Learning the basics

Last Tuesday, we attended a Capoeira class at Gasolina bar. I was with other 4 Filipinos and we are all beginners. Actually, capoeira is scheduled every Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30 to 8pm. The time is so perfect right after work. Plus, the cost for each class is just $2. Kaya carry na davah!!

Before we joined the class, we went there first just to check what's happening. When Oliver and I went there, our friend Malcolm was already taking the class. He's been a capoeira artist for more than a year now. When we saw the class, almost everyone were wearing capoeira shirts. Like capoeira france, kampuchea, US etc... Ay!! Mga advanced na sila!! SO mejo na-intimidate kami ni Oliver at nagdalwang isip to join. Sabi nila, when you're a good dancer, mas madali sayo ang capoeira. Pero hinde!! Hinde!! Napatunayan ko yan last Tuesday.

We arrived at Gasolina almost quarter to 7. So the class already started stretching. Kami ni Oliver, change clothes agad! Kebs na magkakitaan kami ng katawan!! Wala naman malisya!! Then join na kami. Everything seemed fine until the basic capoeira was demonstrated to us. It's called "ginga". After the basics, we were taught with simple kicks at defense. At ang rule ay dapat di magbebend ang leg. Masakit at mahirap! Lalo na when you have to move along with a beat. I thought mahirap na ang kick na iyan. Pero hinde!! Our instructor (Xavier) asked us to do a cartwheel at handstand. WWWHHHHAAATTT!? Gusto ko na mag back out at umuwi pero sabi nga ni Xavier, the way to learn is to always train and practice. Ang ending, ginawa ko ang cartwheel. Every round, mas humihirap kasi he really want us to do the handstand. Naman!! I can't master that in one session kuya!! Kaloka until we did the "roda". We were formed in a circle singing and playing instruments while pairs are sparring in the center. O davah!! First time namin tapos labanan agad!! So the beginners like me were paired up with the advanced students. And the whole time that I made mistakes, I would laughed at myself. Pero yung mga kasama namin eh serious. Windang!!

After two days, "ang sakit ng katawan ko!!" Kahit mag change ng shirt eh nahihirapan ako! Siyet!! Didn't know na ganito katindi ang effect when in fact I've been going to the gym for more than a month now. Kaya today, di ako aattend ng class kasi baka di rin ako makasipa. I need to revive my energy!! Pero I would still continue to learn capoeira in the coming weeks.