Capoeira Luanda San Diego

Capoeira Luanda San Diego offers capoeira classes that include stretching and warm up, practice of the Ginga (the basic dance step of capoeira), Esquivas (dodge movements), kicks, acrobatics, and music training with instruments and singing. The program also includes Roda de Capoeira, where the game is played in a circle with live music, along with educational games and positive challenges. Capoeira Luanda San Diego provides private classes, group classes, workshops, after school programs, preschool and private school programs, and performances for individuals and corporate events.

• Ages: 5–18 years old

Capoeira Luanda San Diego is under the direction of Contramestre Massapê and is supervised by Mestre Jelon, with Contramestre Massapê serving as the head of the program. The stated goal is to teach and promote capoeira as an art form and to create memorable, happy and empowering moments in every class. All classes are all levels, and the school welcomes beginners with no experience as well as advanced players with years of capoeira training. The school presents capoeira in every class as Brazilian culture, martial art, music, dance, acrobatics, socialization, Portuguese language, fun, workout, and sport, and describes itself as deeply connected to the roots of capoeira while teaching it as a complete traditional and holistic art form and lifestyle. Capoeira kids classes are tailored to develop kids in a comprehensive, happy, creative, structuring and social manner, with emphasis on culture, body and emotional awareness, martial art, music, dance, acrobatics, Portuguese and socialization skills, and the use of simple and fun educational games with positive challenges for all kids ages. Contramestre Massapê’s psychology background together with 26 years of capoeira experience is used to educate and develop freedom of expression, body and mind control, discipline, and communication skills. The program notes that it offers a safe, structured, harmonious and energizing environment, provides a free trial first class, and welcomes walk-ins.

Families are asked to come with loose and comfortable pants suitable for gymnastics (no shorts) and a comfortable t-shirt, with a sports bra underneath for women, and to bring a water bottle. Participants are instructed to arrive 15 minutes before class, allow an extra 10 minutes for parking, take shoes off before taking the floor, and bring water and comfortable clothes suitable for gymnastics for the free trial class.

Last updated June 20, 2026.