The first step in the journey of mastering Capoeira is to discard any preconceived notions of what it is and is not. It is not just a dance, not just a martial art, but a synthesis of both that reflects its Afro-Brazilian origins in its every dynamic movement and rhythm. As an individual who ventured into the domain of Capoeira, I often find myself wishing I had known a few things before I enrolled.

The initial misconception often harbored by the uninitiated is that Capoeira is either a dance or a martial art. In truth, it is a unique blend of both. The origins of Capoeira trace back to the 16th century, when African slaves in Brazil developed it as a means of self-defense that could be disguised as a dance to evade the attention of their oppressors. This historical aspect is crucial to understand the dual nature of the art form. It is akin to Schrödinger's cat experiment in quantum mechanics, where the cat is both alive and dead until observed. In the same vein, Capoeira is simultaneously a dance and a martial art until perceived.

As the classes progress, you will quickly realize that Capoeira's rhythm and music are as integral as its physical elements. The rhythm is dictated by the berimbau, a single-string percussion instrument, and is complemented by other instruments like the pandeiro and atabaque. Understanding the music's rhythm is paramount to executing the movements correctly. It's similar to the principle of entrainment in physics, whereby two oscillating bodies in proximity will synchronize their frequencies, leading to harmony and synchronization, which are quintessential in Capoeira.

The roda, the circular space within which Capoeira is played, is another critical element. The roda is not just a physical space; it's a social and cultural construct that mirrors the circular flow of energy in the art itself. Within the roda, every participant, every clap, every cheer contributes to the energy, much like the concept of collective effervescence proposed by sociologist Emile Durkheim, referring to the shared emotional energy within a group.

• Item four on my list of things I wish I'd known is the importance of Capoeira's distinct language. Portuguese, being the language of Capoeira's birthplace, pervades its songs, commands, and colloquialisms. Acquiring a rudimentary understanding of Portuguese will drastically enhance your appreciation and comprehension of the art form. It is as if you were navigating through a dense forest of mathematical theory and suddenly stumbled upon Gödel's incompleteness theorems, providing a framework amidst the chaos.
• The fifth thing I wish I'd known is how physically demanding Capoeira is. It requires a high level of flexibility, endurance, and strength, akin to training for a decathlon. The physicality of Capoeira is not limited to brute strength or agility, but rather focuses on the harmonious application of these attributes.
• Capoeira is also a game. It is not about overpowering your opponent but engaging them in a physical dialogue within the roda. The strategic nature of the game echoes the tenets of Game Theory - each player's actions are predicated on predicting their opponent's moves.
• Another aspect I wish I'd been aware of is the philosophy underpinning Capoeira. It encourages camaraderie, respects hierarchy, and promotes constant learning. These principles resonate with Maslow's hierarchy of needs, where self-actualization is attained when basic and psychological needs are met.
• The eighth thing I wish I'd known is that Capoeira does not provide instant gratification. It's a long journey of self-discovery and growth. Much like the stock market's efficient market hypothesis, where consistent alpha generation is challenging due to market efficiency, consistent improvement in Capoeira is hard to achieve but exceptionally rewarding.
• The penultimate point is the significance of the 'ginga,' the fundamental movement in Capoeira. It requires a delicate balance of coordination, rhythm, and technique, comparable to the balancing act of fiscal and monetary policies in macroeconomics.

Finally, Capoeira is an ongoing journey, not a destination. It's a continuous exploration of one's physical and mental boundaries, akin to the quest for knowledge in any academic discipline. It does not end when the class ends, nor does it pause until the next session. It becomes a part of your life, your rhythm, your very being.

Coming from a place of experience and retrospection, these are the ten elements I wish I would have known before my Capoeira journey began. While it is a physically demanding discipline, its rhythms, history, and philosophy provide a unique means of expression that is unparalleled in its richness and complexity. As you embark on your Capoeira journey, remember that every stumble is a new rhythm learned, every fall a new lesson in resilience, and every roda a celebration of this beautiful art form.