The Seattle Capoeira Center is the best place in the area to train Capoeira Angola. You can expect a great movement workout while learning the culture and intricacies of the art, feeling stronger and more capable each day. You also get to learn the music, and instruments, and get to be part of a community of amazing people.Mestre Syeds style of teaching is engaging and effective and he makes sure that no matter what level you are, you advance a bit each class, so you never feel like you are falling behind. Its really fun! I recommend it for anyone who wants to lead a more active lifestyle, learn about a new culture, or just make new friends.

Amazing group right here. The students are some of the best around. The teaching is good. Happy to be a part of this diverse community of excellence. Welcome to all.

The Seattle Capoeira Center is a phenomenal place for training Capoeira! Adults classes are both challenging and welcoming. This study is rich in Afro/Brazilian culture and the kids program and classes for children rock!If you are looking for the place for expressive fitness or a connection to culture, this is the place. If you are in search of activities for your children this is indeed a positive space for them to learn more about themselves and others through fitness, dance, and music.I love this place to my core!

I met the Seattle Capoeira group about 8 years ago and had no idea that my life was going to be changed forever. Capoeira is an infinitely rich tradition that reveals timeless wisdom. Over the years Ive trained with other teachers d/t convenience of location but Mangagas style and community cultivation is unmatched.

Updating my original review on the center that I wrote over a year ago. I basically grew up here, many formative years have been spent either at the center, or training in the name of CM Mangangá elsewhere. From 2012 to now, Capoeira still stands to be a pillar in my life. The academy is a place for me to continue learning and growing, sharing what I have learned thus far with new members, cleansing my mind and body, and I never run out of new and exciting things to look forward to and work towards. CM Mangangá and the community I grew up around at the SCC have been pivotal figures in shaping me into the person and Capoeirista that I am today. I would recommend to anyone to visit our academy!

My wife and I met in a Capoeira class twelve years ago. Seattle Capoeira Center has given us back our love for Capoeira. The community there is stronger than I can say. The teachers are dedicated to both their students and the legacy they pass on to them. It is with highest praise that I recommend Seattle Capoeira Center and all its connected locations.

Capoeira is not only a dance or fight. Capoeira is culture, history and music that is starting to get forgotten In Brazil nowadays. Being a Brazilian and being able to experience my own culture out of my country made me feel home, in addition made me surprise of how much power Capoeira has.My experience at the Center was incredible, also was the fastest month during my summer. We had practice everyday, and rodas every Sunday, I basically breath Capoeira. The best thing is, the classes are never boring. We always had different instructors with their different Capoeira’s perspective and techniques, which in my opinion, makes this group very Unique.I can tell that the group is 100% inclusive, every week we had classes just for kids, women or people of color. I met many people from different countries, their awesome experiences, and life stories. The best thing about that is to know that I could find a group and a place to charge my battery and positive energy.I definitely recommend at least one try, you won’t regret it. No matter your age, culture, race, or religion. Try and then make a comment about your experience here!!AXE!!

We absolutely love everything about The Seattle Capoeira Studio! My kids have grown so much within the last year of attending classes here. Not only flexibility, and athletic ability but their level of respect and discipline has dramatically changed as well. I have a hard time with my 6yr old son staying focused, but when he’s practicing capoeira he’s able to use all his energy in a positive way. I also love how the center is family oriented, ran by a small family and encourages families to all come together to train. I love seeing some of the parents train with their children. You will always feel welcome when you step in the door and the music and art will draw you in with amazement. We live a little far from the center but my kids refuse to train with anyone else. Trust me, it’s worth the drive! 😊

Mestre Manganga (Syed Taqi) has built an amazing team and network of teachers that live lives of role models inside and outside of the roda. This school teaches language, culture, history, music as well as the movements of capoeira. I have students who have visited without me and they were treated with love and respect and returned home racing about their visit to their new distant family.

