5 BEGINNER FREEZES - HOW TO BREAKDANCE

Freezes are essential elements in breakdancing, serving as powerful punctuation marks in your dance routines. They require strength, balance, and creativity, making them both challenging and rewarding to master. In this blog post, we’ll explore five beginner-friendly freezes that will help you build a strong foundation in breakdancing. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your skills, these freezes will add flair and dynamism to your breaking repertoire.

The Importance of Freezes in Breaking

Before we dive into the specific freezes, let’s understand why they’re crucial in breakdancing:

Freezes create dramatic pauses in your routine
They showcase strength and control
Freezes allow you to emphasize musical accents
They serve as transitions between different dance elements
Mastering freezes builds body awareness and balance

Remember, while we’re focusing on beginner freezes in this post, there’s an infinite variety of freezes you can explore as you progress. The key is to start simple and gradually increase complexity as you gain confidence and strength.

Freeze #1: The Head Bridge

The head bridge is an excellent starting point for beginners. It’s relatively easy to execute and helps build the neck and core strength necessary for more advanced freezes.

How to perform the head bridge:

Start by lying on your back
Lift yourself up using your hands and feet
Place the top of your head on the floor
Once your head is in position, slowly remove your hands
Position your arms in a clean, controlled manner
Hold the position, focusing on maintaining balance and form

Safety tip: When you’re first learning the head bridge, use your hands to exit the freeze. This will prevent strain on your neck as you build strength and confidence.

Freeze #2: The Shoulder Freeze

The shoulder freeze is a classic move that looks impressive and serves as a foundation for many other freezes and transitions.

Steps to execute the shoulder freeze:

Begin in a seated position
Stretch one arm behind you
Fall to the side, allowing your shoulder to connect with the floor
Use your foot to lift your hips, finding the perfect balance point
Slowly lift your feet off the floor, holding the position
Practice on both sides to develop balanced strength and control

Remember, symmetry is key in breaking. Always practice your freezes on both sides to ensure well-rounded development and versatility in your dance.

Freeze #3: One-Footed Freeze

The one-footed freeze is where creativity starts to shine. This freeze allows for endless variations and helps develop your unique style.

How to approach the one-footed freeze:

Start by standing on one foot
Experiment with different body positions and shapes
Focus on finding interesting and visually appealing forms
Challenge yourself to hold these positions for increasing durations
Try incorporating arm movements or leg positions to add complexity

This freeze is an excellent opportunity to let your imagination run wild. Don’t be afraid to experiment with unconventional shapes and positions.

Freeze #4: The Headstand

The headstand is a more advanced freeze that requires core strength and balance. It’s an impressive move that serves as a gateway to many other power moves.

Steps to perform a headstand:

Begin in a frog stand position
Place the middle of your head on the floor in front of you (not your forehead)
Once your head is in position, slowly lift your legs
Keep your legs pointed forward to maintain balance
Focus on keeping your body straight and controlled

Tip: Practice against a wall at first to build confidence and strength. Gradually move away from the wall as you improve.

Freeze #5: The Handstand

The handstand is a fundamental skill in breaking that opens up a world of possibilities for transitions and power moves.

How to perform a handstand:

Place both hands on the floor in front of you
Lift one leg in the air
Gently push off the floor with the other leg
Swing the pushing leg up to meet the other
Start by staying close to the floor for safety
Gradually increase your hang time and height as you improve

Practice tip: Use a wall for support as you build strength and confidence. Slowly push yourself away from the wall to find your balance point.

Combining Freezes and Creating Combos

Once you’ve got a handle on individual freezes, the next step is to start combining them into sequences or combos. This is where your creativity and personal style really come into play.

Benefits of creating freeze combos:

Increases the complexity and impressiveness of your routines
Challenges you physically and mentally
Helps you develop unique sequences that set you apart
Improves your overall flow and transitions in breaking

Example combo ideas:

Head bridge to shoulder freeze
Handstand to one-footed freeze
Shoulder freeze to headstand

Remember, the key is to experiment and find transitions that feel natural and look smooth. Don’t be afraid to try unconventional combinations – that’s how new styles are born!

Enhancing Your Freezes: Entries and Exits

The way you enter and exit a freeze can be just as important as the freeze itself. Smooth entries and exits can elevate a simple freeze into a standout moment in your routine.

Tips for improving your entries and exits:

Practice different ways of getting into each freeze
Work on transitioning directly from one freeze to another
Experiment with dynamic entries, such as spinning into a freeze
Develop creative ways to exit freezes that flow into your next move

Remember, the goal is to make your transitions look effortless and natural, even though they require significant strength and control.

Training Tips for Mastering Freezes

Consistent practice is key to improving your freezes. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your training:

Start each practice session with a proper warm-up to prevent injuries
Focus on building core strength and balance through supplementary exercises
Practice regularly, even if it’s just for short periods each day
Use a mirror or record yourself to analyze and improve your form
Be patient – mastering freezes takes time and persistence

Common Mistakes to Avoid

As you work on your freezes, be aware of these common pitfalls:

Rushing into advanced variations before mastering the basics
Neglecting to practice on both sides, leading to imbalances
Focusing solely on static holds without working on entries and exits
Ignoring proper form in favor of flashy moves, which can lead to injuries
Not incorporating freezes into your overall breaking routine

Conclusion: Your Journey with Freezes

Mastering these five beginner freezes is just the beginning of your journey in breaking. As you progress, you’ll discover countless variations and combinations that will help you develop your unique style.

Remember, the key to improvement is consistent practice and a willingness to push your boundaries. Don’t be afraid to fail – every fall is a step towards mastery. Keep experimenting, stay creative, and most importantly, have fun with your freezes!

Whether you’re aiming to compete in battles or simply express yourself through dance, these freezes will serve as a solid foundation for your breaking journey. So get out there, start practicing, and watch as your skills and confidence grow with each session.

Keep pushing your limits, stay inspired, and never stop exploring the endless possibilities that breaking has to offer. Your unique style is waiting to be discovered through the art of the freeze!