In the high-tech world pivoting means failing gracefully. If an enterprise you start doesn’t flourish as you’d hoped it would, and you decide to scrap it, then take it in another direction, you’re pivoting. It’s possibly embarrassing but if it’s a small endeavor it can be easy to do. Pivoting is a popular verb in the tech world.
After a year of taking Capoeira, I’ve decided to pivot. I’m trying out Brazilian Jui Jitsu (BJJ). In a nutshell, Capoeira is a standing, rhythmic martial art developed in Brazil and BJJ is derived from Japanese Judo but was refined in Brazil and is similar to collegiate wrestling.
My idea last January was to try Capoeira for a year and then evaluate it. As it turns out, Capoeira depends too much on qualities I don’t have like flexibility, musicality, and an inability to absorb instruction presented in Spanish/Portuguese. Plus, and maybe the biggest issue, the class is held at sunset which is my favorite time of day to surf. On the plus side, I enjoyed the comradery between the students, listening to the music, and the impressive visual displays.
The qualities I do have, a good power-to-weight ratio and curiosity, weren’t really called on much in Capoiera; but so far, they seem to be good for BJJ.
BJJ has less emphasis on flexibility and more on power, the instructor is bilingual so I can ask as many question as I need and questions are encouraged. And from a practical standpoint BJJ is more useful and effective in real life situations much sooner. Capoeira takes years of study before it could be used outside of class with any effectiveness.
It’s surprising that two teachers who’re both extremely accomplished in their sports chose to live here. I’m thankful that these options are here in a small village on the Pacific coast of Mexico.