The Washington Capoeira Centre offers more than 100 classes a month at different locations, including training for all levels; women’s, affirmative, and free community classes; as well as classes for music and Portuguese.I’m very grateful for the opportunity to join such a diverse, welcoming, and inclusive community of unique individuals who are also mindful and extremely supportive practitioners. Here, you’ll learn about not only the physicality and the technique aspects of Capoeira Angola, but also the rich culture of this amazing Afro-Brazilian martial art taught by our caring and dedicated instructors.Come join us in the academy, a safe space where you’ll have unlimited joyful and rewarding experiences, where respect is expected for both fellow Capoeiristas and the tradition, and where you’ll gain a healthy body and mind.Much love : ) Axe total!

I’ve been training here for three years. Learning about the culture and history from which this meaningful art and practice has come from has been humbling. I learn so much from the different instructors and the main teacher that translates to my daily life. A good workout, great community, difficult but meaningful history, and handstands! What more is there?

Great martial arts studio! The teachers are professional, the community is welcoming, and the lessons are authentic. Ive learned so much about Capoeira, traditions, history, culture, music, language, self-defense, strength, and etiquette. I get a great work out every time I attend class.I highly recommend this group. I look forward to class each week!

Nothing but good things to say about this group. I was a visitor and dont play Angola, but the group welcomed me with open arms and even a kick to the face!Definitely would recommend this group to anyone visiting or looking for capoeira instruction. They have many different levels of player, a diverse community and even early morning hours. Its even accessible from the public rail transport.

Seattle capoeira Center has a fun and well- rounded program for kids. Im so amazed at the confidence and moves my five yr old has gained since he joined. He started off really intimidated by how skilled the older students were but the instructors keep him engaged and challenged. Its also a diverse and welcoming community!

Nothing but great things to say about the center and the people within it. This place is more than a place to practice but a community of diverse welcoming people who are willing and want to share their love for capoeira. They have held me accountable and made me feel strong and confident. 10/10 would recommend get your butt to the studio.

I highly recommend this capoeira academy. The instructors here provide great introductory classes for adults and children. The classes include all aspects of capoeira: basic movements, sequences, partner-work, capoeira games, music, and history. More importantly, for someone who has practiced capoeira for a few years, this group focuses on the roots and culture of this lineage. It stresses the importance of community, history, and the ancestral aspects of this practice. In all, it is a fantastic place to start or continue your capoeira journey. Definitely worth a try.

If you are looking for a fun way to keep your body and mind healthy with an amazing culture and tradition then you have come to the right place. Seattle Capoiera Center offers classes to people of all ages, stages of life, and backgrounds and if that is not what keeps you coming back then it will definitely be the inspiring lessons that you will learn here with an exuberant and diverse group of human beings.

This home for capoeira in Seattle is a truly beautiful place. A full-body experience, you’ll get more out of it than you can imagine. Best part of my week!

A wonderful place to learn and play capoeira for kids and adults alike. I brought my 5 year old nephew to a kids class recently and he was immediately welcomed and participating with the class right away. His mom brought him to the next class, but he fell asleep on the way there. When he woke up and realized he missed class he was heart broken. He couldnt wait to go back (and see his teacher Oliver!)

This is such a great martial art academy!! The teachers are very attentive of student needs, and the community is very inviting. You get learning non-stop from music, movement, awareness, interaction, history and so much more!! I lost so much weight from attending the Seattle capoeira enter.

Its a great and wholesome experience at the Seattle Capoeira Center. Good community and a great space in South Seattle. Mestre is a stand up guy with a lot to teach. I recommend the center to everyone.

Really cool to see the a teachers connecting with the students. Great community. Something for everyone.

Awesome place to train capoeira! Great positive energy and community. You go to class not always feeling your best, but you leave feeling refreshed!

I have known the folks behind the Center for a few years now, and having been to the workshop series in May I can now say that I know the group as a whole as well. It is inclusive, thoughtful, open community that takes the art of capoeira seriously—from physical training to its spirit, from music to the songs. I am grateful to have been a participant in the event this May and I am looking forward to more!

