how do i impress my new capoeira teacher?
i am starting a capoeira class in january after being obsessed with it and brazil and the music for almost a year. i know everything about capoeiras history and the music. i also have a background in music, and am currently in 3 bands, and really want to learn the berimbau and percussion instruments. i dont have much experience with capoeira as the physical work with it, but i know a lot about it and have been attempting to learn portuguese since this obsession started.
i keep hearing that its not the physical skill that gives cordau rank in capoeira, but also the music and language and such.
is there any way i can go into my capoeira class and impress my teacher into believing im not just another teen who wants to "try something new" or "impress their friends" or whatever other reason?
i am going to a class that is held at the YMCA for beginners and the general thought about the people who attend the capoeira classes at the Y is that they just wanna try it or get a work out once a week, not actually be serious in the sport. however, i cant attend classes anywhere else in the city because the rest of the locations are up in the north and i live as far south in the city as you can go, and this YMCA is a short bus ride away from me.
so, is there any way i can differentiate myself?
Comments
yeah tell him you like micheal jackson and the start breakdancing.
I know how you feel. I felt like a puppy dog trying to earn my masters approval, trying to differentiate myself from the pack. The way I did it, is through pure dedication, I showed up to every class, asked questions, and just showed a general love for what I do. I think the most important part was just pure dedication. I saw people come and go, show up every now and then, I was pretty much the only one that was there every week.
I'd recommend also, talk to your teacher after class, talk to him about capoeira, ask him questions that you may have. This makes you stand out.
Good luck.
Capoeira is just like any other martial art, it requires focus, heart and will. Simply show your teacher you're willing to do anything to learn, including staying after class ends and seeking advice and tips from senior students. Don't ask the teacher "Will you show me how to do (insert advanced move you've seen an expert do)?", because it shows you want to learn the moves before the fundamentals.
Just be willing to take advice, ask questions when you don't understand something or need help, and just be into it. Some teachers just pick up on how much a student desires to learn just by how focused they are, or even by their movements. You could even simply say you'd like to come by more often for extra or private lessons (if available).
The short version is be a blank slate and listen to the teacher. Simply showing up every week without question, and practice at home (trust me on that one, teachers love it when you show progress between lessons).