What is Capoeira?
Capoeira is a cultural expression, it is an afro-Brazilian sport that mixes martial arts, dance and music. Capoeira was developed in Brazil by African slaves near the end of the 16th century, as a way to protect themselves from the Portuguese slave traders.
Capoeira is characterized by various kicks, agile movements, take-downs, and acrobatics. It differs from other martial arts as it is practiced to music. Participants are called capoeiristas and learn to play, fight, sing songs and play instruments and is traditionally practiced in a circle called a “roda”.
Playing capoeira in a roda is both a game and a method of practicing the application of movements in simulated combat. Capoeiristas play a game of call and response with one person kicking and the other escaping while adding in a variety of capoeira movements and personal expression. Although capoeira is generally non-contact, capoeiristas train to fight and games may become aggressive and can include take-downs and strikes. The game does not focus on knocking down or defeating opponents, there is no “winner”, but rather a playful dialogue and highlighted skills of the capoeirista.
Capoeira Brasil
Capoeira Brasil Metro Vancouver is an extension of the Grupo Capoeira Brasil (GCB), a capoeira organization founded by three capoeiristas – Mestre Paulinho Sabiá, Mestre Boneco, and Mestre Paulão – that is dedicated to preserving and sharing the art and sport of capoeira.
Around the 100th anniversary of the abolition of slavery in Brazil (Lei Áurea), the founding mestres inaugurated Grupo Capoeira Brasil in a ceremony overseen by a group of legendary mestres on January 14, 1989 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Since its initiation over 36 years ago, the group has grown to be one of the largest in the world, with groups throughout all continents and over 30,000 members around the world.
GCB uses eight different cord (corda) colors which indicate levels in their graduation system.
In the adult graduation system, students can earn the titles of "Monitor" (red/blue cord), "Instrutor" (blue and green cords), "Professor" (purple cord), and "Formando" (brown cord) and are given to capoeiristas at their respective belt levels who teach classes.
After receiving their black cord and becoming known in the capoeira community for their skill, experience, leadership, and wisdom, a black cord would earn the title of “Mestre” or “Mestra.”
Meet our Teachers
Professor Jequitibá
Douglas da Silva Soares, also known in the capoeira world as Professor Jequitibá has been a practitioner of capoeira for over 26 years and has over 12 years experience teaching both children and adults under Grupo Capoeira Brasil - Mestre Paulinho Sabia. He holds a postgraduate degree in physical education with specification in the elementary school system.
Professor Jequitibá strives to share his knowledge and passion for capoeira and Brazilian culture with the communities of Metro Vancouver. He prides himself in offering capoeira classes that teach the fundamentals of capoeira with proper technique. Not only does Professor Jequitibá teach capoeira, but he educates his students to obtain and maintain a better quality of life though capoeira classes.
Monitora Galega
Alexy Hanson better known as “Galega” in the capoeira world, started training capoeira as a child in New Westminister, BC and has been a practictioner of capoeira for over 17 years. Galega sparked a passion for the unique martial arts and Brazilian culture at a young age and has been following her passion, ever since Galega has travelled Internationally to attend various capoeira workshops and events throughout Canada, USA and Brasil and strives to continue to gain knowledge and new experiences through capoeira. Galega has been an assistant teacher for Grupo Capoeira Brasil for the past 3 years.