Afro-Brazilian Dance, Defense, and Resistance
Ithaca Capoeira
Who We Are
Ithaca Capoeira (formerly Ithaca Capoeira Angola Quintal) is a community of collaboration, offering inclusive and accessible capoeira classes here in Upstate and Central New York.
Invented by enslaved Africans in Brazil, capoeira is a self-defense disguised as a dance. Influenced by a blend of dances from diverse African cultures, capoeira was practiced as a hidden, playful game to fool the slave owners.
Today, capoeira is internationally popular as an exciting way to strengthen the mind, body, spirit, and sense of connection. Its blend of dance, self-defense, acrobatics, music, and social awareness makes it a unique and enriching practice. As a workout, it develops one's fitness, strength, flexibility, coordination, balance, rhythm, agility, reflexes, and endurance. Capoeira gets more enjoyable the longer one practices, and it brings together people of all backgrounds and circumstances.
Our members and teachers work together to create a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment for learning and exploration in this art. The local community is not built upon group affiliations or hierarchical structures.
We welcome all to practice, play, observe, and participate to whatever degree they are comfortable.
