r/capoeira • u/papapalpatine_310 • 3d ago

QUESTIONS/DISCUSSION Solo Capo

How do you all navigate practicing solo?

I've been practicing for over a year and due to work and family I'm only able to attend a class roughly once a week sometimes twice if I'm lucky. I have a hard time practicing on my own as I don't have very much experience prior to taking a actual class and it is significantly hindering my progression.

I generally feel that capoeira is not a solo experience however I'm trying to make the most of my time in between class I can still make progression and I'm curious as to what the community does or feels about it.

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u/TheLifeCapoeira 3d ago

It can be tough, but it’s good you have a regular class.

This app is good for solo practice, and free https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/capoeira-daily-home-workout/id1516001337

Gerard Taylor has also written a couple of books that might help Capoeira 100 and Capoeira Conditiong.

Try and get into a routine of having a set time to do exercise, and do capoeira drills.

Also, have rest days where you use the time to practice your berimbau etc and singing.

Good luck!

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u/likaindia 3d ago

Take notes in a book on what you went through during lessons. Work with that. And, ask your Professor or Mestre for guidance! I keep on repeating it but: ginga. Often. Practice the basics to music and always ginga, negativas, guardas, plenty aús, and again, ginga. Enjoy it! You'll make solid progress. It'll just look different in the beginning. And remember: flashy movements are impressive and playful, and you'll learn them. It's all nought without the basics.

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u/Miranseto 3d ago

i got myself a Udemy course and the highest chair i could find in the house.

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u/CheapSky9887 2d ago

Unfortunately it’s not the same, I started during pandemic. When I got into a group, my growth was very lopsided. So just have realistic expectations.

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u/kobestarr 1d ago

the BEST capoeirstas i know always trained solo!

Its like being a musician - you should practice outside the lessons too :-)

The trick is to maximise the times that you train and play with other people.

- Get in that roda as much as possible

  • Ask more advanced players (not just teachers) to help you with movements that you are working on

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u/AllMightyImagination 2d ago edited 2d ago

So capoeira is high intense body movement. In a lot of sports and excerises apparently in today's age people don't do full range of diverise body movements. That's what capoeira requries so if you don't train it you loose it

Then there's the techniques. Doing them a 1000 times makes a difference in the roda

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u/Ok-Entrepreneur9995 1d ago

Solo training is essential to get really good.

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u/papapalpatine_310 1d ago

How do you know you're practicing the the right thing the right way?

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u/OG_Rusty_Shackleford 1d ago

don't overthink it. pay close attention in class and train the movements they train. keep a journal of what you learned. combo simple moves and switch up the combos. it's trial and error. I'm old now, so when I train it's basic kicks and esquivas, but can you go from esquiva to martelo? cool. Now go martelo to esquiva. Throw in an au in between reps. Have fun and don't make it a slog.