Intro Program

Welcome to Capoeira. Now that you’ve completed your introductory lesson, you’re ready to begin a life-changing experience with the world’s most fascinating martial art. You’re ready to begin learning how training capoeira will stretch you both physically and mentally and how the lessons learned in the studio will help you find more success in all areas of your life.

Capoeira is so much more than kicking and punching. Imagine how much time and money you'd have to invest to get individual martial arts, gymnastics, music, and dance classes. In capoeira, students receive the benefits of all of these and more in one comprehensive course of study. Students learn to show respect for themselves and others, develop incredible discipline and unshakable confidence as they practice this exciting, but challenging sport. Your introductory program is the first step.

Take some time to review the movements you learned in your intro lesson, especially the ginga. From the fundamentals program through upper levels and on to yellow cord, the ginga is the foundation of all capoeira movements.

Ginga

The word "ginga" translates to mean "swing" or "sway" and is the basic step of capoeira. All of the other movements and dodges come in and out of the ginga. In almost every class that you come to you'll warm up training the ginga, and learning more about the details that make it look the way it should.

A majority of your training time for the first couple of weeks of capoeira class should be spent training and reviewing the ginga.

Keep the movement loose through the shoulders and hips. Keep the feet and knees as wide as possible, helping to lower the center of gravity and your stability in the movement. Make sure that the arm that you keep up is on the same side as the leg that is in the back of the ginga.

Esquiva Frontal

The word "esquiva" means "dodge" and "frontal" implies that the movement is done while your body is still facing the front.

>Make sure that one hand is flat on the ground and the other is up to protect the face. As much as possible, keep the hips lower than the front knee. The head to lean to the side.

Meia Lua de Frente

This basic kick is performed by swinging a straight leg across the front in an arc. "Meia lua de frente" translates into English as "half moon from the front."

What to expect in group classes

Just like capoeira itself, group classes will be a combination of martial arts, dance, acrobatics, and music training. You can expect to feel a little overwhelmed at first, but don’t worry – this is absolutely normal. In a few classes, especially as the ginga becomes more natural, you’ll find movements coming to you more easily. Don’t forget that everyone in the class with you was once a new student too! The fundamentals course is a twelve-month curriculum, so students in the class with you will have been training anywhere from about one month to a year.

O que faz um bom capoeirista?

You’ll learn a lot of Brazilian Portuguese as part of your capoeira training. Your first Portuguese lesson is to memorize the phrase “o que faz um bom capoeirista?” Printed on the back wall of the capoeira studio, the English translation of the phrase is two-part: “What makes a good capoeirista?” and “What does a good capoeirista do?” It takes a lot to make a good capoeirista – training in movement, music, and language. In capoeira classes, we also work on developing focus, discipline, and respect. These character traits are essential for success in this challenging martial art. We hope you’ll also frequently ask yourself “what does a good capoeirista do?” as you also work to apply these principles in your academic pursuits, professional life, and personal relationships.