History of Grupo Axé Capoeira:
Grupo Axé Capoeira began in Recife, Brazil in 1982. Today, with academies throughout Canada, United States, Europe, Asia and South America, the Grupo continues to rise as one of the world's leading Capoeira organizations. Backed by worldwide releases of six albums of music on CD, the video release of the 2000 International Encounter and two Performance videos from the Axé Capoeira Volume IV and V CD releases, enrollment continues to steadily increase. The Grupo also continues to travel around the world promoting Brazilian culture, music and dance, and participating in Capoeira and open martial art exhibitions and competitions.
Objectives:
Axé Capoeira is working hard to ensure that Capoeira has a strong future . Through research, travel and participating in events, we hope to increase our knowledge in the art and contribute to the evolution of Capoeira. Our goal is for Capoeira to be placed among the most widely practiced and respected martial art forms in the world.
Philosophy & Methodology:
The philosophy of Grupo Axé Capoeira is to respect all the mestres, preserve the roots and traditions of Capoeira, and train Capoeira in all its aspects: as a fight, art, dance, music and culture. We endeavor to teach and educate so that capoeira will grow in a positive healthy way. We attempt to pass on to the students physical and mental methods of training so that they learn to create situations and maintain a dialogue within the game. By playing both with friends and strangers, students learn to deal with any situation in or out of the roda. In North America, we not only teach movements, but the Brazilian language and customs as well so that the students may become true capoeiristas.
Grupo Axé Capoeira began in Recife, Brazil in 1982. Today, with academies throughout Canada, United States, Europe, Asia and South America, the Grupo continues to rise as one of the world's leading Capoeira organizations. Backed by worldwide releases of six albums of music on CD, the video release of the 2000 International Encounter and two Performance videos from the Axé Capoeira Volume IV and V CD releases, enrollment continues to steadily increase. The Grupo also continues to travel around the world promoting Brazilian culture, music and dance, and participating in Capoeira and open martial art exhibitions and competitions.
Objectives:
Axé Capoeira is working hard to ensure that Capoeira has a strong future . Through research, travel and participating in events, we hope to increase our knowledge in the art and contribute to the evolution of Capoeira. Our goal is for Capoeira to be placed among the most widely practiced and respected martial art forms in the world.
Philosophy & Methodology:
The philosophy of Grupo Axé Capoeira is to respect all the mestres, preserve the roots and traditions of Capoeira, and train Capoeira in all its aspects: as a fight, art, dance, music and culture. We endeavor to teach and educate so that capoeira will grow in a positive healthy way. We attempt to pass on to the students physical and mental methods of training so that they learn to create situations and maintain a dialogue within the game. By playing both with friends and strangers, students learn to deal with any situation in or out of the roda. In North America, we not only teach movements, but the Brazilian language and customs as well so that the students may become true capoeiristas.
Instrutora Onça
Instrutora Onça (Alicia Fennell) grew up in Whistler BC on the mountains year round. Ski-racing, snowboarding and Mountain biking were childhood passions.
Inastrutora Onça discovered Capoeira through her interest in dance, arts, and social action in the year 2001 in Vancouver BC. She tried a class at the Axé Capoeira academy led by Mestre Barrao. After getting a taste for the martial art and enjoying the endless physical, mental and spiritual challenges, capoeira became her focus. After several years of studying under Mestre Barrao, Alicia found herself travelling and performing with Axe Capoeira, playing in rodas around the world and participating in workshops. In 2006 she was asked to teach in Vancouver and since then she has travelled and taught in Mexico and BC. In 2009 she moved, with her family, to Comox BC where she is dedicated to teaching Capoeira and Afro-Brasilian Dance to children and adults. When she is not teaching she continues to train herself and enjoys spending time with her family on the mountain and bike trails.
As Alicia Fennell, Instrutora Onça operates as a personal trainer and fitness leader with BCRPA accreditation including specialty certifications in Children's fitness, seniors fitness, and yoga fitness.
