Monday, November 2, 2009
Classes
Tuesdays 8pm-10pm
Thursdays 6pm-8pm
location: 2224 Virginia Beach Blvd Suite 108 Virginia Beach Va 23454 (magic moments)
More classes TBA
About Capoeira
Capoeira is approximately 400 years old with its roots in Africa. It came to Brazil by way of the slave trade in the 16th century. In the slave quarters on plantations in Brazil, various cultures were forced together. As a result of this fusion many Afro-Brazilian folkloric arts and traditions were created.
One of these traditions was Capoeira. This form of martial art was used by the slaves to free themselves and to flee from the plantations into the Quilombos (free African Societies), in the neighboring jungle that existed on the fringes of the cities, towns, and plantations.
During slavery, in order to be practiced, Capoeira had to be disguised and completly kept secret for fear of persecution or penalty of death. Capoeira was prohibited in Brazil until 1930. At that time the government eased up on the repression of popular cultural expression, including Capoeira.
In 1932, Mestre Bimba (the creator of modern Capoeira) opened the first formal school of Capoeira. In doing so, he took Capoeira off the streets, where it was looked down upon by the upper class Brazilian society, who considered it a pastime of cutthroats, thieves and con men. Mestre Bimba began teaching doctors, lawyers, and business men. In time, the art of Capoeira gained great respect in Brazil.
Today, Capoeira is taught in schools and various academies all over Brazil and throughout the world. It has been recognized as a Brazilian national sport since 1972, and it is second in popularity only to soccer.
One of these traditions was Capoeira. This form of martial art was used by the slaves to free themselves and to flee from the plantations into the Quilombos (free African Societies), in the neighboring jungle that existed on the fringes of the cities, towns, and plantations.
During slavery, in order to be practiced, Capoeira had to be disguised and completly kept secret for fear of persecution or penalty of death. Capoeira was prohibited in Brazil until 1930. At that time the government eased up on the repression of popular cultural expression, including Capoeira.
In 1932, Mestre Bimba (the creator of modern Capoeira) opened the first formal school of Capoeira. In doing so, he took Capoeira off the streets, where it was looked down upon by the upper class Brazilian society, who considered it a pastime of cutthroats, thieves and con men. Mestre Bimba began teaching doctors, lawyers, and business men. In time, the art of Capoeira gained great respect in Brazil.
Today, Capoeira is taught in schools and various academies all over Brazil and throughout the world. It has been recognized as a Brazilian national sport since 1972, and it is second in popularity only to soccer.
Mestre Panao
Mestre Panão (Robson Alexandre Pedro) started training Capoeira in 1982, when he was just 13 years old. He began training with Professor To, who was a student of Mestre Paulo Carioca, at the "Netos de Amaralina" Academy, in the Jacana neighborhood in the city of Sao Paulo.
In early 1984, Mestre Panão went to train with Mestre Rizadinha (graduated by Mestre Suassuna), who graduated him to the level of Contra-Mestre, and to whom he credits his basic knowledge of Capoeira. During this time, he also acquired some knowledge of Capoeira Angola through Mestre Gato Preto (Berimbau de Ouro da Bahia), at his mestre's academy.
In 1992, Mestre Panão started "Grupo de Capoeira Resistencia". With a lot of hard work and dedication, he was able to stand out in the Capoeira community of Sao Paulo by demonstrating that his students have the ability to truly play Capoeira, not just to fight and use brute force.
Mestre Panão has participated in countless Capoeira events in Brazil, the United States, Canada and Mexico, as well as Europe. His dedication to Capoeira has put him in great demand for workshops and batizados throughout the Capoeira world. He has also appeared on television in Brazil and the United States, as well as in magazines and newspapers.
Mestre Panão has been attending Capoeira events in the United States since 1995. In 2002, he opened his first academy outside Brazil in San Diego, California. In 2006, Mestre Panão moved to Richmond where he now teaches and resides.
In early 1984, Mestre Panão went to train with Mestre Rizadinha (graduated by Mestre Suassuna), who graduated him to the level of Contra-Mestre, and to whom he credits his basic knowledge of Capoeira. During this time, he also acquired some knowledge of Capoeira Angola through Mestre Gato Preto (Berimbau de Ouro da Bahia), at his mestre's academy.
In 1992, Mestre Panão started "Grupo de Capoeira Resistencia". With a lot of hard work and dedication, he was able to stand out in the Capoeira community of Sao Paulo by demonstrating that his students have the ability to truly play Capoeira, not just to fight and use brute force.
Mestre Panão has participated in countless Capoeira events in Brazil, the United States, Canada and Mexico, as well as Europe. His dedication to Capoeira has put him in great demand for workshops and batizados throughout the Capoeira world. He has also appeared on television in Brazil and the United States, as well as in magazines and newspapers.
Mestre Panão has been attending Capoeira events in the United States since 1995. In 2002, he opened his first academy outside Brazil in San Diego, California. In 2006, Mestre Panão moved to Richmond where he now teaches and resides.
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