Hello

I've been training capoeira since 1992 and teaching this amazing art since the mid 90's.  I grew up in Ukiah, Ca and have traveled the US and Brazil experiencing classes, workshops, batizados, and other great events.  I started training under the direction of Mestre Amunka (Capoeira Yokayo - UCA) and Mestre Rony (Volta Ao Mundo).  At 14 years old, I was drawn to the physicality and complex nature of the movements within capoeira.  This art caught my attention and kept it.  Ukiah was a small town back in the 90s and there weren't very many options for martial arts, really just karate.  When I saw capoeira at a local event, and witnessed the music and combat, I was intrigued.  I went to my first class the next week. What is interesting is that this was before the UFC and mixed martial arts, even Brazilian Jiu Jitsu had not hit mainstream in the US.  I view this as a sort of renaissance period in modern martial arts. Since my early days in the 90s, I have traveled all over the United States and Brazil training and teaching capoeira.  I moved from Ukiah to Los Angeles and then to Tallahassee, FL for ten years.  In 2010, I came back to California and taught for awhile in Santa Cruz before moving with my family to Sacramento in 2012.  

 

Throughout this time I gained experience teaching and developed my love for instruction. Capoeira is extremely dynamic and has something to offer everyone looking to learn and work hard.  Although the movements may seem fluid and unstructured, there are actually a lot of details in the techniques.  I love digging into the intricacies of the kicks, dodges, strikes, and escapes.  Over the years, through countless hours of learning and experimenting, I have developed my own curriculum to train the most well-rounded and effective capoeiristas.  I believe that good capoeira is based on a foundation of strength and fitness and I incorporate this training into all of my classes.  Even if the techniques are difficult to grasp at first (they won't always be), every student should get a great workout. As students progress in the art, the curriculum corresponds.  There are increasing levels of expectations as student move through the belt brackets.  Different than many capoeira schools, I believe students should earn belts when ready and not be held to a ceremony/batizado date. To this point, consistency in attendance is key to success.  Not only will attendance lead to increased strength and flexibility, but it will also allow students to build their proficiencies with the art. 

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