And yeah, I agree that it’s maybe not the best policy to say “I’m going to date capoeiristas and ONLY capoeiristas” since it definitely narrows your outlook and possibilities…on the other hand, I could kind of understand it if someone loved capoeira SO much that they wouldn’t be able to handle their partner not knowing exactly what they were talking about and experiencing capoeira along with them.

To Hera and Soneca…Awww…those are some really cute stories you guys have! Although to be honest, even though I LOVE capoeira, I don’t know if I love capoeira to the point where I’d be willing to have a kid just so I have someone to pass it on to…I think there are enough capoeiristas out there who would be willing to take care of that part XD

And i just wanted to agree with you about Chicago’s school in Philadelphia–Low Country Capoeira Angola Society. I’ve visited him a few times and there is such a wonderful energy there—kids all around, interacting, sharing their energy… As well as all the challenging workshops given by Chicago! I am always inspired every time i visit with him—which reminds me— i definitely need to visit soon!

I have the sweetest memory from this past summer–I was sitting on bench in his beautiful training space in between the workshop and roda—and there was this little boy about 5 yrs old playing a small berimbau, and a smaller toddler tugging on his sleeve, wanting to play it as well. The ended up chasing each other around the yard.

What a wonderful, natural and organic way to learn Capoeira Angola!

In fact, when we realized we liked each other we were both afraid to get involved as we didn’t want it to compromise our training… in the end we promised each other that no matter what we would keep training and neither one of us would leave the group. Although it was tough to keep our feelings separate from training it was an experience I would not trade in for anything in the world. Like hera said above, it is these things that give flavor to our lives….

When we broke up it was extremely painful for me personally to go to class, it was like one day we broke up and the next day we had training. There was no healing period, we saw each other day in and day out. Trying to get over someone romantically and seeing them everyday is a really hard thing to swallow but we had both made a promise- I would not be one of the girls that left the group. I would go to class and act like nothing was wrong, take everything out through training, leave, feel better, and do it again the next day. The experience, looking at it years later, made me stronger. I know now what I can face, and just how strong I really am emotionally… at the time I said I would never date someone in my group again or even a Capoeirista at all, I kicked myself for doing it- but once it was all said and done, I would never ever take it back. It was one of my most enriching, rewarding, bittersweet, heart-breaking, defying, beautiful relationships with a human being. period.

I learned that you should never say never (I know- can’t help the cliche here- I apologize!) because years later I dated someone else I trained with, and it still is a beautiful relationship/interaction.

When you think about it, Capoeira itself is so intense- it’s so filled with emotion- and there are people around you that go through those emotions with you- it’s almost inevitable that you form these crazy bonds. These ppl see you at your worst, at your happiest, they know and understand struggles that you face more so than anyone else in your life- and if you get along and you’re attracted to each other- what could be so wrong about that?

There are ppl that strictly just date Capoeiristas or want a “Capo” relationship, this in my opinion is wrong, but if both people have mutual respect and love for each other, as well as for the art- there’s really something amazing in that- and should not be overlooked. On the other hand, you should not get involved if it means compromising your training or jeopardizing staying in your group.

Capoeira should be your first and most important love, after all it is what brought you together in the first place. Phew… what a mouthful- sorry guys!

Aww, that was really sweet of your instructors and contra-mestre. There’s really nothing like seeing a huge, bulked mestre or contra-mestre taking over the roda one moment, and laughing with a small child in each arm the next!

Wow, I think it would be amazing to play capoeira with your daughters…I can’t even imagine what such a moment would be like; no one else in my family does capoeira and frankly most of the time I think they just think I’m crazy for being so into it myself!
Haha…I agree that it’s important to have your own space and own “thing” as well. Kind of like how my sister has her “thing” (badminton), and when the same didn’t work out for me luckily I had capoeira to turn to. =)

Thanks again for commenting! Did you say you were moving soon, in an earlier post? How is that going?

When I have a car of my own (right now husband and I share one), I do plan to let them train, as they already love the music and kick around and do their own version of playing in the background behind the roda. I hope that eventually I will be able to meet my daughters at the pe do berimbau and relate with that special bond–the capoeira bond, the family bond.

As for my husband, he supports me in my new obsession, but doesn’t really have a great interest in training with me. We have had issues in the past about not giving me space in my interests so that I feel I have nothing uniquely my own, and we both think it’s healthy to have something that’s completely separate from each other. If we do every single thing the same, we won’t have as many new, fresh things to share.

Plus, he hates working out. He’s naturally thin, and if he didn’t have to run and strength train for the Navy, he wouldn’t do a damned thing. Damned skinny boys. =D

I completely agree!!! Like I said, it seems like pretty much every single capoeirista I’ve ever met has the magic touch with kids. It’s cool, but I don’t understand it (and wish some of it would rub off on me)! That makes sense too, that it’s due to the Brazilian culture.

And definitely hear you on the envy thing…I can only imagine what kind of person a kid would turn out to be growing up in a capoeira environment and learning capoeira…they’d be unstoppable, in anything!!

Awww…that’s so cool, about seeing the five year old grow from the womb to the pe do berimbau! Honestly, in what other sport/art does that kind of thing happen?

Congratulations on your 6-year anniversary! That’s awesome!!

Yeah, that would definitely be my main hang-up about it, too. Capoeira is so awesome and so great and amazing and such a huge part of your life (well, speaking for myself) that it would actually be the biggest shame in the world, not to mention just absolutely suck if it all got ruined for you just because of one person.

That’s interesting Cenoura, I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like that! Either a couple starting together (usually it’s just one person) or…well, actually I might’ve seen women watching their boyfriends train, but I’m pretty sure in those cases the woman wasn’t in capoeira at all. Why do the women in the couples sit on the side? And how does the teacher let them?

Didn’t know you were married! But that’s cool.

Oohh I can definitely see how that would be frustrating…it’s almost like “how can you have experienced it and STILL not be taken in?!” But then again, to each their own. Hahaha, practicing together at home At least she won’t complain if you ever practice the berimbau!

Oohh yeah, I’m always scared to do anything whenever kids are around (or animals!) because I think it’s too easy for me to just happen to land on them.