These are the words of Mestre "master" Azulao, Marquette's Maculele Capoeira instructor, translated from Portuguese.

Tiro Daenuwy, a senior in the College of Arts & Sciences and president of Marquette's Maculele, said Capoeira is an authentic form of martial arts that combines creativity, movement and philosophy.,”This is part of a yearlong series, "Better Know a Student Org," that profiles various groups on campus.

"Capoeira gets through your veins—you can't be exposed to it and let it go."

These are the words of Mestre "master" Azulao, Marquette's Grupo Maculele Capoeira instructor, translated from Portuguese.

Tiro Daenuwy, a senior in the College of Arts & Sciences and president of Marquette's Maculele Capoeira group, said Capoeira is an authentic form of martial arts that combines creativity, movement and philosophy.

The group of about eight students practices Wednesdays and Sundays from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. in varying locations, Daenuwy said. Marquette's Maculele was formed last spring, and is a branch of the international Maculele Capoeira school.

Azulao was asked to come to the United States by the Grand Master in Brazil, and has been here for about five months teaching Capoeira classes around the country, he said.

At each practice, the group stretches then practices movements and combinations. For the last half-hour, members play Roda, a question and answer game. The game is played to rhythmic music. One person kicks (questions) and the other dodges or retaliates (answers), Daenuwy said.

"There's an element of trickery," Daenuwy said. "The idea is not to kick each other, it's not to defeat each other—it's more of a learning process."

The beginning stance of Capoeira, called Ginga, is a crouching position with the fists raised like a boxer, one in front of the other. All moves begin from this position, Daenuwy said.

More advanced students incorporate backflips into Roda and the several other rhythmic Capoeira games.

Azulao, 39, said he started learning Capoeira when he was 15 and continued for the last 24 years. After class, he and the students sat in a circle and he asked them philosophical questions in Portuguese. The students are learning Portuguese and Azulao is learning English.

Azulao said Capoeira was started by African slaves in Brazil during the Portuguese colonization of Brazil and has a rich history and endless story.

Many of the Marquette students in Maculele said they had not done martial arts before joining the organization.

Christina Tu, a senior in the College of Arts & Sciences, said she had only done kickboxing before, and that Capoeira was not too difficult to learn.

"You don't have to flip, but (Azulao) will help you if you want to," Tu said.

Marquette Maculele Capoeira will be performing at the Bayanihan Student Organization Fall Fashion show Saturday and on Nov. 15 in the Alumni Memorial Union for International Week.

Azulao spoke to the students about philosophy and Capoeira's influence in his life.

"I'm the richest man in Milwaukee," Azulao said. "I've got Capoeira and my health."

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