Capoeira has so many important aspects that can be easily overlooked. Seattle Capoeira center has strong roots and knowledgeable professors. I would recommend this community to anyone.

I enrolled my 6 year old son at the Seattle Capoeira Center and they exceeded our familys expectations. The instructors are highly knowledgeable with teaching youth the culture of Capoeira. I look forward to seeing my son grow up in this community and becoming a future master of the art.

My family and I were introduced to the Seattle Capoeira Center by a friend, and we have enjoyed being a part of the group for years. The teachers are all excellent, knowledgeable, and dedicated. I love that the whole spectrum of capoeira is taught even to the young ones. We also get both early morning, evening, and weekend classes to accomodate a range of schedules. If you try this place out, you will learn things about yourself. You just may surprise you!

Seattle Capoeira Center is the truth. Great community, awesome instructors. Classes are organized nicely and I always leave feeling accomplished. Learning songs in Portuguese and playing instruments is a lotta fun too! I recommend this center to everyone I know in Seattle, Tacoma and Lynnwood.

Great classes! This class is the perfect opportunity to get in touch with the community, music, and history. It challenges you physically an mentally. Everyone is welcome! Over a course of 4 months taking classes at the University of Washington and here at the center I have overcome my mental and physical boundaries and also met many brilliant individuals. It is a blessing to have an accessible place to train. Axé!

I have been training at the Seattle Capoeira Center since 2011 and I continue to be amazed and humbled by the community, the teachers, and of course the art of Capoeira itself. It is a very welcoming, diverse group and as a Spaniard who moved to Seattle a few years ago, having trained with another group in Spain, I have found a second family here.Contramestre Manganga and all the instructors are very passionate and extremely knowledgeable about the art of Capoeira and all it encompasses (movement, technique, music, history, culture, language,...), and have excellent teaching skills. They find a nice balance of inspiring us to grow while also respecting our space and abilities. It is truly their mission to share and grow the culture of Capoeira.Its hard to put Capoeira into words as it is so many things all at once, but whatever your motivation or curiosity is in trying, I highly recommend this studio. We learn deep lessons and also have tons of fun.

I was lucky to be accepted by a loving community that welcomed me into their world. I came out here and joined a local based fb group and just so happen to see a post about this place from someone who was also attending classes here. I went on a whim because I have always wanted to give capoeira a shot. That was in June 2019, I have been going to classes since. Mestre and the Professors there are amazinf and super patient. I am forever grateful.

I went to 2 classes this week and fell in love with Capoeira. My spouse is from Brazil and we spend a lot of time in the Northeast of Brazil so I knew a lot about the history and basic idea of what Capoeira involved. While some of what I learned this week was expected, there was so much more! ~ the instructors and students are all really welcoming and helpful (not to mention patient) ~ there is a sense of spirituality and community that Im finding which I did not anticipate! IF YOU ARE GOING TO TRY CAPOEIRA, DO IT AT SEATTLE CAPOEIRA CENTER!

It was awesome movement and training.

Seattle Capoeira Center is a beautiful, diverse, welcoming community that will challenge you to be your best both physically and personally.I have been a member for 6 months in which time I have learned new movements, and then used them in a confined space, begin to learn to play 4 new instruments, sung more in front of other people than I have in my life (though my shower singing was always great ;-) ), in Portuguese none the less, and learned about the powerful resilience of Afro Brazilian people, who used creativity and fun to keep their humanity in the face of slavery and oppression.The teachers at Seattle Capoeira center share their love, care and enthusiasm for the culture of Capoeira in every class. They will challenge you, but within your means.Come join our diverse group, the Seattle Capoeira family will welcome you. And as with all of our most meaningful relationships, challenge you to be your best self.See you there.

SCC trains mind, body, heart and soul with Focus, Discipline, Respect, Achievement, Community, Leadership. You build strength, agility, endurance while learning about history, practicing music and making friends. This is not a gym.

