Hands down best capoeira in the chicago area. Bambu is an excellent instructor with skills and experience to teach both kids and adults

Axe Capoeira is a safe place for adults and children wanting to learn the art and culture of Brazil in its many forms. The people have been great and I am happy to be a part of it. Salve!

Great place to train and learn. Recommended for the entire family. My son (5 yo) and I both train here and we highly recommend it to everyone.

Truly elite capoeira group! They won’t teach you whatever. The group’s training style, philosophy and performances are up to the highest standards. Axé students get a full Brazilian Cultural experience: capoeira fight style, Brazilian music, language, percussion and Afro-Brazilian dance training with Axé show group. Classes for adults and children are offered 6 days a week and are always on time.Professor Bambu (Steven) is a really cool athlete and coach. And he is amazing with kids! His methods of teaching are focused on understanding purpose of each movement, encouraging training hard within fun, energetic atmosphere of class. And, as a true professional, he always alters workout to students abilities in order to avoid unnecessary injuries.I love to dance, so I really enjoy Axe dance classes. They also do performances, and their dance costumes are the most authentic and absolutely gorgeous!The academy is clean and beautifully decorated. Musical instruments are in good shape, nothing is ever broken. The students are very nice people. Im happy and proud to be a part of Axe Capoeira family.

Amazing place. Bring the kids. The teaching caters to all levels and does it eloquently. No matter what your aspirations may be (simple fitness or a hardcore training lifestyle), Axe Capoeira is the place to do it!

Very welcoming group, and a solid workout. Great for all ages (you should see some of the kids!) and easy to make friends.

Best place to learn Capoeira in the city. The instructors are friendly and highly trained. Classes are available for adults and children. Really inspiring to see what a great community has been built. Congrats to the whole team. If youre looking for a great group of people to challenge yourself and get in great shape, this is the place!

If you are looking for a place to learn capoeira or are interested in learning the art, I would definitely check Axe Capoeira out. It may seem intimidating at first but after just a few classes your confidence and ability will improve drastically. Come regardless of your abilities as the class is tailored to varying levels of the students. It is also a great way to be active, gain flexibility and get exercise. Dont be afraid to come try your first class!If you have young kids this is also a great place to enroll them not only to keep them active, learn new skills, but also learn discipline and hard work. They kids seem to have a blast every time I see their class.If you are interested in Brazilian culture they also have both dance and music classes available and sometimes they take part in performances, parades, and events!

Axe Capoeira is a welcoming community of folx who have continually welcomed me back over the years. It is always great to return to get a dose of culture and a good work out. Also, it is a come as you are place, meaning no matter where I am in terms of training, the attention I receive from instructors is always tailored up or down to help me improve at a comfortable pace.

Amazing place to go and learn such an incredible martial art. Steven is incredibly knowledgable and has many years of experience training and teaching capoeira and fitness. His classes are some of my favourite I have every taken!

Axé Chicago is a high quality academy run by one of the best and most dedicated teachers and athletes I know. If you are looking to start or continue your journey in martial arts, especially capoeira, this is the place to do it.

Great kids classes! Best combination of music, acrobatics and martial arts.

This is a fantastic martial arts academy. It is a great place to not only learn Capoeira, but also, music, dance, and even personal training. I definitely recommend coming here.

Axé Capoeira Chicagos instructor is amazing with children! If youre looking for a martial art that focuses on defensive movements, partner work, community building, this is the place to be. Bonus!! Capoeira teachers acrobatics, playing instruments, singing songs,and Portuguese.

The best capoeira school in Chicago. CM Bambu has been doing capoeira for over 20 years and provides the best quality instruction available

Axe and Contra-mestre Bambu have provided an amazing source of pride, structure, skill, community, and fun for our 6.5 year old over the last 2 years. Theres patience and acceptance and support when needed- firm expectations and honest communication when needed... Overall a healthy and welcoming environment for kids that teaches so much about hard work and dedication without the archaic and unnecessary harshness so many martial arts subject kids to.

A group of competent, dedicated instructors, that will take the time to help you learn and grow in a very unique martial art. you will be sore after first class (i was 15 years ago when I started, and I was again when I returned to the martial art a year ago) but go back for more! You body will adapt and get stronger. Bring a towel and wear a shirt and workout pants.

Ive tried several capoeira schools in Chicago and Axé is definitely the best. The classes are friendly and not intimidating. The instructor effectivly breaks down each movement as well as provides variations allowing everyone to participate at their own level. Ive just started my kids (4 yo and 3yo) and they love it! Look no further, this is the place!

Very happy with the kids program. Professor Bambu is a great teacher. The class is fun, and theres a new lesson each time. The kids learn fundamentals, but it doesnt seem repetitive. They also learn Portuguese, music, and singing.