She is now the owner and leader at the Axe Capoeira Comox Valley school.
Inastrutora Onça discovered Capoeira through her interest in dance, arts, and social action in the year 2001 in Vancouver BC. She tried a class at the Axé Capoeira academy led by Mestre Barrao. After getting a taste for the martial art and enjoying the endless physical, mental and spiritual challenges, capoeira became her focus. After several years of studying under Mestre Barrao, Alicia found herself travelling and performing with Axe Capoeira, playing in rodas around the world and participating in workshops. In 2006 she was asked to teach in Vancouver and since then she has travelled and taught in Mexico and BC. In 2009 she moved, with her family, to Comox BC where she is dedicated to teaching Capoeira and Afro-Brasilian Dance to children and adults. When she is not teaching she continues to train herself and enjoys spending time with her family on the mountain and bike trails.
As Alicia Fennell, Instrutora Onça operates as a personal trainer and fitness leader with BCRPA accreditation including specialty certifications in Children's fitness, seniors fitness, and yoga fitness.
She is now the owner and leader at the Axe Capoeira Comox Valley school.
Mestrando Barrãozinho
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Leader of Axé Capoeira in Canada, Mestrando Barraozinho, Marcus Aurelio was born in Recife Brasil and has trained under his master, Mestre Barrao since the age of five. His discipline and passion for Capoeira and Brazilian culture is displayed through his physical skills in the game of Capoeira, and his performance work in Canada and around the world. He leads his own grupo in Vancouver and is in high demand travelling the world as a teacher in academies in over 25 countries world wide. Marcus has represented Capoeira in Nation and international Mixed Martial Arts competitions and is currently working as a stunt performer in film when not teaching his #1 passion to his dedicated students.
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Mestre Tigrão
Elvio Dos Santos, known in Capoeira as Mestre Tigrão, was born in Guarulhos, São Paulo, Brazil. He began training Capoeira at the age of 11 years and has not stopped since, continuing to train and improve in all aspects of Capoeira, and constantly searching for new techniques.
Throughout the years, Mestre Tigrão's gift for teaching has become evident. Through his profession, Tigrão demonstrates his philosophy of life and his love for this Brazilian martial art. He has participated in and organized numerous rodas, competitions, festivals and workshops around the world. Moreover, his experience in social work in São Paulo and Minas Gerais, Brazil, has taught him to value the benefits that Capoeira offers the community. Tigrão also sees Capoeira as a link between the past and the future, whose deep roots respect tradition yet continue to evolve.
In 2002, Tigrão met Mestre Barrão and became part of Grupo Axé Capoeira. The following year he came to Canada to participate in Mestre Barrão's Capoeira Festival. He stayed to teach classes in Vancouver and train directly under the supervision of Mestre Barrão, from whom he learned much about Capoeira and about life. In 2018, he received his belt of Mestre status from the hands of his Mestre in an Axé Capoeira batizado ceremony in brazil. He is grateful to the many people who have contributed to his life in Capoeira. He has seen and played with great Mestres and capoeiristas, and continues to learn many lessons from one jogo to the next.
Throughout the years, Mestre Tigrão's gift for teaching has become evident. Through his profession, Tigrão demonstrates his philosophy of life and his love for this Brazilian martial art. He has participated in and organized numerous rodas, competitions, festivals and workshops around the world. Moreover, his experience in social work in São Paulo and Minas Gerais, Brazil, has taught him to value the benefits that Capoeira offers the community. Tigrão also sees Capoeira as a link between the past and the future, whose deep roots respect tradition yet continue to evolve.
