Absolutely! Everyone has to start somewhere, and all our classes have a wide range of skill levels, from no experience to some who have been practicing for several years. All are welcome, and the group dynamic is conducive to learning for all levels
There is no component of Capoeira that is restricted to either sex. Some of the greatest players of Capoeira are women. Also, Capoeira does not pose any more risks to women than it does to men. On the contrary women could benefit from Capoeira as a self-defense tactic.
No! As long as you are mobile you can participate in lessons. Our students come from a variety of ages from toddlers to adolescents to grandparents who are intrigued by the beauty of Capoeira. While children tend to pick up the sport faster (as they do with other things), middle-aged and older people can also participate. Some of the greatest Capoeira Masters in Brazil are over 60 and still practicing the sport! Of course, our trained instructors will choose movements which are appropriate to your age group and /or other needs.
That depends on your other commitments, lifestyle and what you want to get out of Capoeira. Some people undertake lessons as a fun activity on a weekly basis; others do it as a training session for physical benefits and some as a professional sport. Most of our students train from one to three times per week.
Just yourself and your uniform. Or, if you are new and don’t have a uniform yet, comfortable pants for working out and a t-shirt is sufficient. Don’t forget to bring a bottle of water to re-hydrate throughout the lesson!
Like any martial art, Capoeira is a tactic which can be used for attack or self defense. However, its main principle is not a destructive one. Capoeira aims to teach players to work together rather than against each other. Our qualified instructors are always present to guide students as to how to execute movements so that they do not pose any risks to themselves or others and also to ensure students attempt moves only when they are experienced enough to do so. If you have any other concerns because of a past injury please speak to your instructor so that they can choose movements which are best suited to your needs.
The beauty of Capoeira is certainly impressive however it is, without a doubt, an art of self-defense as well. The basic movements of Capoeira were used by slaves to fight their way to freedom against armed guards in colonial times. While modern Capoeira has had acrobatic movements added to it to make it into a flowing game, its potential for attack and defense has not been diminished. Many parents sign up their children for Capoeira classes because they not only learn an art of self-defense but also undertake a fun and expressive activity.
No. Acrobatic movements are only a small part of Capoeira and they are undertaken by the students who wish to do so and are developmentally ready for them. If for some reason you think that you should not undertake acrobatic movements because of an injury please inform your instructor. You can still practice the basic Capoeira movements, as well as, participate in musical and dance components of the sport.
No. While some people brand Capoeira as a dance or a choral group, a person is never put on the spot to dance or sing. Many students are afraid of singing, dancing and playing instruments, however after a while they find that they want to participate in these activities because they are fun and all students undertake them as a group not on an individual basis.
Definitely! Many people have traded in their boring gym workouts for the Capoeira class because apart from giving them the physical workout they need it also gives them a mental challenge and teaches them a skill. While Capoeira will not turn you into Mr or Ms Muscle, it has the potential to define the entire musculature, promote weight loss and give you a very good cardio/aerobic workout. More importantly, it does not place you at risk of injury because it uses your own bodyweight rather then weights for the workout and works on the entire body rather then isolated sections of it.
Yes! Many of our students have found themselves a few pounds lighter after starting to play Capoeira. Because Capoeira is a combination of an aerobic and a resistance workout, it is a more effective fat burner than hours on the pec deck!
Let’s face it. There are not many rubber-band people in the world. The purpose of Capoeira is to increase your flexibility and joint mobility. You will find that as time goes, you will become more flexible and be able to execute more movements, not just in Capoeira but also in everyday life like tying up your shoelaces whilst standing!
The white Capoeira pants, t-shirt/singlet and belt are traditional to Capoeira. Mestre Cicatriz prefers his students to follow in this tradition. However, if for some reason you cannot wear or afford the uniform, please speak to your instructor to make alternative arrangements.