I love the Seattle Capoeira Center. For many years Ive seen this group grow. I love going to the roda on Sundays to watch the kids play. My son began capoeira at 14 and now he is a teacher. Capoeira is good for kids and their single parents.

Highly recommend visiting this group. There is a strong sense of community and great teachers. The head instructor is very knowledgeable and great at capoeira. I recommend capoeiristas of all levels to visit this school if they get the chance!

Amazing community with amazing people. Manganga devotes his life to practicing capoeira and building up his community. Would recommend training with him regardless of your skill level!

As a capoerista whos trained off and on with various schools for over 15 years, I made it a point to try out each of the 6 or something different schools in the greater Seattle area before committing to one to train with primarily (after relocating to Seattle). Seattle Capoeira Center is that one.Despite being committed to a different school and style, I was and am continuously welcomed by Mestre Manganga, his professors, and all of his students. In addition to this, it was immediately apparent that the school does a phenomenal job balancing its education amongst all its members in not just the movements, but music, history, philosophy, and spirituality simultaneously. Ive really never seen a group whos leaders can do this, and with such care and attention towards every individual. Additionally, It seems to me that everyone there wants to soak it all up and grow in all those dimensions.In addition to the immediate benefits and offerings outlined above, I also picked Mestre Manganga and his school because they seem to be doing the most for Capoeira in general in the PNW. They are the only school that hosts a weekly roda (which is truly and sincerely welcoming to capoeiristas of any level and school), brings in teachers and masters from other schools and places to share wisdom, and is constantly looking for avenues to spread capoeira and bring more into the fold.

I started coming to the Seattle Capoeira Center after I moved back home to Seattle from Brasil. The transition was really hard for me, but the community and teachings from SCC made it a lot smoother and made me feel like home again. I have made so many friends here, learned so much about Capoeira (and how I should have started earlier), and a lot about myself too. If youre on the fence, come check it out and youll see why its such an amazing place and community for yourself.

A class given in the center for capoeira was crazy amazing. The group has a very good level and it is for sure thanks to the teacher Manganga. Although at times I was puzzled with new movement or ideas, he always presented them in such a way that everybody could try and learn. The group itself has strong Capoeira Angola roots. Yet the students also try new things and explore the movement what makes the style of Capoeira Angola Palmares Unique.If you are from Seattle, this is probably the best place to start your capoeira adventure. If you already play - go visit them, it is definitively a mind opener.

Positive Vibes. Every visit was an experience. Syed encourages us with a nice balance of positive and negative reinforcement. He is a jokester and is willing to work through things with is students. I am an AmeriCorp member which makes me AmeriPoor; I wish I could afford to continue right now. I surely look forward to returning. The history alone about Capoeira makes the art all the more interested. Id recommend checking it out for yourself!

Seattle Capoeira Center is like a second home to me. Nowhere else have I met so many people so dedicated to the culture, practice, and power of Capoeira. The SCC is also very inclusive and always pays its dues to African cultures from Brazil. Mestre Manganga is an incredible teacher and works to support the Seattle community.10/10 recommend.

Capoeira of Seattle is rich, positive cultural energy, soul food for me. The friendly instruction, practice and respectful history lessons connect me to humanity, and my fellow capoiristas!

I visited the Seattle Capoeira Center (SCC) unplannedly - my friend was a member and invited me to check it out so I visited a Sunday roda with an open heart to support and connect with the space and actually had not intended to join. Sunday roda was the best day to visit. On Sundays, SCC hosts a roda for its community to share and play their capoeira. The inviting, non-judgmental, playful martial art and music connected with me. Even though my friend did not end up making it that day, I felt encouraged and comfortable enough to join in and participate, singing along trying to make out words in the Brazilian Portuguese songs I did not know. At the end of the roda, I was still hesitant to commit but signing up felt right. Five months later, and I feel grateful to be a part of this community supporting its growth as it supports mine.Mestre Mangangá guides the SCC with deep conviction, vision, and an evolving balance of love and discipline. No matter what level you are or hope to be at, there is a unique journey of mind, body, and spirit that the SCC presents to each individual including Mestre. There is a natural solidarity and humility to Mestres leadership that nurtures the unique energy of SCC, bringing out the best of us when we let it. Whether you decide to join or not, come visit a Sunday roda to share any bit of yourself. Axé 🌿🙌🤸!

