Thank you for commenting, and I’m glad you like the site!

Haha yes, I can definitely relate to the buying in part. It’s still nervewracking sometimes!

About the holding back thing, I get what you’re saying in terms of “it’s wrong to hit a woman”. What I would say to that though—and this is not your fault of course—is that the reason “it’s wrong to hit a woman” exists in the first place is because people thought women were inherently weaker/less powerful/unable to defend themselves. It’s like “pick on someone your own size”, only assuming all women are equivalent to that small, thin guy you mentioned! So, even though they’re two slightly different bases of thinking, they’re still definitely connected, with one coming out of the other.

Like I said though, that isn’t your fault, and you’re completely right that it can be hard to “force” yourself to go against something you’ve internalized since childhood, even if you intellectually know what’s really going on.

I don’t know if I’ve actually seen a guy get tutted for their female partner getting hurt (especially since I know in some groups the general philosophy is you’re responsible for anything that happens, meaning the hurt person should have known better than to do or not do what got them hurt, even while the other person should also take responsibility for not having enough control!), but I know in general, including outside of capoeira, those are extremely familiar scenarios, and they are double standards-y. I remember once in high school a girl I know was completely torn apart by some other girls, for saying that if a woman struck a man, the man had a right to strike back.

I definitely hope you’re right about the attitude changing! I think it will too, actually. And you make another good point about tradition—have you read my “The Feminine in Capoeira” posts? They touch on exactly that!

No worries; I didn’t find any part of your comments offensive at all! Though I’m sorry, it looks as if you got an earful nevertheless (I tend to do that)…but hopefully not too unpalatable of one.

p.s. I have to ask, is the email address you registered real, or did you type it in to go with your apelido? =P

Firstly can I just say what a great job you’re doing, I was introduced to your blog by a few of the guys I train with in Vancouver (Grupo Axe). I’ve spent a little time looking over your site and look forward to spending allot more.

The article above is really interesting and I whole heartily agree (from experience) that as a infant (one year or so) within Capoeira there is no need to ajust your game or play down within the Roda when facing a female Capoeirista. Within the Grupo here we have a multitude of talented beginners, the mojority being female and believe me I’ve learned the hard way that a Martello can hurt whether its kicked by a Female or a Male. As a beginner whether I’m playing a woman or man does not matter, I’m still trying to get over the panic in my heart when I buy in to a game so I could be playing a carboard cutout and it wouldn’t matter!

I just want to add though that from my point of view, I think the holding back thing comes from how we are brought up (well me anyway) and that its not a men are stronger than women thing, because thats rubbish. But more of a “its wrong to hit a women thing”. Before I get an earful!! This works both ways and its all to do with respect and your mindset. We’ve all seen games that get out of hand and rough. Whether between beginners or experienced capoeiristas, if one broke out between a man and a woman and the woman ends up hurt the guy is tutted at, if the guy (we’ve seen it) is hurt everybody laughs. Its wrong I know. But just the way it is. Its the same way if a between a huge stocky guy and a small thin guy.

I think you’ll see this attitude change with time. As is in life over the last 100 or so years women have faught and proved equal (if not better!) in all areas ie Business, Sports whatever. I think Capoeira is the same and will just take time. But it is enevitable. Remember that Capoeira is full of tradition, and within history tradition has always been difficult to change.
Sometimes people just dont want to let go. But with more and more Female Mestres out there and guys recognising their strengths and respecting their achievements it will get better.

Hope I’ve got my ideas out there without offending

Salve!

Irish

1. The guys want to see if I can take the heat, because there are a number of women in Brazil who “train” capoeira but not seriously… they’re there more to look cute in their tight white pants and go after the guys; or

2. The guys are jealous that I’ve gotten the better of them, or that I’m just playing prettier, and thus resort to a “jogo duro” in order to teach me a lesson. I’ve opted out of several rodas because I felt this dynamic at play.

Thanks for this message! It’s all so unnecessary – you’re right!
I think your theory of playing the individual and not the gender is very apt.
This is the way all capoeiristas should think.

It is very demeaning to a women; to a skilled capoeirista if he or she is being “played down to”. My instructor – Instructor Descobridor of Grupo Terranossa in south africa, does not believe in discrmination either. He always simplifies it all by saying that if you “give” in a roda, you must be prepared to “take”. In other words, whether you’re a guy, or a girl, you need to be aware that if you play a hard game, you will get a hard game in return. I think that’s fair!
Also – i really believe that how you execute a kick or a takedown is important. You can really hurt someone in a roda, or you can show your skill in a way that’s more appropriate – so no one gets hurt but the intention is obvious!

Respect. If we lose it in the roda – we’re not capoeiristas, just hooligans!

Thanks for the topic!
Ciao
Korobella