Capoeira Arts

This is the 4^th capoeira academy that I have trained at and this is as good as it gets. I can’t wait to go back. The classes are fun, the people are amazing, and the community is the best. I love this place.

I am so grateful to have gotten a chance to learn from the wonderful teachers at UCA. I took their introductory course and learned the basics movements, some of the principles, and some of the history of capoeira. The people there are so friendly and warm, and they’re all super knowledgable and willing to share that knowledge. I always left with a smile on my face!
Unfortunately, being in an accelerated master’s program led to an avalanche of work and I was not able to continue the whole introductory course. They called me up a few weeks later and told me they would be happy to have me back and would reduce the price since I wasn’t able to complete the first course. I am so touched and impressed by their extension and follow-​up — they really care about their students and giving people the opportunity to learn this amazing art. If you’re interested in learning capoeira, please check this place out and revel in all the wonderful things they have to offer!

I have proudly discovered capoeira through this school and I now attend regularly. Capoeira has become my therapy. Every instructor I have ever had has been welcoming and encouraging. I have found a community in this school and made some new friends. But, most of all, I have grown to love capoeira and I have much improved since I began practicing a year ago. I couldn’t have asked for a better school to learn from than UCA Berkeley. Mestra Acordeon’s approach is one of humility and motivation and, often, a metaphor for becoming a better human being overall. I also can’t say enough about Mestra Suelly, she is incredibly dedicated to help making us the best capoeiristas we can be.

Brazil Day and it was a blast!
**Tip for next year: WEAR ALL WHITE

UCA introduced me to capoeira and I’ve got to say their teachers were AWESOME. They were SO friendly, never made me feel awkward, and kicked my a**. If I were still living in the East Bay, I would come here in a heartbeat.
One of the most underrated capoeira studios IMHO!

Another year has passed, and still I endure the constant learning, struggling, physical change, and humbling moments of learning as I fall — again and again. In addition to the physical playing and training, it has been equally gratifying to attempt to learn to play instruments and sing in Portuguese. A final note, seldom have I observed a place so genuinely «family friendly» where it is not uncommon to see three generations together watching and playing together.

WOOOOO! What a FUN way to work-​out!
After taking a few introductory classes for $ 5/​ea., I was hooked! It was my very first time taking Capoeira. Upon the first class, I felt very welcomed. Mastre (Master instructor) Batterilla broke down the challenging maneuvers into simple moves. Although I have a history in dance, I can tell that even the beginner of all beginners was able to keep up and have a good time. We even get to partner up and meet some really fantastic people. The instructors are really inclusive so no one is left behind, unlike our education system.
We learned so much in just a session. By the end of the first class, we learned the jinga, various forms of kicks, down to techniques. Get ready for this one, some beginners get to play in their very first class. The game is the best part b/​c it allows one to incorporate instructions and get creative. The maestras bring out their instruments with drums and let people go at it. At first I got nervous b/​c everyone was standing in a circle watching and clapping, but once I got in the middle, the experience became less about performance and more about dance. But be ready for a good complete body-​work out.
I already got the first month intro class. Holy Jesus, for $ 40 to be a part of a community and have fun, I don’t know what could be a better way to unwind my days.

I was in town for a massage training, and stopped in to check out Capoeira Arts Café.
Wow, the style of Regional and the structure of the classes really reminded me of my first Capoeira school on the east coast. I wanted to start training there, but realized it’s wouldn’t be practical to drive all that distance a few times a week. =(
The café wasn’t open, but I watched a class, and was invited to join the roda. The Mestre was so kind, amiable, and generous. I felt immediately welcome and at home there.
I really like the studio as a whole, it’s beautiful, open, and joyfully decorated. The vibe I got was that it’s a hub for Brasilian arts. There is capoeira (of course), but I saw a schedule for samba, percussion, orixa, and a kids carnival. It seems to be a true blessing to the Bay Area, and I wish I lived closer.

Amazing space, energy, music, Mestres and history. Super for old or new capoeiristas and kids too!

I love pretty much everything about this Academy, the Mestres, the community, and the United Capoeira Association.
Axe!

Great place to learn music and capoeira and make some friends. The teachers are great and super encouraging. Besides the classes, they occasionally have concerts and other events going on – keep an ear out for them! They tend to have a great energy and serve yummy caipirinhas.

My only missing star is because I was actually expecting a café :(
But it’s not a café – it is an open studio – an amazing place to observe and take it all in. I was lucky that a friend invited me to watch the Capoeira open roda on Friday evening, which was such an amazing treat. Beautiful and fluid movement, infectious music, acrobatics. Just go check out any one of the classes – it’s sooooo worth it!

graarrawwwrrrrgrrugghh… ugh. *cough* excuse me, whew. just got out of a little brawl with rodan. that guy is tough lemme tell you. ever have an oil tanker thrown at the back of your head? no, well lemme tell you… it sucks. still cleaning the oil from my horns…
i’d say this place is my home away from home except i spend more time there then i do… well at home. if you know anything about capoeira, then you know mestre acordeon. regardless of your preferences he is pioneer of capoeira in the united states and has been teaching here for 30 years. some things can only be said with experience. if you’re interested, i highly suggest you just take a class. M, W, F at 5pm are the intro classes. We also have beginner classes on Mon. at 7:30 and Wed. at 6pm. All levels classes are on Fri @ 6pm and Sunday @ 12:30.
Check it out for yourself… Grawr!

Beautiful space and a friendly crowd. A great place to study capoeira with kids or to take dance classes. When I was there it was still a work in progress, but beautiful murals are being painted on the walls. This place is a wonderful place to learn and participate in all things Brazil. I especially love the way that everyone gets into the music.

I love this place though I can’t ever seem to find the café open anymore. I only see dancing going on and I crave a sammy. Please open for my food needs. You are/​were the best Sammy & Salad in downtown. I want to eat you!

Oh when oh when will you reopen??? I miss you! I miss watching the classes over a capuccino! I miss your wifi. *Sigh*

Well it said on the door it was reopening 1÷20÷07… and I’m still waiting.
They have the BEST Ginger tea that will knock you on your ass. In addition to the traditional coffee fare, they serve great panini’s and salads at lunch. Many times you also get entertained by watching the cap’ classes and start feeling guilty how they are working their butt off and you are sitting in your chair stuffing yourself like a pig! life is good.

I’m eating one of their excellent salads right now while watching a Capoeira class. One of the most unique and beautiful cafes I’ve ever seen — great food, good coffee, hardly if ever crowded. I’d give them five stars if they didn’t seem to be open flaky hours — and if they were open later.

So you go into the café and wonder why there’s people in their white pajama bottoms, walking around with fishing poles. Then you realize it’s a bateria playing the berimbaus for the capoeira class being held in the back stage… doyng-​chiky-​doyng-​chiky-​doyng! Very cool. The drinks are OK, nothing too special but I think most people comes here to watch the classes. I did have a pastel on one of their weekend brunch services and it was OK.

I’m a bit biased since this is where I train, but the place and the people are the coolest! If you haven’t seen capoeira – it’s a little hard to describe. you’ll get the experience more from seeing the jogo and hearing the music. The training space is beautiful –walls covered in murals of Bahia and there’s always someone playing music or capoeira or both. The place is also connected to a café where they serve yummy foods – from Brazilian goodies to sandwiches to acai. So, if you’re interested in checking it out, you can hang out in the café and check out our class!