I stopped by the Capoeira Center while traveling the West Coast and the group was incredibly warm and accommodating to me. Even as a non-Angoleiro I was welcomed with open arms.A great resource for Seattle, and anyone therein looking for a profoundly enjoyable and fulfilling form of exercise!Much Love From Capoeira Mandinga Michigan!-Molejo

Was fun and rewarding! The new center in Lynwood is offering the opportunity for even more people to get involved!

I have worked with the owner Contramestre Mangangá for over three years on several different projects. I have seen the development of his school and the work he does in the community. I have also seen him interact with his students and if you are at all interested in learning capoeira, I dont think theres a better and more committed teacher than him.

Ive been training capoeira angola in NYC for 6 years now, and whenever Im visiting friends and family in Seattle, this is the academy I treat as home. The teachers here are knowledgeable, experienced and kind and wonderful. I trust them implicitly with my body and education in movement. Their devoted space is a great place for drop-in classes and special events. A friend to students and members in the group, the Seattle Capoeira Center makes each of my trips the Pacific Northwest more fun each time. A great place to learn capoeira movements and music from the best in the area. Always looking forward to the next chance I get to train with them again.

I came to Seattle from Germany and was looking for a place to do Capoeira in Seattle. I am glad, that I found the Seattle Capoeira Center! Contramestre Mangangá and the other professors and instructors give a very structured training almost everyday in the week. The classes not only cover movement, but also history and culture of Capoeira and even specific Berimbau classes! Even if you cant come to the training regularly, you should check out the open Roda every sunday and interact with the amazing community.

First week training at Washington Capoeira Center - Capoeira Angola Palmares and I love it. Shows me I need to practice relaxing and not be so stiff, empowering my inner warrior spirit I feel so alive afterwards. Combining my interests of movement, incorporating my own style, community, rhythm, culture, music and so much more.Basically learning another language ha, I like the challenge!Learning Portugese verses in singing, and playing instruments at the same time is a steep learning curve but if its too easy its no fun right!?It is generally agreed that the seeds of Capoeira were sown by the African slaves taken from the region of Angola. The original movements were based on a courtship dance called “The Zebra Dance,” in which men would engage in mock fights for the right to marry. In Brazil, this ritual dance evolved into a form of self-defense whose movements emphasized attacks with the head and feet, including head butts, sweeps, and kicks from a handstand position. Portuguese slave owners outlawed its practice because they recognized that Capoeira was used as a form of resistance. However, instead of being suppressed, Capoeira’s movements of attack and defense were blended with dance steps and acrobatics so that the plantation overseer would instead see a strange but harmless dance. The slaves also began using musical instruments, such as the berimbau and the atabaque, as a way to disguise Capoeira. Different rhythms were even created to alert capoeiristas of approaching danger and avoid being caught.

I have been doing Capoeira for roughly 3 months now. I have never regretted starting for even one moment. The time and dedication I have put into becoming better at Capoeira has showed to others and for myself. I enjoy each day and give gratitude that Profe Manganga has pushed me to be better every time I show up. Capoeira for the past month has gotten me out of bed at 5:50 am and has been the best way for me to start my days.

I grew up on Beacon Hill and I’ve been training with Manganga since 2001. I can’t describe how much I’ve gained from having his leadership and this beautiful art and community in my life.

This group is amazing. I was nervous coming to my first class because I had just moved to Seattle, but they made me feel welcome immediately. Contramestre Mangangá is deeply knowledgeable and passionate, and committed to building an inclusive capoeira community. People in the school challenge themselves and each other to be better so we all play more beautiful capoeira. Love this group!

Our family has been members of the SCC for the last 7 years. This is a great place to build community.

