Caxias & Míssil
Capoeira Brasil New York, under Mestre Caxias's guidance, practices a Capoeira variation titled Capoeira Regional Contemporânea. Our style, derived from the movements and sequences defined by Mestre Bimba, reflects the evolutions and influences of the Mestres of Capoeira Brasil. Through Capoeira, we aim to improve the standard of living of all human beings by promoting sports programs and sports-related educational activities focusing on all aspects of Capoeira. Our goals are to:
Educate, promote, and inspire cultural exchange through the art of capoeira.
Encourage our practitioners of all ages and backgrounds (including children, parents, students, and professionals) to develop and maintain self-confidence and esteem and use capoeira as a healthy outlet for physical wellness and emotional empowerment.
Encourage a healthy sense of community.
Help children develop essential social and athletic skills through various activities focusing on capoeira.
In addition to capoeira's mental and physical training, we teach traditional capoeira music, instruments, and the rich history of capoeira and Brazilian culture. Capoeira is a workout that will challenge your body and mind regardless of your experience or age.
Plus, we have some fun!
Formanda Míssil comes to capoeira from a sports and fitness background. She has trained capoeira for over 20 years under Mestre Caxias and Grupo Capoeira Brasil. Energized by the physicality, the history, and the challenges, capoeira turned into a lifelong love with the art and culture. She has been affiliated with New York City’s YMCAs, teaching capoeira at different locations for over 20 years.
In addition, Formanda Míssil has volunteered her time and know-how working with at-risk youth, using capoeira to improve self-esteem, learn nonviolent conflict resolution, and educate them about a healthier lifestyle. With Mestre Caxias as her teacher and mentor, she has achieved the rank of Formanda in Grupo Capoeira Brasil.
Mestre Caxias has been training, studying, and playing capoeira for more than 35 years.
Originally from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, he is the founder of the New York Branch of Grupo Capoeira Brasil and the first to bring the organization to the United States more than 20 years ago. During his 17 years in Manhattan, teaching at a number of academies, schools and New York University, Mestre Caxias established branches for his group in Durham, NC; Phoenix, AZ; Tempe, AZ; Virginia Beach, VA and Natal, Brazil.
Mestre Caxias taught capoeira at various universities and has been a guest teacher at a number of international festivals throughout the world. He has also performed at several art venues, including NYC’s prestigious Lincoln Center.
Mestre Caxias is now dedicated to spreading this unique art in the Middle East. He has recently moved to the UAE, where he continues to expand the Capoeira Brasil name and legacy.
About Grupo Capoeira Brasil (History & Formation)
Grupo Capoeira Brasil was founded on January 14, 1989 by Luis Roberto Simas, Paulo César da Silva Sousa, and Paulão Sales Neto known in the capoeira community by their nome de guerra: Mestre Boneco, Mestre Paulinho Sabiá, and Mestre Paulão Ceará, respectively. All three Mestres had trained under Grupo Senzala, one of the most influencing capoeira groups and pioneers of Capoeira Contemporânea during the late 1960s and 70s.
During the late 1980s, as a result of different ideologies, many of Grupo Senzala’s “Corda Vermelhas“/”Red Cords” (Grupo Senzala’s highest graduation) left to pursue their own work. As such, Grupo Capoeira Brasil was inaugurated in the city of Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in honor of the recent centennial of the abolishment of slavery in Brazil. Under the supervision and blessing of its “padrinhos“, or godfathers, Mestre Gato, Mestre Peixinho and Mestre Rafael Flores (founders of Grupo Senzala), Mestre Suassuna, Mestre Itapoã, Mestre Peixinho, and the late Mestre Ezekiel, Grupo Capoeira Brasil was born. Today, Grupo Capoeira Brasil has spread internationally with well over 1,300 groups and 400 instructors.
