OUR GROUP:
Capoeira Malês was founded by Mestre Curisco and Mestre Lua after emigrating from Brazil to the United States and Canada respectively. Their aim is to share their love of capoeira and their wealth of experience with students, based on their shared values of respect, discipline and tradition. Not only are Mestre Curisco and Mestre Lua committed to the preservation and values of capoeira as an art, but also to disseminating Brazilian culture worldwide and passing on these values to their students.
Capoeira Malês Scarborough is dedicated to promoting the art of Capoeira in the Greater Toronto Area. Through the dedicated leadership of Professor Tropa – under the guidance of Mestre Lua Branca – the capoeira practitioner will learn the fundamental movements of capoeira, as well as understand its history of origins, its culture, and its development. Capoeira encompasses aspects of dance, martial arts, acrobatics, music, and Brazilian culture in a single art form.
MESTRE LUA:
Born and raised in south-eastern Brazil, Mestre Lua began practicing capoeira at the age of six and hasn’t stopped since.
He focuses on teaching the basics first while using proper and safe techniques, teaching his students to be prepared for anything in the roda. As an avid student of other martial arts, he often incorporates new techniques and movements not commonly found in capoeira.
He is recognized by his peers as one of the best capoeiristas in Canada and regularly travels nationwide, to the U.S., Europe and South America teaching workshops and sharing his knowledge.
PROFESSOR TROPA:
Jorge “Tropa” Libaque was born in Lima, Peru and is the founder and lead instructor at Capoeira Malês Scarborough.
His knowledge and understanding of the positive impacts of physical activity stems from his experiences in various martial arts, specifically Karate (Chito-Ryu) and Capoeira. He has been an active member of the GTA capoeira community since 2004.
Informed by his many years of experience as an elementary school teacher, he focuses his teachings on the important fundamental basics of movement and differentiates his instructions to ensure all members are successful in reaching their goals. He is a firm believer in establishing an encouraging and supportive learning environment where all participants feel safe to take healthy risks when exploring their potential.