Instructor Tanque takes us inside the Capoeira Brasil Los Angeles Batizado. At the Batizado, Capoeira Masters and students from all over the world come together for an intense week of capoeira workshops, competition, and camaraderie. The lights dimmed with a dramatic blue and yellow glow that spotlighted the roda. The gunga started and the viola cried, Mestre Toni Vargas's voice rang out into the room. Outside the cars were crammed into nearby streets and the hot Indian summer night air was buzzing. Two capoeiristas knelt down in reverence of this gathering amidst swelling voices and hands clapping together. I felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand on edge and the moment was gone, some of the best capoeiristas in the world had come to do what they love doing best. This is the 18th Capoeira Brasil Los Angeles Batizado. I’m sorry This is Mestre Boneco's (Beto Simas) house, one that is managed by Pavão Jessica Carla, and continually constructed and renewed by Sean Anthony Moran. These are people I have known as family since the day I stepped into the roda 16 years ago. They say nothing can try you like family, and this is all the more true with people you choose to be part of your clan. If nothing else, the last year or so has been a difficult time, from starting school, ending a relationship, and trying to pursue life. Capoeira is my release, my escape into the a sea of joy and movement, yet for the first time ever, here was my Mestre, a second father, scolding me for not coming in on time and questioning my heart as to whether I am really committed. I have seen it a thousand times but have never been on the receiving end of his storm. It tilted my balance and threw me deep into questioning the very core of my being, and by the time Mestre Mindinho Capoeira Brasil had given the cabeçada mid role, it had gotten to be too much. The look on my mestre's face after that game said it all. Disgust. It was then that I had ever even considered stepping away from capoeira, and it was ripping me to shreds. Thank you Chitra Chandran for being my life preserver. Forgive me Being falsely accused and feeling like I am letting a father figure in my life down are things I cannot accept, it would much sooner choke me to death than sit inside my person. I spoke with him and he accepted my words, there is no doubting my commitment to capoeira and nosso grupo, life has been hard and I don't want to let another person down. Since I left Shanghai, I have been unmoored and adrift in the winds of foreign lands, of expectations, of solitude. My casa of capoeira in Los Angeles is where I seek refuge and it would destroy me if this piece of paradise were to be lost as well. The man who had filled me with energy and inspiration then opened a channel, no, I don't need to worry about letting him down, he had never questioned my heart and understands that I have been ravaged by life as he knows life had ravaged him. But it is up to me to make that switch, to fight for that silver lining and breathe, knowing that there is a different approach, and that I just needed to find it. He is hard on me because he believes in me, that through the fire of work and dedication, I will become more. Time to go to work. The day of the batizado had an atmosphere of life and anticipation, with a hint of spirits, both ephemeral and from the party the night before. Nervous eyes and timid gingas all wrapped up in batizado shirts, abadas, and dangling cordoes. The first sweat breaks with ease as I let go of my pounding head, and I embraced my brothers and sisters I have longed to play with. Fominha, Bo Tiziu Seriki, Joy San Agustin, put my hat back on my sweaty head and buy the next game. Armada, compasso, macaco, not done out of routine, but with love and eye contact with my partner. The sun was beating down this morning with a ferocity of the desert, maybe the sahara, or probably the sertao. But even that was tempered, softened, tamed, by a beautiful rendition of Mandei caiar meu sobrado led by none other than Kristin Ouro Scheimer. The kids quieted down, the people held their breath, and the voices of people transformed transmitted love and emotion to everyone present, regardless if you understand Portuguese or not. Love is universal. The voice in my head that criticize my every movement, questioned every song I had ever sung was calmed, but never for long. The past few days were a blur of messy emotions and rhythmic rituals. It was time to decide my path in capoeira, and only I knew what it was I wanted from it, just needed to listen. As my legs crossed into the half lotus in the room that has been the place of my salvation, I breathed, listening, loving kindness, and I knew my answer (thanks Johnny Blu Pants) . A serenity had enveloped my being, how many years have I been at this event? How many times did I see my siblings, my fellow capoeiristas, cry, laugh, and need me, as I needed them? Ouro got her blue cord and the roof exploded. She, who has been a perennial presence was being recognized and celebrated, as she is deserved to be. The energy had grown and it felt as though we were not there as individuals, but one being, awesome and