In 2002, Tigrão met Mestre Barrão and became part of Grupo Axé Capoeira. The following year he came to Canada to participate in Mestre Barrão's Capoeira Festival. He stayed to teach classes in Vancouver and train directly under the supervision of Mestre Barrão, from whom he learned much about Capoeira and about life. In 2018, he received his belt of Mestre status from the hands of his Mestre in an Axé Capoeira batizado ceremony in brazil. He is grateful to the many people who have contributed to his life in Capoeira. He has seen and played with great Mestres and capoeiristas, and continues to learn many lessons from one jogo to the next.
Mestrando Testa
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Mestrando Testa or Kevin Brett was born and raised in Mervill BC. Growing up exploring the mountains he took up a career as a forest fire fighter and discovered a passion for capoeira after meeting Mestre Barrão. He is one of Mestre Barrãos most faithful and disciplined disciples and travels the world to teach his knowledge and share his experience of the music, culture and art from of capoeira. Mestrando Testa has released his first CD of capoeira music in 2019 and also heads the band Batuque Axé. He has been the leader of the academy in downtown Victoria for 25 years and is a great inspiration to all capoeiraistas internationally and in Brazil.
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Mestre Eddy Murphy
Edilson Antonio Santos Almeida, Mestre Eddy Murphy, was born on 09 of October in Sao Paulo - Brazil at only 6½ months. No one believed he would survive as he was very small (would fit inSHOE box), but after a whole year of treatment in hospital he survived. For that reason his mother put "Antonio" in his name as a promise she made to a saint in Brazil called Saint Antonio if her son survived.
Until he was 8 years old he had some symptoms of epilepsy and his metabolism was very slow, making him a very small boy for his age. His mother started a treatment with some tablets to accelerate his metabolism, but nothing worked until his 9th birthday when he started to train Capoeira with his sister's boyfriend Dinho and his health problems stopped, his metabolism went back to normal and in one year training his body structure changed completely.
Mestre Dinho than gave Edilson the nickname: "Eddy Murphy" as he was always smiling like the famous Hollywood star.
When Mestre Eddy Murphy turned 18 years old, he graduated to teacher under Mestre Dinho and from that point he had to look for a gym for his own classes. It was when he started to teach in his first official gym called "Sociedade Amigos de Bairro Cidade Nova Sao Miguel" (Society friends of the neighbourhood - City of New Saint Miguel). He stayed there for only 6 months before he was invited to teach in a bigger gym, starting the next stage of his Capoeira life.
Mestre Eddy Murphy recently received the Axé Capoeira Master's belt from Mestre Barrão and has his Axé Capoeira group in Dongguan - China.
Until he was 8 years old he had some symptoms of epilepsy and his metabolism was very slow, making him a very small boy for his age. His mother started a treatment with some tablets to accelerate his metabolism, but nothing worked until his 9th birthday when he started to train Capoeira with his sister's boyfriend Dinho and his health problems stopped, his metabolism went back to normal and in one year training his body structure changed completely.
Mestre Dinho than gave Edilson the nickname: "Eddy Murphy" as he was always smiling like the famous Hollywood star.
When Mestre Eddy Murphy turned 18 years old, he graduated to teacher under Mestre Dinho and from that point he had to look for a gym for his own classes. It was when he started to teach in his first official gym called "Sociedade Amigos de Bairro Cidade Nova Sao Miguel" (Society friends of the neighbourhood - City of New Saint Miguel). He stayed there for only 6 months before he was invited to teach in a bigger gym, starting the next stage of his Capoeira life.
Mestre Eddy Murphy recently received the Axé Capoeira Master's belt from Mestre Barrão and has his Axé Capoeira group in Dongguan - China.
