Wow, I don’t even know how to sum up what practicing with this group has done for me, but I will try.
There are a few reasons I was originally drawn to practicing capoeira with Angola Flagstaff and have kept me coming back. One is the strength and authenticity of the community in the group. This was Something that I was searching for more of in my life and Capoeira gives me a place to cultivate a sense of belonging.
Another reason I was intrigued was the integration of numerous skills into one practice. It feels like a very wholesome way to train and develop as a human being. I have never been disappointed with a single class. Quite the opposite. Every class is unique, novel, fun, and tailored to the individuals that are there. The level of support and training that Professor Avi gives to each and everyone in every class is of the highest caliber. He meets everyone where they are on skills and emotional levels. While it’s not always easy, it’s one of the healthiest and most fulfilling challenges in my life. I am so grateful I found this group and highly recommend it to everyone, no matter your age or ability.

-LaniKai

Capoeira Angola Flagstaff's classes are not only fun, but also taught at a very high level of instruction. Whether it's movement or music, Avi always finds a way to help me understand what needs to be done in order for me to both enjoy, and become highly proficient at this beautiful art.

-Maome AlShalaby

Capoeira is such a beautiful, enriching practice that has deeply impacted my life. Authentic community, cultural knowledge, and expressive movement are just a few of the aspects I appreciate most. The cultural history of Capoeira is intentionally acknowledged during classes, and the power of the art form is fully presented when we all gather together.

-Hannah Sweeney

My name is Etienne but my Capoeira family refer to me as Dourado. My journey with capoeira started at age eleven here in Flagstaff which is where I am from. My relationship with Capoeira has allowed me to travel to Brazil, Spain, and Mexico; meeting all types of beautiful people whom accept you as if you were extended family. One of the experiences I hold onto most dearly was during my journey to Mexico. Although I myself do not speak Spanish or Portuguese(the universal language for Capoeira), I still felt like I shared incredibly complex interactions with fellow practitioners of the art. During the moments in which I was most receptive of Capoeira at its essence, I felt the gravity of being a part of something much greater then any individual. Tapping into a vast understanding and meaning to life. Being human as I am, it’s difficult to maintain a constant connection with the ocean of information that Capoeira can be and it’s ok to fall back to the stream of reasoning of why I continue to practice Capoeira; which is to exist outside of my chaotic thoughts and be present within my body. To move beautifully, to feel physical, and to be a part of an open minded global community is what anybody at any level of Capoeira should remind themselves when motivation is lacking. The euphoric sensations of the practice will come.

-Etienne MacCormack

I joined this capoeira group about six months ago and I was immediately struck by how welcoming, patient, and warm the group is. Capoeira is difficult to learn, and being a beginner feels so awkward. But everyone in the group has supported me from the first class. I'm so happy I took a chance and tried something new-- I've made new friends,  learned so much about music and movement, and had so much fun since I joined. 

-Andrea

So, I started doing capoeira. The first thing most people think is, what the heck is capoeira? Isn’t it a dance or a fighting style? But what’s the point? Why not do yoga, or Brazilian Jujitsu, or Jazzercise?  The value it brings helps me become a more well-rounded mover overall. Now, I’m not against lifting weights, I do it 4-5 times a week. But it often tightens your muscles and reduces your range of motion. I don’t knock yoga, I do it 3 times a week, but when you get on a yoga mat in class everyone holds cookie-cutter positions for designated lengths of time, all moving at ONE person’s pace. But Capoeira is a collaborative form of movement that depends on two people playing the game, this means that you are pushed to expand your range of motion, speed, and timing as well as pushing your proprioception and your ability to focus on an “opponent”. The major value for me is that it allows me to move more freely and has not only made me a better mover but also changed how my brain perceives movement. Because it’s gamified, you are able to focus longer and push harder than you would mindlessly droning through those same old exercises that leave you with little motivation and a physical plateau.  Often times I feel too tired to go and by the end of class, I feel energetically charged. Like a night out dancing, or playing a game as a kid, Avi provides a space where you can have fun and be silly and be accepted no matter how well you move or play the game, but there is also a deep sense of ritualistic discipline that brings a tribal seriousness to understanding that ego has no role in fitness.

-Brian Bennett