What is the meaning of breakdancing?
Breakdance is a dance direction that combines acrobatics and plasticity. The main features of the dance are considered improvisation, energy and incendiary performance. Break dance refers to hip hop culture, it requires a dancer good physical fitness, bright charisma and a sense of rhythm. As a result, the finished breakdance demonstrates not only endurance, but also helps to splash energy, to convey to the audience bright emotions. Not surprisingly, many novice fans of breakdance are interested in where the direction appeared and who was its founder.
What is the breaking dance style?
Breaking dance style or break dancing as it is commonly called is a street dance that came from the hip hop culture. Some of the movements that are involved in dancing include; complicated steps and moves, stomp, freeze, twirls and thrust. Typically performed to breakbeat, funk, or hip-hop music, breaking combines athleticism, creativity, and musicality
What defines breakdancing?
From the very foundation of the direction it became clear that breakdancing is not an example of precision and logic, it is a personal manifestation of skills, physical fitness and emotions. The performers, or breakers, showcase their skills through a variety of impressive steps and moves – fast footwork, spin, flips, and freezes that require a lot of strength and balance. Rather than following specific steps or choreography, breakdancing emphasizes individual style and improvisation.
What are the different styles of breakdancing?
Styles of breakdancing include different movements and actions that are characteristic of this kind of dance. Here are some of the popular break dance styles:
- Toprock is the initial phase of a break dance routine and involves dance movements performed while standing upright. It serves as an introduction and sets the rhythm and style of the performance.
- Downrock, also known as footwork, is performed on the floor and focuses on intricate leg movements, spins, and transitions. It requires agility, coordination, and creativity.
- Power moves are dynamic and acrobatic movements that emphasize strength and athleticism. Examples include spins, flips, and aerial moves like windmills, headspins, and flares.
- Freezes are static poses held during a break dance routine. They require balance, control, and the ability to showcase strength and flexibility.
Break dance styles list
There are numerous break dance styles, each with its unique characteristics and origins. Some of the most notable break dance styles names include:
- B-boying is considered the original form of breakdancing and involves a combination of top rock, down rock, power moves, and freezes.
- Popping is a funk style popular among dancers involving the sudden contraction and relaxation of muscles followed by a popping effect in the dancer's body.
- Locking is a type of dancing that can be characterized by special stops or “locks” in between movements. It was founded in Los Angeles and focused on funk music and soulfulness.
- Breaking is a general term that refers to several styles of break dance. He is famous for his vigorous and dynamic choreography and he integrates steps from various dance genres.
Break dance origin
Breakdancing originated in the late 1960s and early 1970s in the Bronx, New York City. It developed from the hip hop culture which came from African American and Latino youths, who would come together to dance, rap and spray paint walls.
In the 1960s in the United States, people began to appear on the streets doing unusual moves to music. Dancers from New York, many believe it was from the Bronx, combined sharp falls with elements of fast spins. The dancers, known as breakers or b-boys and b-girls, would gather in circles and perform improvised dance moves to the rhythm of the music.
The earliest form of break dance was known as top rock, which involved footwork, shuffles, and spins performed while standing up. It was followed by down rock, which involved more acrobatic movements performed on the floor, such as kicks, spins, and freezes.
As break dance became more popular, competitions or battles began to emerge, where breakers would compete against each other to showcase their skills. These battles became an essential part of the break dance culture and continue to this day, both in the US and around the world.
1980 was the breaking point where breakdance was given the spotlight and it became a culture. It featured in music videos, films, and advertisements, and this created a global presence that was followed by the evolution of various forms of break dance and break dancing subcultures.
As it is in the present, break dance is still very important in hip-hop culture, and there are a lot of breakers, DJs, and graffitists who are still developing break dance and its importance to the culture. Break dance as an art and as a history is the amazing story of creativity and self-identification, and it will remain a powerful impact in the world of dance and in the youth’s world.
The Evolution of Break Dance: From Streets to Global Phenomenon
Initially, breakdancing was performed on the streets, in parks, and at dance parties. The dancers competed with each other in "battles", which was very impressive, because each dancer tried to show their most complex and spectacular moves. Over time, breakdancing gained more and more popularity, so today we see it in music videos, movies, and TV shows.
Now breakdancing has truly become a global phenomenon with millions of fans and dancers around the world. Moreover, this dance can be seen during international competitions, including Olympic Games, which proves its huge impact on the world of sports and dancing.
Break dances examples
There are countless examples of break dances that showcase the incredible skill and creativity of breakers. Some iconic moves include:
- The windmill is a power move where the breaker rotates their body on the floor in a circular motion, supported by their hands and shoulders. It creates a visually stunning illusion of continuous spinning.
- The head spin is a challenging move where the breaker balances their body upside down on their head, spinning in a circular motion. It requires exceptional upper body strength and control.
- A flare is a dynamic power move in which the breaker kicks their crazy legs in a continuous spinning motion while their torso remains close to the ground. It showcases flexibility, coordination, and strength.
- The 1990s is a combination move that involves spinning on one hand while the legs are extended in a standing position, creating a visually captivating and impressive display of balance and control.
- Power freeze is a freeze that requires the breaker to hold a challenging and visually striking pose, showcasing strength, flexibility, and creativity. Examples include the air chair, handstand freeze, and baby freeze.
How to dance break style?
To learn break dance style to become a b-boy, you need to approach it with dedication, practice, and a deep passion for the art form. To fulfill your dream and become a pro, you should take it one step at a time.
First of all, you need to learn the basics. Begin by familiarizing yourself with the basic movements of breakdancing, such as top rock, down rock, and freezes. Take your time to understand and master each element before progressing to more complex moves. It's important not to skip building a solid foundation in breakdancing.
Next, seek out a mentor or join a breakdancing rock steady crew. Other players can also give their opinions and suggestions to the new players when they are breaking. Join a community of people with similar interests because they would be in a position to teach you everything you need to know. Also, become a member of local breakdancing groups or attend classes where one can get a chance to learn, be inspired or even perform together.
Consistency is key in breakdancing. Regular practice is essential to build strength, enhance coordination, and refine your skills. Dedicate specific time slots to training, and make sure to explore different styles and breakdance moves. Force yourself to step outside your comfort zone, try new techniques, and challenge your abilities. If you persevere, you will definitely see progress and improvement over time.
While learning from others is crucial, breakdancing encourages individual expression. Build your style through practicing different movements, creating new movements from other movements, and putting some of your characteristics into your urban dance. Just be natural and don’t hesitate to express yourself and to let your inner voice come in the movements. The reason for establishing a personal style is that it separates the individual from others and enriches the break dancing experience.
To truly grasp break dancing, immerse yourself in the hip-hop culture that birthed it. Listen to hip hop music since break dancing uses the musical beat of hip hop. It is possible to watch performances and battles to see how various techniques look like. Keep abreast of other developments within the breaking community as this evolves and changes from time to time. This way, the culture of break dancing enriches the experience of the participant and helps to understand the essence and meaning behind it.
Final Thoughts
To summarize, breakdancing has gone far beyond its roots in the Bronx. It has become popular all over the world, and continues to demonstrate its power and appeal. Breakdancing still amazes people with its energetic moves and creative styles, and what else do you need for a great performance? As it evolves, breakdance will continue to influence dance and encourage new dancers to explore and create. So why not try your hand at breakdancing or enjoy a show like this?