glorious. I am grateful Corda roxa! Boomed Mestre Boneco, and the room somehow managed to contain itself. At that moment my choice was crystal clear, I will work and dedicate myself to becoming a better person, not for anyone there but myself, I will commit myself to work to earn that cord one day, but not today. But first, let me congratulate my brothers Tethpelyah Reed (Alongado) and Oba Vita (Relampago), both of whom were letting their emotions show through tears, laughter, and trembling bodies. TANQUE!! It was a bolt of lightning that sealed my feet to the ground. That is not me, surely, had my thoughts betrayed me and Mestre knew where my tumultuous journey would end? I was transported over to receive a blessing that I could only describe as love and light in the truest sense. My body is laid down at your feet because I am transformed because of this house. The person who I am today is as much a product of this house as anything else. The tears flowed painlessly from my eyes in the middle of a sea of smiles, laughter and shouts. Tiziu, Relampago, and Alongado, we represent four different paths in how we pursue capoeira, bestowed by a community of capoeiristas that we would not otherwise know if not for Mestre Boneco, and for that I am eternally grateful. I love you Those games were hardly memorable, but the roda was unforgettable. Axe permeated every corner of 5557 Washington Blvd and the celebration was in everyone's hearts as evident by the smiles and laughter. Yet in that very moment, in that concentrated ball of love and energy, misfortune struck like the sound of breaking glass. Our heartbeat, Festa Capoeira had just lost her father to an unspeakable tragedy, and I understand now why we had created so much love and light, it was so that we could send that to one that would be drowning. Her soft wails rippled through our moment of silence as we try to console her with every fiber of our being. As the day came to a close and we looked to each other for comfort or some level of understanding of what we had been through, many of my idols (Pinga Fogo, Mindinho Capoeira Brasil) looked me in the eye, congratulated me and told me I was within their hearts and could count on them for anything. One of them told me that I had once trained capoeira, now I am becoming capoeira (Thank you Mestre Itabora Ferreira). ![]() About Tanque: Bo “Tanque” Chung is a Masters Degree student in Environmental Design at the University of California at Berkeley. He has dedicated 16 years of his life to capoeira, and is the founder of Capoeira Brasil Shanghai. You can read his full account on our website at: www.capoeirabrasilcn.com Photo Credits: Ai Feneco, Jackamo Harvey
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Special Guest Professora Joy from Capoeira Brasil New York in the studio tonight. Her workshop will be from 8:30-9:45pm, with a short Q&A session afterwards about her experiences as a group leader and woman in the capoeira world.
Professora Joy's Bio Joy San Agustin a.k.a “Coruja” began her Capoeira training with Grupo Capoeira Brasil. Though her home is New York City, Joy has spent significant time training in Brazil in places such as São Paulo, Aracaju, Salvador, and Rio de Janeiro. A talented martial artist, Joy has been a featured performer for Nike and Sony. Joy has also performed for non-profit organizations such as the Capoeira Foundation, Roots of Brazil, and Dance Connecticut in Hartford. In addition, Joy has been featured in numerous TV programs including “EGG” on PBS Channel 13, MNN (The Manhattan Neighborhood Network) and “A Capoeiragem na Bahia” on the Brazilian Network TVE. In addition to entertainment and media venues, Joy is often invited to bring her Capoeira talents to educational and cultural centers. Joy recently performed Capoeira at Middlebury College in Vermont, Penn Sate University and at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. For five years, Joy has been a guest teacher at The Happen’n , an Annual Womyn’s World and Drum percussion workshop in the Catskill Mountains. An active member of the Capoeira community, Joy travels a great deal both in the US and abroad to play and to teach Capoeira. Some of the places she regularly travels to for Capoeira events in the US include Gainesville, Boston, Connecticut, Newark, St. Louis, San Antonio, Los Angeles, Berkley, San Diego and Houston. In Europe, Joy has been invited to play and teach in Paris, Nice, Marseilles, Brussels, the Canary Islands and Madrid. Joy completed her M.S. in Physical Education at Queens College. Currently, Joy instructs all levels of Capoeira in Manhattan, and teaches Capoeira classes for the Brooklyn Technical H.S. and the New York City Board of Education. Joy also teaches children’s classes, which she finds extremely rewarding. Her children’s classes at this time include a youth program for Amplify. Connect with her at: www.capoeiratrainingcenter.com You made the commitment. Today, you're on the way to your first capoeira class. Here's a sneak peek at your first lesson. What do I need to bring?It's a short list: gym clothes and a water bottle. What happens in class?The session lasts 75 minutes and goes non-stop.
