Mestra Edna Lima: ABADÁ-Capoeira New York

Long story short, Mestra Edna Lima’s capoeira classes are the most challenging physical activities I’ve ever done in my life! Capoeira is not just about a workout actually — it’s about learning and understanding the history, culture and art of the Afro-​Brazilians. We learn how to play the instruments and sing in Portuguese as well. As Mestra always points out the similarities of Capoeira to the game of chess, Capoeira is also a mental workout. Mestra Edna creates a safe and respectful community for us to experience Capoeira fully in NYC.
She welcomes you with a warm smile and a hug when you arrive but once class starts, she’s no joke. She will push you so you can reach your highest potential. She’s the world’s first female Capoeira master AND she’s a karate black belt. Not only does she teach me the basics and movements of Capoeira, she also teaches me philosophy of life. I sometimes have doubts in myself, and think «no, I can’t do that!» But I’ve learned to listen to Mestra Edna and trust her methods and experience. I’ve also learned to believe in myself, and slowly, I’ve started seeing progresses. Although it’s still super challenging, it feels nice to see myself grow as a Capoeirista and as a person through Capoeira training. I feel blessed to have Mestra Edna as my teacher here in the city.
Capoeira can be intimidating. I was very nervous to come to class when I first started. But I soon found out everybody (experienced students) is very friendly and willing to help me when I feel stuck. I appreciate everybody’s kindness and the warm environment.

I have been a student of Mestranda Edna Lima and under the ABADÁ-​Capoeira New York banner for 14 years. Before Capoeira, I studied Karate briefly and trained and competed in Tae Kwon Do for years until a major injury and then a career change took me away from the martial arts. Little did I know, the day I walked into Mestranda Edna’s class one summer night on a dare from a friend, at that time completely out of shape and a serious smoker, that this would become a major part of my life and my identity. Under Mestranda Edna’s instruction I have become not just an enthusiastic tinkerer in the martial arts but a competent and skilled practitioner and occasional instructor of Capoeira too.
Mestranda Edna Lima is not only the world’s first female master of Capoeira but is also a world renowned Master of Shotokan Karate. She also has a master’s degree in Physical Education, and has created numerous workout regiments to promote a healthy lifestyle as well as technical expertise in the martial arts. She has traveled the world teaching Capoeira, as well as held her home base in the United States, celebrating her 25^th year anniversary in New York City in 2013.
After 20 years of doing martial arts and 14 years of training Capoeira within the ABADÁ-​Capoeira organization all around the world, under all the Mestres and Mestrandos and other high level instructors, I am under the opinion that Mestranda Edna Lima is one of those once in a lifetime, top notch, mythical martial art instructors that are often portrayed in movies. No kidding.
Case in point. We had a long class one summer night years ago, with about 25 people in attendance. There was alot of paired up training, where two people would «play» Capoeira with each other. Mestranda went around playing music, watching us and singing and then she called all of us into a «roda» or a circle, so that we could start the last playing of the night. Before we started though, she decided to do some corrections on our previous games of the night.
She then began to go around the circle, and one by one talk about elements of our individual games that we did that night. To one student she said, you know when you were playing with so and so and you did this move? Well you need to turn your head more so that you are more protected. To the next student, she said, you played too fast when you were playing this game with this person and that’s why when you did this move, your timing was off. She told a third student that they over rotated their hip and that’s why they missed the mark on a specific kick. And so on and so forth, until she told every student in the class something specific about one of their movements from that night. I can only describe this moment as an amazingly skilled and innate understanding and love of Capoeira and the martial arts in general.
I am very lucky to have found Mestranda Edna Lima and to have her as my instructor.