I love everything about this community! Contra Mestre Manganga is really a dedicated, fun, experienced and knowledgeable leader and capoerista. Every instructor at the center has something unique to offer and is incredibly inspiring. Precious!

I loved my first visit to the Seattle Capoeira Center! The community is large, welcoming, and dedicated. CM Mangangás leadership strikes an awesome balance between hard work and lightheartedness, and it is obvious that he cares deeply about the preservation of Mestre Nôs traditions. The organization/coordination is meticulous, and it seemed to me that attention was given to each individual to ensure that everyone felt respected and valued. I look forward to my future trips out west!-Inst. Carcaju

Seattle Capoeira Center was welcoming as I came out of town and across the country for their Capoeira 2.0 event with Mestre Nô. CM Manganga and the whole group showed teamwork and love was put into the event, every person seemed to have a part and was valued. Their family spirit showed through. Obrigada!

The Seattle Capoeira Center is a precious resource not just for Seattle but for capoeiristas everywhere. I travel there at least once a year for the groups festival. Their instruction is excellent, their commitment to community and traditional capoeira is inspiring, and they are organized and professional. CM Mangangá is a highly respected teacher.

My son began training with Contramestre Mangangá four years ago through an after school program offered at our neighborhood elementary school. My son was captivated by the nuanced combination of marital arts, dance, culture, history, and music, and has been hooked on capoeira ever since.After watching my son take a few classes at the center, I decided I should attend the adult classes. I relish the time I get to spend learning at the SCC. CM Mangangá individualizes the learning to meet the needs of each of his students, and encourages them to cultivate a connection to the elements of capoeira that most resonate with them.

The Seattle Capoeira Center is a cultural pillar in our neighborhood and especially our neighborhood. Im thankful for their welcoming attitude and its always a great workout. I suffer from ptsd and Capoeira helps me relax my nerves. Syed is not only a gifted Capoeira player but he becomes your friend and mentor if you need it. Syed is a certified Beacon Hill legend. You can always find him and his family at the Station Cafe. Hes worked real hard.I highly recommend this group to the POC community in Seattle. Lets build culture and community in our city and take Capoeira to the next level.

Best teacher (Mestre Manganga), best group and community (Capoeira Angola Palmares, Seattle), best fitness & wellness practice: Capoeira Angola. Go to class and ask for Mestre Manganga. He’ll take care of you

Seattle Capoeira Center has been a heaven send for me. The art of Capoeira has always fascinated me, and this has been something that I have wanted to train for many years. CM Mangangas passion for the art has help the SCC thrive. He promotes a sense of community involvement everywhere and to everyone from people of color all the way to my three year old daughter. As a martial artist for many years, I find Capoeira to be a teaching of discipline, hard work, and life experiences. Its not just something you do, but something that embodies you. The instruction here has both frustrated and challenged me, which is what anything worth obtaining should be. I find myself doing deliberate practice on my own the days I can not get down to Seattle (as I live in Bothell and make the treck down a few days a week). Despite the heavy traffic on the I5/I405, I still make an effort to be in class, participate in the weekly Sunday Rodas, and community events. Not being a native of Seattle, this is the first time that I have felt embraced by a group of like minded individuals all working to improve life skills through Capoeira!Axe, and thank you CM Manganga!

I began training with SCC back in October 2016 while training Tae Kwan Do and there really is no comparison. Capoeira is very wholistic and organic because it comes out of a history of resistence to the enslavement of human beings captured and sold in the Americas. And for this reason I choose this over other martial arts. I love this Capoeira because it includes learning music, history, language, and agility. I love that I am challenging my fears and when I miss class I am sad. The instructors teach real Capoeira from Angola and they dont try to water it down to make it culturally appropriate for anyone. They dont want you to get hurt. However, they will push you out of your comfort zone to play often and that mindset has changed my life entirely. I feel very confident about recommending the school because I see how I have changed as a human being. And the instructors are pretty nice.

