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Abada Capoeira
Categories: Active Life Fitness & Instruction Martial Arts Active Life Fitness & Instruction Trainers Martial Arts, Trainers [Edit]
3221 22nd St(between Mission St & Bartlett St)
San Francisco, CA 94110
Neighborhood: Mission
(415) 206-0650
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 6 pm - 7:30 pm
Sat 11:30 am - 3 pm
Sun 12 pm - 1:30 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
About This Business:
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19 reviews for Abada Capoeira
19 reviews in English
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Review from A. J.
San Francisco, CA
8/7/2011
I've been a student at ABADA Capoeira San Francisco for over 6 years and am very grateful that I found this school. The classes are consistently high-caliber and are taught by Mestranda Marcia, one of the top female capoeiristas in the world and most accomplshed capoeiristas, male or female, outside Brazil. We San Franciscans are extremely lucky to have her here. She always makes her classes accessible to first-timers and beginners and continues to challenge her students no matter how long they have been training.
The community here is welcoming and supportive. In addtion to the physical challenge of capoeira, it is an intellectually demanding activity. Mestranda Marcia is also a skilled musician and teacher of music, and her students have the opportunity to learn to play traditional instruments and sing in portuguese. She also teaches a folkloric dance called maculele, in which we use sticks or machetes, that is a lot of fun and a good workout. I highly recommend this school whether you just want to check it out or if you are looking for a community to be involved with in the longer term. You will not regret it! -
Review from Naomi M.
San Francisco, CA
7/26/2010
The Body Brasil class is AMAZING. After just a couple classes, my husband (and I ) noticed the muscle definition on my arms and abs. This doesn't come without a price....lots of sweat and work on your part is needed. But Antonio is great at motivating with awesome music (at 6:30am!) and no-nonsense encouragement. I never need coffee on the days I have this training because it wakes up every muscle and nerve in your body; can't wait for the next session.
I'm also studying Capoeira here, and am motivated by the abilities of the more senior students. Beginners are welcomed here, literally. I've found everyone to be friendly, open, and helpful. The studio is large, spacious, and in a great location. Wish I had found this place 10 years ago, when I was a little younger and more flexible. -
Review from Zak D.
San Francisco, CA
4/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
I have been training at ABADA for almost 5 years now, and everyday I am thankful I randomly found them on google. Mestranda Marcia Cigarra is a world renown Capoeirista, one of the top females in the world. Her expertise is based on nearly 30 years of dedication to her training under her mentor, Mestre Camisa.
Each and every one of her classes is an amazing venture into the fundamentals of what creates a great Capoeirista, as well as a fantastic cardio workout. She puts the same amount of energy into a beginners class as she would a master class. We are extremely lucky as San Franciscans, even non-brazilians, to have such a rich source of information and potential capability for us to utilize. The class environment is very supportive of beginners and I have made lifelong friendships with people there as well as across the world at other ABADA Capoeira schools worldwide.
Try a class, you won't be disappointed. -
Review from Megan H.
San Francisco, CA
11/27/2011
The Capoeira is a fantastic way to get a great workout - but this studio is more than that. They are pretty much the only place in the Mission where former gang members train next to software executives, and it not only works, it's pretty amazing. Welcoming to beginners and ongoing students.
Then I felt too old for capoeira and took Body Brasil with Antonio. A butt-kicker.
Now my son is starting to take kids classes with Antonio.
What a gem in the Mission - and city-wide. -
Review from Adriana B.
San Francisco, CA
10/2/2011
My 8 year old son started Capoeira this September and he is in love with it. He feels so comfortable and welcomed, the instructor Antonio " Corrente" is dedicated and skilled. The studio is plenty of light and space. The kids really enjoy to be there.
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Review from kelly g.
San Francisco, CA
4/20/2011
Capoeira with Mestranda Marcia can be a life-changing experience. When I first came to train here, I was in awe - she holds her students up to such a high standard, but retains an environment of gentleness and support that is hard to find elsewhere. I'm still in awe every time I train.
In class we work hard learning the fundamentals of capoeira, from low, slow sweeps to flying kicks and clean take-downs. Marcia is one of the most well-regarded capoeiristas in the world, and so many of us feel so lucky to be able to train with her on a regular basis. And it's crazy fun!
If you stick with capoeira long enough you may find that besides being in great shape, being flexible, and being happier, you'll have discovered a canvas for self-expression and a mirror in which to view yourself. And the skills you'll pick up can help you make changes not just in capoeira, but in life as well. -
Review from Gladys c.
