Break Dance Classes

Break dance is the form of dance that was developed by African American youth as part of the hip hop culture of the streets. It was also embraced by Latino youth in New York City. It is characterized by very unique movements that fall into several categories such as toprock, downrock, power moves, and freezes/suicides. Music is a very important element to b-boying. It must consist of a certain tempo and beat pattern to be able to qualify as appropriate music. Hip hop music is most often used but other forms of music can be used if they fit the bill.

The term break dance is a secondary term for what was originally called b-boying. The dancers are called either b-boy or b-girl. Most dancers prefer to use the original terminology. It has been around since the mid 1970's and still remains alive and well today. It is an element of the streets that cannot be separated from the city. The hip hop culture continues to evolve and so does b-boying. It is popular enough that dance schools offer dance classes in b-boying. Students far away from the streets of the big city can still enjoy learning how to do this type of dance.

The techniques that have been, more or less, standardized include toprock which is a series of steps that are done in the position of standing upright. It is normally the starting place for any break dance. It is also the place where most dances end. A great deal of emotion and mood can be put into toprock, and thus the reputation for attitude in this form of dance. Downrock, footwork, or floorwork is any movement that is done on the floor. The hands support the dancer in downrock just as much as the feet do. More advanced dancers also use the knees to support movement. The foundation of downrock is the 6-step. Variation of this movement adds style.

Power moves in break dance are the acrobatic element of the style. They require plenty of momentum, strength, speed, control, and endurance. A breaker usually uses the upper body to support the rotational movements of the rest of the body. Freezes are poses where the dancer suspends him or herself in the air using strength from the upper portion of the body. These are used musically to emphasize strong beats and can also signal the end of a set which is also called Suicides. Stacking is the act of doing several Freezes in a row.