Mestre Barrao
Founder and President of Axé Capoeira:
Mestre Barrão Marcos da Silva, Mestre Barrão, was born in the port city of Recife, on the North East coast of Brazil. Recife is renowned for its Brazilian music and dance, and its long Capoeira tradition. In 1974, Marcos began studying Capoeira with Mestre Pirajá. While learning the foundations of the art, he showed an affinity for the drums and other instruments as well as the skills that would conduct his life. After three years of training with Mestre Pirajá, who eventually left on sabbatical, Marcos went on in 1977 to continue his training with Mestre Teté. Mestre Teté shared with him the ways of the Street Capoeirista. He learned about the variable situations of the street: how to be shrewd and clever when playing, how to read opponents, and how to judge situations that one invariably finds oneself in, both inside and outside of the Roda of Capoeira. Read more» In 1979, he began to enter Capoeira competitions throughout North East Brazil and in 1980, Marcos began to teach. In 1982, a young Barrão was determined to test his skills against the best opponents he could find and entered the prestigious National Championship in Rio de Janeiro. Such was his skill and fortune that in the end, he left as Brazilian Champion. Upon his return, many opportunities came his way to teach in schools, community centers, and universities throughout Brazil and eventually formed Grupo Axé Capoeira. In 1987, he was graduated to First Degree Master by Mestre Pirajá. He has now received his Second Degree Master. In 1990, Mestre Barrão was invited to demonstrate his art at the International Children’s Festivals throughout North America and eventually found himself in Canada at the Vancouver International Children’s Festival. After spending 1991 teaching in Italy, Barrão decided to immigrate to Canada in 1992 and begin teaching here at various locations. He started The Annual International Capoeira Encounter and has renowned and respected Mestres from all over the world visit and share their skills. In 1996, he opened Canada’s first Academy of Capoeira Today, Mestre Barrão frequently receives invitations to conduct and teach Capoeira at international workshops. The Mestres who assembled at the Melhores Do Seculo event in Curitiba Parana in 2000, recognized Mestre Barrão as one of the great capoeiristas of the century, due to his skill and contribution to Capoeira. Mestre Barrão and his Grupo Axé Capoeira have recorded four CD volumes of Capoeira music and one other, together with Mestre Burguês which continues to be tremendously popular throughout Brazil. They have also released Axé Capoeira 2000, a video of the 2000 International Encounter as well as Axé Capoeira Performance Video - Brazil 2001. Mestre Barrão now has schools in Canada, Brazil, the United States, Peru, Russia, Bermuda, Barbados, Dominican Republic, and Poland.
Mestre Barrão Marcos da Silva, Mestre Barrão, was born in the port city of Recife, on the North East coast of Brazil. Recife is renowned for its Brazilian music and dance, and its long Capoeira tradition. In 1974, Marcos began studying Capoeira with Mestre Pirajá. While learning the foundations of the art, he showed an affinity for the drums and other instruments as well as the skills that would conduct his life. After three years of training with Mestre Pirajá, who eventually left on sabbatical, Marcos went on in 1977 to continue his training with Mestre Teté. Mestre Teté shared with him the ways of the Street Capoeirista. He learned about the variable situations of the street: how to be shrewd and clever when playing, how to read opponents, and how to judge situations that one invariably finds oneself in, both inside and outside of the Roda of Capoeira. Read more» In 1979, he began to enter Capoeira competitions throughout North East Brazil and in 1980, Marcos began to teach. In 1982, a young Barrão was determined to test his skills against the best opponents he could find and entered the prestigious National Championship in Rio de Janeiro. Such was his skill and fortune that in the end, he left as Brazilian Champion. Upon his return, many opportunities came his way to teach in schools, community centers, and universities throughout Brazil and eventually formed Grupo Axé Capoeira. In 1987, he was graduated to First Degree Master by Mestre Pirajá. He has now received his Second Degree Master. In 1990, Mestre Barrão was invited to demonstrate his art at the International Children’s Festivals throughout North America and eventually found himself in Canada at the Vancouver International Children’s Festival. After spending 1991 teaching in Italy, Barrão decided to immigrate to Canada in 1992 and begin teaching here at various locations. He started The Annual International Capoeira Encounter and has renowned and respected Mestres from all over the world visit and share their skills. In 1996, he opened Canada’s first Academy of Capoeira Today, Mestre Barrão frequently receives invitations to conduct and teach Capoeira at international workshops. The Mestres who assembled at the Melhores Do Seculo event in Curitiba Parana in 2000, recognized Mestre Barrão as one of the great capoeiristas of the century, due to his skill and contribution to Capoeira. Mestre Barrão and his Grupo Axé Capoeira have recorded four CD volumes of Capoeira music and one other, together with Mestre Burguês which continues to be tremendously popular throughout Brazil. They have also released Axé Capoeira 2000, a video of the 2000 International Encounter as well as Axé Capoeira Performance Video - Brazil 2001. Mestre Barrão now has schools in Canada, Brazil, the United States, Peru, Russia, Bermuda, Barbados, Dominican Republic, and Poland.
