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About Axé Capoeira KingstonAxé Kingston is part of world-renowned Grupo Axé Capoeira, founded by Mestre Barrão in 1982. Offering classes in Kingston, Ontario, we strive to bring strong core values and the artform of Capoeira to the Limestone City.
Capoeira is not just a martial art, it's a dynamic and vibrant cultural expression that originated in Brazil during the colonial era. Combining dance, music, acrobatics, and martial arts, Capoeira is a unique and captivating experience that will leave you hooked from the very first class. |
About Capoeira
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Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian martial art developed in the 1500s by African and Indigenous slaves in Brazil as a form of self-defense from their oppressors. It is marked by its agile and tricky movements that may be executed anywhere from an upside-down position to a gravity-defying kick. Capoeira develops mental balance and physical conditioning.
Capoeira is often seen as a martial art disguised as a dance, but in reality it encompasses much more. It is a harmony of forces, that gives power, flexibility, endurance, and self-discovery through an uplifting cultural experience. Capoeira is a positive experience which welcome all types of individuals of all ages, background, and levels, and all play together in mutual cooperation and respect. |
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About Grupo Axé Capoeira
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History
Grupo Axé Capoeira was created in Recife in 1982 by Mestre Barrão, with headquarter in Vancouver. The group continues to flourish as one of the world’s leading Capoeira organizations with academies throughout Canada, United States, Europe, Asia and South America. Grupo Axé Capoeira is renowned for its promotion of the history, music, art, and culture of Brazil and for its interactive and educational demonstrations. |
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Philosophy and 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, 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 enemies, 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.
Goals
Axé Capoeira works hard to ensure that Capoeira has a strong future. Through research, travel and participating in events, we hope to increase our knowledge of our art and contribute to the evolution of Capoeira. Our goal is for Capoeira to be respected amongst the most widely practiced and respected martial art forms in the world. In addition, we strive to promote a healthy and active lifestyle for our members of all ages.
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, 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 enemies, 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.
Goals
Axé Capoeira works hard to ensure that Capoeira has a strong future. Through research, travel and participating in events, we hope to increase our knowledge of our art and contribute to the evolution of Capoeira. Our goal is for Capoeira to be respected amongst the most widely practiced and respected martial art forms in the world. In addition, we strive to promote a healthy and active lifestyle for our members of all ages.
About Mestre Barrão
Marcos da Silva, known world-wide as 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.
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 centres, and universities throughout Brazil and eventually he formed Grupo Axé Capoeira. In 1987, he was graduated to First Degree Master by Mestre Pirajá. He has now received his last Degree Master as Gran Mestre.
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.
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 centres, and universities throughout Brazil and eventually he formed Grupo Axé Capoeira. In 1987, he was graduated to First Degree Master by Mestre Pirajá. He has now received his last Degree Master as Gran Mestre.
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.
About Graduado Baiano
Graduado Jean "Baiano" Kwanda began training in Victoria under Mestre Testa, there he studied the art of capoeira, its music and culture since 2009. While training on the West Coast he participated in many batizados, competition and other events, training with the founder of Axé Capoiera Grand Mestre Barrão, and his sons Mestre Barrãozinho and Mestrando Osso Duro who run the group Axé Capoeira headquarter and academy in Vancouver, and as well as many other talented and advanced capoeiristas within the Axé Capoeira group.
Over a decade of training, he reached one of the advanced level and began teaching beginners classes for both adults and adolescents. Not only did he teach classes, he also performed dance, capoeira solos, and music at many events Axé Capoeira organized around the world.
Graduado Baiano relocated to Kingston since 2015, and with the support of his teacher and mentor Mestre Testa is able to start teaching his own classes and share his passion for the wonderful culture and physical aspects of capoeira with the Kingston community.
Meanwhile, he is also still training and continues to excel with Grupo Axé Capoeira Victoria under Mestre Testa.
Over a decade of training, he reached one of the advanced level and began teaching beginners classes for both adults and adolescents. Not only did he teach classes, he also performed dance, capoeira solos, and music at many events Axé Capoeira organized around the world.
Graduado Baiano relocated to Kingston since 2015, and with the support of his teacher and mentor Mestre Testa is able to start teaching his own classes and share his passion for the wonderful culture and physical aspects of capoeira with the Kingston community.
