Contemplative Capoeira

Join us for an all-level Capoeira class with Reggie "Reisa" Harrison. Offered weekly on Sundays the class is free and open to the public. Starts September 20, 2026, from 2:00-3:00pm. 

Capoeira is a martial art often known for its high flying kicks, stunning acrobatics, and amazing feats of body control. But, what is often left out of any video on the internet is the telling of the heart, mind, and spirit of this art of flow & balance. In Contemplative Capoeira, we step into the world of cultivating just that to experience what Capoeira truly embodies at its core: the deep vision in the mirror of the heart and soul of every individual. 

How do you connect with your body to become more embodied and balanced? How do you engage mind to develop a centered state of awareness of yourself and others? How do you show up in community? How do you stand in your own sovereignty and authenticity and express that self wholly and confidently? Lastly, how does this all relate to the flow of movement? Contemplative Capeoira 

In this journey through Contemplative Capoeira, we will explore just that through movement, music, and community. Come ready to learn, move and meet growth edges in a fun, supportive environment. This is a non-contact class designed around teaching you the fundamentals of Capoeira in a slow and easily digestible way. All are welcome and all are capable of taking part. Bring water, an open mind, and a playful spirit. 

READ the UVA ARTICLE ‘Body, space and memory’: Capoeira comes to Grounds, about Capoeira held at the Contemplative Sciences Center.

Instructor: Reggie "Reisa" Harrison

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Reggie "Reisa" Harrison, also known as Professor Saçi in the Capoeira community, has been a lifelong mover and dancer. Coming from a world of Hip Hop dance, he started training Capoeira as a student at Rutgers University in 2007. Here he also explored different disciplines of movement such as Modern Dance, Ballet & Tae Kwon Do to further his understanding of the moving body. 

After graduating, he moved to Baltimore where he spent years training Kung-Fu, Tai Chi and Chinese Kickboxing and was later recognized and placed in a position to teach and guide there. This further honed his awareness of how kinetics span disciplines and how movement is a language the body uses to communicate with gravity as well a those around us. 

Life eventually moved him to Charlottesville, VA and back to his first movement love of Capoeira, beginning his training with Capoeira Resistência in 2018. Through dedication, intense training, and Assistant Teaching under the direction of his teachers Contremestre Balanço and Mestre Panão, Saçi was promoted to the rank of Instrutor in November 2022 and began leading classes for Capoeira Resistência C-Ville. Through continued cultivation of his Capoeira community, Saçi was then elevated to Professor de Capoeira in August 2025 and continues to teach, perform and help cultivate the body, mind and spirit of those he's honored to engage with.