Los Angeles, CA
5/9/2007
The studio is cozy and spacious - right in the heart of the Mission. You can smell the tacos and burritos from the restaurants below, which can be distracting when you start getting hungry from your workout!
The Body Brasil class I took was super challenging and fun. Be prepare to do a LOT of push ups and sit ups. The steps are repetitive so you can catch on. It combines simple capoeira moves and resistance training using weights. You'll be sure to work up a sweat!
All the teachers are super fit and inspiring.
There are evening classes throughout the week. Adult single class is $14 and class passes ranges from $48-$150. They also offer one-on-one sessions and Teen classes. -
Review from Taylor C.
San Francisco, CA
5/15/2008
I my first class with Marcia, I swore I was going to faint, I was beet red, and my center of gravity just wasnt used to the movements. ( translation, I constantly felt like I was going to fall) BUT the movements are like fluid, they are beautiful, and challenging and it's the best workout I have ever had.
Marcia, and the others are really good teachers they welcome questions and they never make me feel like the floppy clumsy person I sometimes am. All the other students are helpful and I am going on my 8th class, and finally am getting the hang of it. My Daughter is very proud and so am I, I feel great and I cant wait to keep learning and growing in Capoeira.
Sara, the kids class teacher, is patient and amazing, my Daughter LOVES her class and is learning so much! -
Review from Benito C.
Philadelphia, PA
7/30/2011
Great group and great Mestranda. Very very recommendable!
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Review from Carlo S.
San Francisco, CA
7/27/2007
I used to be a student here when it was still on 20th and mission. I learned alot from this place. Many life lessons I have learned form here and Marcia and Jennifer are the best.
Thanks -
Review from Sabrina H.
San Francisco, CA
5/16/2011
The Body Brasil class is extremely fun and challenging. It's hard getting there by 6:30 in the morning, but once I'm there I never regret it. Antonio does a great job of keeping it interesting and different each time. It's a great complement for those training in dance or capoeira, or really for anyone who's looking for cross-training/strengthening. The combination of kicks, lunges and weight training challenges all the muscle groups. I, too, wish it ran all year!
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Review from Cameron B.
Washington, DC
12/28/2010
Inspirational, exciting, friends and family, ABADA capoeira gives you all this and so much more. Capoeira has become part of my life and it is thanks to the leadership and pure skill of Marcia and all her instrutors/instrutoras, graduado/as and alunos that make this studio feel like home every time I come to visit! They have created a community that is spreading the leasons and beauty of the art of capoeira! Muito Obrigado e muito axe a todos!
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Review from Lizzy M.
San Francisco, CA
3/25/2011
Body Brasil with Antonio is the best workout class around. It is always different and I never get bored. I have seen myself get stronger and more toned after I started taking his classes.
My only wish is that it ran all year! -
Review from Regina C.
10/9/2008
i recently began going to take the body brasil classes at 6:30am on tuesdays and thursdays. my main reason is cause i generally do a lot of cardio exercises (elliptical, biking, spinning, jogging) and thought i needed some strength training added to my workouts. a friend of mine did it so i decided to give it a shot.
i have only compliments for this place. it's a good space to work in, it's clean, the workout is challenging enough and incorporates some basic capoeira moves, and the instructor is cool.
i hate it at the gym when instructors ask you "how do you feel? how do you FEEL?" and expect us to respond with an enthusiastic "i feel good," because quite honestly i feel shit tired and don't want to yell back at you with lack of emotion. so i'm that "stuck up" looking person at the gym who doesn't respond and doesn't smile when they say "where are your smiles at?" my smile is packed away at a restaurant where i'm enjoying a delicious meal with friends who are hilarious. anyway, the instructor leaves you alone at Abada and just does his job. he instructs, and in a friendly, efficient, to the point manner. i dig it. it's perfect.
i've done a bunch of things i'd never think to do with my body including semi-backflips, handstands, elbow stands, all kinds of kicks, so on and so forth. highly recommended class. join it, it's fun! -
Review from Patience E.
San Francisco, CA
4/29/2008
I used to watch people practice Capoeira at the Capoeira Arts Cafe in Berkeley and told myself that one day I would be one of those Capoeiristas. Well now I am. I have started taking classes at Abada recently and am very impressed with how welcoming everyone is and how helpful and qualified the instructor is. I took a Body Brasil class there as well and I have to say, it was the best workout of my life. Sweat dripping off of my chin after 10 minutes. It's a combination of weights, and excercises that focus on muscle groups used heavily in Capoeira. In Short, I am hooked.
