RISE Training offers capoeira classes for adults and children at all levels under the direction of Contra Mestre Tinta Forte. Our capoeira teachers have decades of experience, both domestically and internationally.
WHAT IS CAPOEIRA?
Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian martial art that was born from slavery and was passed on in spite of being banned in Brazil. Capoeira embodies the communities of African and Indigenous People of Brazil who fought together for a better life. Capoeira is a communal art form meant to uplift everyone.
In the early 20th century, capoeira was illegal to be practiced in public. The Brazilian government later legalized the martial art and recognized capoeira for its value. Capoeiristas from Brazil brought the art form to the United States in the late 1970s resulting in capoeira schools all over the world. Not only is it used as a martial art, capoeira is also used in some parts of the world as a tool for therapy and helping those with PTSD.
Capoeira is a cultural expression that strengthens the body with kicks, defensive moves, and acrobatics. Capoeira has a balance of dance, music, and movement. It serves as a gathering point for individuals to interact with and unite their
communities through movement and music.
Capoeira music is played with live instruments. The songs are sung in Brazilian-Portuguese and students are given the opportunity to learn more about a culture through that language. Capoeira songs can be made of simple phrases.
Some songs pass on legends of historical events or individuals.
The numerous benefits of capoeira include:
WHAT IS CAPOEIRA?
Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian martial art that was born from slavery and was passed on in spite of being banned in Brazil. Capoeira embodies the communities of African and Indigenous People of Brazil who fought together for a better life. Capoeira is a communal art form meant to uplift everyone.
In the early 20th century, capoeira was illegal to be practiced in public. The Brazilian government later legalized the martial art and recognized capoeira for its value. Capoeiristas from Brazil brought the art form to the United States in the late 1970s resulting in capoeira schools all over the world. Not only is it used as a martial art, capoeira is also used in some parts of the world as a tool for therapy and helping those with PTSD.
Capoeira is a cultural expression that strengthens the body with kicks, defensive moves, and acrobatics. Capoeira has a balance of dance, music, and movement. It serves as a gathering point for individuals to interact with and unite their
communities through movement and music.
Capoeira music is played with live instruments. The songs are sung in Brazilian-Portuguese and students are given the opportunity to learn more about a culture through that language. Capoeira songs can be made of simple phrases.
Some songs pass on legends of historical events or individuals.
The numerous benefits of capoeira include:
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● Learning traditional arts
● Foreign language ● Cultural study + awareness ● Sense of community ● Improved self-confidence ● Character-building |
● Self-defense
● Improved focus ● Playing musical instruments ● Self expression ● Physical fitness (Increased flexibility and balance, burning calories, increased stamina, strength building, acrobatics, body awareness |
As one of the few places to provide African-culture arts, Rise Training also aims to pass on the character-building lessons that martial arts provide.
We offer both kids and adult classes. No experience is necessary. Join us for a unique cultural experience!
We offer both kids and adult classes. No experience is necessary. Join us for a unique cultural experience!
capoeira TEACHERS
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CONTRA MESTRE TINTA FORTE
Contra Mestre Tinta Forte, as he is known in the capoeira community, was born and raised on the South Side of Chicago in the West Pullman neighborhood. After high school, Victor started training in the Afro-Brazilian martial art of capoeira with Mestre Marisa Cordeiro of Gingarte Capoeira in 1999. Mestre Marisa’s capoeira group was often booked to perform at Brazilian cultural shows. As a performer, Victor was able to experience all parts of the city and is grateful for this art that teaches pride through an Afrocentric experience.
Although the majority of his capoeira training has been in Chicago, Contra Mestre Tinta Forte has trained capoeira all over the world including extensive periods of time in Brazil. He managed his own capoeira group while living in Albuquerque, New Mexico for several years before returning to Chicago. Contra Mestre Tinta Forte has taught throughout the United States and abroad. He earned his “Contra Mestre” capoeira cord in 2022. Contra Mestre Tinta Forte has taken the Training For Mandated Reporters. Working with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Child Abuse Hotline, this course helps all Illinois Mandated Reporters understand their critical role in protecting children by recognizing and reporting child abuse. He teaches with safety as a priority and are American Red Cross CPR and First Aid certified. |
INSTRUCTOR EMBUIA
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Instructor Embuia has been training capoeira for over 17 years in Chicago and has traveled extensively nationally and internationally to capoeira events.
