ABOUT CAPOEIRA
Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian martial art developed centuries ago by slaves that used the art as a way of defense from their oppressors. Capoeira involves elements of dance, acrobatics, music and self-defense.
There are three main Capoeira styles:
Capoeira Angola, Capoeira Regional and Capoeira Contemporânea.
Angola is the traditional style of Capoeira, the game is at a slower pace played close to the ground combining fluid, dance-like movements with kicks, head butts and sweeps while giving the appearance of playfulness and vulnerability.
Capoeira Regional combines the movements at a more accelerated pace than Angola, games are played upright on the feet with a focus on technique and Mestre Bimba's traditional Capoeira moves.
Capoeira Contemporânea is a modern Regional style, it's generally faster-paced played farther apart and incorporating fast kicks, jumping, acrobatics and spinning movements of short duration. In all styles, music is played on traditional instruments in a circle called the "roda", the circle is formed with other Capoeira players that join in to play and sing to traditional Capoeira music.
OUR GROUP
Sitio Alegre Capoeira Group is a vibrant community dedicated to the art of Capoeira. Led by Instrutor Uriel, our group embodies the spirit of this Afro-Brazilian martial art. Instrutor Uriel, a direct student of the renowned Capoeira master, Mestre Preguiça, carries forward this lineage, bridging tradition and innovation.
Our mission is to promote Capoeira and bring cultural awareness through high-quality training, captivating performances, and community culture. We believe that Capoeira is more than just a physical practice - it is a powerful tool for fostering health, cultural awareness, and diversity.
Mestre Preguiça
Mestre Preguiça (Wandenkolk Manoel De Oliveira) has been a pioneer and influential figure of contemporary Capoeira for 50+ years. He studied Capoeira under the legendary Mestre Bimba, the creator of Capoeira Regional. In 1965, Mestre Preguiça moved to Rio de Janeiro and co-founded Grupo Senzala, which in 20 years gained worldwide renown recognition and became the prominent Capoeira style in Brazil. In 1984 he moved to San Francisco and founded Omulu Capoeira Group, he also initiated the "CAP Initiative" Community Action Program, a focus on inner city youth providing mentorship, support and guidance through free community Capoeira classes and programs.
Legendary Mestre Bimba, the creator of Capoeira Regional. In 1932, Mestre Bimba founded the first Capoeira school, the Academia-escola de Cultura Regional, in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. His reforms transformed Capoeira, emphasizing music, effective kicks, and a broader audience.