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Capoeirista flipping during a capoeira performance by Tucson Capoeira – United Capoeira Association in Tucson, Arizona

Since 1996 · Tucson’s first capoeira school · United Capoeira Association

Capoeira classes in Tucson, Arizona

Afro-Brazilian martial art, music and movement for kids, teens and adults. No experience needed – your first class is free.

  • Ages 3 → adultKids, teens & adults
  • 3 days a weekMon · Wed · Fri
  • 22nd St & Country ClubCulture Connects Studio

Classes for every age

Capoeira programs in Tucson

Martial arts, acrobatics, live music and Brazilian Portuguese – taught in a safe, welcoming community. Start with an 8-week session or a free trial class.

Preschool children ages 3 to 5 in a Pre-Capoeira class at Tucson Capoeira, Tucson AZ

Ages 3–5

Pre-Capoeira

A playful first step into capoeira: simple movements, games, songs and instruments that build coordination, confidence and social skills.

Kids martial arts in Tucson – youth capoeira students ages 6 to 12 training together

Ages 6–12 · Mon, Wed & Fri

Youth Capoeira

Kids build flexibility, agility, rhythm and acrobatic skill, learn Portuguese words and songs, and grow real self-confidence.

Teen and adult capoeira performers at Tucson Capoeira – United Capoeira Association, Arizona

Ages 13+ · Mon, Wed & Fri

Adult & Teen

A full-body workout that’s part fight, part dance, part music. All levels welcome – no experience or uniform needed to start.

Getting started

Start capoeira in 3 easy steps

  1. 1

    Pick a class

    Choose the kids, teen or adult class that fits your week – every class is beginner-friendly.

    See the schedule
  2. 2

    Book your free class

    Fill in the short form below or call/text us. We’ll confirm within a day.

    Book now
  3. 3

    Show up & play

    Wear comfy clothes – we train barefoot. Arrive 10 minutes early and we’ll take it from there.

    Get directions

Everyone has a place in the roda

  • Preschool Pre-Capoeira students at Tucson Capoeira in Tucson, Arizona Little ones Ages 3–5
  • Youth capoeira students in a kids martial arts class in Tucson Kids Ages 6–12
  • Woman training capoeira at Tucson Capoeira – United Capoeira Association Women All levels
  • Men performing capoeira with Tucson Capoeira in Arizona Men All levels
  • Tucson Capoeira families and students together after class Families Train together
  • Mestre Besouro, head instructor of Tucson Capoeira – United Capoeira Association Mestres Real lineage
Capoeira teacher leading a group class at Tucson Capoeira – UCA, the first capoeira school in Tucson, Arizona

Tucson’s first capoeira school

Afro-Brazilian martial arts, music & community

Capoeira is an African-rooted martial art from Brazil that combines self-defense, acrobatics, dance-like movement and live music. At Tucson Capoeira – UCA we honor that history while building strength, discipline and family in every class.

We are part of the United Capoeira Association, a Capoeira Regional lineage that traces back to Mestre Bimba. Students come from all over Tucson and Southern Arizona – women, femmes and the LGBTQ+ community are especially encouraged to join.

  • Experienced, certified UCA instructors
  • Live berimbau, atabaque and pandeiro in class
  • Cordão (belt) ranking and yearly Batizado
  • Sibling and family discounts
What is capoeira?

Our story

Five centuries of capoeira – and 30 years in Tucson

Born in resistance in Brazil, passed from mestre to student, and brought to Tucson in 1996. Every class you take continues the story.

  1. 1500s–1800s Born in resistance

    Enslaved Africans in Brazil hide a fighting art inside music and dance.

  2. 1932–1940 Mestre Bimba opens the doors

    Capoeira Regional is born, the first academy opens, and capoeira becomes legal.

  3. UCA From Bahia to America

    Mestre Acordeon, a direct student of Mestre Bimba, and Mestre Rã found the United Capoeira Association.

  4. 1996 Capoeira comes to Tucson

    Contramestre Dondi “Enxu” Marble founds Capoeira Malandragem – Tucson’s first capoeira school.

  5. 2022 Mestre Besouro

    Besouro receives the rank of Mestre de Primeiro Grau.

Read the full story

Your story starts here

From first class to capoeira family

  1. Week 1

    Your first class

    You learn the ginga – capoeira’s swaying base step – plus a few kicks, dodges and your first song in Portuguese. Nobody expects you to know anything. That’s the point.

  2. Month 1

    Your first roda

    The group forms a circle, the berimbau starts to play, and you step in to “play” your first game. Your heart pounds. Everyone claps and sings for you.

  3. Year 1

    Your batizado

    At our yearly Batizado, visiting mestres play with you in front of family and friends. You receive your first cordão – and often your capoeira nickname.

  4. For life

    Your capoeira family

    Strength, music, a second language and friends across the world. Our students have trained with us for years – some parents now train next to their kids.

