Capoeira originated in colonial Brazil in the 16th century as a way for enslaved Africans to disguise their fighting skills against their Portuguese captors through music, song and dance. It has since evolved into various styles practiced worldwide as both an art form and sport. Capoeira emphasizes freedom of expression and movement, allowing practitioners to overcome limitations and fear through constant practice.

1. WHAT IS CAPOEIRA?
Pena / Vida Sioson

2. Most people know Capoeira from Tekken’s Eddy
Gordo and Christie Monteiro.

3. One word to define Capoeira: LIBERDADE
- Portuguese term for “Freedom”.

4. WHY LIBERDADE?
A bit of Capoeira History
There are many theories as to how Capoeira
originated, and we cannot really say which is the
“right” one due to lack of documentation.

5. WHY LIBERDADE?
A bit of Capoeira History
My version of its history: Capoeira originated in
colonial Brazil in the 16th Century, in the midst of the
African slaves’ fight for FREEDOM from their
Portuguese captors.

6. WHY LIBERDADE?
A bit of Capoeira History
The slaves used MUSIC and SONG to disguise their
preparations to fight against their Portuguese captors.
This is why it looks like a dance!

7. WHY LIBERDADE?
A bit of Capoeira History
They say Capoeira literally means “TALL GRASS”. It is
said that this is where they practice and train.

8. CAPOEIRA TODAY
Fast Forward to 2012
Since then, Capoeira has evolved into many different
forms and is practiced widely all throughout the
world. (Ex. Regional, Angola)

9. CAPOEIRA TODAY
Fast Forward to 2012
In the Philippines, there are about 3 schools – one of
which is SINHA BAHIA DE CAPOEIRA, under Mestre
Torpedo.

10. CAPOEIRA DEMO

11. DEFINING CAPOEIRA
“Capoeira is not just a SPORT, it is an ART FORM, a
CULTURE and an EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITY.”

12. DEFINING CAPOEIRA
Capoeira enriches you, not only PHYSICALLY, but also
MENTALLY, and EMOTIONALLY.

13. WHY LIBERDADE?
Our Story
Before I started Capoeira, who would have thought
that I could ever be able to do all these seemingly
CRAZY THINGS?

14. WHY LIBERDADE?
Our Story
Capoeira is a constant reminder that FEAR AND
LIMITATIONS ARE BUT ALL IN THE MIND, and that
things can be done if you actually do them.

15. WHY LIBERDADE?
Our Story
I learn slow, but I do things until I can do things.

16. WHY LIBERDADE?
CAPOEIRA is…
FREEDOM of expression and of movement;
It is FREEDOM to transcend one’s abilities;
It is FREEDOM from the limitations that we usually
set ourselves.

17. OBRIGADO!
@vidasioson | vidasioson.com