Capoeira Gerais

Capoeira is an exhilarating challenge of body and mind. Everyone at Capoeira Gerais Boston has been so kind and welcoming. As a beginner, the movements of capoeira can be difficult, but there is no judgement and everyone encourages you. It makes you want to do it more and get better! I am older and will continue with capoeira and find my edge with it. I may never do a back flip, like some who are more advanced, and that’s OK. It’s about finding flow and rhythm of the game. I also love that it involves music. Learning the instruments and songs has been one of my favorite things about it. As far as physical health goes, capoeira is a fantastic workout that will wake up parts of your body you didn’t know were there. It’s great for your mental health, too. When I’m in class, stress and worries of the day are completely tuned out, and I’m always in a better mood afterwards. I’m so happy to have found Mestrando Coreba and Capoeira Gerais Boston!

I admit — I never would have discovered this place, or even considered going, if I hadn’t had a Groupon for 30 fitness classes for $ 20. So, thank you, Groupon! I signed up with a friend, which I think made it all better, and after we read the description, while I was terrified, she thought it sounded like a great idea.
I was very, very nervous. However, there was no need to be. While most of the class was a group that has been doing this together for some time, there were three of us newcomers. One of the more experienced students took us aside and showed us the basics while the others could exercise without interruption. That means that we were able to learn in a more relaxed environment, with a lot of encouragement, rather than being stuck behind a bunch of experts that I would have felt were judging me (I don’t actually think anyone was judging me). The other students were all very welcoming and friendly, and extremely nice. No one tried to make us feel like we weren’t doing it right (although they corrected us), or we were intruding. I felt like it was OK to go at my own pace, which is how a workout class should be.
Capoeria is a martial art, but it’s also a dance — a form of expression. Watching the more experienced students, it’s beautiful. It’s also fun, and an amazing workout. I highly recommend this place.
Oh, and since you’re in Chinatown, after you burn a few hundred calories, you can get Chinese food. So, it’s a total win.

I agree with everything the previous two reviewers before me have said! I’m a regular at Boston Ultimate Fitness, where the classes are held, and after my Monday and Wednesday workouts I would sit and watch the capoeira classes. I was really intrigued by the movements, and the music, and when I heard he was offering a beginner’s course last summer I jumped at the chance to try it out. Eight months later I’m still here, and loving it. Some nights the workouts really make me feel old and creaky, and I can only dream of doing some of the flips and movements that others can, but I’m going to keep plugging away. I wish I had found the sport earlier.
CM Coreba is a great teacher. He is very patient with beginners. He’s been trying to convince me to have my children learn, and if they had the attention span for it I would sign them up in a heartbeat. Classes are also taught in Framingham, Marlborough, and Needham. The website listed above is also incorrect. New site is located at
. Check it out for more information!

I agree with all of John S.‘s remarks. I’ve been taking classes with CM Coreba for about two years. He is actually a fairly well-​known figure in the capoeira world; known for his both his game and his music. Although he is good at the famous acrobatic movements of capoeira, he also is familiar with the ‘practical’ side of capoeira and has the scars to show it. (He also got me in a BJJ choke hold last week to demonstrate how not to do a particular takedown :)

I’ve been taking capoeira lessons from Contra-​Mestre (read: instructor) Coreba for a few weeks and I have been loving every lesson. I have spent a few months looking for something physical to really challenge me and help me stay in shape, and capoeira has been exactly what I wanted.
For those that have never heard of capoeira, it is a Brazilian martial art that centers around acrobatic maneuvers, kicks and other particularly cool-​looking tricks. Remember Eddy Gordo from the video game Tekken? He did this. It involves moving in rhythm with music, and using momentum to kick and dodge. In short, it is amazingly fun to do and really, really awesome to watch.
The Capoeira Gerais school operates out of Boston Ultimate Fitness in Chinatown on Monday and Wednesday nights from 7:30 to 8:30. The instructor, Contra-​Mester Coreba, is inviting and patient, and works extremely well with beginners (like me). He has a couple of decades of experience and it comes across in the respect he shows for capoeira and the quality of his instruction. I cannot recommend him or this class enough.
If you’re interested, you can just stop by and watch a class. All it took was one session and I got totally hooked, and I’ve been thrilled with every second of it. I hope to be learning at Capoeira Gerais for a long time to come.