Learn a new language: You may not become fluent (though that’s always a possibility), but there is no doubt that you will come to understand and perhaps speak a bit of Brazilian Portuguese.
Travel abroad: There are frequently opportunities to travel both regionally and internationally for capoeira activities. And traveling as a capoeirista is far superior to traveling as a tourist. When you do, you will undoubtedly have the opportunity to experience visited cities as a personal guest of a fellow capoeirista. You will often even have the option to stay in someone’s home for low or no cost.
Learn about a new culture: Capoeira is deeply connected to Africa and Brazil. In a time when many martial arts are reduced to aerobic workouts and cookie cutter dojos, capoeira maintains all of its roots and traditions. For those who value heritage and generational wisdom passed down over hundreds of years, you will love this about Capoeira.
Join a Community: Capoeira is at once a widely communal and a deeply individual experience. Once you become a capoeirista (practitioner of capoeira), you form an instant bond with thousands of people across the globe who share your passion. At the same time, you will gain the ability to do things that most of the general public could never dream of. And in doing so, you will discover a true sense of uniqueness.
Physical Benefits
Stress Reduction: A regular capoeira practice does wonders for relaxing the mind and body. Any capoeirista can attest to the dramatic shift in attitude before and after class.
Strength: Capoeiristas are always moving around on their hands in handstands, rolls, poses, etc. This makes a marked improvement on upper body strength. Also, so many of the movements require one to engage the abs and core strength that one has no choice but to whip them into shape.
Flexibility: Some capoeiristas are on par with serious yoga practitioners in terms of their flexibility. But even those who moderately improve their flexibility lower their risk for injury and increase their everyday mobility.
Cardio and Stamina: Many times athletes from various sports are surprised when they feel winded from a capoeira workout. This is because capoeira uses muscle groups and cardio fitness in unique ways. Intense capoeira games can require enormous amounts of energy. This, combined with constant repetition of movements and techniques, makes capoeira a valuable cardio exercise.
Overall Fitness: Capoeira will improve your strength, flexibility, and stamina, thus improving your overall fitness. It may take a while to become fit, but once you start to take capoeira seriously you can become the picture of fitness.
Personal Growth Benefits
Live authentically:Capoeira is a total body, mind, and emotional expression. It involves one’s whole authentic person. Now that takes time to do with ease and regularity. But as one grows more confident in the martial art, he or she also grows more confident in the ability to express one’s unique voice.
