To the point -- capoeira has a steep learning curve. There is a lot to learn to develop a base proficiency in the art. While all of our classes are beginner-friendly and our instructors are great at adjusting the content to allow new folks to be successful, it can be easy to get discouraged when everyone else in the class seems to know the movements and can follow along to instructions that often includes some Portuguese words. It can give a false impression that you are not cut out for capoeira if you feel confused and tangled up while everyone else seemingly flows through the movements with ease. We have all been there and it doesn't have to be like that! 

When you start alongside other beginners, you get to develop your skill with a cohort at a similar ability level; and you get to move at a pace that allows you to develop the foundation you'll use through out your capoeira journey. We break down the movements into achievable pieces and teach scaffolding that allows you to build towards more complex movements and sequences. We laugh and play in these classes to help remind us that, while challenging, learning capoeira should be fun and we shouldn't take ourselves too seriously. Given adequate time, practice, support, and encouragement you will be ready to join the all-level classes and flow along at a more comfortable challenge level.             

Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian cultural practice – simultaneously a fight and a dance – that is a tradition, a sport, and an art form. Capoeira practitioners form a circle to contain the energy for two people playing a collaborative and improvisational game in the center. The people forming the circle on the outside sing, clap, and play percussive instruments, while enjoying the game that unfolds within. 

Capoeira is often known for its flashy break-dance-like movements and acrobatics. We all love seeing these elite athletes perform, but like most things, they don't represent the vast majority of capoeira practitioners. Capoeira is commonly practiced by individuals with a wide range of physical abilities at all ages, who perform the foundation movements with personal expression to create a beautiful game that does not require demanding acrobatics.

Capoeira com Expressão is one of four capoeira schools in Eugene/Springfield, OR. We practice a form of capoeira taught by Mestre Carcará that is focused on building the strength and resilience of the body and self, creating an attuned, accessible, and affirming community, and playing capoeira with great personal expression. We practice a contemporãnea style of capoeira that draws on and honors the rich traditions from Capoeira Angola and Capoeira Regional.