Frequently Asked Questions
You will find most of the information on our website and the New Student Booklet.
What is Capoeira?
Capoeira (Portuguese pronunciation: [kapuˈejɾɐ / kapwˈɐjɾɐ]) is an Afro-Brazilian martial art that combines elements of dance, acrobatics and music. It was developed in Brazil[citation needed] at the beginning of the 16th century. It is known for its quick and complex maneuvers, predominantly using power, speed, and leverage across a wide variety of kicks, spins, and other techniques.
The most widely accepted origin of the word capoeira comes from the Tupi words ka'a ("jungle") e pûer ("it was"), referring to the areas of low vegetation in the Brazilian interior where fugitive slaves would hide. A practitioner of the art is called a capoeirista (Portuguese pronunciation: [kapuejˈɾistɐ]).
On 26 November 2014, capoeira was granted a special protected status as "intangible cultural heritage" by UNESCO.
Capoeira Classes for $25/person
We offer capoeira classes on the Central Coast (Australia) for almost all ages at $25/person. Our aim is contribute to the families on the Central Coast, not make money. So our students pay enough to cover costs. We are a registered non for profit.
How difficult the classes are?
The combination of dance, acrobatics, music and martial arts, makes capoeira a wonderful experience for everyone; young and old, men and women, beginners and advanced, everybody is welcome.
Don't be put off joining a capoeira class because you're not a gymnast or acrobat, your fitness will build from day one and after a few months of training, you might be surprised what you can do. You'll see that everyone has their own individual style, more experienced capoeiristas will work with you at your level to help you developing your skills on your own rythm.
What's the start age for kids to attend?
Our students range from 5yo to 45yo.
Even when is diferent on every children, our recommendation is attach to the development of "laterality in children" as we exercise right-left and they have to be able to understand the instructions, there are studies supporting the thesis of a functional lateralization in complex coordinative tasks and in maximal strength during developmental ages at 6–11 years old. There are a few studies with Evidences for Task-Dependent Lateralization of Motor Functions.
Capoeira is great for lateralization and developing other skills (read the full list below).
More generally, laterality preference is associated with one's success in sports. Specifically, the possible influence of sports and which kind of sport activities are mainly practiced by children is an important topic in this frame, considering the general evidence according to which ambidexterity (i.e., non-lateralized hand preference) is more common in athletes than in the general population . (...) The advantage of left-sided athletes in sports has been attributed to the scarcity of practice strategies against left-orientation. To be noted, this left-sided over-representation of athletes often refers to open-skill-dominated sports, which require continuous adaptations of motor behaviors to an unpredictable environment, rather than closed-skill-dominated sports characterized by self-paced movement patterns in a predictable environment.
The best way to know if you and/or your children are ready to practice is sign-up for a class and come to make the class.
All the parents of our students are training with them so daddy and mummy are more than welcome to give a try, of course, we encourage the parents as we love to see the family members training together.
Remember than even when they are ready to exercise the most important thing is that they enjoy how the classes are and the dynamic we follow.
What clothes do I need to wear (for the first month)?
Once you booked your first capoeira class, you will need to get a few things ready.
The day of the class come wearing long track pants and a plain tee, and we recommend the use of flat sole sport shoes (Kmart $3.5 Canvas Shoes are great to start with) to avoid injuries sliding on the wooden floor till you get use to it.
Any health issue?
IMPORTANT: In our capoeira program, each block assumes that the student is healthy and has no medical condition, disability, illness, impairment or other reason that may impact, limit or restrict their involvement in sport or other physical activity.
A student should not be allowed to participate in an activity if any medical, physical or other factor indicates that they are not suited to that activity.
Where there are any queries or concerns about such matters, the consent of the student's parent or guardian should be obtained before allowing participation (by filling the "Background Notes" space on the sign-up form).