Breaking

In dancing, “breaking” (also known as “breakdancing” or “b-boying/b-girling”) is a style of street dance that originated in the South Bronx of New York City during the early 1970s. It is one of the four foundational elements of hip-hop culture, along with DJing, graffiti art, and MCing (rapping).

Key elements of breaking include:

• Toprock: The upright dance moves that are performed from a standing position. This serves as the introduction to a breaker’s style and often involves a variety of steps and movements.
• Downrock: Also known as “footwork” or “floorwork,” this involves movements performed on the floor using the hands and feet, showcasing agility and speed.
• Power Moves: These are acrobatic moves that require significant upper body strength and coordination. Common power moves include windmills, headspins, flares, and airflares.
• Freezes: Poses that breakers hold to display strength, balance, and control. Examples include the baby freeze, handstand freeze, and elbow freeze.
• Transitions: The smooth and creative linking of different moves and elements, allowing for fluidity and seamless performance.

Breaking is often performed in battles, where dancers compete against each other to showcase their skills, creativity, and style. It emphasizes improvisation, personal expression, and musicality, with dancers often interacting with the beats and rhythms of the music.