Language
Portuguese
Duration
1hora/1Dia
Difficulty
Beginner
Next Date
29/04/2026

Capoeira workshop in Avintes, Gaia for complete beginners who want to discover one of Brazil’s most extraordinary cultural traditions through movement, music and philosophy. Led by Luciano Milani, a capoeirista with nearly four decades of practice who began his journey in São Paulo in 1986 and has been teaching and developing capoeira in Portugal since 2004, this session introduces you to the history, philosophy and fundamental movements of capoeira in a welcoming and accessible format. The session takes place at Rua Futebol Clube Avintes, next to the CTT. Available in English and Portuguese.

The session moves through the core elements of a beginner capoeira practice in sequence: a warm-up and stretching to prepare the body, the ginga as the foundational movement of capoeira, basic strikes and movements, teaching sequences that build understanding progressively, and the cantigas, the songs that are inseparable from capoeira practice and give it its distinctive rhythm and cultural depth. All you need is comfortable sports clothing, a willingness to try and the belief that anything is possible, including seeing the world upside down.

What you’ll learn

🥋 The history of capoeira and its cultural and philosophical roots

🥋 The ginga, the fundamental movement that underlies all of capoeira

🥋 Basic strikes and defensive movements

🥋 Teaching sequences that build understanding and body memory progressively

🥋 The cantigas of capoeira and the role of music in the practice

What’s included

🎵 Full guided beginner capoeira session with Luciano Milani throughout

🎵 Introduction to capoeira history, philosophy and musical tradition

🎵 Warm-up, stretching, movement practice and teaching sequences

What to bring

Comfortable sports clothing and footwear. No prior martial arts or dance experience needed.

What you leave with

A genuine introduction to one of the most culturally rich and physically expressive practices in the world, the ginga in your body, the songs in your head and a completely new perspective on movement.

I am Luciano Milani, capoeirista, circus performer, trainer, researcher and creator of Portal Capoeira. I began my capoeira journey in 1986 in São Paulo under Mestre Silvestre of Grupo Capoeira Vera Cruz and have trained under some of the most respected masters in the tradition since then. In 2004 I founded Grupo Capoeira Mogadouro in Portugal and launched Portal Capoeira. In 2013 I was promoted to Contramestre in Porto. Nearly forty years of capoeira have taught me that this practice is never just about fighting or dancing. It is about a way of seeing and moving through the world.

Sessions available in English and Portuguese. Location: Rua Futebol Clube Avintes, next to the CTT. No prior experience needed. Wear comfortable sports clothing.