There’s a class happening every Saturday in Arlington that’s hard to describe until you’ve seen it: two people moving inside a circle of participants clapping, singing, and playing instruments. It looks like a dance. It’s also a fight. Somehow, it’s both at once. It also happens to be one of the most welcoming communities you’ll find. That’s Capoeira.
Led by Master Antonio Javali and Jose Canchan, EvolveAll is home to one of the area’s few dedicated Capoeira programs.
Capoeira was developed by enslaved Africans in Brazil, who disguised combat training as dance to avoid detection. The movements are rooted in real fighting strategy, but they flow like a conversation between two people. Reading your partner, creating openings, and responding in real time are all set to live music.
Most students walk in with zero experience. You’ll start with basic movements. Rhythm, flexibility, and coordination all develop through training. Every Capoeirista starts from the same place.
Training centers on tow players inside the roda, the circle of students and musicians that surrounds them. Everyone participates, whether they’re playing, clapping, singing, or on an instrument. It’s a real workout, too. Beginners build fundamentals close to the ground; advanced students layer in kicks, acrobatics, and complex sequences.
EvolveAll’s Capoeira class meets Saturdays from 12:30–1:30 PM. Come in comfortable athletic wear. If you’ve ever watched a Capoeira video and wondered what it would feel like to actually be in the circle, this is your chance to find out.