Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
NEW STUDENTS Youth and Adults
Be prepared to work out! Capoeira is a very physical activity. Make time to stretch before and after each class. Classes begin with a warm-up, followed by training according to level, and end with a roda.
Since we play capoeira barefoot, we suggest using sports tape to prevent blisters. You can purchase sports tape and bottled water at the front desk. Filtered water is available for students who bring their own bottle.
Quiet observers are welcome. Photography and video are not permitted at any time during class.
Students should wear clothes to work out in, ideally in the color white. Work-out pants (as opposed to shorts) are recommended. Eventually, you will need to wear an ABADÁ-Capoeira uniform.
The Adult/Teen uniform is $90 and children’s uniforms are $75. Uniforms include ABADÁ pants, a t-shirt, and a natural cord. Uniforms can be purchased at the front desk.
New students can start at any time. First-time capoeira students may want to begin by attending a Capoeira Fundamentals class on Wednesdays from 6:00-7:00 p.m. This class is devoted to the fundamentals of capoeira and is slower paced than regular Basics classes. The first Wednesday of each month, Fundamentals is FREE for first-time students. This one-time offer applies only to new students. This class can fill up quickly, so arrive no later than 5:45pm! Can’t make Wednesdays? Tuesdays and Thursdays Basics classes are great for new students as well.
TEEN STUDENTS
All new teens (ages 13-19) qualify for a full scholarship through the RAY Project, regardless of background, student status, income, or capoeira experience. Teen students must maintain an active level of participation at ACSF to retain their scholarship status. Participation is tracked using a point system. If you have earned enough participation points, your training will always be free. If you do not earn enough participation points, you can still receive a partial scholarship.
Teens earn participation points in five different ways: class attendance, performance participation, bringing a friend, studio volunteering, and event volunteering. Accumulated points are calculated at the end of each session. Please note: Points will not be carried over from one session to the next. Teens will be notified by ACSF of their scholarship status prior to the beginning of each session. Each session is a new opportunity to earn qualifying points.
Teens who do not earn their participation points will receive partial scholarships, based on the amount of participation points they did earn. Friday Teens-Only Capoeira and Sunday Community Class will always be free to all teens, regardless of their scholarship status.
Once every two years, ACSF travels to Brazil for the Jogos Mundiais (World Games) in Rio. Top capoeiristas from ABADÁ-Capoeira schools around the world come to Brazil to train with the Mestres and Mestrandos of ABADÁ for four days of workshops at Mestre Camisa’s CEMB prior to the international capoeira competition in Rio. This experience offers young capoeiristas an unprecedented opportunity to experience Brazilian culture, meet capoeiristas from around the globe, and train with the top teachers of ABADÁ. The Teen Travel Scholarship sponsors one or more teens to travel to Brazil for the Jogos Mundiais and workshops. The scholarship is funded exclusively by community donations and the Community Capoeira class.
The Teen Travel Scholarship is based entirely on participation points. A full scholarship will be awarded to the teen with the highest accumulated total of participation points. If funding is available, partial scholarships may be awarded to the teen(s) with the next highest accumulated total of participation points. Points are accumulated over two years (four sessions), from fall of the initial year until spring of the traveling year.
YOUTH RAY PROJECT STUDENTS
If your child is joining the program significantly later than the start of the session, we may consider per-class payments (such as with RAY Level 1 and RAY Level 2). This will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Please contact our office 415-206-0650 with questions.
RAY project funding covers school-year classes only. ACSF is able to provide a small number of scholarships for Summer Camp programs. RAY participants may receive reduced rates for Summer Camp if the minimum enrollment requirement is met. If interested, please call the ACSF office at 415-206-0650. Unfortunately, budget restrictions do not allow us to give discounts for products, events, or other programs. ACSF will alert you of any fees required at the start of the program. Please keep in mind that fees such as batizado registration and event participation will only occur once a year.