Start with a free class

Class schedule

When we train

Culture Connects Studio · 3000 E. 22nd Street, Suite 101, Tucson, AZ 85713

Monday

  • Youth Capoeira (6–12)
  • Adults & Teens (13+)

Wednesday

  • Youth Capoeira (6–12)
  • Adults & Teens (13+)

Friday

  • Youth Capoeira (6–12)
  • Adults & Teens – no uniform needed

Membership

Simple, family-friendly pricing

Your first class is always free. Sibling and family plans available.

  • Beginners session (adults & teens) $125 8 weeks
  • Pre-Capoeira (ages 3–5) $85 8 weeks
  • Youth (ages 6–12) $85 / month
  • Youth with sibling $130 / month 2 kids
  • Teens $100 / month
  • College students $100 / month
  • Adults $125 / month
  • Family plan $275 / month

See plans & sign up Or try a free class first

More ways to train

Private lessons, samba & performances

Private training

One-on-one capoeira sessions that engage every muscle group and build flexibility, balance, coordination and endurance – at your pace.

Ask about private lessons

Samba & dance class

For dancers who want to learn and polish samba no pé footwork, posture and performance skills.

Ask about samba

Performances & workshops

Bring capoeira, live Afro-Brazilian music and maculelê to your school, festival, library or community event anywhere in Southern Arizona.

Book us for your event

Why capoeira?

More than a workout

Strength

Handstands, rolls and kicks build real upper-body and leg power.

Flexibility

Low, flowing movement opens hips, hamstrings and shoulders.

Cardio & stamina

A lively game in the roda is serious conditioning.

Self-defense

Evasions, sweeps and awareness you can actually use.

Confidence

Kids and adults grow braver every time they enter the roda.

Music & culture

Play berimbau, sing in Portuguese and learn Afro-Brazilian history.

Why parents choose Tucson Capoeira Why learn capoeira with us

Your first class

Three moves you’ll learn on day one

Capoeira student learning the Ginga at Tucson Capoeira in Tucson, Arizona
GingaThe swaying base step every capoeira game grows from – always moving, never an easy target.
Capoeira student learning the Aú at Tucson Capoeira in Tucson, Arizona
AúCapoeira’s cartwheel: hands on the floor, eyes on your partner, feet over the top.
Capoeira student learning the Meia-lua de frente at Tucson Capoeira in Tucson, Arizona
Meia-lua de frenteThe “half-moon” kick – a sweeping arc that builds balance, hip mobility and control.

Google reviews

What our families say

My daughter and I have been going for 4 years now. If you haven’t tried capoeira before, why not learn from one of the oldest capoeira schools in Tucson.

— nichols4520

We are new to capoeira but have been very pleased with this experience for our kids. Building strength of mind, body and character while also having fun. Safe environment and community involvement is A+.

— Brittany Smith

I went for a first class and I was impressed – such a lovely community, and the mestre was cool and patient. I highly recommend these classes.

— MORTAL rose

Questions

Capoeira in Tucson – FAQ

What is capoeira?

Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian martial art created by enslaved Africans in Brazil. It blends self-defense, acrobatics, dance-like movement, live music and song, and is recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Where are capoeira classes held in Tucson?

Classes meet at Culture Connects Studio, 3000 E. 22nd Street, Suite 101, Tucson, AZ 85713 – El Campo / Food City Plaza at 22nd St & Country Club Rd, next to Family Dollar.

Do I need experience or to be in shape to start?

No. Beginners of every fitness level are welcome and every class is scaled to the student. Capoeira itself builds your strength, flexibility, balance and cardio over time.

What ages can train capoeira?

We teach Pre-Capoeira for ages 3–5, Youth Capoeira for ages 6–12, and Adult & Teen classes for ages 13 and up. Families often train together.

Is the first class free?

Yes – your first trial class is free. Call or text 520-603-8043 or use the free-trial form to reserve a spot.

What should I wear to my first class?

Comfortable athletic clothes you can move in – sweatpants or leggings and a t-shirt. We train barefoot. Uniforms (abadás) come later and are not required for Friday classes.

Which capoeira group is Tucson Capoeira part of?

Tucson Capoeira is a member academy of the United Capoeira Association (UCA), a Capoeira Regional lineage that traces back to Mestre Bimba.

Free trial class

Book your free capoeira class in Tucson

Tell us who’s coming and we’ll save you a spot. No experience, uniform or fitness level required – just comfortable clothes.

  • First class 100% free
  • Kids, teens, adults & families
  • Reply within one day

Prefer to talk? 520-603-8043

Who is the class for?

No experience needed. We’ll only use your info to set up your class.

Find us

Visit our Tucson studio

United Capoeira Association logo

Member academy of the United Capoeira Association · Capoeira Regional lineage of Mestre Bimba · Proudly teaching at Culture Connects Studio, Tucson

Your first class is on us.

Come play in the roda. No experience, no uniform, no problem.

Call Directions Free class