MOVE! Studio

My two kids and I train capoeira here and it’s been a great experience for our whole family. My son (age 8) started here 14 months ago and it has been the first extracurricular activity that he has truly loved and stuck with. His little sister (4) couldn’t wait to start her own Kinder Capoeira class recently. All of us love the cultural aspects of capoeira (singing, history, music, Portuguese language, etc.) and the physical aspects are great (but certainly not easy).
The capoeira community at Move! is another great aspect of this place. From the little kids (and their parents) to the older, adult students, everybody is really invested in making this a true community resource and gathering place. The school is led by Patrick Hilligan (Mestre Galego), a capoeirista with a great pedigree (he was taught by the great Mestre Acordeon). Galego has a great style with kids. He can have fun with them (and they love to have fun with him) but he also can keep things serious when they need to be and the kids really respect him (more than their parents, it seems!).
The school has a great beginners promotion where you can take unlimited classes over 20 days for only $ 20. For that price, there’s almost no downside to giving capoeira a try.

I purchased the 20 day trial for my daughter in July 2015. Classes had 20 – 30 students and 1 or 2 teachers. I noticed that their schedule has changed since then. There is a class for older kids and one for younger kids. Class size might be better now.
The teachers were not very enthusiastic about teaching. They didn’t make the class exciting. Also, some of the things that the they had the kids do seemed unsafe. The kids needed more supervision.
The teacher would have a 15 minute meeting with the kids at the beginning of every class. I’m not sure if this was a normal thing or in preparation for their event they were going to have.
My daughter did the 20 days, but didn’t want to sign up.
They don’t return phone calls or answer the phone. I’ve never emailed them. Their kids program wasn’t very organized. There didn’t seem to be direction, goals or a plan of action for teaching.
One star is for being a locally owned small business. One star for teaching a traditional Brazilian martial art in Sacramento. One star for reasonable prices and having a 20 day trial.

TERRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE… I have been trying to connect with this studio for a week… called — no answer, left a message — no reply, left 2 messages with the African Dance instructor — no reply, called instructor two more times w/​out a message — no answer. Wow… what a way to do business…

Move! is a spacious, clean, and well-​equipped studio for dance and fitness. Classes include capoeira, hip hop, Zumba, strength and conditioning, and kinder gym. I and my children have taken classes in all of the above and have found all of the classes to be of a high quality.
Some Specifics:
1. Zumba classes are energetic and true to the dances which inspire the movements.
2. Strength and conditioning classes are led by the owner who has a Masters degree in physical education and has decades of experience in different movements and exercise regimens. He is adept at adapting workouts to meet students’ abilities and needs.
3. The capoeira classes and community of capoeira practitioners (Agua de Beber Capoeira) located at Move! are spectacular. Folks are welcoming of new arrivals regardless of experience in the art. Classes, again led by the owner, a Mestre (master) of the art are modified for participants’ level.
4. Kids are an integral part of the environment of Move! There is kinder gym and capoeira classes specifically for children and the physical plant is designed for children and adults alike.

My daughter has been training at this studio for a couple of years. Capoeira is great for kids and adults alike. It is a no (or minimal)-contact martial art that emphasizes self control, focusing on harmonizing with your opponent, and discipline. The great part is that the students also learn a little (or a lot of) Portuguese, Brazilian culture, traditional songs and instruments. They advance not only by mastery of certain movements, but also by performing acts of service to their community and their studio.
I’ve come to really appreciate the owner/​mestre at MOVE! He is patient but direct with the kids. He encourages them but they have to earn his praise. He’s worked so hard and put so much of himself into this community and into this studio, there’s no WAY you would walk away from this place feeling anything but great. The prices are more than fair, way less than I’ve paid for any other activity my daughter has enrolled in. And with the addition of gym and dance, yoga, Brazilian Jiu-​Jitsu, and Variety Nights it looks like there’s something for everyone.
If you haven’t already, drop in sometime to check out a class. You won’t regret it :)