Mestre Bimba
Mestre Bimba is the father of the style of Capoeira known as Regional. He was born Manuel dos Reis Machado in 1900; he was also born with the nickname "Bimba" as a result of a bet between his mother and the midwife about the sex of the baby. When he was born, the midwife cried "He is a boy! Look at his bimba [Penis]!". Bimba was taught Capoeira from the age of twelve by a ship's captain, an African named Bentinho.
Despite the intense pressure of Capoeira still being illegal, Bimba practiced and even demonstrated Capoeira, keeping the art alive. After performances for the governor of Bahía and even the president of Brazil, rather than being arrested, Bimba was given permission to open a recognized, legal school of Capoeira.
In the old days, there was just one style of Capoeira—or it could equally be said that there was a style of Capoeira for every Capoeirista. Mestre Bimba codified what he called the "regional fight from Bahía, with the goals of bringing Capoeira to the middle and upper classes and gaining respect for the art from the people of Brazil. He ensured his students wore clean, white uniforms and performed well in school, and gave them coloured scarves to show rank, a system adopted after the Eastern martial arts' coloured belts. Bimba made all of his students observe his academy's rules:
Mestre Bimba almost single-handedly pulled Capoeira from a lowly-regarded street fight of ruffians in the eyes of Brazil's government and empowered people up to a respected martial art form with new moves, an emphasis on athleticism, and - another important first for Capoeira - a rigorous and planned teaching method. The style he created is known as Capoeira Regional
Despite the intense pressure of Capoeira still being illegal, Bimba practiced and even demonstrated Capoeira, keeping the art alive. After performances for the governor of Bahía and even the president of Brazil, rather than being arrested, Bimba was given permission to open a recognized, legal school of Capoeira.
In the old days, there was just one style of Capoeira—or it could equally be said that there was a style of Capoeira for every Capoeirista. Mestre Bimba codified what he called the "regional fight from Bahía, with the goals of bringing Capoeira to the middle and upper classes and gaining respect for the art from the people of Brazil. He ensured his students wore clean, white uniforms and performed well in school, and gave them coloured scarves to show rank, a system adopted after the Eastern martial arts' coloured belts. Bimba made all of his students observe his academy's rules:
- Quit smoking.
- Quit drinking, alcohol is bad for your metabolism.
- Do not show off your progresses to your friends outside the roda. Hold them back and surprise people with them in a fight.
- Avoid conversation while training. Be quiet while in the academy and, by observing the other fighters, learn more.
- Always practice the ginga.
- Practice the fundamental exercises daily.
- Do not be afraid to get close to your opponent. The closer your keep, the more you will learn.
- Keep your body relaxed.
- It is better to get beat up in the roda than on the streets.
Mestre Bimba almost single-handedly pulled Capoeira from a lowly-regarded street fight of ruffians in the eyes of Brazil's government and empowered people up to a respected martial art form with new moves, an emphasis on athleticism, and - another important first for Capoeira - a rigorous and planned teaching method. The style he created is known as Capoeira Regional
Mestre Pastinha
Vicente Ferreira Pastinha was born in 1889 in Salvador, Bahía. As a boy of eight, Pastinha was often beat up by older boys; an African named Benedito took him aside and taught him Capoeira. From then on, Pastinha defeated his opponents and was admired by them.