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Review from Miina T.
Oakland, CA
2/7/2008
You say you wanna get fit? Strut around with ripped muscles, a butt made for bouncin' quarters in bar bets and carry around a secret confidence you could throw down if you had to but you won't because you're better than that?
Get your current weak self to 22nd and Mission and take the stairs up and meet your new friends. And be prepared to sweat. Try not to cry. Whimpering is acceptable but only because everyone in that class remembers what their first class was like, too.
Don't worry if you cannot understand Mestranda Marcia's (Mah-See-ya) accent at first - just monkey the moves that everyone is doing around you. Pretty soon you'll be speaking capoeira Portugese in no time and throwing out these terms to your friends and family like you naturally assume they know what you're talking about but you and I know you're just showing off. Or maybe that's just me.
Anyway, capoeira is fun. You get to do cartwheels in class! And learn how to kick someone in the process! And you sing in a circle and clap your hands at the end of each and every class (do NOT get this confused with some cheesy New Age therapy session) all the while checking out the skills of your classmates while they bravely get their game on in the roda (pro-nounced Hoe-dah). Intimidating? Hell yes. Satisfying when you conquer your fear of public embarrassment and put your newly acquired skills to the real test? Double H-E-Double Hockey Sticks YES! Exhilerating even. Capoeria pushes you to discover your own strength.
What's especially cool is that Marcia cultivates a learning environment that encourages advanced students to share their knowledge with newbies because you learn by playing with someone better than you.
Speaking as a woman venturing into what can be a pretty testosterone tempered environment, learning capoeira under Mestranda Marcia was refreshingly devoid of Big Balls Attitude. There are a lot of females who are advanced cords in that class and they are great role models. The gender mix in these classes tends to be fairly even. There are two bathrooms in which you may change your clothes if you need to and you store your stuff in a section that is in plain sight of everyone (i.e YOU) so your valuables are safe during class.
There is a Basic Fundamentals class the first Tuesday of each month and while you can start learning capoeira any time, this is a great chance to get a handle on the basic moves. It used to be free for first timers, not sure about that now. If you check out a class and feel like you can't hang because you're not fit enough, check out the boot camp style Body Brasil class. Antonio will whip you into shape with semi-weekly 75 minute morning sessions of non-stop muscle building action. Damn, I looked good when I did that for 6 weeks.
You will get sweaty. You will be sore. But you will be awesome for learning capoeira. -
Review from hale g.
San Francisco, CA
1/9/2009
I never miss a Body Brasil class taught by Antonio Contreras. I started going in August 2008. I feel so much better both physically and mentally and have noticed a change in my body. I am not much for the gym environment and really enjoy working out at the Abada Studio. It is a great full body workout. Each class is different-so it isn't the same sequence of exercises every class. I never get bored (and I am easily bored)! I tried many of the classes at 24hourfitness but wasn't crazy about the teaching style or music. Antonio has a great intuitive teaching style and is very mindful of people's injuries and such! You will sweat a lot!!!! He is an awesome one-on-one trainer as well!!! Oh, and I like his music (which is a plus:).
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Review from lissy d.
San Francisco, CA
11/2/2006
the body brazil class is an interesting workout. totally fun and it incorperates capoeira moves without all of the technique and marshall arts know-how. also, rusty wells, the guru of choice teaches three donation yoga classes here on the weekends. while the weekends are rich with donation based yoga classes (compared the the very very few available during the week) this is one you should choose at least a few times. though the huge room is perfect to accomadate the rusty cult members, it doesnt get quite as warm as he, or i, would like it. but the space is great. they always have great events coming up posted and wonderful pictures on the wall as well as the great cultural center aspect to it. definitely worth a trip all around. hey, capoeira is a lot easier to manage after a yoga class!
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Review from J C.
San Francisco, CA
9/18/2009
So I belong to a gym and I've tried personal trainers in the past but have never found anyone who inspired me or produced results I was hoping for...until I found "Abada Capoeira San Francisco" and Antonio Contreras located in the Mission. If you're looking for a large and clean, no frills place to sweat and get in shape, be sure to check this place out. Antonio is a dedicated trainer and capoeira expert who leads the Body Brasil class 3x / week combining strength training with weights and cardio and a few capoeira moves...you'll learn the ginga and join the roda. Yah, I'm not good at a few things, but the classes are challenging and rewarding and personally, where in the city can you take a drop-in class for $10 without paying a membership? I highly recommend this place and I'm happy I found it
