Absolutely. Capoeira is practised together, but there are no teams or scores, and children are not measured by comparing them with one another. They move, play and make music together, while progress is personal and every child’s achievements are celebrated.

Professor Ouriço’s philosophy is simple: the goal in Capoeira is to be better today than you were yesterday, not better than the person next to you.

Capoeira is a martial art, and its kicks, dodges and takedowns have a real martial purpose. In the roda, players learn to read one another, control distance and timing, and move out of the path of kicks rather than simply blocking them.

Playing well requires control and judgement. A player may extend a kick towards their partner, then stop before contact to show that it could have reached.

Seedlings introduces controlled contact through sweeps and takedowns. These are part of Capoeira’s martial side, but not the whole focus of the class. Children practise stopping their kicks before contact.

When learning sweeps and takedowns, children practise both sides of the technique, how to apply it with control and how to fall, recover and continue safely.

Teachers supervise closely and emphasise awareness, control and treating partners with care.

That is completely normal. Your child does not need to be outgoing or already confident to fit into Seedlings. Some children settle in quickly, while others prefer to take a little time to get to know the class, the teachers and the other students.

Our teachers encourage new students to take part without putting them on the spot. They can join in gradually as the class becomes more familiar and their confidence grows.

If your child needs more time during their Free Intro Class, we can talk with you afterwards about whether another Intro Class would help.

Lots of energy is welcome in Capoeira. Children are not expected to sit still or concentrate for long periods. Classes give them a positive way to use that energy through movement, games and music, with activities changing regularly to help bring their attention back.

Learning when to pause is also part of the class. Children gradually practise watching a demonstration, listening to a short instruction, taking turns and moving safely around others. We use clear routines, reminders and playful redirection to help them participate.

We do not expect perfect listening. What matters is whether, with support, a child can respond to enough guidance to participate safely. If your child is struggling to do that, we will talk it through with you.

Yes. Children with disability already train across Capoeira Australis. As parents of a child with disability ourselves, we understand how much it matters for a child to be welcomed as they are and given genuine opportunities to participate. That is why Inclusion is one of our core values.

When booking the Free Intro Class, please tell us about your child’s disability, how they communicate, what supports them best and anything else you think is important for us to know. The more we understand, the better we can prepare and discuss helpful adjustments with you.

Together, we can use the Intro Class to see how your child responds and what support will be possible within the group.

During the Free Intro Class, parents are invited to sit inside the training area. We want you to see for yourself who will teach your child, how we run the class and how our teachers interact with them.

From the first regular class onwards, the training area is normally parent free, but you can still watch through the viewing window from reception. Some children need a parent close for longer, and we allow this where possible while supporting a gradual transition.

Capoeira uses cords, called cordões, rather than belts. Every beginner receives a grey cord within their first few weeks, symbolically marking the beginning of their Capoeira journey.

Children who train regularly receive a new cord each year at Maré Cheia, our annual Capoeira festival. Their first official graduation is to a light green cord, with later colours following those of the Brazilian flag. Maré Cheia involves a separate registration fee.