I recently had the chance recently to train and play with this group while in Seattle visiting family, and I highly recommend checking them out for anyone in the area who is interested in learning capoeira or any visiting capoeiristas. Contramestre Manganga is an inspiring instructor, and everyone in the group -- from brand new students to highly skilled players -- was also extremely welcoming and warm. Clearly a very active community that offers a lot to any level of student -- I look forward to training with them again next time Im in Seattle!

I trained here for about 2 years. It was overall an experience I dont regret as I learned ways of moving and singing that will stay with me for the rest of my life. They practice the art and cultural tradition of capoeira beautifully and with such reverence that you will be soothed, overwhelmed with joy, or moved to tears. Mestre Mangangás devotion to preserving capoeira as an art is quite impressive, however, he does this at the expense of others around him, and his community is becoming more and more like an exclusive club all the time, and thats why Im giving it two stars.If youre looking for a place to train capoeira, I definitely recommend checking out the SCC, but be warned. Mangangá is one of the most hard-headed people you will ever meet. When I first started here, I was charmed, like many people, by his zen-like demeanor, but I almost immediately started feeling the pressure. He will pressure you to sign on to a contract, and then pressure you to come to class at least 3 or 4 x per week in order for you to advance as a capoeirista. Meanwhile, he spends about 20 minutes at the end of every class just talking, and walking out in the middle of it is disrespectful. This leaves many students with very little time or money for any outside excercise programs.I started capoeira very out of shape with no core strength. The curriculum is NOT designed to strengthen your core when you are starting at that level. Mangangá has zero understanding of excercise science, and he will not point it out to you if your body mechanics are putting you at risk of injury. He will only pressure you to train harder, and tell you that if it hurts, its because youre not training hard enough. You spend quite a bit of time in capoeira with your upper body hinged forward at the waist, and if your core is not strong enough to hold it there, your lower back will be forced to compensate.I love capoeira so much and would love to be able to train with this group in some capacity, because it really is the best that Seattle has to offer. I heard they started offering a womens class and thought maybe that would be a good opportunity to train mindfully, with body awareness, so I inquired about it. Mangangá replied that I should come back and train with them, and when I expressed my concern about the need to move at my own pace, he replied We have a large group and its difficult to accommodate a whole evening for just one student. Im sure you understand how a group class works.As a matter of fact I do. I have been to many large group classes and at most of them, the instructor has emphasized the importance of listening to your body and avoiding injury by moving at a comfortable, even if challenging, pace. I believe there is a machismo element to the SCC that says you can either hack it...or leave....(when your contract expires).Train at the SCC, but before you do, know the type of character youre going to be dealing with. Be prepared to be in control of your own body, and be ready (money and schedule-wise) to make it strong enough for capoeira, outside of capoeira class. If you think youre in good enough shape to train capoeira hardcore, take a few pilates classes first, and then you will know. And read the fine print before signing anything!Axé.

I love the Seattle Capoeira Center! This is a place that not only shares an amazing martial art but it also teaches the music, history & culture of Capoeira Angola Palmares. Seattle Capoeira Center is also a wonderful place where loving community members gather to support each other and encourage one another to heal & be healthy & happy & free. This is a great place for families, children and women to grow in their strength and health. I joined with my nieces in 2016 and made lots of friendships along the way. So I joined with family and stayed because of the uplifting relationships with my extended capoeira family. Im so very grateful for Mestre Nô, who is the Master of Masters from Brazil where Capoeira Angola Palmares started and Im so thankful for the leadership of the teachers in the Seattle Capoeira Center, Professors Barril & Galo and Contra-Mestre Manganga, who are so dedicated to keep Capoeira Angola Palmares alive and thriving in Seattle & Tacoma. I encourage everyone to check us out and enjoy a class! See for yourself how capoeira can bring so much joy and positive energy in our lives. Peace, Love & Axé.

