Capoeira

Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian art form that combines elements of martial arts, games, music, and dance. It was developed in the regions known as Bahia, Pernambuco and Rio de Janeiro. Participants form a roda, or circle, and take turns playing musical instruments (such as the Berimbau), singing, or ritually sparring in pairs in the centre of the circle.

The sparring is marked by fluid acrobatic play, feints, and extensive use of sweeps, kicks, and head butts.

MESTRE PONCIANINHO

Mestre Ponciano Almeida was born on 31st March 1980 and raised in Guaratinguetá, a small town in the state of São Pao, Brazil. He started Capoeira at the age of four in the Capoeira Academy, JACARE ACADEMIA.

Mestre Poncianinho began his Capoeira training with M. Ponciano and M. Jose Antonio as he was fortunate enough to have both his father and his uncle as his Mestre, both students of Grande Mestre Suassuna.

Mestre Jose Antonio is the Mestre of CDO Guaratingueta where M. Poncianinho started teaching Capoeira at the age of fifteen. Ponciano has since been doing capoeira shows and teaching full-time in Brazil and throughout Europe, and he has been teaching in London since 2000.

His first batizado (capoeira grading) took place in London in October 2001. Since then Ponciano has appeared in music videos, magazines, newspapers and TV commercials, including the recent trailer for BBC One. Ponciano became a master of capoeira in 2004.

To join in a class, you only need be ready 10 minutes before the class starts. If you have Pineapple membership, you do not need to pay at reception.