Jessica Carla de Lima-Moran (AKA “Formanda Pavão) has been a capoeirista for 25 years, training and teaching under world-renowned master teacher, Mestre Boneco of Capoeira Brasil Los Angeles. When not working with Capoeira locally, Pavão travels extensively throughout the world, teaching and training this Afro-Brazilian martial art. She has participated in and taught at countless seminars and conferences, and enjoys writing and lecturing about the history, origins, and development of the art. In addition to teaching, Pavao has produced over 20 international Capoeira festivals, the largest such events in the United States. Through her work with Capoeira, Pavão has had the opportunity to work on various commercials, short films, documentary and photography projects.
Today, Pavão is co-owner of CounterBalance Gym, a boutique martial arts and movement space in Los Angeles, where Capoeira and other fitness modalities take center stage. Building on her early training as a dancer, she brings expertise from a variety of disciplines in shaping curriculum and programming for both adults and youth.
Pavão achieved the level of brown cord or “Formanda” under Mestre Boneco in September 2017. Additionally, she is a certified Viking Ninja Steel Mace coach, and holds a B.A. in English from the University of California at Berkeley.