Can I learn capoeira? Yes! Capoeira é pra homem, menino, e mulher / Só não aprende quem não quer! Capoeira is for men, women, and children / Anyone can learn! ...am I too old to start? Nope. You can start learning capoeira at any age. Check out this article about “Grandpa Capoeira,” a man who started at 84 years old! …what if I’m out of shape? Capoeira is physically demanding, but you don’t have to get in shape, increase strength/flexibility, or lose twenty pounds before you start. The best way to get in shape for capoeira is to do capoeira, since the training itself – being both cardiovascular and strength training – will burn fat and build muscle, flexibility, and endurance. If you want to run, lift weights, do plyometrics, pilates, yoga or other such supplementary training to exercise on the days when you don’t have capoeira class… more power to you. …what if I have no previous experience in anything? Previous martial arts, dance, or gymnastics experience can be either (or both) a blessing or a curse, and is certainly not necessary to start capoeira – I had no such experience when I started, and couldn’t do a cartwheel or a handstand at all. Other martial arts, dance, and gymnastics can help in the sense of having given you strength, balance, body control, flexibility, grace, etc., and you may find that you can learn certain capoeira moves more easily. However, you also might find that you have to get used to very different ways of moving than those you’re used to, and it can be hard to break established habits and re-learn the movements differently. ...what if I have a physical disability? You can learn capoeira! I’ve met deaf capoeiristas, blind capoeiristas, crippled capoeiristas, partially paralyzed capoeiristas – all of them playing and enjoying this wonderful art. Check out this article, written by a doctor and capoeira master.
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