About

Capoeira

Capoeira is a high energy art form that blends elements of self-defense techniques, acrobatics, dance-like movements and music into a unique art form. It is a lively and engaging activity with outstanding physical and emotional benefits.
This art form traces its roots to West Africa but finds its historical origins with enslaved people of Brazil. The movements and expressions that shape capoeira are rich in cultural narratives, offering a uniquely physical means to learn global history, develop soft skills – teamwork, adaptability, and leadership among other.
Capoeira is an intergenerational art form which brings people together from all walks of life regardless of physical abilities, social or ethnic backgrounds or belief systems. Capoeira unites and connects people through corporal expression, music and culture.

ABADA-Capoeira Florida

ABADÁ-Capoeira Florida works to preserve, share and expand the art of Capoeira using its practice as a medium to develop youth, promote healthy lifestyles and build community. 
Leveraging the principles and values learned through Capoeira – respect, integrity, empathy, collaboration – we aim to support the development of character and encourage social responsibility in our students.

We nurture a family-friendly environment with the goal of inspiring students to reach their maximum potential through artistic and athletic excellence.

International Affiliation ABADA-Capoeira

ACFL shares name and philosophy with the international ABADA-Capoeira school, founded by Mestre Camisa in 1988, headquartered in Rio de Janeiro. ABADA-Capoeira is one of the largest Capoeira schools and greatest exposure of Afro-Brazilian culture with representation in more than 60 countries and close to seventy thousand members worldwide.
Mestre Camisa is highly regarded in the martial arts community and in Brazilian society, for his innovative contributions to the art of Capoeira raging from developing high performing athletes, a relentless drive to encourage improvement of the musicality of Capoeira, conducting Capoeira research initiatives and leading impactful pro-social campaigns in Rio, which have now expanded throughout the world. 


Professor Coco Instrutora Franjinha

For us, Capoeira is a family affair! We are a husband and wife team whose shared passion for the art of Capoeira and a deep desire to see others benefit from this transformative art, have impacted the lives of countless students throughout our more than 30 years teaching and practicing the art of Capoeira. Together, we operated ABADA-Capoeira Bronx and opened the first cultural center of its kind in the borough and executed experiential learning programs in more than 30 NYC schools. Simultaneously, while raising our children, we created an extended family of students in the Bronx, NY who continue to practice Capoeira today. We seek to share Capoeira with all in Central Florida with the goal of creating community, encouraging healthy lifestyles and supporting positive outcomes in our students.

Philosophy & Teaching Style

ABADÁ-Capoeira incorporates a multilevel philosophy which includes the relentless pursuit of the technical mastery of capoeira, on both student and teaching levels; the use of the art as a valuable academic tool, as well as an artistic and cultural resource; and the transformation of its students into teachers who will preserve the value systems of our capoeira ancestors, their cultures and life experiences.
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 believe that Capoeira must not cease to evolve. While preserving its essence, 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’s teaching methodology is both challenging yet 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.

Graduation System

Learn more about the ABADA-Capoeira cords (belts) graduation system.