Comments on: Why is Capoeira an Art Form and Not a Martial Art? http://thecapoeirablog.wordpress.com/2007/06/19/why-is-capoeira-an-art-form-and-not-a-martial-art/ A blog about the art, culture, history, philosophy, community, and practice of capoeira. Fri, 09 Oct 2009 13:26:29 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Futa http://thecapoeirablog.wordpress.com/2007/06/19/why-is-capoeira-an-art-form-and-not-a-martial-art/#comment-1345 Futa Tue, 13 Jan 2009 06:14:47 +0000 http://thecapoeirablog.wordpress.com/2007/06/19/why-is-capoeira-an-art-form-and-not-a-martial-art/#comment-1345 In my opinion, Capoeira is a martial art, ie. an art to do with martial (warrior) activity. The separation between "dance" and "fight" into two separate categories seems to be a western european concept (ie. dance is feminine, fight is masculine). There are many other martial arts that involve music and dance; Cossack martial arts and Silat for example. Where I agree with the article is that these days "martial art" has come to mean "martial sport". I mean, I love watching UFC, but where's the art in "Mixed Martial Arts? It's not about personal development, its about winning in a one on one situation under specific rules. The beauty with our art is that you can win and lose dozens of times within one game, and sometimes the only person who knows you won or lost is you! In my opinion, Capoeira is a martial art, ie. an art to do with martial (warrior) activity. The separation between “dance” and “fight” into two separate categories seems to be a western european concept (ie. dance is feminine, fight is masculine). There are many other martial arts that involve music and dance; Cossack martial arts and Silat for example.
Where I agree with the article is that these days “martial art” has come to mean “martial sport”. I mean, I love watching UFC, but where’s the art in “Mixed Martial Arts? It’s not about personal development, its about winning in a one on one situation under specific rules. The beauty with our art is that you can win and lose dozens of times within one game, and sometimes the only person who knows you won or lost is you!

]]> By: The Capoeira Blog Half-Year Roundup « The Capoeira Blog http://thecapoeirablog.wordpress.com/2007/06/19/why-is-capoeira-an-art-form-and-not-a-martial-art/#comment-254 The Capoeira Blog Half-Year Roundup « The Capoeira Blog Mon, 05 Nov 2007 17:07:17 +0000 http://thecapoeirablog.wordpress.com/2007/06/19/why-is-capoeira-an-art-form-and-not-a-martial-art/#comment-254 [...] Why is Capoeira an Art Form and Not a Martial Art? [...] [...] Why is Capoeira an Art Form and Not a Martial Art? [...]

]]> By: faisca http://thecapoeirablog.wordpress.com/2007/06/19/why-is-capoeira-an-art-form-and-not-a-martial-art/#comment-84 faisca Tue, 28 Aug 2007 15:55:35 +0000 http://thecapoeirablog.wordpress.com/2007/06/19/why-is-capoeira-an-art-form-and-not-a-martial-art/#comment-84 You make a good point about the violence. I did make sure to note that it was just my opinion that violence in the roda should be avoided. I know that there are situations when it is called for and even necessary (to defend yourself, etc). Capoeira IS a martial art after all, we're learning to fight. I just don't enjoy capoeira when it just turns into two guys throwing punches and doing nothing but trying to throw kicks and takedowns. It interrupts the flow and beauty of capoeira, and that's not how I like to play. You're right abuot the fight staying in the roda though, and about defending yourself if someone tries to fight you. You make a good point about the violence. I did make sure to note that it was just my opinion that violence in the roda should be avoided. I know that there are situations when it is called for and even necessary (to defend yourself, etc). Capoeira IS a martial art after all, we’re learning to fight.

I just don’t enjoy capoeira when it just turns into two guys throwing punches and doing nothing but trying to throw kicks and takedowns. It interrupts the flow and beauty of capoeira, and that’s not how I like to play.

You’re right abuot the fight staying in the roda though, and about defending yourself if someone tries to fight you.

]]> By: Rapadura http://thecapoeirablog.wordpress.com/2007/06/19/why-is-capoeira-an-art-form-and-not-a-martial-art/#comment-81 Rapadura Tue, 28 Aug 2007 02:07:54 +0000 http://thecapoeirablog.wordpress.com/2007/06/19/why-is-capoeira-an-art-form-and-not-a-martial-art/#comment-81 I like it man, one of the best explanations i've seen and it's hard to explain capoeira sometimes when people ask..... though there is one part I didn't agree on "There are certainly times when a roda will become violent, but these times .....should be avoided.". I don't beleive fights should be avoided in the roda, because regardless of what people say they do help you learn to play better and how to defend yourself in times of need... but what is wrong is when somebody plays just to fight. Always looking for an opportunity to attack the other person, with the intention of hurting them....and also when you let fights get out of control. Another thing is that the fight should stay in the roda and die when the roda ends with no hard feelings... You said capoeira's a conversation, some conversations have arguments in them.... theres alot of discord and arguments of wether fights are bad or good or whatever I'm just giving my view on the subject..... I never go looking for fight, but if someone else is I'm forced to give my response, even if I know I'll get stepped on. I like it man, one of the best explanations i’ve seen and it’s hard to explain capoeira sometimes when people ask…..

