Frequently asked questions

• Mommy (Daddy) & Me Classes Designed for children ages 3–4 with a parent or guardian.
• Kids’ Capoeira Program Open to children ages 5–12.
• Teens & Adults Program For ages 13 and up.

Transition from Kids to Teens/Adults At around 11 years old, students may begin a transition period into the Teens & Adults program. During this stage, they gradually participate in both Kids’ and Teens/Adults classes as they start to outgrow the younger group. After this mixed training phase, they fully transition into the Teens & Adults program.

Students attend as many or as few classes as they are able. Obviously, we like students to come to class as much as possible, but we recognize everyone has a life outside of our school and family obligations and some weeks may be more challenging than others to attend. Come as much as you can!

Memberships can have a 1-month, 6-month or 12-month term. Making progress and experiencing meaningful change requires a commitment. We think this applies to just about everything worthwhile in life, but especially self-improvement and mastering new skills. We feel strongly it is a valuable lesson for our students to learn to face challenges, be consistent, and grow over time.

Our instructors are highly knowledgeable and conscious of the student’s safety. From the very first class, they are instructed on the rules of the room, how to respect their partners, and how to play safely. Instructors keep a keen eye on all students to keep them on task and safe at all times.

You/your child will just need an uniform, which includes the abada (pants), a t-shirt and a corda. They are available for purchase with the head instructor at an initial discount price when you sign a membership with us.

Our program is offered by Abada-Capoeira DC, or ABADA DC, as we commonly refer to it, and it shares its name and philosophy with its parent organization, the Brazilian Association for the Support and Development of the Art of Capoeira (Associação Brasileira de Apoio e Desenvolvimento da Arte Capoeira, or Abada-Capoeira).

Abada-Capoeira was founded by Mestre Camisa in Rio de Janeiro, with representatives all over the world. Abada-Capoeira prides itself on the originality and constant refinement of its style of Capoeira, renown for efficiency, athletics, and cultural and historical relevance. The original style of Abada-capoeira seeks to incorporate both Capoeira Regional and Capoeira Angola, and embraces the modernizing innovations of the Mestre Camisa without losing sight of the history and philosophy of the ancient art.

Capoeira is a multi-facet art and we work all elements in class. Our capoeira program focuses on a curriculum of fundamental concepts and techniques in the art which include all these elements, from the dance to the martial art, acrobatics, music, language, instrument playing, history and more. This foundation is vital to a solid understanding of Capoeira. In class, students work on skill-building through instruction and partner trainings as well as playing with a partner to practice their skills in a dynamic setting we call “roda”, the traditional circle where they practice capoeira to the sound of live music.

Participating in tournaments can be a great way for students to challenge their skills in an alternative setting outside of the Academy but that won’t happen until the students reach an orange graduation in the teens/adults’ programs.

Our graduation ceremony (Batizado for the first corda the students reach and promotion for the following graduations) happens once a year, and the cordas are not awarded based on a predetermined length of time, but more importantly when the student’s behavior and knowledge of technique rise to the standard that has been determined by the Abada-Capoeira school. Promotions are merit-based; there is no test, and it’s the result of a permanent evaluation.

This is probably the biggest moment in the year for our students in a big multiple day event with guests from around the world, and a Master guest teaching special classes.

Several different options are available: monthly billing or payment upfront for month-to-month agreement, 6-month agreements and 12-month agreements. We accept credit or debit cards, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and electronic funds transfers (EFT) from a bank account as payment options.

Yes! We offer 15% discounts to all additional family members who join the Academy.