I initially started Capoeira because I was mesmerized by the movements and wanted to improve my flexibility and ability to move fluidly. I was surprised to see how much more the SCC offers. CM Manganga is very passionate about honoring the legacy of Capoeira and shares about its history, practice, and significance. I was also exposed to the music and was thrown right into playing an instrument and learning to sing in Portuguese on the fly. There have been many moments of being thrown in and learning on the fly, which although awkward and uncomfortable at times, have really helped me loosen up and smooth out my rigid and rough edges. The things I learn here and in the roda transfer to all aspects of my life outside of the SCC. The community at SCC is very warm. They provide room for people to authentically express themselves and have offered me an understanding and contained place to grow myself and develop areas of my personality I have spent much of my life suppressing. The Capoeira journey here feels like a holy cycle of death and rebirth. I am very grateful for this place, CM Manganga, and all the people who make the SCC the thriving community that it is. I highly recommend the SCC to anyone who feels the slightest tug to learn more about Capoeira. If it is something you commit to for the long haul, you can expect to discover yourself here and in the roda. You can also expect CM Manganga to challenge you in ways that push up against your boundaries of comfort, which are also the very places where the greatest growth is to be discovered.

I love this capoeira group! I came from a regional style group and wasn’t sure about switching to the Angola style. But the Angola system as taught by Mestre No is a more complete capoeira system. It includes slower, controlled angola games as well as fast, flashy and ariel games.The community here has been great as well. It’s a very diverse and supportive group. We hang out with each other outside of class.The kids classes are also great!

Ive been going to this capoeira studio for almost 7 years. The instructors are amazing. They are patient, extremely knowledgable, and detailed; you learn how to do many moves in all kinds of situations which helps develop critical thinking as well as faster reflexes.I learned not only how to play capoeira from some of the best instructors in Washington, I also learned how to play the traditional capoeira music that goes along with. However, I think the most important lesson Ive learned from this capoeira studio is the importance of community engagement.Everyone who attends capoeira is kind and friendly and accepting of all walks of life. You immediately have friends once you join, hahaha! This studio has grown exponentially, from only a few people 7 years ago to upwards of 60 members today. This goes to show you how dedicated our mestre, Manganga, is to the art of capoeira and teaching the world about the wonderful, challenging, and community oriented life that mestre Manganga has worked tirelessly to achieve.

Amazing community and totally fun. Mestre is really laidback, and lives this life

I live and Im a professional All-styles dancer in NYC, I began Capoeira at the SCC in 2006 with Prof. Manga and it has changed the way I move and see the world in such a beautiful way. I would recommend this Center of Capoeira to everyone in Seattle, the community and teachings are great!

Probably the most chill and devoted professor youll ever meet. I dont remember a single class ever being boring or impossible. Youll get a workout and a feeling of improvement every time you train with Professor Manganga. He builds a sense of community so that everyone feels a sense of camaraderie and positivity. and you learn more than just Capoeira. Theres music and songs too.Im a hip hop dancer and artist and I had no idea what capoeira was exactly when I first started out last year. Im glad my friends pulled me into this, and I recommend Professor Mangangas classes to anyone. Hell make sure you fit right in.

Training at the Capoeira Center with Professor Manganga has been such an enriching experience. Prior to learning capoeira I didnt have any formal martial arts experience, but here we learned to ease into the craft day by day. If youre into gaining progress it is easy to see your skills evolve over short periods of time under his tutelage. The classes are very rewarding; driven by development of technique and interaction with fellow students. The Professor is always willing to teach, push for everyones greater potential, and has helped foster a supportive and friendly capoeira community.

They are an amazing and welcoming group

My name is Dr. Norival Moreira de Oliveira, I am known as Mestre No in the world of capoeira. I have 70 years of experience in capoeira.Master Mangangá has been my disciple since he was 14 years old. Train here, he will teach you the real capoeira angola of Bahia. Welcome. Capoeira on the roda, capoeira on life.

In November I started taking capoeira classes and I loved it! There is much to learn regarding music and dance. I love!!

Excellent place for Capoeira lovers of all levels.Since the day I joined this community I have not stopped learning.