Voted #1 Capoeira school in Chicago, Axé Capoeira Chicago would be my only choice for capoeira and afro-brazilian dance instruction. Led by Contra-Mestre Bambu, this school offers thorough instruction in all areas of capoeira movement, history and music. Their performance group is top notch lauding traditional folkloric dance styles in beautiful intricate costumes. With classes for both adults and kids, you cant go wrong.

Highly recommend Axé Chicago! A great place to train mind and body, embrace community, and immerse yourself in Brazilian culture.

This Capoeira Academy features a great Professor, students, and environment. Their classes are accessible and welcoming to beginners, as well as for advanced students. If you are interested in Martial Arts, music, and dance, Id recommend trying Capoeira. And if you live in or around Chicago, I would do so at this Academy.

Great quality capoeira being taught there. The instructors are great and able to teach people of all sorts of martial backgrounds (or no background) and different capabilities. Healthy environment to train in and grow, mentally and physically. Kids classes are fun and help children develop confidence and self-esteem. They teach not just the martial arts but all aspects of it: music (everyone gets to learn to play instruments), history, dance, language, etc. everything to do with the AfroBrazilian culture.

It’s an amazing place with amazing people practicing an amazing art. You will not be disappointed coming here.

Axe Capoeira Chicago is a place unlike any other in the city. For adults and children alike, it is a place to come be involved in a community, learn about Brazilian culture, and get a great workout - all under the same roof!Whatever youre looking for, theres something for you here. Music, language, acrobatics, martial arts, dance. The learning is never-ending and accessible to people of all levels.Everyone who enters the building will gain confidence, coordination, and a sense of community. Contra-Mestre Bambu (Steven) is a highly-skilled athlete and more importantly, teacher, who is able to make a class fit any number of experience levels. Cant recommend it enough!

Great place to train martial arts, learn the Brazilian culture, and make friends with a fun and warm community! Teacher is amazing - great skills, patient and lots of insights on life to share!

I really cant say enough positive things about Axe Capoeira. Its martial arts, with cultural immersion, gymnastics, dance, music, language all in one complete package. Its a wholesome, warm, family oriented environment in which instruction takes place. Professor Bambu and the other instructors are highly skilled in their methodology, and professional. The academy excels with both children and adults equally well. I highly recommend this place. My kids enjoy capoeira and Im sure you will too.

My son started at 5 years old this teacher is amazing he is very professional and works very well with children.. My son was proud to be long to a great team.

Kids program is great.. perfect way to get into martial arts.. and I structure is awesome

Awesome Capoeira academy where you can learn aa a beginner or perfect your existing flow. Axe Chicago brings an authentic Brazillian Culture experience to students not only throught the martial art but also through song and dance. I first saw Axes batizado in 2017 or 16 and was very impressed with everyone, from the children capoeiristas to the adults. It wasnt until later I realized the bateria playing were not professionals but students. So come prepared to be fully immersed! Everyone who is with Axe Capoeira Chicago loves this Afro Brazillian martial art and it shows. The instructors are great and the sense of community cultivated in this group is bar none. Contra Mestre Bambu and Gata come highly recommended!

Ive been training with Axe Capoeira for over 10 years and I wouldnt train anywhere else. A good teacher is someone who can expertly convey what theyre trying to show you. A great teacher is someone who can also take what you naturally do and amplify it. Contra-Mestre Bambu is that guy. He will never look to fit you into a bubble and youll never leave a class with Bambu and feel that capoeira is unattainable. I cant do crazy flips and I am by no means the best physically, but I never enter a roda thinking or feeling that I dont belong or that I cant compete. I owe that to Contra-Mestre Bambu.In addition to the expert training, Axe Chicago is where ive met some of the best and most important people in my life. Wouldnt trade those jerks for anything. Id go into any roda with them.

Fantastic academy with superb instruction. I often make trips to Chicago just to train here with Contra-Mestre Bambu. Capoeira, Brasilian dance, Brasilian music, Portuguese. There is so much to learn here. I highly recommend it.

I have been going since January. The instruction is excellent. Regardless of your level and the class you attend, Professor Bambu adjusts the instruction by breaking it down so that you feel comfortable and encouraged. Beyond capoeira, you also get immersed in Brazilian culture by learning Brazilian dance (dance classes are included for free in membership), songs, and music. The dance teacher, Gata, designs really great customs that are used in the choreographies and performances. This is a really well rounded group. Theres a sense of community with the other students. I would highly recommend anyone to try a free trial class.

I started training (rigorously) with Instrutor Bambu in 2001, and even though I moved to another state in 2004, I still maintain contact with him and continue to visit his academy in Chicago from time to time. As the previous reviewer mentioned, the passion and brotherhood of the grupo is amazing! Essentially where ever you go, if youre in the grupo then you are family. Instrutor Bambu is very passionate about what he teaches and he has maintained a level of quality both in teaching and capoeira that I aspire to. His level of detail and attentiveness to each individual students makes you feel that he is genuinely interested and want to turn you into a better capoeirista. I highly recommend his academy to anyone interested.

No words can describe!