I cannot yet spin on my head

[frightened]

I had my first capoeira class yesterday. It lasted three hours, and subsequently I hurt. It's zero-contact! Why do I hurt? (Because it requires leg strength and flexibility that I just don't have. Yet.)

I like it, I think. It's so totally different from karate that years of muscle memory is kicking my ass. I see a kick coming, I smack it out of the way and counter with a punch. Or I catch it and knock them over. I certainly don't turn my back on my opponent and do a cartwheel!

I went with falling_softly, and we were both very shy. I think we found it difficult, too, because we're used to the Japanese etiquette of karate. When in doubt, "osu, Sensei" and bow. Karate is honour-based and capoeira is trickery-based. Karate is lawful and capoeira is chaotic? Yes, that works.

I was also amused that my martial arts career has gone Kyokushin karate --> quick dabble in Southern mantis kung fu and kick-boxing --> Shotokan karate --> capoeira. I started off with the nasty full-contact stuff, and got gentler over the years.

Comments

[meatina]

So is it more dance than martial art? I think it has the baffle element. If someone goes to kick me and I just do forward rolls away (can't cartwheel) it should confuse them so I can get away.
Arthur's started Tae Kwon-Do. I really do need to go back to Karate. Even if I start back at white belt...