Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian martial art developed by African slaves in Brazil during its colonial period. The art formed under the pressures of injustice and oppression as slaves taught eachother how to defend themselves by disguising their techniques within the charade of a dance. Capoeira is marked by deft, tricky movements played on the ground or completely inverted and always played with music. Today, Capoeira is both a means of self-defense, as well as an artistic commentary on the histories and culture of Africa and Brazil.

Albuquerque's Cordão de Ouro Capoeira is the first and the largest Capoeira Academy in the south-western United States. Cordão de Ouro trains under the instruction of Mestre Virgulino, one of the highest-ranking capoeiristas in the U.S. Albuquerque CDO Capoeira Academy is currently celebrating its fourth anniversary in New Mexico.

We are a growing group of Capoeiristas led by our instructor Mestre Virgulino. Students here are men and women, boys and girls, professionals and military. We have childrens and adults classes everyday except Sunday. We are the only Capoeira Academy in New Mexico to be taught by a true Capoeira Master with over 27 years of experience.