New York Capoeira Center

This is best place in New York to condition your body, let out stress, learn capoeira, and have tons of fun. The programs offered are affordable and your money will be spent a lot more effectively here than at a gym. You can try it for two weeks with just $ 30 (probably less, check their website).
The Instructors:
All of the instructors at CAQ are great. They are very dedicated, enjoy what they do, and most of all, they are amazing capoeiristas. They all have different and effective techniques to get you involved in the class. Their techniques are so effective that you might even forget about the time. I do not learn new things that involve body movements easily and I can be hard to teach. Believe me when I say, the instructors are welcoming, encouraging, and extremely patient.
The Classes:
In every class the instructors provide constructive feedback to ensure that you are performing the movements in the correct way. The movements are always demonstrated, and the instructors pay close attention to detail.
The Group:
In this capoeira group, everyone is like family. Everyone helps each other to improve. We respect each other and of course, have fun playing capoeira. The first few days you may feel a bit out of the circle, but in one week, you will be like a cousin.
The Place:
Everyone, staff and students, make an effort to keep things clean and uncluttered. There are two wooden floor rooms with chock support (if you fall, it will cushion your fall a bit). They have good sound systems in both rooms. There is enough ventilation to feel comfortable. The bathrooms are in the same floor and in front of the two rooms, they are usually clean.

I’ve been training here a couple of years now and I LOVE it. The teachers are really friendly while at the same time making sure you get a great workout and have a fun time. I get really bored at the gym but time flies when I’m at CAQ because its always challenging and there’s always something new to learn. Plus the people are awesome. I’ve made so many great friends here and really appreciate all the work that goes into making this place a community and not just a fitness center.

Would have appreciated if the instructor showed up!
I had a groupon fitness pass, came here, a bunch of students and I booked the class, and the instructor was a no show with no note. You suck for that.

When I first started at the school I immediately liked how welcoming it was. Not only were the instructors friendly, but the students as well. Although the classes will definitely challenge you, what I like most is that gradually I was able to start doing moves that I NEVER thought I’d be able to do. This is a testament to how patient and attentive the instructors are. They work with all levels so don’t be intimidated if you can’t do something right away. Not only is capoeira a great workout but being someone that has trained in several other martial arts, I really enjoyed the cultural/​music aspect of the program as well. A year later, it’s safe to say I’m addicted. I’m more fit, more agile and can even sing a song or two in Portuguese. Definitely worth trying!

This is the best place to practice capoeira. I’d taken classes here and there at NYSC, but those classes don’t compare. The instructors at this academy pay a lot of attention to detail so that you learn how to do the movements well and can feel confident when you start playing the game with another player. Plus there is a great community of people here. It’s more than an academy — it’s truly a community of great people that will quickly become your friends.

Been at the academy for about 4 years now for obvious reason, the school is very inclusive and the quality of capoeira is very good. All the teachers are very knowledgeable and not only do they strive on teaching great capoeira but also work on building a strong community. I’ve made life-​long friends through capoeira and many others have as well. Give it a try!

Words can’t even explain how awesome this place is. Every time I go I feel welcome, and although that’s not very often I get excited just at the prospect of a trip to NYC because of this place. Go! It’ll be fun!

After training at many capoeira schools in the US, China, Japan, and Brazil, I’m happy to call Capoeira Angola Quintal (New York Capoeira Center) my home in NYC since autumn 2013. Great teachers, classes, Friday and Sunday rodas, and a welcoming and inclusive vibe especially receptive to beginners of the art.

I took two classes here the other month, to get a taste. I’m not ready to dedicate myself to the practice, but I had a very good experience and wanted to share (with the caveat that I have no real point of reference).
The space is bare bones, but the school has a good vibe and the people are great. The instructors were fun, clear, and demanding. The receptionist was very friendly. And the students all seemed to be enjoying themselves and each other.
One note: it’s intense. I’m active, but the 30 minute, nonstop intro class left me winded, and (pleasantly) sore the next day.
I will be back.

I have been training with CAQ in San Francisco for a little over a year. This Thanksgiving Holiday I took a day to visit the center in NY. I have met Mestre Umbrinho several times before as he visits us in SF, and it was a pleasure to get the chance to check out the mothership.
Easy to get to (2 blocks from the L) the NY Capoeira Center and CAQ are amazing. There is a great community energy there and Mestre and all the other instructors and capoeiristas are great teachers. My class was led by Jimmy and was a great workout and improved my game as well. I took the level 1a class open to all levels and there were a few new people, some lower cords and some yellow cords as well.
After the class was a Roda which was a good time as always, and a kids roda.
IF YOU HAVE KIDS ENROLL THEM WITH CAQ, mestre is a GENIUS with kids! I have never seen someone be able to hold the attention of a group of children like that and as well the kids all had incredible game. Every one of them was doing head-​stands and other acrobatic movements.
If you want to teach your child discipline, and respect while having a GREAT time and learning something that could be a life long journey take them to try it out!
5 Stars all the way!

I had no real idea what Capoeira was before I attended my first class. An online deal brought me in, and the awesome time I had, made me come back. I’ve been training almost 2 months.
The instructors are patient, talented, and truly enjoy passing on their knowledge of this awesome martial art. Let’s not forget, it’s also a great work out and a lot of fun. Each class I really feel like I am learning and improving. As a beginner, I love that the classes are mixed and I can witness what I am working towards with more graduated students. And they’re always willing to help.
I’m glad that this is where I first found Capoeira!

As good as it gets…
This is fitness and fun for everyone.
Mestre Ombrinho makes capoeira accessible to anyone…
By far the highest quality capoeira school in the city, with the highest integrity for the art, and they make it fun and easy to learn.
Blown away.

on the first day of training here as a beginner, the visuals of the surrounding area of this tiny «training room» has a feeling of a decreped abandoned building waiting to be bulldozed. the tiny room had the smallest air conditioner known to man, probably a 1500 btu unit (if a company made one). there was a good amount of students here sweating from this sauna.
but to be a beginner, it would not be wise to start here.
the instructors were okay but all levels were jam packed into this room. you felt ostricized for not knowing anything about capoeira, especially when the advanced students act as if they are annoyed for you being there. i specifically remembered these 2 bald chicks being annoyed and forgetting how it was to start out as a beginner. maybe they were so butch they came out of the womb doing ginga.
the sad part was that i really wasn’t enjoying myself at all but thank goodness i had a cheap deal to try it out.

Great location, close to many forms of transportation. The people are very friendly and welcome all new comers with open arms. It is a good workout for anyone no matter the age or physical capability. Stop by and check it out. You won’t regret it.

Great teachers, great students. I have been doing martial arts all my life, but none of the school is quite like the New York Capoeira Center. Life for me has reached a place where I can’t afford to be injured, but I am still craving for something physically challenging and above all, something fun. NYCC has gave me exactly that! If you want a great working with nice people AND have a great time, give NYCC a shot, you won’t regret.

I trained at the New York Capoeira Center for a few months before moving away. I was amazed at how much I was able to learn in such a short period of time. Mestre Ombrinho is extremely welcoming and this follows down the line to the instructors and other students.
I found Capoeira at the New York Capoeira Center to be the perfect way to end the day because it gets you moving and ending the class with music is always great fun.
Just give it a try, you won’t regret it!