Your instructor will explain the movements and combinations you’ll work on, and introduce you to the group. A dynamic warmup with challenging exercises starts the session. Next you’ll learn spinning kicks, escapes, and gymnastic movements. After several repetitions, you’ll move to partner drills that simulate “playing” capoeira. Breaks for rest and water are given during the class. After each segment, your instructor will ask if you have any questions (We love your questions!). Capoeira is unique as it has music to accompany sparring, so you’ll learn to sing and clap to the rhythms used in capoeira. With encouragement from your instructor and classmates, you will pick up things quickly. After singing and raising your energy level, it’s time to play capoeira. The physical expression of new movements will take some getting used to, but you'll have the support of everyone in the class singing and clapping for you. After the roda, there will be a cool down and stretch. You’ll need it because the next day, your legs will be super sore from the exertion. Axé!
“One our greatest accomplishments is to see students establish friendships through capoeira that stand the test of time.” A Brazilian martial art, taught by Americans, set in the cosmopolitan mega-city of Shanghai creates a special atmosphere for Thanksgiving. Roast turkey meets cachaça, tiramisu, and xiao long bao. For dessert, it's pumpkin pie topped off with a capoeira roda. We create community in Shanghai through capoeira and regular fellowship strengthens these bonds. Getting physically fit, learning to play *berimbau, and conquering *bananeira after months of frustration are rewarding and our curriculum teaches these skills. Yet one of our greatest accomplishments is watching students establish friendships through capoeira that stand the test of time. We give thanks for this everyday. Axé Camarada! *Berimbau–Bow like instrument played in capoeira *Bananeira– A handstand Special 3 Day Workshop with Mestre Mindinho![]()
Ready to take your capoeira to the next level?
Mestre Mindinho is in Shanghai to take you there. An expert teacher of floreios and innovative movements, this workshop series will have an immediate impact on your game. Schedule September, 11 7:30-9:30pm Location: Capoeira Brasil Studio: 185 Tianping Road, 7/f September, 12 12:00-2:00pm Location: Capoeira Brasil Studio: 185 Tianping Road, 7/f September, 13 2:00-4:00pm Location: Capoeira Brasil Studio: 185 Tianping Road, 7/f (Outdoor roda depending on weather) *Schedule and venue subject to change Pricing ¥400 Weekend Package ¥200 Per Day About Mestre Mindinho An amazing Capoeirista and teacher, Mestre Mindinho is a multifaceted artist who has found his life's calling in sharing his expertise with others around the world. Currently in high demand for his highly popular lectures and seminars on different aspects of Capoeira, he has been invited to teach, play, and perform in over 20 countries on 4 continents, as well as participating in multiple TV shows and marketing campaigns. http://capoeirabrasilsandiego.weebly.com/
