Frequently Asked Questions

How can I help the school grow?

Promote the school! In the day to day of it all, our capoeira is for us, by us. Invite your friends. Post about your capoeira on social media. Use our capoeira Instagram hashtags #seattlecapoeira #capoeiraseattle #capoeiralife #tacomacapoeira #capoeiratacoma #capoeira #berimbau. Tag @wacapoeira on Facebook. Check-in, like and share the Washington Capoeira Center Facebook page
Tell your friends, family and other communities. Word of mouth is one of the best ways to grow our community. If everyone brings one or two people to the school, we would grow exponentially.

How do I share photos and videos with the school?

We love sharing our students’ and community’s capoeira. You can send them to us at info@washingtoncapoeira.com or WhatsApp chat

Is there a drop-in class pass or class punch card?

We are a leading capoeira center that is building a capoeira community for future generations rather than a capoeira consumer culture. Becoming a member is the best way to maximize your potential as a student and to be a part of the school’s mission and community. If you need time to decide on membership or can only train temporarily, we have temporary passes: 1 drop-in pass, and 5 class and 10 class punch cards. Email us to set up a temporary pass.
If you are a visiting capoeirista, select a capoeira pass from our online store.

Are there discounts? Is there a friends and family discount?

We have a drop in discount for members’ friends and family who are visiting. We also have temporary passes for students who are not ready to commit to a monthly membership. Email us to get set up.
Students in need of financial aid may apply for the William “Mugunjê” Robinson scholarship program: https://bit.ly/MugunjeCapoeiraScholarshipApp. Scholarships prioritize under-resourced youth. Depending on funding availability, you may be eligible for a scholarship-funded tuition.

I have limitations, can I still learn?

Absolutely, capoeira angola is for everyone at all of stages of their life
Tell the instructor about your limitations and they will adjust the training to your needs
Capoeira angola accommodates all people. You just have to be willing to learn

I am trying out for the first time, what do I need?

Keep an open mind and focus on attending as many classes in your trial week to gain the full experience of Brazilian capoeira in Seattle.
Sign our online waiver before arriving
Book classes on the calendar

Can parents stay to watch class?

Parents can stay for the first class to watch the class. After the first class, we ask that parents wait in the adjacent sitting room. #7573 to enter the door to the sitting room.
All classes are 50 mins and you will need to pick up your child promptly at the end of class.
Parents can come into the Seattle Capoeira Center to watch the last 5 minutes of class.
Parents and family can watch the entirety of Sunday’s Capoeira roda to see their child’s progress.

What class should I be in?

Each youth class is inclusive to all levels. Students have their own journey to progress through the curriculum of their age group. Youth students should train in their age group class. Siblings can train together in a younger sibling’s class but not together in an older sibling’s class.
All new adult students, regardless of previous experience, should start out in introductory capoeira fundamentals class - Adults Basic Capoeira or Adults Capoeira - before training in the Adults Specific Capoeira class. All other added class features are open to all beginners: i.e. dance, Portuguese, conditioning, roda, and music. When in doubt, ask the instructor.

What should I do if I arrive after class has started?

Be courteous and non-disruptive in joining the class.
You know your body best: if you need to warm up, please do so before engaging in rigorous class exercises.

What if I need to leave class while it is in session?

If it is not disruptive, let the instructor know before leaving.
If at a roda, try not to leave during the ladainha or louvação (the opening of the roda)

Are there bathrooms and showers on site?

There are restrooms at all locations
There are men’s and women’s showers at the Seattle Capoeira Center

Can I bring food to class?

We are a pork and nut free school. For potlucks, please do not use pork or nuts.
In general, please do not bring nuts into class settings for the safety of serious nut allergies.
You are welcome to have a snack / food nourishment between classes. Please be respectful, clean, and mindful of strong odors.

Do I need to wear an abadá (all white uniform) for training or events?

No, you do not need to wear all white for training or events. We will announce to students when our all white uniform is required.

Is there a uniform?

Kids training uniform: school shirt / solid black, white, or grey pants (with or without school symbol) / capoeira cord
Kids alternative uniform: if your school shirt is temporarily unavailable or you do not have it yet: solid white shirt / solid black, white, or grey pants / capoeira cord (once you have a cord)
Kids should have at least one white school shirt and one solid black pants (white pants for extra formal events)
No shorts. No skirts/dresses.
No shoes or socks on the training floor unless otherwise instructed
Adults should come in solid pants and a training shirt. Wearing the school uniform is not required for every class, but students should do their best to represent themselves and their team.
Adults should have at least one white school shirt and one white pants for formal events and also for training. We will announce when uniforms are required at an event.

Why is the capoeira gear so costly?

We switched to a custom print to order company for our capoeira gear so we do not waste unused inventory. The trade off for a more sustainable system is 3x more costly. We are trying our best to keep prices as close to their cost as possible.

The uniform or product I received is faulty, can I return it?

Provide the unused item to our team within 5 days of arrival. We will set up for a new item to be reproduced for you or a refund.

What is a sequence?

A sequence is a series of capoeira movement strategies that will help you create the blueprint for developing your game
Sequences can be recreated in a game to give you a game plan against your opponent

How often should I train?

Kids and adults can get good at capoeira attending once a week.

How should I train capoeira?

