Born in São Paulo, Mestre Beija Flor is a captivating figure in capoeira, whose trajectory is as fascinating as the movements of this Afro-Brazilian art. At the age of 14, he discovered capoeira with the guidance of Mestre Sombra, an encounter that would shape his life in extraordinary ways.

In 1979, the Associação Senzala de Santos recognized him as a promising talent, and Mestre Sombra proudly awarded him his first capoeira foreman’s belt. From that moment on, Mestre Beija Flor’s passion for capoeira only grew.

In 1984, he founded his own academy in Santos, in Engenho Velho, a space where the pulsating rhythms of capoeira and Brazilian culture intertwined. The move to Paris in 1989 marked the creation of the Associação Capoeira Paname, a pioneering milestone for capoeira in Europe. More than just a capoeira school, the association became an epicenter where the art unfolded in sport, dance, wrestling, body expression and musicality. A true celebration of the richness of capoeira.

In 1991, Mestre Beija Flor achieved Capoeira Mestre status, consolidating his position as a respected leader in the community. The search for excellence did not stop there. In 2016, he coordinated an innovative project called “Capoeira à Lá Une” in Europe, expanding the horizons of capoeira through video and the web.

In addition to his trophies in capoeira circles, Mestre Beija Flor also shines in the musical sphere. Two CDs released under his direction received the prestigious Diapasão de Ouro, a deserved tribute to his mastery not only as a capoeira master, but also as a talented musician.

Your social commitment is equally impressive. From 2019 to 2022, at the invitation of Rui Frati, director of the Théâtre de l’Opprimé in Paris, Mestre Beija-Flor led expression workshops, using capoeira as a powerful way for young people in difficulty to channel their experiences of oppression and violence .

In 2017, UNESCO officially recognized Mestre Beija Flor for his notable contribution to capoeira. And in 2020, he presented the world with the book “Vem Jogar Capoeira”, a work that unveils the basic steps of this captivating art.


Its story is a constant dance, a true game of capoeira where each movement tells the story of a life dedicated to art, culture and transformation.

Today, Mestre Beija Flor remains the artistic coordinator of the Associação Travessias Culturais.