Wandenkolk Preguicia Oliveira

I've read the bad and the good reviews, have taken Mestre's class twice, and I can say with all honesty, he is one of the toughest teachers I've ever had, yet the very best. If your goal is to learn capoeira then he will train you and push you, and regardless of your prior skill or athletic ability, you will learn. Yes you may get yelled at if you slack, you may do 100 push ups if your late, or run laps the entire class if you dont come dressed properly, but there is no deception; he makes it clear from the get go exactly how his class is run and what to expect. If you are a slacker, or if you youre taking the course for an easy A, then this isnt the class for you. Mestre is a master in the art of capoeira and within his circle (the world of capoeira) he is a technical expert and trainer, and a highly respected Mestre. He specializes in producing other experts of capoeira and in getting the most out of all his students. He (along with a fellow member of his group) won the first two major capoeira contest ever held in Brazil, and he then trained the winners of the following two contests. One thing he isn't, is someone who will sympathize with you when youre in pain, when you're late to class, forgot your workout clothes, or arent giving 100 percent. Some people view this attitude as ruthless and too hardcore, but he really isn't out to get you, not at all. He simply knows from his over 30 years of experience teaching people from all walks of life, what it takes to train and prepare people to succeed in his class and in capoeira, should they desire to continue. Furthermore, he believes that the lessons learned in his class; through his training style, principles, and through capoeira itself, will carry on into your personal life as well. So I recommend this class only to those who have the desire and determination to better themselves on many levels. I do not recommend this class or this teacher to those who lack any responsibility, those who are looking to learn capoeira because its trendy, or those who are overly sensitive. If you know how to accept that there are different people with different personalities and that you dont have agree with everything about Mestres teaching style but yet are willing to accept it as exactly that: his method, his teaching style which is not for you to change, but to accept , then you''ll do well in his class.

I give you hope!!!!

When I was first debating on whether I should take this class (no prior experience nor knowledge of what I was getting myself into), I read these reviews and believed I was forewarned. I consider myself the "casual" athlete who runs a few times a week (on a GOOD week) and has that occasional juicy hamburger with the fixings. I had never "trained" for anything in my life.

I dared. For the first 4 weeks of my capoeria fever, I was in grueling pain. I was sore, mainly from the waist down, and could barely walk, sit, run, or climb stairs. Pushups, running laps, drills,...totally intense workout from an old school teacher, Mestre Preguica.

Now, after the semester is over, I am as shocked as you are that I passed. If you have a desire to learn capoeria, you will make it! I have no regrets that I took this class, despite how I felt physically and occasionally - emotionally. I grew muscles that I never knew existed and threw out grooves I once only imagined I could do.

Sure, Mestre Preguica can be a handful. Sometimes neurotic but at times, his soft side shows. A lot of us have different perspectives on his teaching style. I could only handle it for one semester. I enjoyed him for the few months I was under his instruction but any more of that neuroticism and frequent friday-after school special mini lectures,-- I'd cut myself. If I wanted to further my capoeria skills, I would most likely take it from a different mestre.

Alright, I understand Mestre Preguica's method of teaching involves heavy discipline but for the love of capoeira- I don't recommend him. I've taken courses with other mestres that also enforce similar styles of discipline while maintaining a sense of respect for students- which Preguica lacks unless you're one of his kiss ass students. You'll see him in the roda no more than 2 times yet you'll hear his mouth yap 30 minutes about bananas and pineapples. Literally. I agree the workout is great. He can bring out the best of you physically, but enjoys fucking with you emotionally if, like I said, you're not one of his kiss ass students. But hey, his kiss ass students are besides the point. If you really want to learn some capoeira, this course isn't worth your time.

First allow me to explain my grading. I gave an A on exams because, although there is a lot (some 50 questions or more) to know, everything is in his book or has been clearly explained in class. All the information one needs to know for an A on the test is given to you on the review day. I gave an A for lecture for the same reasons above, plus he makes the class very interesting due to his background, history and philosophy on capoeira. On personality, many students will tell you that he is a hard teacher and very tough on students, but this is not entirely true. Capoeira is a tough sport and requires a lot of training and concentration. If you arent willing to do the work then you shouldnt be in this class. Mestre Preguica has been teaching capoira for over 30 years and his teaching is designed to bring out nothing but the best that you are capable of, and if you continue with him that is exactly what will happen. He may seem tough in class, but this is necessary of any coach or teacher in sports or dance; he is not just any teacher, Mestre Preguica is very well known in the world of capoeira. He is one of the founders of Grupo Senzala (arguably the most well known and best capoeira groups to ever come out of brazil) He also trained and graduated under Mestre Bimba: the creator of Capoeira Regional: the style of capoeria that is most widely known and seen throughout the world. So it is only natural that a Master of this Art would train his students to be the best they can possible be. And finally on speaking skills I gave an A for his skills in lecturing and his ability to impart so much of his vast knowledge on capoeira. True his accent is hard to understand, but you get used to that, and for a Brazilian, I think he speaks English very well. If you wish to know more go to this site: http://www.kimakoi.com/misc/capoeira.html The author of this article gives a more detailed analysis and lot of great advice for surviving his class.

I think of Mestre Preguicia as a type of drill intructor. He will push you and yell at you until you do everything right, otherwise he does get frustrated. But he is really cool, the first few weeks are intense because he wants to get rid of all the flakers that come late to class. First week you run a lot, do push-ups and about 200-300 sit-ups. The Capoeira class has made me a more positive person and it has changed a lot of people's lives. It's almost exactly like watching the movie, "Only the Strong". I wouldn't recommend taking this class for a grade though because I'm not really an academic person, I just like the activity. So I recommend taking this course Credit/Non credit. Mestre has been teaching for 40 years so I assume he is a really good teacher. I even go to his Capoeira classes outside of school at 50 Scott street.

Mestre Preguicia is a teacher who sincerely cares about each student in his class. He is very honest. If you don't like people who will tell you what is on their mind, then don't take his coarse. He tries to help each student become a better person. You may think that you are just taking a dance class, but the art of Capoeira, like most arts, embodies so much more than just a dance. Mestre Preguicia is one a well respected Mestre, for he played a huge part in making Capoeira available to people in the U.S., and in many other parts of the world. I found it an honor to take class with him, and felt very inspired in all areas of my life as a result of being in his class.

His accent is thick, but his English is good. His exams are challenging, but not harsh. This class is full every semester, and it is pretty much impossible to get in by registration, but if you show up to the first class meeting (or even the 2nd), he will most likely take anyone who wants to be in the class. He will work you very hard the first couple of weeks, but that is only because wants to see how committed you are or how strong your desire to learn Capoeira is.

The reason why I gave him a "C" for speaking skills is because he sometimes yells at the class because he gets frustrated..........big deal, so what