I had been pretty physically active (going to two classes a day) for about 2.5 years before trying the Capoeira Workout at NYSC, which was developed by Mestranda Edna Lima. It was an incredible workout — not only did I sweat buckets, but also my core, arms, and especially glutes and thighs were really challenged.
About 6 months I wanted to take the next step and I attended my first real ABADA Capoeira class. One of the things that struck me most — and continues to impress me – is the spirit in the class. Even though Mestranda is incredibly focused on improving her students’ techniques (how she can see 5 different nuances in 10 peoples’ movements at the same time always astounds), she creates a very warm and welcoming environment in which people feel comfortable learning. While there’s a wide range of skill levels and fitness in the room, students are supportive of and patient with one another. It’s a great community.
It’s also marvelous fun. There’s nothing like watching the more advanced students in the roda, as they whip their legs in improbable kicks and flip their bodies every which way. It’s also great to see and feel the changes in my body as a function of these classes: I’m both stronger and more flexible, and I feel more confident in approaching new movement (in any domain, from dance to boxing to parkour). And, I’m not going to lie, it’s given me a butt that I still can’t believe.
It’s true that it’s more than just a physical and cultural experience. One thing that Mestranda said in class months ago still sticks with me: what you do is practice, so if you just sit on the couch and watch tv, that’s all you’ll be good at. Even though I’m only able to take class about once a week, I’m proud and honored to be practicing with Edna Lima’s ABADA Capeoira group.

Attending classes at one of the largest Capoeira groups in the world can have it’s pros and cons, however, taking instruction from someone who’s been playing capoeira for over 30 years most definitely has it’s advantages. In true tradition of the African roots of this Brazilian martial arts, in Mestranda Edna Lima’s intimate classes, her students have a thirst to share their knowledge, realizing you are as strong as your weakest link. This nurturing environment is ideal for beginners, since she pays such amazing detail to form and technique.
These classes have changed my life, allowing an expression of self I’d never accessed.
A true mental and physical workout, the focus and skills acquired go on to parallel so many of life lessons, while immersing you in a culture so passionate about this beautiful art form. I was hooked from the very beginning, and haven’t stopped since.

If you’re looking for a great workout, a cultural experience, a sense of community — capoeira is for you! Mestranda Edna Lima has 30 plus years in both Capoeira and Karate, and is truly a master. Mestranda Edna is respected and revered by other martial art masters and teachers and there is no questioning why. In terms of technique, strategy, and philosophy, she sets the standard not only in New York City, but internationally.
Mestranda will get both your mind and body in shape. Her classes will give you more than a physical workout — Mestranda has an amazing way of developing her students’ self-​discipline and insight inside and out of capoeira. Be ready for some feedback on how you can constantly improve yourself and develop a strong foundation in capoeira. If you’re looking for a teacher, a community, and a mental and physical workout, this class is definitely for you.

I recently joined ABADA Capoeira. I haven’t been involved very long, but I can tell that Mestranda Edna Lima is highly skilled and an excellent teacher. She’s firm, but not abusive — qualities that sometimes get blurred in teachers. She has a positive energy and a good sense of humor, both which radiate from her.
It is important not to discredit Mestranda Edna Lima as a female. She is the mama bear of Capoeira. To a man, I imagine it must be humbling. As a woman, she lights a path. This dynamic, which is unusual in most contact sports, commands a presence that I personally believe takes training to another level. As someone that has been involved in other contact sports, I have repeatedly seen the male trainer /​female student relationship go awry. Usually they just want your money and care little about your progress. Or they care about your progress, but want something else and then that becomes really weird or really complicated. With Mestranda you know you have authenticity, sincerity, and love of the art form for both men and women, as well as, the kids in the class.
With such great leadership, comes great community. I’ve been enjoying meeting all the people involved in this group (as well as the sport itself, of course). And I’m looking forward to where this will take me.

ABADA Capoeira New York, led by the world’s first female capoeira master Mestranda Edna Lima, is the best group/​school to learn the Brazillian martial art/​dance in the ABADA style that combines the traditions of Capoeira Regional and Capoeira Angola. First time you go to one of her classes, you are struck by her smile, warmth and friendliness. Mestranda Lima knows how to have fun but when it comes down to training – from first timers to advanced students – she is no joke. I mean, get ready to work your ass off! And for first timers, trust me, your butt and legs will be sore for days, but it will be well worth it when you realize how shapely they look!
Mestranda Lima is a true master with her emphasis on basics. She teaches you incredible form and when you go to other capoeira groups (as I have), you notice how she has differentiated herself by teaching you how to «play» (as they call it) with such technical superiority.
As with anything new, attending a class can be incredibly intimidating, especially at the end of class when it’s time for the roda where students play against each other. But it’s then when you see advanced students play, or when you dare to try what you’ve learned with another student, that you see that capoeira – and not soccer/​football – is the beautiful game.
Classes aren’t at a single location, so it’s important to check out their website
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