Amazing Instructors. Great Location. Has a variety of Classes including Santa Monica Ballet Folklorico Dance classes read more

They moved this studio to 2116 Pico Blvd and we followed Mestre Batata for great Capoeira classes! We take capoeira for kids classes which are very interactive, dynamic and fun! He usually starts his classes with warming exercises, then work on a circuit to develop different body movements and coordination. Kids love the gymnastics! Then, they learn some specific martial arts moves (yes! That's capoeira), and play the roda (circle) where they have to learn to read their opponent and respond to it. In the end, kids play percussion instruments and sing together! read more

I'm a capoeirista from Capoeira Batuque and love to train here at least once or twice a month. The school is run by Mestre Batata. He also has yoga and dance classes other than capoeira. Mestre Batata is such a nice funny guy and his singing in the roda is compelling and full of axe. The people are warm, friendly and welcome and the school is very impressive looking. Berimabaus and pictures are decorated on the walls. They have clean, hardwood floors here and since I train in the Valley with hard foam mats I wear my Pumas to prevent blisters. They have kids and adult classes throughout the week and open rodas the first Saturdfays. read more

Capoeira Besouro - Berimbaus - Martial Arts Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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Last summer I decided to try this place out because I've always wanted to learn capoeira and this studio is within walking distance from my house. From the first class I took I knew it was a first-rate class and Mestre Batata is excellent at making you feel included and supported if you're a first time capoeira person like I was. That being said, it became clear after a month or so that I am simply not cut out to do capoeira, plus I moved across the country for six months and couldn't continue at this studio. Still, despite my seemingly natural inability to capoeira half as good as anyone else, Batata was helpful, kind, and encouraging. If you're looking to learn capoeira, I highly recommend this studio. Have fun, stay strong, and give it a month at least! read more

When I started at Capoeira Besouro, I was brand new to LA and (1) didn't know many people, (2) was pretty out of shape, (3) definitely could NOT spin upside-down on my hands. That's all changed. If you want to get lean and strong, make some cool friends, and learn some sick moves, you're in the right place. First off, capoeira itself is just awesome. It's a Brazilian martial art that incorporates elements of dance and acrobatics. It's done to music and looks a bit like break dancing, combining sweeping kicks with flips and spins. This might sound intimidating, but it's easy to get into and super fun, even when you're a beginner and can't do the flashier moves yet. Sparring in capoeira is called "playing" and is like a flowing, improvised combat dance with lots of dodging and evasion, not much hard contact. The goal is to show your skill and have fun, not to hurt each other. Mestre Batata, who runs the studio, is a great teacher and makes sure that everyone gets the attention they need in class, especially new people. He's also just an awesome guy, and his ridiculous sense of humor keeps class light and fun. It's a killer workout, but you almost don't notice how hard you're exercising because class is so engaging and the moves you're learning are so cool. Training at Besouro has also been a great way for me to meet people and make friends. The studio has a strong community feel, and the students hang out a lot outside of class. It's how I met a lot of my closest friends in LA. Mestre Batata plays a big part in making the studio feel like family, and he takes a personal interest in all of us, not just how we're doing with capoeira but what's going on in our lives. Anyway, I'm really glad I started training here. It's been really easy to stick to working out when it's this fun, and I get to see my friends a few times a week while I'm at it. I wholeheartedly recommend checking out Capoeira Besouro. read more

When I was looking for a Capoeira school last year, this was one of the schools I tried before picking. Although I signed up regularly with Mestre Beneco at Capoeira Brasil instead of this school, I still had a great experience here. Mestre Batata was super friendly and welcoming. My class only had 5-7 students so we all got personalized attention. He took the time to modify moves for the newbies and add combinations for the more advanced students. He keeps the energy up with his strong fun personality and his singing. As with all Capoeira schools, you will get a great work out! The warm ups, the drills, and the playing in the mini Roda at the end will definitely get you to sweat and feel sore the next day if it is your first time. They have classes 7 days a week (some in the morning and some at night). Also, your first class is free so there should be no excuse to give it a try. Be sure to bring water, comfortable clothes that breathe, and a lot of energy. Just a warning it is a little hard to find so be sure to give yourself a little bit of time before the start of the class to find it and fill out paper work for the first time. read more

I absolutely love this studio and the beautiful couple who have built a space that is fully functional in a variety of different moveme t modalities. The pro gear for use in the room is easily and quickly rearranged between classes, allowing for smooth transitions during the busy hours of the day. I highly recommed this studio's schedule of classes! read more

Awesome class, friendly instructors, students are very encouraging.

