Beginners - Some common Question and Answers

Anyone at any level is welcome to train with us. Just turn up in some loose fitting clothing, suitable for training. We train at The Bristol University Students Union and you don't need to be a student to come train with us. We are all very friendly so there is nothing to be scared of! 
The address is:
University of Bristol Students Union, Queens Road, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 1LN

What is Capoeira?

Capoeira is a Brazilian Art Form, which combines elements of dance, play and ritualistic fighting.  It evolved from the struggle of African slaves against their oppressors and its history is deep with Warrior rituals from Central Africa.

Capoeira is a celebration of life in the face of everyday struggle. It develops confidence, combined with a strong feeling of centre and balance. Capoeira's circular and evasive movements, combined with its rich tradition of music and song, place it in a unique position as an art, and always poses the question "is Capoeira a game, a fight or a dance"?

Capoeira games require the grace and agility of a dancer, with the strength and skill of a warrior. Always central to the message of Capoeira is unity and bringing people together to keep continual flow regardless of the game and to find peace, joy and fulfillment in the game and in life.

Do I need to get fit before starting?

No pre-training is needed as the classes are designed to get your fitness levels up. You will find that after a few weeks of training capoeira, you will start to notice new muscles, improved flexiblity and improvement on general stamina.

Do I need a uniform?

You only need uniform once you decide to come on a regular basis. Untill then, just some tracksuit bottoms and a t-shirt will be fine.

Which classes are good for beginners?

Our classes are set at a general level for the warm-up, after which, we usually split-off into different level groups.

Do I need to speak Portuguese?

Students find that they start to pick it up with learning songs/names of moves. Some students choose to learn Portuguese as extra study. But dont worry, people don't usually start Capoeira already speaking Portuguese.

When do I start?

You can start at any point in the year, just check the timetable at the beginning of the week that you wish to start. 

Can I pay for a months pass to all classes?

At the moment we can only pay for individual classes when we turn up. These are £4 per class.