I had taken classes more for the workout in years past and stopped all together for a few years. Then I was attacked by a deranged man on the subway and I had an urge to get back into martial arts to keep my defences sharp. In my view Capoeira is a truly holistic and historic art form and something I will definitely teach my children. Culture,martial arts, musicianship, philosophy, dance, fun and excercise all in one! I have been lucky to find this epic capoeira group and this instructor Colibri. I played in other cities and places and didn't get the attention to technique, culture and music like this one. Not to mention the first thing I noticed was the diversity of folks attending class as well as the very welcoming fun atmosphere. That has not been my experience with other groups especially for a beginner.Young,older,experienced, folks from all socio-economic levels, thin,thick, femme/masculine, straight gay,beginner, american,foreigner,black,white, asian, etc.. I have been training with this group for over 2 years now and the impact all the training has made in my philosophy on life as well as physical agility and strength are so worth the effort put into coming to class. Our group is super friendly too even for a weirdo like myself, they have become my extended family, my friends. If you are looking for a group to grow your capoeira with you really should give it a try, Im certain you will thank yourself later. read more

This is one of the best Capoeira groups out there! Moving to Chicago I had to leave my old capoeira group and look for a new one to practice with and joining Capoeira Brasil was the perfect choice. Formanda Colibri is an exceptional instructor who takes each student in to the group just as if you were family. She gives each student her full attention during class whether there are 3 students or 10 and really ensures you are learning and progressing. You will definitely learn fast and want to keep coming back for more. It's an incredible total body work out too. Whether you are looking to be a capoerista and advance your abilities or just looking for the occasional work out, this is a great group to be a part of. The other students are all very diverse and interesting as well as very welcoming to newcomers of all shapes, sizes and abilities. Pricing is very fair considering the quality of instruction you are receiving from a world recognized capoerista who is well respected in the capoeira community. Pay per class or by the month and get unlimited classes. Come to a class, try it out and see for yourself. You'll be glad you did. read more

When I first began playing Capoeira it was my plan to visit other groups to get a feel of the different styles and teaching methods. However, after my very first class the students were so passionate about Colibri I never tried the other groups. As such I have had the privilege to train with the only female black cord in the United States under Grupo Capoeira Brasil. Colibri is not only a phenomenal teacher but a great friend. Joining GCB Chicago creates a whole new set of friends and family. In general, Grupo Capoeira Brasil is a tight knit community but for those new to Chicago Colibri and the rest of the capoeiristas will welcome you into the fold. We have BBQs, street rodas ("r" is pronounced as an "h"), class at the beach, performances at local street festivals, and even international travel! GCB Capoeira is a great place to begin your Capoeira journey. Colibri is an excellent teacher and you will gain a strong foundation equipped with quickly learning how to avoid attacks! The class is taught in a safe and friendly environment with padded floors. We look forward to seeing you at the next class!! read more

Formanda Colibri is without a doubt one of the best female capoeiristas in New York if not in the world, but beyond being a great capoeirista, she is also an amazing teacher. The class size is generally small so she gives abundant feedback and you will learn fast. As in any capoeira class, the names of most of the movements are in portuguese, so you'll also get to work on your language skills. The class is physically challenging and usually starts with a warm-up, then we move on to basic moves, and, finally, we begin working in partners, which is the most important part of capoeira. There are also people of all shapes, ages and sizes but one of the great things about Colibri is that she values everyone's growth and progress. This class is really one of the best kept secrets in New York: small, personalized and dynamic. I almost didn't want to write a review so I could keep her all to myself, but I also want to keep her in business... read more

Capoeira is a total workout. It strengthens and conditions your body, and it exercises your mind and wit at the same time. I recommend it to anybody and everybody. Try it out! Mestre Colibri is not only a talented capoeirista, but a dedicated teacher as well. People from all over the world come to Chicago to learn from her and to attend her special events. If you've done capoeira before, training with Mestre Colibri will help you add more complexity and finesse to your game. When it comes to new students, Mestre Colibri is patient and diligent in teaching them; beginners usually learn very quickly with her. She is also excellent at teaching kids. Whether you are a seasoned martial artist, or someone looking for a new workout, check out the Chicago Capoeira Center. Mestre Colibri also teaches at the Japanese Culture Center (off of the Belmont CTA station) twice a week. read more

I met Colibri when she came to Chicago as a guest for Grupo Capoeira Brasil's batizado in 2011. I was amazed how good she was and her energy in the roda. She can play just as well, if not better than most male capoeiristas. As she started giving classes after coming to Chicago, it became apparent that she is incredibly dedicated to Capoeira as a martial art, its culture, history, and community. The thing I enjoy most about training with Colibri, is that she teaches you to leave the ego at the door, have lots of fun, and challenge yourself to improve your game. Whether it's your first capoeira class, or if you've been training for more than ten years, you will learn, have fun, and feel welcome training with Formanda Colibri. read more

