Perguntas Para Márcia Archive

Can you use your elbow to hit someone in the face?
As a beginner definitely NOT. The beginner should be focusing on the fundemental movements like ginga, esquivas and the basic kicks. However, everyone should remember and be aware that capoeira is a self-defense art form and the elbow is a part of the body you will learn to use to protect yourself once you reach a certain level. Anyone could use their elbow to defend themselves, however, a beginner should not use moves like hitting with your elbow in a manner that is not in their own defense because you will not be able to take what might come back to you once you have initiated that type of game.

What determines when you are ready to play Maculelê using the machetes? Is it by cord level or experience?
Primarily, experience. Regardless of your cord level, you MUST be competent with using the sticks, having good technique and lots of experience, prior to practicing with the machetes. The best way to learn is to start practicing regularly with the sticks so you develop good form, strength, and technique. Typically after a few years of playing maculelê with sticks you should be able to begin practicing with the machetes.

I have only been training for a few months and I only can train two times a week. Should I participate in the batizado?
Yes. If you are training with ABADÁ and you are my student, I want you to participate. It doesn’t matter how much you have been able to train, although that may be reflected in the level you reach and if you get a cord or not, but you should participate and celebrate your participation in this art and yourself as a part of this community.

How long do I need to train to earn my first cord?
It really varies from person to person. It is not about how much time or how many movements you know. I take everything into consideration over the course of how long you have been training regularly- your potential, your attitude in the school, your regular level of participation, and your abilities in all aspects of capoeira: the movements, music, etc.

I come from a different capoeira school and I want to train at ABADÁ also. Is this okay? If not, why?
I would need to know more information to really answer this question. For example, are you living here in the Bay area? How long have you been training under a different system? If you are a beginner living in the Bay Area, I would say you can train in more than one place for a short time in order to check out which school and style you identify with because every school has a unique style and philosophy. Eventually you should choose one school so that you can develop in the art form. If you are just visiting ABADÁ and the Bay Area and you are a student of any level you can take a class or just play in the roda. If you have been training with a particular school, not ABADÁ, for a long time, I would recommend that you just come and play in our roda, unless you think you are interested in switching schools and training with ABADÁ. In that case, I would recommend that you watch a few classes, play in a few rodas, and then transfer over and bring your training with you-- but remember that each school has its own style and although you might be advanced in one school, once you come to ABADÁ you may need to start from the beginning in order to get acclimated to our style.

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