Meanwhile, he is also still training and continues to excel with Grupo Axé Capoeira Victoria under Mestre Testa.
Classes
Our classes are currently customized for beginners and advanced where anyone can join; no previous experience in martial arts is necessary. The classes will cover all aspects of Capoeira ; martial-arts, dance, music, acrobatics, culture and more. You will learn the basic steps of Capoeira; Ginga, Esquivas, Attack/Defense/Counter-attacks, and basic acrobatics. We focus on developing the students rhythm, reflexes, balance, coordination, and increasing strength and flexibility as they learn.
Although, the classes are mostly tailored towards beginners, we can also accommodate students with more experience in capoeira, splitting the floor into groups when necessary.
Although, the classes are mostly tailored towards beginners, we can also accommodate students with more experience in capoeira, splitting the floor into groups when necessary.
Class Schedule
Interested in trying Capoeira? You can join us for a trial class weekly.
Please wear comfortable workout gear. Long pants and a plain white t-shirt are recommended.
Please wear comfortable workout gear. Long pants and a plain white t-shirt are recommended.
Our Belt systemAxé Capoeira utilizes a belt system to acknowledge the knowledge of the capoeira student. The belt is known as "corda", or cord, and is presented to the student during an event called the Batizado (baptism). This is an event that celebrates the Brazilian culture through dances and music and where students can progress through the belt system.
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Why Capoeira?
Capoeira is a very dynamic, beautiful and powerful martial art that provides an intense workout as well as a cultural experience. But training Capoeira can prove to be very beneficial in these aspects:
Physical/Health benefit
Social Benefit
Physical/Health benefit
- Strength: Capoeiristas are always moving around on their hands in handstands, rolls, poses, etc. that can make a drastic improvement on upper body strength. They also perform many jumping kicks and movements that definitely improve leg strength.
- Endurance: to provide the maximum energy during the entire period of play.
- Flexibility: Some capoeiristas are on par with yoga practitioners in terms of their flexibility.
- Agility and Speed: capoeira movements change direction at any time, and one has to be quick on one's feet to gain spatial advantage.
- Cardio and Stamina: Intense capoeira games can require enormous amounts of energy. This, combined with constant repetition of movements and techniques, makes capoeira a valuable cardio exercise.
- Balance and Coordination: to master the body’s control during complex movements and to be able to respond to attacks with arms, the trunk of the body and legs, all at once.
- Rhythm: the Capoeira game is led by music and singing and the pace of the movements must match the music’s rhythm.
- Overall Fitness: Capoeira will improve your strength, flexibility, and stamina, thus improving your overall fitness. It may take a while to become fit, but once you start to take capoeira seriously you can become the picture of health.
Social Benefit
- Meet new people: When you join a capoeira group, you become part of a family. You will meet people from all over the world, and you will definitely make new friends along the way.
- Learn a new language: You may not become fluent (though that’s always a possibility), but there is no doubt that you will come to understand and perhaps speak a bit of Brazilian Portuguese.
- Learn about a new culture: Capoeira is deeply connected to Brazil. In a time when many martial arts are reduced to aerobic workouts and cookie cutter dojos, capoeira maintains all of its roots and traditions. Maybe you’ll even develop a taste for Brazilian food!
- Gain confidence: If nothing else, capoeira is perfect for instilling a sense of pride and confidence in anyone who plays. Not only will you feel stronger and more courageous once you become comfortable in the jogo, you’ll find confidence in knowing that you are unique among your (non-capoeira) peers because you can do things they couldn’t imagine doing.
What Our Clients Are Saying
"Jean is a superb instructor! With his help, I got to start a lifelong Capoeira journey. I would recommend getting involved with Axé Capoeira Kingston to anyone interested in exploring an amazing piece of Afro-Brazilian culture." - Gabriel (Student)
"I started taking online classes during the pandemic. Learning Capoeira from Jean is a fun, challenging workout. " - Danielle (Student)
"Jean is a great teacher, full of humor and joy. Capoeira Kingston allowed me to discover this Brazilian heritage and travel across Canada for great events and meet many passionate and great teachers. Capoeira will strengthen your skills in a fun way while keeping the martial and musical aspect."
- Robin (Student)