Breakdance is a style of dancing that has evolved as a part of the hip hop scene. Break dancing is a very animated form of dance and to the average person you may be asking yourself how you can learn how to break dance. The first thing to understand is that break dancing isnt something that will come naturally to everyone, it requires certain fitness levels and flexibility to pull off some of the more spectacular moves.

Break dance does have defined moves, however often the dance is improvised and unstructured. This allows the dancer to incorporate anything he or she wants into the routine and the routine can change in a split second as the music changes.

There are two forms of break dance, toprock and downrock. Although two separately identified versions of break dance, the two are usually linked together in a routine.

Toprock

Toprock refers to any string of steps performed from a standing position. It is usually the first and foremost opening display of style, and it serves as a warm-up for transitions into more acrobatic maneuvers.

Downrock

Downrock includes all footwork performed on the floor as in the 6-step. Downrock is normally performed with the hands and feet on the floor. In downrock, the breakdancer displays his or her proficiency with foot speed and control by performing footwork combinations. These combinations usually transition into more athletic moves known as power moves.

Power moves

Power moves are the moves that require the most power and co-ordination, these are the moves that we all love to see, more acrobatic than the standard footwork moves. Power moves include windmill, swipe, and flare. Many power moves would be at home in the world of athletics than the dance floor.

A break dance routine is a string of pre-practiced moves that are strung together to try and out do a competitor or impress a crowd. Freezes and suicides are two moves that will look familiar to most people thanks to 1980’s movies and popular culture. A freeze is when a dancer freezes his or her dance in the middle of the routine in trying position. A common freeze is when the dancer freezes upside down balancing on one hand, this stance requires physical strength and balance to pull it off but it looks very impressive. A suicide is an ending to a routine where the dancer will land as if they have made a mistake and land on their stomach or back and lie still. The more painful the landing looks the better the suicide has been done.

Break dancing competitions are held all over the world and are referred to as battles. A points system is in place and they will be awarded by people in a position that is respected by the competitors.

The music

Break dancing is always accompanied by music. The music of choice depends very much on the dancer but their is always breaks in the music usually with a constant beat to it.

Break dancing takes physical strength and lots of practice. Dedication and a love of the music usually accompany the best dancers.

Zebedee’s love of music is in every section. She was around when the first break dancer began appearing on the scene and can remember it well. For DJ Equipment and accessories including Turntables and mixers from her Musical instrument store