of guys that combine it with BJJ & that works well - agility, flexibility & flying triangles galore.

Amazing to watch though - perhaps it should be used in the odd film, cause let´s face it´... BJJ isn´t spectator friendly unless you practice it

[GonzoStyles]

Just watched Jean Silva launch a Capoeira kick in Pride against Gomi, he also launched a jump knee. Gomi came close to submission but won by decision. dont know if this fight is old, but with El Guapo as commentator I dont see how Pride isn't putting UFC out of buisness.

[Richard Kerr]

I was just wonderin what you guys/girls thought about Capoeira. I know its history and all that but how would it stack up againsta more traditional art like karate and in the UFC. And if any of you know of any schools in Brisbane that would be great.

I have had the priviledge of training and playing against a so called Master of Capoiera. He was very strong, very agile, flexible, and very calm. He didn't come across as being agressive at all. Yet this is probably due to the fact that his art is not a violent one. The training was very clever and somewhat enduring but fun at the same time.

The sparring is a game but I believe that if you cross trained and learnt Thai boxing and some Jui jitsu you would be pretty much a deadly weapon in any MMA competition. Fighting is alot to do with footwork and coordination and Capoeira certainly improves both of these. Like many good teachers say, it is the students and the teachers that give the discipline a bad name not the Martial Art itself.

[Richard Kerr]

I was just wonderin what you guys/girls thought about Capoeira. I know its history and all that but how would it stack up againsta more traditional art like karate and in the UFC. And if any of you know of any schools in Brisbane that would be great.

Like all Martial Arts, it depends what level of training you are at and also how well you are suited to your chosen discipline. Also it depends on whether your a natural fighter and if your teacher is a Master or just a blag Master.

[cakegirl]

I just signed up at a capoeira school and had my first class there last night! (I've done some capoeira in LA, so I'm not a new newbie.