Power of the Brain
The first and most important thing you need is the Right Attitude! Remember, this is
supposed to be fun not work. Stop thinking of why you can’t do it, stop sabotaging
yourself, and focus on how you can do it and what you need to do to make it happen!
There is no excuse! Where there is a will there is a way. Wishes don’t just come true, you
have to make them happen. Now with that being said lets get to the real secrets. A
fundamental problem is trying to perform a move with your body that is not clear in your
mind. If your brain is confused on how to do it, then your body will be too! You must
have a very clear and precise mental picture of what you want to do in your hea d first
before you attempt a move. Watching footage over and over again until the move is
embedded in your mind is a great way to obtain that mental picture. Next, you simulate
yourself doing the move in your mind over and over again. Drawing stick figures of the
move is also beneficial, if you can draw it you show understanding. Remember you must
be 100% competent of how the move is done mentally before attempting it physically.
Your Dance Space
This is a low budget endeavor, your requirements are simple and in this priority.
1. Big, open space you should be able to jump all over the place and not hit
anything.
2. High ceilings, so you can do handstands and jump around and not bump your
cranium.
3. A padded floor, beginners need mats when learning new moves. Wrestling,
gymnastic, or workout mats all work.
4. Music, we are dancing remember?
5. Mirrors, you need feedback and this is a cheap way to see how you are doing.
6. A slick surface, once you can do the moves, move up to a real floor such as
hardwood, marble, or linoleum.
7. Ballet Bar and a wall. Best way to practice handstand and other poses is to use a
wall and a ballet bar for supporting yourself. You can build up strength and
balance when you grab a ballet bar and then attempt a pose, or put your feet on a
wall and practice hand stand poses etc…
Feedback System
How do you know you are breakdancing properly? Feedback! A mirror will let you see
the results, this is one good way. Having a friend or a coach watching and providing
feedback is another good way. But t he best way is a combination of coaching and
utilizing a video camera so you can see for yourself what you are doing and how you are
doing it.
Breakdancing Gear
This isn’t a fashion show, people came to see some breakin’ not the latest in trendy
clothing. So let’s focus on the functional items that will actually help you breakdance and
not just make you look “hip” on the dance floor.
• Shoes need to be flexible, light, provide good grip and offer good support.
Running shoes are the best. Some bad examples are boots (they aren’t flexible),
wrestling shoes or other thin soled shoes (no support) and socks (no grip and you
can stub toes)
• Pants/Shorts nothing special here. Excessively baggy pants or shorts mask
movement which makes you look like a moving block instead of fine tuned dance
machine.
• Shirts Same as above, excessively baggy shirts mask and hide your movement.
Cotton shirts get soaked in sweat. Shirts with designs on the back may cause
excess friction when spinning.
Knee Pads
For those that think prot ective gear is dorky, I say bruised knees are
out of style. Neoprene wrestling knee pads work very well.
Elbow Pads
You want to do elbow spins right? You don’t have to wear elbow
pads all the time, but it’s a good idea.
Wrist Supports
Are your wrists hurting from dancing? Once your wrist and
forearm strength and flexibility are developed you will not need any support.
Until then use gymnastic wrist wraps.
Gloves
This is a preference issue, the right type of glove can help or hurt you
depending o n its padding and slickness.
Helmet
Some BBOYs think wearing a helmet is lame when doing headspins,
that may be true. But there no better piece of gear for practicing headspins than a
good skateboarding helmet . The helmet provides a flatter surface to sp in on for
those of us with odd shaped heads. The padding inside the helmet is much more
comfortable than a beanie. Also, the plastic on helmets is great for spinning on
most surfaces, even carpet.
Breakdancing Pillars of Success
The following chart shows how to achieve that Breakdancing balance in your training. These are the elements that lead to great Breakdancers.
Discipline (The Foundation)
Anything worth while in life you will have to work hard for it, the good thing with
Breakdancing is that once you are good at it you get to show off! Not only do you get the
benefits of being a superhuman from Breakdancing, but you get to be creative, inspire,
and have the ultimate bragging rights of being able to boogie down! Constantly remind
yourself why you chose to Breakdance while you are training as a way to motivate
yourself to continue. It is worth it, you can join the select few who ha ve the most fun on
the planet on the dance floor.
Physical Attributes of Success, Flexibility, Stamina, and Strength
Flexibility
Provides injury prevention, and increases your range of motion making
power moves like headspin easier to perform. With the freedom to move around, you can
then do more complicated moves with your body.
Stamina
Needed for your training sessions, and for actually performing. You need to
be able to dance for at least a half hour when you are performing and competing.
Strength
Strength gives you control and precision of your movement. Without it you
are more likely to flop around and collide with the floor. Not only does this look ugly and
un- smooth it is also a great way to hurt yourself. People compensate for a lack of strength
with momentum. If you can control your movements, you are in control of your dancing
which always looks better than throwing your body around. Good Breakdancers can
handle their body weight with ease.
Self - Expression and Creativity
Think of your body as a paint canvas , and the physical attributes are your brush and
paints, without a canvas a brush and paint you cannot express yourself and be creative .
Likewise, if you do have all the supplies you have nothing holding you back. That is why
developing those physical attributes are so important, once you have them you can focus
on dancing and nothing will hold you back because you have all the tools.
Putting it All Together, a Typical Practice Session
What is the secret to good Breakdancing training? L ike anything worth while in life,
HARD WORK! Remember you reap what you sow, training is where champions are
made. How you train is up to you, but these elements and principles must be included.
• Warm- up 5 - 10 minutes. Legs, shoulders, and forearms are crit ical areas that must
be properly warmed up.
• Stretching 20- 30 minutes. You should be holding each stretch for at least 30 - 60
seconds, and stretching every muscle that you will be using. Leg, shoulder and
forearm flexibility are crucial!
• Practice your hardest moves first. If you wait till you are tired you are more likely
to pick up bad form.
• When you are tired, it is an excellent time to start being creative. Practicing
footwork in slow - motion can still be done when tired and a great way to think of
new tricks. Plus, the more tired you are the more relaxed you are.
• Stretching at the end of your practice as well . The best time to stretch is when you
are warmed up, besides extra flexibility is never a problem.
