Goals in capoeira for '04-'05
- add more variety to my game while maintaining the interaction and
not overthinking
- be able to play any instrument while leading the singing comfortably
- write a capoeira song
- begin to use takedowns effectively in the roda, while also not making my
game overly aggressive
- get the macaco to both sides! (I really think I can do it this year!)
- continue to add expression, playfulness, and style to my game, without losing
technical efficiency and protection
Goals in capoeira for '03-'04
- again, improve basic kicks and dodges so I can do them
with control at any speed in both directions - yep, I think I improved in this area this year
- make my movements and overall game more fluid/graceful/beautiful
- again, still room for a lot more improvement, but I definitely feel like I progressed
- work on improving control in all my moves at higher speeds;
I'd really like to see my Regional game be less sloppy - definitely have more control in fast games than
I did a year ago
- become more comfortable on my hands - yup,
I am, but I'd like to now actually get on my hands more during games!
- solid backflip, both standing and from a roundoff - nah, I've done a couple lucky ones, but I quit working on them; I'm just not so motivated to do so anymore.
- meia lua reversao - eh, sort of, to
one side?
- play more maculele - definitely; I'm
much more comfortable in the maculele roda, and I really enjoy it!
- learn how to samba - uh, sort of? Ok,
not really :-p
- get better at playing all the instruments in the bateria
- yep! Berimbau lessons with Mestre Gaje helped a LOT, and I've played berimbau and pandeiro frequently
in rodas... taken my turn on agogo and reco-reco too, when they're there. Atabaque now is my weak spot...
- attend a batizado in Brazil - that's
funny, I never did
Goals in capoeira for '02-'03
- a proper macaco to both sides: bleh,
still can't get it!
- the au sem mao to the left: got it!
Not as comfortable or high-flying as my one to the right, but that'll come if I just practice it
- continue to improve my handstand walking and balance when
upside down: YES - this is working. I can frequently make it all the way across the mat when "pulling"
- be able to do ten handstand pushups against a wall
- really improve my basic kicks so that I can do them all
solidly and with control to both directions - getting there. Both sides aren't exactly equal yet, but
I'm making progress.
- meia lua reversao: nope, not yet
- a backflip would be nice ;-) - I
was half-joking when I wrote this, but now I've gotten the back handspring pretty solid and yes, I DID a backflip! - once.
- good s-dobrado to both sides: it's
pretty good to the left, but I just can't get the timing and the lift to work as well on the right
- develop my ground game, be able to move around well on
the floor - yup. In fact I like ground stuff so much that now I spend *too* much time on the floor!
- get a berimbau and start learning how to play it: got a sweeeeeeet one for Christmas! :-)
***the main thing*** - improve my game: incorporate new moves
into my game and combine moves in new combinations. I've stopped thinking too much in the roda; now I just follow instinct
- and I feel like it leads me to do the same moves over and over. I know a lot of very useful moves that I just don't ever
use in the game. I think if I practice things a lot in combination, I'll develop the muscle memory to apply particular new moves
or combinations of moves by instinct in a game - I've improved somewhat, but I need to play more to keep
up the progress...
- apply to study abroad in Brazil next spring!!! - woohoo, I will be off to Brazil in Feb 2004!!!
Goals in capoeira for '01-'02
- kip-up - ACCOMPLISHED. And the no-handed
one, too :-)
- good macaco - uh, not quite :-p
- au batido - yep!
- au sem mao - got this too! :-D