BREAKing

Introduction


Breaking is a street dance that evoled as a part of the Hip-Hop movements among African American and Puerto Rican youths in Manhattan and the South Bronx of ew York City during the early 1970s. It is normally danced to Electro and Hip-Hop musics. Breaking involves the elements of toprock, downrock, freezes and powermoves.

A Break-dance, Breaker, B-Boy or B-Girl refers to a person who practices Breaking.

Today, B-Boying culture is a discipline somewhere between those of dancers and athletes. Since acceptance and involvement centers on dance ability, Breaking is often free of the common race and gender boundaries of a subculture and has been accepted worldwide.



Techniques

There are four basic elements of Breaking, i.e Toprock, Downrock (also known as Footwork), Power Moves and Freezes.

Toprock refers to any string of steps performed from a standing position, relying upon a mixture of coordination, flexibility, style, and rhythm.It is usually first and foremost opening display of style, and it serves as a warm-up for transitions into more acrobatic maneuvers. Perhaps the most toprock is the Indian Step, but toprock is very eclectic and can draw upon many other dance styles.

Downrock includes all footwork performed on the floor as in the 6-steps. 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 are actions that require momentum and physical power to execute. In Power Moves, the breakerdancer relies more on upper body strength to dance, and is usually on his or her hands during moves. Power Moves include the the windmill, swipe and flare. Power Moves are very physically demanding and a great display of upper body strength and stamina. Several moves are borrowed from gymnastics, such as the flare, and martial arts, with impressive acrobatics such as the butterfly kick.

Breaking sets usually end with Freezes that halt all motions in a stylish pose. The more difficult freezes require breakdancer to suspend himself or herself off the ground using upper body strength, in poses such as the handstand or pike. Alternatively, Suicides can also signal the end to a routine. Breakers will make it appears that they have lost control and fall onto their backs, stomach, etc.



Here is a video which shown some highlights in the finals of RedBull BC One 2007: