conteudo

Philosophy

ABADÁ-CAPOEIRA is a non-profit group whose main objective is to promote Capoeira and Brazilian culture, and to use it as an important vehicle and example for social integration and individual growth. Our philosophy is to present our culture to all social groups and classes. By doing so, we want to keep our roots alive and flourishing.

Abadá-capoeira incorporates a multi-level philosophy for the development of Capoeira. The philosophy includes the relentless pursuit of the technical mastery of Capoeira, on both student and teaching levels; the utilization of the art of Capoeira as a pedagogic tool, as well as an artistic and cultural resource; and the transformation of student into teacher, through teacher-student exchanges and reciprocal enlightenment, thus keeping alive the original value systems of the early Capoeira masters, their culture and their life experiences.

Abadá-capoeira seeks to promote cultural and human values based on respect, socialization and freedom. It hopes to accomplish these goals by spreading the art of Capoeira in and through universities, schools, clubs, associations and diverse communities. It also hopes to emphasize the lessons inherent in its Brazilian cultural and historic roots, and by doing so, promoting social integration between people of different backgrounds and classes, while keeping sight of its social goals. Abadá-capoeira also seeks to instill good character, dignity and strong personal values in its students.

We at Abadá-capoeira understand that Capoeira is, and always was, both an ancestral and future-oriented art form. It is the living expression and embodiment of a people that fights for liberty. In this light, we believe it should be practiced with reverence, and it deserves from our part the same respect and attention it was given by its originators. We also realize that Capoeira must not cease to evolve. While preserving the values involved, our work points toward the future, embracing changes and advancements, seeking to give Capoeira the space and freedom it demands for it to develop to its full potential. The art of Capoeira, like the chameleon, seeks change as a way to preserve its own essence.

The main focus of the Abadá-Capoeira philosophy is to be found in both Mestre Bimba's Capoeira Regional style and the lessons of Capoeira Angola. It is at this junction where the evolution of Capoeira lies, and where its future is discovered hidden in its past.

Abadá-Capoeira prides itself on the originality and constant refinement of its style of Capoeira, renown for efficiency, athletics, and cultural and historical relevance. The original style of Abadá-capoeira seeks to incorporate both Capoeira Regional and Capoeira Angola, and embraces the modernizing innovations of the legendary Mestre Bimba without losing sight of the history and philosophy of the ancient art.

Abadá-capoeira believes that the study of Capoeira involves dedication to all the various aspects of the art, including the relentless pursuit of technical mastery of the physical elements of Capoeira; constant evolution of the technique to improve efficiency and preventing injury; understanding of and reverence for Capoeira's rich history; individual competence and knowledge of the music and instruments of Capoeira; preservation and recovery of the instruments, rhythms, and games of Capoeira; and participation in the larger Capoeira community, in Brazil and throughout the world.

Abadá-capoeira's teaching methodology is both challenging and supportive, rooted in the belief that encouragement and positive role-modeling enable Capoeira to enrich the lives of all students, regardless of level or background. Abadá-capoeira provides all students with leadership skills and tools to develop into competent professionals.

Abadá-capoeira in the Washington area shares name and philosophy with the international organization of 40,000 members, founded in 1988 by Mestre Camisa, and based in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The acronym Adabá-capoeira, translated into English, stand for “Brazilian Association for the Support and Development of the Art of Capoeira”

Today, Abadá-capoeira is the largest and most successful Capoeira organization in the world. It is represented throughout Brazil and in over 50 countries — including Angola, Israel, Japan, Tahiti, Morocco, Spain, France, Italy, England, Belgium, Holland, Austria, Germany, Sweden, Portugal, Poland, Russia, Mexico, Australia and the U.S.A.

Mestre Camisa developed his own philosophy and methodology for teaching Capoeira by following the innovative concepts of his teacher, the great Master of Capoeira Regional, Mestre Bimba. Mestre Camisa's vision for Abadá- capoeira has been to create an organization that strives to move forward by keeping one foot in the past and one foot in the future, maintaining tradition while adapting to society's changes.

The organization strives to improve and promote Capoeira — allowing it to reach its full potential as an internationally respected martial art, while maintaining its dignity, character, history, and traditions.

The organization is driven by the life-long commitments of Mestre Camisa, his brother Grão Mestre Camisa Roxa, and the highest-ranked Abadá-capoeira artists who have achieved the level of “Mestre” or “Mestrando/a.”

Graduation System

ADULTS

BEGINNER (iniciante)
	Crua (Natural)

STUDENT (aluno)
	Crua-amarela (Natural-yellow) - First transition
	Amarela (Yellow), "The Gold" - signifies the value of the apprenticeship to be developed
	Amarela-laranja (Yellow-orange) – Transition
	Laranja (Orange), “The "Sun" - signifies the awakening of the consciousness of the apprenticeship
	Laranja-azul (Orange-blue) - Transition

GRADUATED STUDENT (aluno graduado)
	Azul (Blue) “The "Sea" - signifies the consciousness of the immensity of the path that is ahead
	Azul-verde (Blue-green) – Transition
	Verde (Green) “The "Forest" - signifies the lungs of the world. It is in this graduation that the strength of the work is concentrated, as is the solidification of the apprenticeship. In this graduation lies the foundation of the future of Abadá-capoeira
	Verde-roxa (Green-purple) - Transition

INSTRUCTOR (instrutor)
	Roxa (Purple) “The Amethyst”- This is the reflection of the continuity of Capoeira. In this graduation one works to overcome physical, psychological, and spiritual pains in the search for knowledge of Capoeira and the defense of Abadá-capoeira's ideals
	Roxa-marrom (Purple-Brown) - Transition