Pastinha took art classes at the Liceu de Artes e Ofíio, where he learned to paint. In his free time, he played with kites and trained Capoeira with Benedito. Later, his father made him join a school to become a sailor. Although Capoeira was illegal, and not tolerated in the school, Pastinha taught it to many of his friends. At 21, he left school to become a professional painter.
When Bimba made Capoeira legal with Regional, many other Capoeiristas, including Pastinha, felt that Capoeira was losing more than it gained by being stuffed into presentable uniforms and being taught in strict sequences. The old way was simply to watch rodas and learn by doing. Improvisation and malícia were the trademarks of the original Capoeira, which came to be known as Capoeiral Angola.
In 1942, Pastinha was invited by one of his former students, Aberrê to one of the famous Sunda rodas at the ladeira do Gengibirra, the bairro da Liberdade (in Brazil, the barrios of a city are usually up in its hills). After one afternoon, Amorzinho, one of Bahía's greatest masters of the time, asked Pastinha to lead the Capoeira Angola roda. Later that year, Pastinha opened the first Angola school, the Centro Esportivo de Capoeira Angola. Students wore black pants and yellow shirts after the colors of the Ypiranga Futebol Clube, Pastinha's favorite soccer team.
Mestre Pastinha said, "Capoeira é para homen, menino e mulher, só não aprende quem não quiser." (Capoeira is for man, child and woman; the only ones who do not learn it are those who do not want to.) He also said, "O que eu faço brincando você não faz nem zengado." (What I do playing, you don't even do when you're mad.) Pastinha is the one who tells the story of carrying a double-edged sickle everywhere, and fastening it to the end of a berimbau to turn the instrument into a weapon.
Because of his passion for art and his eloquent sayings, Pastinha became known as the philosopher of Capoeira. Because of his tireless teaching despite constant struggle with local authorities, he became known as the father of Capoeira Angola.
Pastinha took art classes at the Liceu de Artes e Ofíio, where he learned to paint. In his free time, he played with kites and trained Capoeira with Benedito. Later, his father made him join a school to become a sailor. Although Capoeira was illegal, and not tolerated in the school, Pastinha taught it to many of his friends. At 21, he left school to become a professional painter.
When Bimba made Capoeira legal with Regional, many other Capoeiristas, including Pastinha, felt that Capoeira was losing more than it gained by being stuffed into presentable uniforms and being taught in strict sequences. The old way was simply to watch rodas and learn by doing. Improvisation and malícia were the trademarks of the original Capoeira, which came to be known as Capoeiral Angola.
In 1942, Pastinha was invited by one of his former students, Aberrê to one of the famous Sunda rodas at the ladeira do Gengibirra, the bairro da Liberdade (in Brazil, the barrios of a city are usually up in its hills). After one afternoon, Amorzinho, one of Bahía's greatest masters of the time, asked Pastinha to lead the Capoeira Angola roda. Later that year, Pastinha opened the first Angola school, the Centro Esportivo de Capoeira Angola. Students wore black pants and yellow shirts after the colors of the Ypiranga Futebol Clube, Pastinha's favorite soccer team.
Mestre Pastinha said, "Capoeira é para homen, menino e mulher, só não aprende quem não quiser." (Capoeira is for man, child and woman; the only ones who do not learn it are those who do not want to.) He also said, "O que eu faço brincando você não faz nem zengado." (What I do playing, you don't even do when you're mad.) Pastinha is the one who tells the story of carrying a double-edged sickle everywhere, and fastening it to the end of a berimbau to turn the instrument into a weapon.
Because of his passion for art and his eloquent sayings, Pastinha became known as the philosopher of Capoeira. Because of his tireless teaching despite constant struggle with local authorities, he became known as the father of Capoeira Angola.