FAQs
What should I wear to class?
We recommend a t-shirt or athletic top that you can go upside-down in and pants that allow you to move freely.
Do I need a uniform to train?
No. Capoeira is pretty laid back, and you’ll see instructors training in normal athletic gear too. The only time we require abadás (white uniform pants) is when you wear your cordão, or belt of rank.
What if I’m not flexible / coordinated / strong enough?
Every movement and sequence we do in class will be broken down into levels. This allows everyone to participate in a way that is appropriately challenging for where they’re at. Over time and with training, you’ll be able to progress to higher levels of movement as you gain flexibility, coordination, and strength.
Am I going to be hit? Have to hit people?
Yes and no. The goal of Capoeira is to create a dialogue of movement: kick, escape and counter attack. So we train to get out of the way and keep the game going, not just kick each other. We occasionally do kicking drills where you get hit. During these drills, partners are always letting each other know whether they want to get hit harder or softer depending on their comfort level or how they feel that session.
What can I expect during class?
The majority of our classes focus on the physical aspect of Capoeira: the movements, sequences, and playing a game with a partner. Each class we’ll warm up, run through training drills, maybe have a roda, and end class. We have repetition of movement during training, though most of our classes focus on the intentions and interactions behind the movements. So, we may throw a lot of kicks during class, but that’s because we’re training our ability to move in and out of range for various attacks during a game.
There are also times where we’ll learn Capoeira history, philosophy, songs, and instruments. We add this content in to help give the “why” behind our movements, and let people explore other areas of the art they may enjoy and excel in.
I hear Portuguese is a gendered language. Do you have gender neutral options?
Yes, Portuguese is a gendered language and titles are generally gendered male or female. Thankfully, we’ve been able to find a resource that’s been gathering information on gender neutral pronouns in the Portuguese speaking world. We’ve added these pronouns to our titles to make our ranks more inclusive.
What else should I know about training?
Capoeira is all about expression. We want you to move and play like you, not like anyone else. Our diversity of styles makes us all stronger, trickier Capoeira players.