though there is one part I didn’t agree on “There are certainly times when a roda will become violent, but these times …..should be avoided.”. I don’t beleive fights should be avoided in the roda, because regardless of what people say they do help you learn to play better and how to defend yourself in times of need…

but what is wrong is when somebody plays just to fight. Always looking for an opportunity to attack the other person, with the intention of hurting them….and also when you let fights get out of control. Another thing is that the fight should stay in the roda and die when the roda ends with no hard feelings…

You said capoeira’s a conversation, some conversations have arguments in them….

theres alot of discord and arguments of wether fights are bad or good or whatever I’m just giving my view on the subject….. I never go looking for fight, but if someone else is I’m forced to give my response, even if I know I’ll get stepped on.

]]> By: faisca http://thecapoeirablog.wordpress.com/2007/06/19/why-is-capoeira-an-art-form-and-not-a-martial-art/#comment-8 faisca Tue, 26 Jun 2007 03:50:53 +0000 http://thecapoeirablog.wordpress.com/2007/06/19/why-is-capoeira-an-art-form-and-not-a-martial-art/#comment-8 James, Thanks for the kind words about my post =) I agree with you, a capoeirista's fighting skill is not to be taken lightly. But that's one of the great things about capoeira, it was created as a way to disguise fighting, and the effect is still carried to this day. People think we're just dancing, that's fine with me. I don't go around telling people I can kick their ass, but I know that I could handle myself in a fight, even if nobody else does. James,

Thanks for the kind words about my post =)

I agree with you, a capoeirista’s fighting skill is not to be taken lightly. But that’s one of the great things about capoeira, it was created as a way to disguise fighting, and the effect is still carried to this day.

People think we’re just dancing, that’s fine with me. I don’t go around telling people I can kick their ass, but I know that I could handle myself in a fight, even if nobody else does.

]]> By: James http://thecapoeirablog.wordpress.com/2007/06/19/why-is-capoeira-an-art-form-and-not-a-martial-art/#comment-7 James Mon, 25 Jun 2007 19:59:21 +0000 http://thecapoeirablog.wordpress.com/2007/06/19/why-is-capoeira-an-art-form-and-not-a-martial-art/#comment-7 Your blog post here is one of the best summarizations of what capoeira is I have seen yet. I am pretty new to capoeira (practicing less than 6 months), but I have come to enjoy the energy and the feeling I get when I play in a roda or even when I practice on my own. I often read/hear arguments about the particality of capeoria as a martial art, when it is more than that. That said, I do believe that a person who knows how to use capooeira effectively can win a fair number of fights because of the spontoneity and explosiveness of many of the movements. Good blog post. Your blog post here is one of the best summarizations of what capoeira is I have seen yet. I am pretty new to capoeira (practicing less than 6 months), but I have come to enjoy the energy and the feeling I get when I play in a roda or even when I practice on my own. I often read/hear arguments about the particality of capeoria as a martial art, when it is more than that. That said, I do believe that a person who knows how to use capooeira effectively can win a fair number of fights because of the spontoneity and explosiveness of many of the movements. Good blog post.

]]> By: faisca http://thecapoeirablog.wordpress.com/2007/06/19/why-is-capoeira-an-art-form-and-not-a-martial-art/#comment-3 faisca Thu, 21 Jun 2007 01:43:25 +0000 http://thecapoeirablog.wordpress.com/2007/06/19/why-is-capoeira-an-art-form-and-not-a-martial-art/#comment-3 Yeah, the first time I saw capoeira I was in awe too (hence why I started doing it!). I'm still awed by more experienced capoeiristas. Yeah, the first time I saw capoeira I was in awe too (hence why I started doing it!). I’m still awed by more experienced capoeiristas.

]]> By: michelle http://thecapoeirablog.wordpress.com/2007/06/19/why-is-capoeira-an-art-form-and-not-a-martial-art/#comment-2 michelle Thu, 21 Jun 2007 01:04:59 +0000 http://thecapoeirablog.wordpress.com/2007/06/19/why-is-capoeira-an-art-form-and-not-a-martial-art/#comment-2 My 8-year-old and I watch copoeira videos on YouTube quite often. I've also gotten to see it "live", which was an incredible experience. I am in awe. My 8-year-old and I watch copoeira videos on YouTube quite often. I’ve also gotten to see it “live”, which was an incredible experience. I am in awe.

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