![]() Capoeira Brasil Shanghai Xiamen Retreat 巴西战舞上海团队厦门旅游 Day One 4/14/14 厦门之行第一天 Shanghai Group Schedule Departure 4/4/14 上海组出发时间表 Arrive at Hongqiao train station no later than 6:00am. 上午6点之前到虹桥火车站与我们会合 Train leaves to Xiamen at 6:30am. 去厦门的火车出发时间为上午6点30分 Arrive in Xiamen at 2:45pm 到达厦门的时间为下午2点25分 Our bus will take us to our hostel. 我们会有专车接送去旅馆 Check in and relax until orientation at 4:00pm. 办理入住旅馆手续并且适当休息, 下午4点参加迎新会 Xiamen Early Arrivals 厦门组的早到 Early check-in has been arranged for you. Get to Baijiacun Hostel and relax. We’ll meet up with you at the orientation at 4:00pm 通过我们和旅馆的沟通,大家可以早点去旅馆办理入住手续。 请到百家村旅馆并且适当休息。 我们会在下午4点和大家在迎新会上见面。 4:00-4:30pm Orientation Baijiacun Hostel 百家村旅馆迎新会 4:30-5:00pm Bus to Salsa Studio 大巴集合到舞蹈室 5:00-6:00pm Workshop 1–Union Dance Studio Professor Zen Berimbau 练习小组1–联合舞蹈社Zen Berimbau大师 Professor Zen will teach you flow between your basic movements. This workshop is for people with previous capoeira experience Zen大师会给大家传授如何将基本动作自然衔接。这个练习小组适合于学过巴西战舞的学员们。 5:00-6:00pm Workshop 1a– Instructor Tanque 练习小组2- Tanque教练 This workshop is for people who have never tried capoeira before. 这个练习小组适合于没有学过巴西战舞的学员们。 Get ready to have fun with kicks, music, and acrobatics. 在学习各种踢法、音乐和杂技技巧中享受乐趣 6:00-7:00pm Roda (Professor Zen leading) 轮圈仪式 (由Zen大师带领大家 ) 7:30-9:00pm Opening Dinner 晚上聚餐 Xiamen Day Two 4/5/14 厦门之行 第二天 7:00-7:30am Breakfast 早餐 8:00-9:30am Gulangyu Island Tour. We’ll catch the ferry over to Gulangyu Island then climb the rock together. There is a ¥60 entrance fee. 鼓浪屿之行。 我们会坐船去鼓浪屿,然后一起在岩石上行走。 鼓浪屿的门票是人民币60元。 9:30-11:30am Free time. 自由活动 12:00-1:00pm Lunch on the island at local restaurant 在鼓浪屿当地饭店吃午饭 1:15pm Return to Xiamen 返回厦门 1:15-4:30pm Free time 自由活动 4:30-5:00pm Street Roda (Tentative) 街头轮圈仪式 (还没确定) 5:00-5:30pm Arrive at the studio 舞蹈室集合 5:30-6:30pm Workshop #3 Capoeira 练习小组3 巴西战舞 Workshop open to all levels. 此练习小组对所有级别学员开放。 6:30-7:30pm Workshop 4 Professor Zen Berimbau 练习小组4 Zen Berimbau大师 Straight kicks, punches and takedowns + takedown defense 直踢、出拳和放倒+放倒的防御 8:00-9:00pm Dinner 晚餐 After 9pm Party聚会派对 Xiamen Day Three 4/6/14 厦门之行 第三天 9am Breakfast 早餐 9:40 am Bus leaves to studio 专车接送去舞蹈室 10:00-11:30am Workshop 练习小组 11:30-12:00pm Bus to Zengcuoan 专车接送到赠错案 12:00-1:00pm Lunch at zengcuoan 午餐@赠错案 1:00-2:00pm Beach Games with Sorriso 和sorriso一起玩海滩游戏 2:00-3:00pm Floreios Learn the basic handstand all the way up to your first mortal. 学习如何双手倒立并且坚持一定时间 Wear your abada with your cord 请穿上巴西战舞制服和你的级别腰带 3:00-4:00pm Workshop–Maculelé/Puxada de Rede 练习小组—Maculelé/Puxada de Rede 4:00-5:00pm Roda 轮圈仪式 5:00-7:30pm Dinner andBate Papo-Dinner andQ&A session for the instructors about capoeira. 晚餐和聊天-关于巴西战舞的问题,和我们的教练进行一对一的你问我答。 8:15pm Bus returns to Baijiacun Hostel 专车回到百家村旅馆 10pm Group outing Local Bar 大家一起去当地酒吧 Final Day Xiamen 4/7/14 厦门之行 最后一天 9:00-9:45 am Breakfast 早餐 10-11:30am Final workshop/Goodbye Roda 最后一场练习小组/ 告别轮圈仪式 12:00pm Bus Leaves to train station 专车接送去火车站 1:50pm Train departs to Shanghai 回上海的火车出发时间为1点15分 |