Embuia has also hosted virtual workshops for Rise Training Academy on health and nutrition. Instructor Embuia currently teaches our capoeira kids and adults classes. In addition to being a martial artist, he also works as Community Engagement Manager for Healthy Schools Campaign. |
INSTRUCTOR COM DENDE
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Com Dendê began his capoeira journey training in the Angola style during his senior year of high school in 2002. He spent nearly two years with his teacher before circumstances left him needing a new capoeira home, and he found one in Gingarte Capoeira in 2005.
In capoeira, Com Dendê had found an outlet and a family unlike in any other activity, even his previous personal favorites of volleyball and soccer. For him, the art represented freedom - and for that reason he has remained a student of it for two decades, no matter where life has led. His training saw some hiatuses when he spent some years living in the suburbs to further his education, and more still when he became a father in 2015 and joined the electrician's trade. Even so, Com Dendê comes to capoeira as a man with much perseverance, and he earned his blue 'instructor' cord in July of 2022. Instructor Com Dendê currently teaches Rise Training adults and kids capoeira classes and performs at our capoeira community events. |
MESTRE MARISA CORDEIRO
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Rise Training trains under the tutelage of Mestre Marisa Cordeiro. She ranks among the highest female capoeiristas in the United States. Mestre Marisa is a leader of the Brazilian community in Chicago and founder of her group Gingarte Capoeira in 1991.
Born in Curvelo, Brazil, Mestre Marisa is a student of Mestre Suassuna and trained at the prestigious Cordão de Ouro Capoeira Academy in São Paulo with other top masters such as Mestre Canguru and Mestre Urubu Malandro. She is well respected in Brazil and around the world as a pioneer for women in capoeira. |
CAPOEIRA MISSION STATEMENT
To provide health, wellness, and education through arts of enslaved or colonized communities.
Rise Training Academy was and continues to be riven with pain by the knowledge that citizens are being hunted, shot in their own homes, and strangled in the public square while being denied their basic humanity. Rise Training Academy has always been a resource of the Chicago South Side and always will be. We have great pride in our city because it has made us who we are and we know we owe so much.
The first few years of my martial arts journey was spent exploring the idea of “did I belong here?” Capoeira, after I got to know her better, provided me with a home and family. I ultimately committed to capoeira because capoeira addressed the idea of me having my own Afrocentric ideologies, but I still had to learn to navigate in a world that doesn’t share those values.
If the capoeira Rise Training Academy teaches represents freedom, then oppression is the enemy to the Rise capoeirista. Capoeira is for the people, not the establishment. As a capoeirista, I will always fight to support the people. The people are all shades of melanin and include the rainbows of sexual orientations and gender identities. We don’t fear to share our ideas. We fear that if we don’t share our ideas you’ll never realize this is where you belong. There is plenty of martial art and fitness options but we are here to proudly serve the South Side of Chicago.
Contra Mestre Tinta Forte
The first few years of my martial arts journey was spent exploring the idea of “did I belong here?” Capoeira, after I got to know her better, provided me with a home and family. I ultimately committed to capoeira because capoeira addressed the idea of me having my own Afrocentric ideologies, but I still had to learn to navigate in a world that doesn’t share those values.
If the capoeira Rise Training Academy teaches represents freedom, then oppression is the enemy to the Rise capoeirista. Capoeira is for the people, not the establishment. As a capoeirista, I will always fight to support the people. The people are all shades of melanin and include the rainbows of sexual orientations and gender identities. We don’t fear to share our ideas. We fear that if we don’t share our ideas you’ll never realize this is where you belong. There is plenty of martial art and fitness options but we are here to proudly serve the South Side of Chicago.
Contra Mestre Tinta Forte
CAPOEIRA UNIFORMS & INSTRUMENTS
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UNIFORMS
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INSTRUMENTS
If you own capoeira instruments, please bring them to class. We may not always have enough to share. OTHER Other items we recommend to bring to class:
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New to capoeira and have some questions? Complete the form below and we will help you get started!
LOCATIONClasses are being held at 8716 S Colfax Ave, Chicago, IL 60617 in East Side neighborhood. There is free street parking.
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