Hi! It’s been a while since we’ve had any posts up but that doesn’t mean that nothing has been going on! In fact a lot of great things happened last year for Au Capoeira NZ! It would take too long to recap all the events – but here are some snapshots of the highlights of 2011 since the Jambalaya performance:

1. Raglan Beach Camp
March last year we were lucky enough to catch the last of the summer rays and have an amazing time in Raglan joined by Capoeira Brasil NZ and Instructor Fila (Capoeira Brasil Sydney). Great… workshops, rodas, beach times, parties, food and company! Oh and did I mention a beautiful cruise on the Raglan harbour?!

Our special roda spot!

2. Britomart Block Benefit
The Britomart Block Benefit was a fun-run relay event where teams ran around the ‘block’ at Britomart for the Red Cross Christchurch Earthquake Appeal. The ‘block’ is actually several blocks – a distance of around 735 metres. Team members could run (walk, hop etc) as many or as few laps as they like. Of course “Team Au Capoeira” chose to au/ginga/macaco  around the block…. It was quite insane! We, were quite insane!!!

Even Lucy Lawless aka "Xena the Warrior Princess" joined us for a bit!

3. Professor Junior becomes…. Mestre Junior
On Junior’s trip back to Brazil to spend time with his family, he also attended Mestre Pop’s event in Florianopolis on the 13 August 2011.  Here he was given his Masters belt/title by his own Father and  Capoeira Master - Mestre Pop. This is a great achievement and as his students here in NZ, we are very proud of him.

The roda where Mestre Junior was given his Master title. Here he is about to play with Mestre Pop.

4. Rugby World Cup Performances 2011
2011 was the year New Zealand hosted the Rugby World Cup and we were lucky enough to be a part of the pre-match street entertainment for games held in Auckland! There’s no doubt that with the combined efforts of ‘Soul Brasilis’ – the lively beats from the Brazilian batucada drummers, sensual moves from the Brazilian Divas and the whirlwind moves of Au Capoeira – that we helped to lift the street party atmosphere! We even performed on the field for the Bronze-final match between Australia and Wales.

5. Au Capoeira NZ – 4th International Summit

Another great event with awesome workshops and many Au Capoeira students gaining a new belt, including a new bunch of kids! We were lucky to have special guests: Mestre Pop and Professor Victor from Brazil, Contra-Mestre Ourico from Australia, Monitor Saracura from Malaysia, Instructor Corvinho from Ireland and Mestre Brabo, Mestre Junior, Professor Perere and Instructor Mercurio from New Zealand.

Au Capoeira Batizado 2011

…More to come in 2012!!!

Capoeiristas from Au Capoeira (Auckland), Aruande Capoeira (Wellington)  and Capoeira Brasil (Tauranga) performed last month at the Jambalaya Music Festival. This was a fantastic festival put on from 4-6th March at the Corbans Wine Estate in Waitakere City.

Stage Performance

Roda de Capoeira

Professor Perere

Photos:Tessa Crisp

Hi Guys,

this year’s surf camp is going to be at the world famous surfing mecca Raglan.

It’s from Friday March 11 to March 13. We’ll be located at the beautiful Karioi Lodge for a weekend full of Capoeira workshops and fun activities. A boat trip is included on the package.

We’re all looking forwards to enjoying one of the most beautiful and amazing places in New Zealand. Any questions contact Professor Junior 021-2391345 or Instructor Tulio 021-2565150.

Kaiori Lodge

This event is happening at the end of October. All capoeiristas and beginners welcome.

The event costs $150 for normal attendees and $180 for people grading or changing belts. We’ll be posting up the guests and class schedule over the next week or so, so stay tuned!

Confirmed guests include:

Mestre Peixe (Capoeira Brasil Sydney)
Mestre Brabo (Capoeira Mandinga NZ)
Mestre Bira (Capoeira Resistência NZ)
Professor Perere (Aruande Capoeira NZ)
Instructor Mercurio (Capoeira Brasil NZ)

To Register, please go to this link.

Some photos from this months roda….

Professor Junior

Capoeira Music

Here’s a couple of video clips from Professor Junior’s birthday roda. It was great to have Mestre Brabo and the Mandinga crew at this roda.

Happy birthday Junior!

Mestre Brabo and Professor Junior

Professor Junior and Yan

Hi all,

from now on we’ll be having a the Au Capoeira “street roda of the month.” It will be the LAST saturday of each month! Starting this Saturday 27th March, 11am meeting at the academy.

Rain or shine we will still have a roda… most likely to be around the Britomart, Viaduct or Downtown Westfield area. Please wear Au Capoeira uniform or whites.  And shoes might come in handy too – hope to see you all there!

Capoeira is an art form created out of the need to achieve one of the most important things for a human being: FREEDOM. Throughout the centuries Capoeira evolved to became much more than just a method of self defense.

It evolved to became a blend of so many elements that it’s almost impossible to name exactly what Capoeira is. Is it a martial art? Is it a dance? Is it gymnastics? A game? I would say Capoeira is all of that and much more.

Capoeira is a way to find out your true self and a way to achieve a state of self confidence. Self confidence not just in the art itself but in many other aspects of your life.

Because it is an art of self expression, through Capoeira you can reveal some aspects of your personality that you didn’t even know you had.

There are also many physical and health benefits of Capoeira.

Through Capoeira you  will develop flexibility, co-ordination, strength, balance, posture, core stability, reduction of body fat and body weight,  improvement of your toning and so on.

Many people come across saying: “Im not flexible enough to do Capoeira” or “I’m not co-ordinated to do it” or even ” I’m completely unfit to start training Capoeira.”

The good news is: you don’t need to have any of these skills or physical attributes to start training. Because of our step-by-step beginners programme, you will develop naturally all of that in a process that just requires commitment to yourself, consistancy and willingness to learn.

So don’t waste your time wondering whether to come or not. Come and become part of our team and start feeling the benefits of Capoeira today.