Project Commotion

My daughter takes capoeira here and loves it. She now wants to «go to Brazil for two months». The teachers are wonderful and really love kids. She mostly works with Gian. The kids learn capoeira movement, music, and «play capoeira» as well as other games that prepare them for the art.

Project Commotion is a therapy-​based movement and gym class that teaches kids how to understand the connection between their emotions and their bodies.
What is that?
I’ll try to explain: At Project Commotion, kids learn how to channel frustrations (from schoolwork, bullying, interacting with peers), expend excess energy, gain better focus and mindfulness skills that translate into happier little kids who can cope better in the world.
(And as your kids get older and they’re out in the world without you hovering over and constantly protecting them, learning how to cope with life’s stressors is important).
Here, Project Commotion teaches useful ways to deal with stress, be it tumbling, doing cartwheels, stretching and breathing– or doing handstands to re-​focus (something about getting their head below their heart while in the handstand position brings them back in a calm, centered space).
Chagua who leads the Monday and Friday classes is a lovingly stern taskmaster. She’ll call out and take aside a child and explain to them why their behavior isn’t appropriate or talk to them about an issue they had at school (one parent complained her child was calling another student names at school after he was teased by a classmate, she’s pulled my child aside for not listening and following directions– and why it’s important).
And if your child takes the special 90-​minute Friday class, the mommies can join in (at no extra charge) for what I promise will be an ass-​kicking cardio/​stretching class that will nearly make you cry it’s so hard. That I finished two or three 90 minute classes made me very proud. I was pouring down sweat; super-​fit teachers Chloe and Chagua, not at all!
They have a sliding scale for class fees (which are actually very reasonable) and tuition assistance.
Kids classes are divided into age groups and the first class to try out and get observation and feedback from Chagua is free.
Project Commotion has a great summer program if you’re looking for something more than your average summer camp. Here, your kids can acquire skills before they move up a grade — and get physically fit.
I recommend this program, good for any child.

I think capoeira provides the perfect balance between structure and spontaneity for kids who don’t appreciate highly regimented classes. PC gave my daughter a constructive outlet for all her energy, and guided her into learning how to learn, something that she used to resist. Susan is kind yet firm, and the community of adults that help out at events and classes are all fantastic role models. My daughter would go every day if she could!
Here’s what my 10-​year-​old says: «I love going to Project Commotion! I think of it as a way to control my interactions with other people and a way to get out my anger on the mats.»