The Capoeira Blog

It’s finally here: your first capoeira class.

You’ve worn out the Only the Strong and Ocean’s 12 DVDs. You’ve done all the research you can on Wikipedia. You’ve learned your Bimbas from your Pastinhas, your regionals from your angolas, and your berimbaus from your pandieros. You’re now ready to take the plunge and join an actual capoeira group.

Congratulations! Your life will never be the same again (that’s a good thing!).

Your first capoeira class will be both exciting and intimidating. Here are a few things you can do (and avoid) to make the most of the experience.

Don’ts:

• Don’t think you’re hot stuff because you can do some breakdancing moves or backflips.
• Don’t make fun of the guys wearing tight white pants, you’ll regret it (and you’ll be wearing them soon anyway).
• Don’t question the mestre or instructor and go on and on about how much better your other martial art style is.
• Don’t stand around oogling the cute girls all class.
• Don’t talk or goof off when the mestre or instructor is explaining something.
• Don’t talk or goof off in the roda.
• Don’t buy the game from a high ranking capoeirista, unless the mestre or instructor specifically tells you to.
• Don’t use the roda to show off your bad ass skills and think you’re better than everyone (see the first don’t).
• Don’t expect to learn bad ass skills (backflips, fancy kicks) at your first class.
• Don’t stand around like a lost puppy in your first roda. You learned a kick or dodge, try them out. For God’s sake, at least ginga!

Do’s:

• Do give 100%.
• Do have respect for what the mestre or instructor is teaching you.
• Do keep an open mind about learning new movements and techniques.
• Do understand that nobody is going to laugh at you if you can’t do a cartwheel or high kick the first time.
• Do try to be friendly and polite to everyone in class.
• Do try to make the most of your first game.
• Do realize that it takes time to get good at capoeira.
• Do watch other students and try to learn from what they do well.
• Do participate in the roda. Even if you don’t know the words, you can still clap.
• Do find out when the next class is so you can come back for more!

Good luck with your first capoeira class! Just be warned, once you start, you’ll never want to stop.

This is part of of my guide beginner’s guide to capoeira. If you like what you read here, head over to Capoeira For Beginners for the entire series!