PROFESSOR
	Marrom (Brown) “The "Chameleon" - At this level the Capoeirista has assimilated the style of the group. From this graduation comes future Mestrandos, Masters, and Grand Masters
	Marrom-vermelho (Brown-red) - Transition

MESTRANDO (A)
	*Vermelha (Red) “The "Ruby"*** - is the stone that symbolizes justice. It is this graduation in which the Capoeirista acquires responsibility towards Capoeira and tries to conduct their work and make decisions with justice

MESTRE
	Vermelha-branca (Red-white) - In this graduation the Capoeirista tries to develop their potential in order to concentrate and maintain Abadá-capoeira's ideals. It is a phase of transformation, because the Mestre is preparing to obtain the highest graduation in Abadá-capoeira's system. In order to achieve Grão-Mestre, it is necessary to make decisions with precision, honesty and above all with wisdom and impartialitye
	Branca (White) “The "Diamond" - is the hardest and most resilient mineral. It reflects all colors and all colors are united in white.

GRÃO MESTRE
	From the Grão-Mestre, Abadá-capoeira is given its support in order to preserve its ideals. It is through the wisdom, patience, humility, loyalty, and firm beliefs of the Grão-Mestre that Abadá-capoeira can maintain its philosophy, tradition, and principles. There can only be one Grão-Mestre in Abadá. All attributes will be concentrated in this one person. The Grão-Mestre has the highest responsibility in conducting the fate of Abadá. This title is currently held by Grão Mestre Camisa Roxa, Mestre Camisa's older brother

CHILDREN'S SYSTEM (9 to 16 years old)

BEGINNER (iniciante)
	Crua (Natural)

STUDENT (aluno)
	Crua-amarela (Natural-yellow) - First transition
	Amarela (Yellow), "The Gold" - signifies the value of the apprenticeship to be developed
	Crua-laranja (Natural-orange) - Transition
	Amarela-laranja (Yellow-orange) – Transition
	Laranja (Orange), “The "Sun" - signifies the awakening of the consciousness of the apprenticeship
	Crua-azul (Natural-blue) - Transition
	Amarela-azul (Yellow-blue) - Transition
	Laranja-azul (Orange-blue) - Transition

After a student reaches the level of Orange-blue, he/she will can only receive the Blue Cord (Graduated Student level), when he/she turns 17 years old, and after that the student will follow the adults graduadtion system.

CHILDREN'S SYSTEM (8 years and under)

	Crua (Natural)
	Crua com uma ponta amarela (Natural with one Yellow tassel) – 3 years old
	Crua com pontas amarelas (Natural with Yellow tassel) – 4 years old
	Crua com pontas amarela-laranja (Natural with Yellow-orange tassel) – 5 years old
	Crua com pontas laranjas (Natural with Orange tassel) – 6 years old
	Crua com pontas laranja-azuil (natural with Orange-blue tassel) – 7 years old
	Crua com pontas azuis (natural with Blue tassel) – 8 years old

The graduation is given according the age, after the graduation natural with blue tassel, the student will receive the natural-yellow and continue at the children’s system.

Important note: The children's graduation system was recently reformed to better serve the progress of the little ones, now starting capoeira even younger. This is the new system that will allow them to progress normally and at the same time will give them time to mature mature until they can become graduados.

Mestres and Mestrandos

Grão Mestre Camisa Roxa

Mestranda Márcia Cigarra

Mestrando Paulinho velho

Mestrando Piriquito Verde

Mestrando Montanha

Professora Yara

Yara Cordeiro holds a Bachelor's Degrees in psychology and physical education, and has been a physical education teacher since 1994. She has Graduate Degrees in Sports Psychology and in Capoeira from the University of Brasília (UnB) and a Master’s Degree in Psychology from the Brasília Catholic University (UCB). She has consistently directed her studies towards understanding the unexplored aspects of the relationship between capoeira and sports psychology. This has led to the publication of three books: Capoeira, Identidade e Adolescência [Capoeira, Identity and Adolescence] (2008); Capoeira e desenvolvimento [Capoeira and development] (2005) and Capoeira e auto-estima [Capoeira and self-esteem], (1998/2003), the latter now in its second edition.

Besides her academic work, in capoeira Yara has been a practitioner since 1982 and a teacher since 1996. She has held workshops and given lectures about capoeira in Brazil and the U.S. Yara is qualified to teach capoeira to the most diverse groups: children, adolescents, adults, people with special needs and the elderly. She has created a special fitness program that uses capoeira movements for aerobic and localized exercises, as well as another program that uses capoeira movements as a form of body expression and for choreography.

Yara has traveled around the world showing capoeira. She took part in workshops and shows in Brazil, the U.S., France, Switzerland, Germany and South Korea, among other countries. From 2000 to 2004, Yara also competed in regional, national and world championships, achieving the following ranks:

Abadá-capoeira International Competition 2010 - San Francisco, California (November/2010) - 3^rd - Overall

Women's Champion

IV Abadá-capoeira Brazilian Games - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (August/2004) - Women’s Champion

IV Abadá-capoeira World Games - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (August/2003) - Women’s 4^th place

III Abadá-capoeira Federal District Games - Brasilia, Brazil (June/2003) - 4^th place - Overall

Women’s Champion

III Abadá-capoeira Brazilian Games - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (August/2002) - Women’s 3^rd place

II Abadá-capoeira Federal District Games - Brasilia, Brazil (June/2002) - Iúna’s Game Champion

4^th place - Overall

Women’s Champion

III Abadá-capoeira World Games - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (August/2001) - Women’s 3^rd place

II Abadá-capoeira Brazilian Games - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (September/2000) - Women’s Champion

II Abadá-capoeira South-Brazilian Games - Florianopolis, Brazil (May/2000) - Woman Champion

Graduation Champion (green-purple)

Iúna’s Game Champion

Graduated Category - 3^rd place