You're not going to find a better capoeira teacher in Chicago. Period. Colibri works well with everybody, from the absolute beginner to the advanced. There's a kids class too! Even if you're lost and "confused" (haha inside joke!), she's the best. (She's internationally recognized too, FYI.) Her diverse group of students is more like a community than simple "hi's" and "bye's." It's hard NOT to feel the love! You can always count on having a good time laughing as well as working up a good sweat in class. Outside of class too, there's BBQ's, picnics, classes in the park and at the beach, dinners, parties, birthdays...margaritas. There's so much more to be said! Just come to class and feel it out for yourself :) read more

Capoeira with Formanda Colibri is the best! Classes are a lot of fun, it's a great workout, and Colibri is an excellent teacher. She is great at explaining the techniques, motivating us, and gives us lots of individual feedback to help us advance. The classes are mixed level, which I really enjoy. It gives beginners a chance to see where we can get to, and the advanced students are very welcoming to newcomers. I came with no capoeira experience and found it to be a warm, non-intimidating and fun group to train with. Colibri's level of skill and enthusiasm for capoeira is top notch. I couldn't ask for a better instructor, and highly recommend training with her. read more

Formanda Colibri's class is a true joy/gem in NYC Capoeira. Her energy is raw and she keeps the class moving with so many techniques and exercises that before you know it the class is finished. Her explanations of the movements helped me bridge the gap between just practicing movements and applying them in the roda. As a long time student of Capoeira I really enjoyed the way she taught both beginners and advanced students in the same class and kept all levels stimulated and challenged. And the bonus is walking away with a couple Brasilian Portuguese phrases from her class!! Nice find!! read more

Best class i've ever taken!!! The teacher takes the necessary time to make sure all the students understand the movements, and works with everyone at the level they are at. The class was a mix of Maculele (stick dance) and Samba as warmups, followed by movements and sequences of Capoeira. I have several years experience, but learn something new at every class, new movement or new song, plus much. Definitely check out this class if you are looking for a total body workout, and mind challenger, working reflexes and memory and much more! read more

I had stopped Capoeira for many years because I could not find a teacher that I liked, this is it for me. Best Capoeira class in NYC in my opinion, really good level, technique & energy. Formanda Colibri is an amazing teacher, she really takes the time to correct each person individually she also keeps on training and playing all the time in order to bring new material to class. Most importantly, she is a really fun person to be around! If you have never done Capoeira before, it is the best butt work out there ;-) read more

I took my first ever capoeira class with Colibiri a few days ago it was the best experience ever. It is a fun yet challenging work out and you get so into it that you don't even realize that you've sweat it out for an hour and a half. Colibri takes the time to explain all the movements and make sure you do it the right way - it was almost a one to one class for me and I loved it! Now I know where brazilians get their energy (and toned curves!) from! I'm definitely ditching pilates and signing up for capoeira now! read more

Colibri is an amazing teacher. Rarely will you find an instructor with such a depth of experience and knowledge. She does an amazing job making sure that beginner's fundamentals are solid, but also does a great job teaching more advanced students (as a beginner, I don't get as much first hand experience with this). Colibri's groups are mixed with beginner and advanced students but high, positive energy is consistent throughout the group. Definitely the best place to train capoeira in Chicago! read more

Great group of capoeiristas and amazing teacher! Colibri has devoted over 26 years of her life to capoeira, and as a teacher she is happy to share her knowledge and love of the art with her students. Classes are fun and full of energy - be prepared to sweat! Students have the opportunity to train and participate in capoeira events/workshops in Brazil, within the US, and throughout the world. Wonderful teacher and kick-ass group of students, one of the many reasons I enjoy training here! read more

Few activities offer the fun and fitness of Capoeira, and Colibri is one of the best instructors that anyone could ever hope to learn from. She has a wonderful store of knowledge of all aspects of Capoeira, and beginners are always welcome. Fair warning though - you won't want to leave. You won't have a better time, getting a better workout, anywhere else. Go out of your way to attend a class with Colibri and the Capoeristas at her school! read more

Colibri is an absolutely incredible teacher. She loves the game so much and wants to share that love and joy with anyone who wants to learn. I started as a beginner and have very little natural ability for the sport, but with hard work and Colibri's patience I improved so much during the year I trained with her! The rest of her group is also awesome! So welcoming and supportive of newcomers. read more

Colibri is the best Capoeira teacher in Chicago! I have trained with several groups in this city, and GCB by far has the best energy. Her classes are mixed level, and beginners drop in often. People travel from out of state and even from outside the US to train with Colibri. If anyone is interested in learning martial arts or Brazilian culture, there is no better place than with Colibri. read more

Capoeira Brasil is a very good, fun, and intense place to train. The Mestres and other Instructors are very knowledgable and passionate about the Capoeira art form. I am especially a fan of Formanda Colibri. She is awesome! They are also very friendly and acceptable. I would recommend to anyone that was interested in Capoeira. read more

I had a wonderful month training with Mestra Colibri. She has built a strong sense of community which is a nice unwind after the intense practice and play!! Unfortunately, my schedule did not permit me to continue study of this beautiful discipline, but I very much enjoyed the experience and the friendships : ) read more