Great location for different types of dance on the Westside. The studio is super clean and they have several cubbies and areas for storage. Parking is pretty easy whether you park on the street or in the structure. I have attended salsa and mambo events and really enjoy the dance community that comes out. read more

I've never tried Capoeira, am far from being in shape, and when it comes to dance moves, I have about seven left feet. I've always been interested in martial arts but at the age of 31, I'm really looking for something fun and strenuous to get be back into shape that will keep my interest, rather than an art that is primarily defensive or offensive. This is a very well balanced art form that seems to be an equal cross between martial arts, dance, gymnastics, and acrobatics. If you're looking for something potentially lethal, fierce, or competitive, this is not the art for you. I tried Capoeira Besouro last Monday night with my fiancee and we loved it. Regardless of your skill level, competency, or endurance, this is an ass kicking workout that is a blast. The teacher was extremely encouraging, fun, humorous, patient, and challenging. Stretching, squatting, bending, and yes cartwheeling was so much fun. They played Brazilian music the entire time and there was a real feeling of playfulness in the air. You move at your own pace and move with others rather than against them. It was awesome. We left the class limping from the extreme workout and were both super sore the very next day. Everything was sore. All my abs, legs, arms, ass, back, EVERYTHING. This is a total work out and the school has a lot to offer. The classes are small, the studio is very spacious, and everyone is very welcoming. There's a reason this school as a five star average rating. If you're interested in getting in shape, this is a great place to do it. read more

This place is awesome! I brought my nephew here for his first classes with Batata and he Loved it! The students are amazing and the instructors great! I really encourage anyone considering capoeira to take some classes here. My nephew is hooked! My brother will join him next month! read more

I have been training at Capoeira Besouro off and on for almost 6 years. Mestre Batata is humorous, welcoming, approachable, full of confidence and will give the shirt off his back for anyone. He is a top notch capoeirista with many decades of experience in Capoeira. Mestre Batata's teaching style can get any beginner to a base level of ability quickly and can help refine/polish the technique of experienced players. The training environment of the studio is both encouraging and positive. I will be forever grateful for the many hours I spent training here...the encouragement from other students, instructors, professors...and Mestre Batata for introducing me to this art that I love dearly. read more

I also train at Capoeira Batuque. Each time I've trained at Besouro were during Batizados. There's always a good welcoming vibe along with good Capoeira there. Some of my favorite workshops were were at the place. I can't wait for the next encounters. read more

I take the Tuesday afternoon Zumba Class with Rita Goldstein. She is a great teacher! The class is challenging but I'm never completely lost as Rita spends time teaching the steps. It's alot of fun and a great workout! read more

Mestre Batata is very down to Earth and the best capoeira teacher that I've encountered. He has a way of making the point of movements very obvious. Also for fitness buffs: I've never sweat so much as during a capoeira class here. read more

If I could, I would give Capoeira Besouro 10 stars! I joined Capoeira Besouro almost 3 years ago. I actually started in Capoeira back in 2005 with Batuque in Santa Barbara, then I had to move back home, where I practiced Angola with a local group for a while until 2007, when I decided to take a break. I went back to Capoeira in Spring 2009, and that was with Mestre Batata & Capoeira Besouro! I got to know of the school through some friends I made during the years through Capoeira. I decided to give it a try, and I loved it! Batata is very welcoming of new students, and makes everyone feel comfortable with the space and the people around them. All of the students were immediately nice, willing to assist, they were introducing themselves and making you feel like home. Mestre Batata is simply amazing: always happy, always smiling, always willing to help and always there for you. He has a great personality, and he has an enormous amount of experience with this art. He started Capoeira at age 8, and has been teaching it for over 30 years. If you decide to go to Capoeira Besouro, you will be going to a great place to train, and you will be sure that Mestre Batata will be there teaching in person 9 classes out of 10. No matter how busy he is, he is always there for his students. He wants to make sure everyone has the best environment around to practice with. He even holds acrobatics classes every once in a while to help us work on the hardest moves. Additionally, I have been meeting a lot of awesome people and friends through Capoeira Besouro. It is much more than just a great, fun, enjoyable exercise: it is like a family. A place where you can feel welcomed anytime, and where is there is awesome and positive energy all around! read more

When I first moved back to LA one of my first priorities was to look for a good capoeira studio where I can get a good workout and become part of the capoeira community, which included building a good relationship with the Mestre and other people at the studio. After looking around I knew within 5 minutes taking a class at Capoeira Besouro with Mestre Batata that I found the perfect match! Every capoeirista was very welcoming, encouraging and really engaging with all the new people of the studio, and so excited to have someone interested in learning the art of capoeira. I've developed amazing friendships at this studio and have encompassed capoeira into my life. This is definitely a great place to meet some positive, energetic people while learning about a different culture and getting a great workout! read more

Mestre Batata has a heart of gold, and a kitchen of magic! He hosted a huge group of us at his school when we came by as part of Mestre Acordeon's bike ride from Berkeley, CA to Bahia, Brazil (www.b2bjogacapoeira.com). His capoeira is playful but forceful and his studio is top-notch. Thanks for everything Mestre! read more