ABADÁ-Capoeira Marin
Who we are
Welcome to ABADÁ-Capoeira Marin!
ABADÁ-Capoeira Marin was founded by Helisângela "Lisa" Silva Willoughby, also known as Instrutora Ciranda in the capoeira world, a longtime student of one of the top-ranked female capoeiristas in the world, Mestra Márcia “Cigarra” Triedler, at ABADÁ-San Francisco. ABADÁ-Marin was founded to extend the award-winning youth and adult programs of ABADÁ-San Francisco to the Marin County community. The principal teacher of ABADÁ-Capoeira Marin is Instrutora Ciranda.
The Mission: Our mission is to provide the very best capoeira program in Marin County and enrich our students’ lives through culture and diversity. By incorporating these values, we hope to help our students become good citizens in our local and global community. Our program is based on encouragement, truth, trust, active listening, personal effort.
Lisa Willoughby
"Instrutora Ciranda"
Lisa Silva Willoughby (Instrutora Ciranda) is a four-time ABADÁ-Capoeira games champion with extensive experience in teaching capoeira to children and adults of all ages. She is a long-time student of Mestra Márcia "Cigarra" Triedler, one of the top-ranked capoeiristas in the world. A native of Goiânia, Brazil and a graduate of one of Brazil's top universities, Lisa has made it her life's work to make capoeira a permanent part of Marin County culture through ABADÁ-Capoeira Marin, which she founded in 2014. After graduating with a degree in Public Relations from the State University of São Paulo, Lisa worked in the marketing field both in Brazil and California.
In 2009, Lisa began teaching capoeira to children at San Francisco public and private schools through ABADÁ-Capoeira San Francisco. She was struck by the life-changing and positive impact capoeira made in her student's lives. She was also amazed at how capoeira could bring people together of all ages, races, physical abilities and economic levels.
With encouragement and supervision by Mestra Márcia, Lisa formed ABADA-Capoeira Marin in 2014. Since then, Lisa has taught capoeira to Marinites of all ages — from pre-school age children to seniors — throughout the County. Since 2016, she has worked to grow ABADA-Capoeira Marin. In 2019, ABADA-Capoeira Marin became a certified 510 (c)(3) non-profit corporation.
Lisa's dream is to continue to promote capoeira's amazing attributes to the people of Marin until capoeira is a fundamental part of Marin County culture. She is extremely dedicated to her students and giving back to the community. She typically is the point-person for ABADA-Capoeira Marin, working directly with school and county representatives. In addition to her administrative and teaching work, Lisa continues to participate in Batizados, competitions and theatrical performances all over the world.
Lisa has been a regular member of the ABADÁ-Capoeira San Francisco performance troupe since 2008. In August 2018, she received her purple cord with the title of Instructor in Brazil, at the ABADÁ-Capoeira National Arts Festival in Rio de Janeiro.
In August 2019, Lisa won her first international competitive title by being named co-champion of the Women's Baobá Division at the 2019 ABADÁ-Capoeira International Games in Rio de Janeiro.
In August 2021, Lisa won her second international competitive title by being named co-champion of the Women's Baobá Division at the 2021 ABADÁ-Capoeira International Games (held online due to the COVID-19 pandemic). In December 2021, Ciranda received her purple and brown cord.
In August 2023, Lisa won her third international competitive title by being named co-champion of the Women's Baobá Division at the 2023 ABADÁ-Capoeira International Games in Rio de Janeiro.
In August 2024, Lisa won her fourth compettitve title by being named Champion of the Women's Boabá division at the 2024 ABADÁ-Capoiera National Games in Rio de Janeiro, winning three medals for the best game in all categories (Benguela, Iúna and São Bento Grande).
Manoela Vieira
"Graduada Rara"
Born in São Paulo, Brazil. Manoela, began training Capoeira in 1992 with a group named Cordão de Ouro under Professor Bolinha, earning her second cord by 1994. She continued her training with Capoeira Baraúna under Professor Samuka and began teaching Capoeira with this group.
For the next several years in Brazil, she dedicated her time to Capoeira-oriented social projects, working with street children in Vila Madalena, young children in Paraisópolis, and women affected by violence through the Maria da Penha Foundation. After moving to the United States with her husband and Capoeira Teacher, Samuka, in 1999, she taught Capoeira and Brazilian dances at various academies. She also performed extensively in San Francisco with these institutions.
Manoela re-married in 2003 and had three daughters in Brazil. Since 2019, she moved back to the United States and has been actively training at ABADÁ-Capoeira Marin with Instrutora Ciranda and taking on various projects within this program. In 2022, she launched the “Portuguese in the Rhythm of Capoeira” program at ABADÁ-Capoeira Marin, which offers bi-weekly classes integrating Portuguese language instruction with Capoeira.
She continues to act as the lead instructor of this program today. She has also participated in several advanced courses and workshops, including those offered during the ABADÁ-Capoeira National Games and the 2021 ABADÁ-Capoeira Women’s Meeting. She also competed in ABADÁ-Capoeira’s AbadAcademico Capoeira Technical-Scientific Meetings in 2022 and 2023. At AbadAcademico 2022, she was awarded second place for her presentation in the orange and blue cords division and was recognized for the best São Bento game. In 2023, she was awarded a graduate-level cord at ABADÁ-Capoeira Marin, a significant milestone in her Capoeira journey.
Outside of Capoeira, she worked as an international marketing director for IT companies and has an MBA in global business administration. In October 2023, Graduada Rara underwent a heart transplant. Now Graduada Rara is fully recovered and back assisting Instrutora Ciranda and ABADÁ-Capoeira Marin.
Gamal Abdel Chasten
"Graduado Maçaranduba"
In the early 2000’s, Gamal trained with legendary Capoeira Angola master Mestre Joāo Grande in New York. This inspired him to pursue capoeira following his move from New York in 2009. In 2016, Gamal begain training with Instrutora Ciranda at ABADÁ-Capoeira Marin. In October 2021, Gamal was awarded the title of Graduado at ABADÁ-Capoeira Marin's annual Batizado, supervised by Mestra Márcia “Cigarra” Treidler of ABADÁ-Capoeira San Francisco.
Gamal is the first student of Instrutora Ciranda to earn the ranking of Graduado. Gamal currently teaches both capoeira classes and fitness classes at ABADÁ-Capoeira Marin’s San Anselmo studio. Gamal also continues to teach boxing training and personal training at this same location. Gamal also is an accomplished theater actor, spoken-word artist, writer and producer.
“Our Students are our first Priority
Thank you very much for all of the hard work and energy. I feel so fortunate to feel a part of the Abada family and as you know, it has changed my life and my children’s lives as well. Much love!