Show respect to the customs, ancestors, and masters of capoeira. Capoeira is an African cultural art of resistance from Brasil. Members are expected to learn and practice Portuguese and Brazilian history. Try your best. No need to feel embarrassed about learning a new language - English is a new language for many to learn.
Remember focus, discipline, and respect are the pillars of learning
Movements should be practiced in a slow, controlled and intentional manner
Do not emphasize speed and force instead focus on intelligence and agility
Have a daily practice of capoeira angola in your home.
Apply your training and actively maintain our capoeira traditions at weekly capoeira rodas
Practice great personal hygiene. Bring a towel and water bottle and extra training clothes to each class
Be helpful by cleaning up before and after class

What do I need to be prepared for class?

Feel at home when you arrive at the Seattle Capoeira Center, do your own personal warm-up or stretch to get ready. Do what you feel comfortable with.
Bring a notebook to class to take notes.
Bring your own water bottle and towel
Train what we learn in class at home. Get repetitions in at home and come back to class ready to learn more.
Classes are serious and a workout. Kids should know to be on their best behavior.
For parents, please assist your young students with using the restroom before class. If your student may need assistance in the restroom during class, please stay to be available.
Get a capoeira bag to keep your uniform in. Take it with you when you are out so you are ready with your uniform when you arrive.

How do I succeed? How can I help my student succeed?

Join your WhatsApp group chat to be up to date on announcements and communication from instructors. After downloading Whatsapp, email your full name and location to info@washingtoncapoeira.com to be added to your WhatsApp group.
Have a daily practice of capoeira angola in your home.
Adults should aim to learn all of the youth program curriculum and more.
As long as you are learning, you are winning. Compete with yourself. Set personal goals.
Try your best, train, study, play in the roda, and prepare yourself to represent and play capoeira around the world.
You will get out of capoeira what you put in. Capoeira pushes each person to grow in their own unique way. Apply capoeira to your life and your life to capoeira. Be yourself.
Apply your training and actively maintain the tradition at weekly capoeira rodas.
Review the student handbook and the curriculum materials.
Teach your student to take care of their uniform and to be prepared for classes.

Are there school closures?

We are closed on major holidays and breaks such as Spring Break, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years. See our calendar for details.

What is a capoeira name?

A capoeira name is a nickname (typically in Portuguese) that Mestre or another lead instructor gives students at random. It is just that, a nickname, and does not necessarily have to do with skill level or any qualifications. A nickname may even be given based on one’s weakness to challenge them to improve in a specific way.
When capoeira was still an illegal practice, practitioners would know each other only through nicknames or aliases in order to protect their identities. If any individual capoeirista was captured, they simply would not be able to identify any others by name. Today, the tradition of giving and receiving nicknames remains.

Why are there different styles of capoeira? Why do different schools teach capoeira differently?

Capoeira has a diverse history and many unique strategies and styles have developed over time. The three main capoeira styles are Capoeira Angola, Capoeira Regional, and Capoeira Contemporânea. Our Capoeira Angola strategies and style mainly derive from our lineage through Mestre Nô and the generations of masters above him.

What are the COVID-safety procedures?

We follow the state guidelines for COVID-safety requirements, with the addition that all of our instructors are fully vaccinated
See our online waiver for updates and more information.

Can I volunteer? How do I share ideas to help the school?

Thank you for your interest in helping. Let’s get in touch and collaborate. Contact us at info@washingtoncapoeira.com

Can the school’s facilities be rented out?

The Seattle Capoeira Center can be rented out. Email us at info@washingtoncapoeira.com for more information.

Can I hire your instructors to teach at my organization?

We would love to partner with your organization to bring capoeira to more students. Email us at info@washingtoncapoeira.com to collaborate.

Do you teach private lessons?

We may have availability to set up private lessons. Email us at info@washingtoncapoeira.com to find out more.

What is the video on the front of the website?

The video on the homepage is a beautiful game of Capoeira Angola between Mestre Nô and Mestre Lua de Bobó. It was at Mestre Nô’s event in Ilha de Itaparica on April 27, 1987. You can view the original video at https://youtu.be/vjw72C-7Bqo.

What are the paintings on the website?

One of Mestre Syed’s long time students, Rafael Laigo, created the two paintings with symbols of capoeira and scenes of Mestre Syed, Mestre Nô, Mugunjê, and capoeira life in Seattle. Raf creates art in his studio in Georgetown. Email info@washingtoncapoeira.com to find out more about Raf’s work.

How do I pause or cancel my membership?

Cancellation Policy, Last Month’s Tuition: Cancel at any time. Upon cancellation, you will have one more payment cycle. This is both a window of time to confirm your decision and also ensures the school’s staying open during critical times. Not coming to class does not count as notice of cancellation. Email your written notice to info@washingtoncapoeira.com.
Pausing Policy: Pause your membership at any time for $10 per month. Membership payment is skipped and scheduled payments are moved to a new date based on the end of the pause period. Not coming to class does not count as notice of pausing. Email your written notice to info@washingtoncapoeira.com. Cancellation policy still applies if you need to cancel after pausing.

Who do I contact to resolve a conflict?

If you have a conflict that needs resolving, contact Professor Galo, Omari, at 206-494-0287

Frequently Asked Questions

First class is free for new students!