Capoeira

[JLee]

wow i havent been here in a while anyways i was wondering what i have to be able to do before taking this art. it looks like a VERY flexible style, but after watching some clips i was amazed. would i have to know how to do a backflip or other gymnastic moves before i start or will i learn everything there? thanks

[Mr. Mike]

you'll learn it from the teacher. Just don't let the fear of falling override your ambitions.

[JLee]

oh, so im not required to know how to do those fancy stuff before i start?

[JusticeZero]

Um.. no. If you needed to know how to do any of that before taking the class, it would be a pretty stupid and pointless class, wouldn't it? I would be curious what lineage you're looking at - only certain branches of Capoeira even do things like highly acrobatic backflips and such; out of four lines I have interacted with, only one was particularly "tricky", and two actively distrusted tricks.

I have to distinguish 'highly acrobatic' from 'low acrobatic' here - we spend time on our hands and rolling over and such, but we keep our weight on the ground and make sure we can change the movements in the middle - when you see someone flying through the air, they're committed and I was always taught to blast them out of the air; get under their landing site or put some spin on them so they land badly.

Mine does some inverted and such movements, and I prefer people to never have done a cartwheel or backflip before joining, because we have movements which look similar which are not the same in major ways, and it's frustrating to spend weeks trying to help teach people not to cartwheel.

[Maddwraph]

capoiera, depending on the class and teacher, will get you into really good shape (well, this is probably for all the classes, of which i know of at least) more importantly, you can your teacher of good stretches and techniques that will help you do these tricks and flips if you desire. its likea personal trainer as well. but best of luck with it, you'll have lots of fun.