Capoeira offers so much to all of us, and means something different to us all.  A lesser important aspect of capoeira is the belt or cord level.  Capoeira is unique to many other martial arts as it is not belt driven. That is, each person's development in capoeira may look very different from the next person's, and there is not an exact set of movements or sequences that define students perfectly at each level.  Promotions occur in capoeira only once a year at most, and grow farther apart the longer a student trains in capoeira.  A student's journey in capoeira is personal and can be life long- the goal is not driven by achieving a certain belt level.  Because we know that each student sets goals for themselves, we have created a cord guideline for our group based upon three general (and broad) elements- physical movements, music, and how a student gives back to capoeira.  It is useful to see how one's training in both movements and music can progress, and how one's contributions to the development of capoeira and his/her fellow students becomes more important the higher the belt level.  Note that this guideline is for aluno students (prior and up to achieving graduado).

We have this available at the academy, but here is our working document for our guidelines and expectations.  We say "working" because it can evolve as needed.  We assume the best of everyone, and know that much of this goes without saying!  However, sometimes it can be helpful to have it written in one place to refer back to if ever needed.  We are proud of our academy and students, and these conduct rules come from what I believe we are all really doing well already, and want to keep doing!  

Theme: Safety
Moves: Au and Martelo
Songs: see below)

Sao Bento Grande- training to put on fun shows at our upcoming demonstrations

Song at 8:30

A Bananeira Caiu (repeat from August blog post!- scroll to August's post to find the lyrics and video)

* Caboclo: a person of mixed Indigenous Brazilian and European ancestry
**Popó: a nickname of a person