About
MORE THAN JUST A MARTIAL ART
Capoeira is a Brazilian martial art that combines
self-defense, acrobatics, dance, music, community,
and culture. Over the past 500 years it has evolved
from a secret fighting practice into an art emphasizing self-expression and community celebration.
Candeias Capoeira West Seattle strives to build community, share culture, and promote individual vitality through the teaching and continued development of Capoeira.
PROFESSORA ÁGUA-VIVA
Professora Água-viva is a student of Mestre Fenix,
Grupo Candeias Seattle, and has been teaching youth and adult classes in West Seattle since 2016.
Professora Água-viva started Capoeira in 2001 with Mestra Marcia of ABADÁ Capoeira San Francisco. After the birth of her son in 2008, Professora Água-viva took a break from training and moved to Seattle with her family. She started training with Mestre Fenix, Grupo Candeias, in 2012.
Professora Água-viva has spent nearly 25 years studying various movement practices and continues to attend educational events and workshops. She travels to Brazil and to other locations around the world each year to participate in Capoeira events, competitions, and workshops; and as a sought out teacher she is invited to lead Capoeira classes and workshops around the U.S. throughout the year.
Professora Água-viva and her students are community leaders and role models who promote the values of respect, integrity, strength and equality. She holds classes for beginners or experienced athletes, and classes for all ages- including toddlers, kids, teens and adults.
MESTRE FENIX
Mestre Fenix (Thyago Da Cruz) founded Fenix Capoeira and runs his academy in the Wallingford neighborhood of Seattle.
Mestre Fenix started capoeira in 1996 with Professor Caraja at the Bairro Nova Esperanca in Goiania, Brazil. In 1998 he began to train with Mestre Xereu from the group Capoeira Candeias. He moved to the US in 2005 and opened his own school in 2010.
Student Reviews
"Jen is exceptional at meeting you where you're at and challenging you as you change."
"Jen is attentive to each student's unique physical needs, and personally I'm getting stronger in ways that help me feel more stable in my body. People are friendly, and the class is a good size for beginners...it feels welcoming to people of all gender expressions."
Iris R.
"My 7-year-old son and I both attend class here. The classes are great for kids and adults"
"...Jen does an excellent job working with kids of all ages, from toddlers all the way to teenagers...Jen sets an objective for each class session, such as conditioning, improving a specific movement, or working on how students conduct the Capoeira "dialogue" with each other. Jen makes sure to break down each technique into the essential parts to match each student's skill levels.
Fred W.
I'd absolutely recommend this to anyone looking for physical practice, personal development, and real community.
Our son is thriving in school and sports, and we definitely attribute much of this success to finding his Capoeira family and studying with Jen. We look forward to it every week!
Eric B.
Instrutora Agua-Víva (Jen Hobbs) brings a wealth of martial arts experience and fitness knowledge to her instruction"
The rigor is very high yet the atmosphere is uplifting, inspiring and fun. Instruction is differentiated for all types of students and there's a lot of opportunity for extra classes and events at the main academy.
Jeremy D.