Move better. Feel fearless.
Martial art, acrobatics and Afro-Brazilian culture in one class.
For kids and adults, all levels welcome.
Our services
Weekly classes for children and adults, curriculum-linked schools and nurseries programmes, birthday parties and headline performances. All taught by experienced coaches and rooted in authentic Capoeira.
Adults · Walthamstow
Monday and Wednesday evenings at Walthamstow School for Girls. All levels welcome, no experience needed. New starters get their second month free.
Open class
Kids · Ages 5 to 8
Open class Wednesdays at The Limes Centre, Chigwell. Confidence, coordination, music and the joy of moving well.
After-school clubs, curriculum-linked workshops and cultural heritage days for primary schools across East London and Essex. DBS-checked coaches, safeguarding-ready.
For schools →Movement, story and Brazilian rhythm sessions for early years. Our Bimbao Movers programme brings gentle capoeira-inspired play to nursery groups.
For nurseries →
We come to your venue with martial arts, acrobatics, live music and costume characters. The party they will never forget.
See birthday parties →
Festivals, brand campaigns, corporate events and private parties, from London to the Waldorf Astoria Maldives. Acrobatics, live drums and real stage presence.
Book a performance →
Rui
Maya
Who we are
Capoeira Club Essex was founded by Rui De Sousa and Maya Walters. Rui was born to Angolan parents and spent his early years in Portugal, so the language, music and roots of capoeira are part of his own story. Both grew up in East London and Essex, and between them have over 40 years of training and teaching Capoeira. They opened the club to give the kids and adults on their doorstep what they had growing up: a discipline that shapes you, and a group of people who still know each other decades later.
Today the club runs weekly classes for children and adults, curriculum-linked schools programmes, nurseries, birthday parties and performances across the UK and beyond. We are part of the wider Capoeira Club network, founded by Mestre Hiram Ribeiro.
Why people train with us
DBS-checked
Every coach, every setting
First aid trained
In every class, every session
WAKO insured
Full liability cover for students
Capoeira Club network
London · Essex · Croydon · Leeds · Italy
What people say
From weekly classes to birthday parties,
this is what families and students tell us.
It is a real art to create classes that keep children as young as 2 years old engaged, entertained and learning for nearly an hour. Coach Rui is a wonder. I could not recommend the children's classes more highly and am so grateful to have found Capoeira Club Essex.
Best capoeira club in London. Maya and Molinha are incredible teachers. They foster a great community, always have a plan for their class, and are always pushing us to develop our best selves.
We just had my daughter's 9th birthday party with Rui and it was fantastic - exceeded all of her expectations. Our daughter loves gymnastics, dance and music and capoeira brought all of those together in a new way. Rui even managed to incorporate some Taylor Swift which of course the girls loved! Thank you for everything, and for the flexibility with our last minute change in venue to accommodate the weather!
My children absolutely love their Capoeira club! It is one of the only clubs at school that they can actually do together and they have learned so much from it - from the Capoeira moves, to gymnastics, to Portuguese words and songs! Molinha is amazing with the kids and they also absolutely loved their grading event earlier in the year. Highly recommend!
For the last four years, my son has been working with Professor Molinha, both joining group classes and also taking private lessons. It has been an amazing experience for him because even though Capoeira is a type of martial art, it actually combines elements of dance, acrobatics, and music. He became much stronger and more athletic, improving his core muscles and posture immensely. His coordination developed as well and he has a great sense of rhythm as he plays instruments such as berimbau and pandeiro. Molinha is an old soul, very patient with kids. I feel very lucky that my son spends time with such an amazing individual, a true master in these modern days.
The capoeira club run by Rui are simply excellent! I was mesmerised the performances of the team at an afro-portuguese speaking event. The genuine passion for the art is not only clear but infectious.
My 10 year old son and I began these classes last summer - and we both Love them! Molinha is Such an amazing tutor, effortlessly adapting his teachings to accommodate children, beginners, those more advanced and those with injuries.
I've had the pleasure of knowing Professor Molinha for over a decade and I can confidently say that he is one of the best capoeira teachers I've ever encountered. He introduced me to the art and I've been passionate about it ever since. His skills and dedication are simply incredible. He's always been a role model for me. Professor Molinha is patient, kind and always willing to help his students grow and improve. His classes are challenging yet fun. He creates an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome. No matter what level you're at, he'll meet you where you are and help you reach your full potential. If you want to learn capoeira from the best, look no further than Capoeira Club Essex!
We had fantastic capoeira workshops for children in Years 1 and 2 as part of an enrichment day on Brazil. Everyone loved the sessions and they were a great mix of physical activities, language and music. We would recommend and would definitely book again!
My kids are totally in love with Rui from Capoeira Club Essex. His energy with the kids is incredible and they are totally captivated by him and his classes.
I really admire Maya and Molinha, they are true superheroes not just by their achievements but also by their immense kindness, sensitivity and great energy. It's an honor to train with them.
I first seen capoeira Essex work at a kids party when attending to a friend of my daughter birthday and I was so impressed how awesome, charismatic and energetic Rui (Mola) and Thiago were. I then decided to contact them for my daughters bday, she is small, it was her 3rd bday so I was worried that it would be difficult to keep the kids engaged, but teacher Pink and Pantera came and made is extra special, the 15 kids participated at the whole time, there were stories, activities, movement and music! We loved it, thank you so much for making our day so special! It was fun for the kids and the parents, I highly recommend it!
Really fun instructor who is clearly made to teach kids! Mine settled immediately, love the classes, look forward to it all week, and keep practicing at home!
Love this club... great, attentive and inclusive teaching; fun and inspiring sessions. Fantastic energy. Good space for learning, and everyone is super friendly and encouraging. I get a good workout too! Thanks Rui and Maya x
David has had a wonderful time training Capoeira here. The coaches are encouraging and genuinely care about each child's progress. The whole team is friendly and welcoming, and we would highly recommend this club to any family looking for a supportive environment for their child. Thank you Maya and the team!
I’ve been attending classes weekly for a month now and I’ve had a great time, Rui is a wonderful teacher, raises the energy high during seasions and make classes fun to be at whilst learning the skill of capoeira, I enjoy being there and feel the want to continue, the class are welcoming and friendly and it’s a great way to stay fit and flexible.
Very professional and reliable instructors. The children looked forward to their Capoeira session every week (they loved it !!!). I highly recommend this club.
Wow 🤩 what a brilliant intro class! So much fun, with creative 360-degree drills, juicy hip-openers, and pure joyful energy. Our real hip-star Molinha led the session with such inspiration. I’ve never had this much joy falling, rolling, and play-tackling my friendos. Thanks a million guys 💫
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