Where do you live and where do you train Capoeira?
We live in Des Moines, IA. We train and teach with Iowa Capoeira de Ouro/Roots Capoeira group here in Des Moines.
Tell us about and how you met.
Dim Dim: We met in Capoeira during our college years. Piriquito started 6 months before I did. He was the most outgoing, welcoming, energetic capoeirista of the group! We became really good friends and both wanted to make a difference in the world and didn't want to conform to societal norms. Capoeira helped us to do that!
Piriquito: I met Dim Dim in Mestre Xará’s Capoeira class in 2006. We became fast friends through shared acquaintances, and finally started dating in 2008 after falling in love while training together outside of class.
How long have you trained Capoeira?
We have trained Capoeira for 15 years! In that time we went through college, had a child, started careers and started a Capoeira nonprofit organization.
What do you love about Capoeira?
Dim Dim: There is so much to love about Capoeira that I can't list it all! I love that everyone can have their own "personality" in the game and that I am still finding my own! I love that Capoeira is so rich and full that you are always learning and growing no matter how long you have done Capoeira!
Piriquito: I love that I can do things I never thought I could do, and, after 15 years, I still feel like there’s so much to learn. To me, Capoeira is a tool to promote justice, self-expression and confidence, giving each participant a place where he or she feels supported, empowered and challenged.
