How to Sign up for Breakdancing Lessons

Breakdancing is a form of urban dance that arose in the 1970s. Full of abandon and athletic feats, it's impressive to watch, but it's also about the music. Funk, rap and hip hop--with a monster beat and sometimes frenzied pace--beg you to dance, and breakdancing lets you get the most out of it. Sign up for breakdancing lessons and learn to freeze, pop and glide with the b-boys.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Get Ready to Dance

1. Find out whether breakdancing is for you. Go to clubs and dance halls to watch experienced dancers, or get a DVD that demonstrates some aspects of breakdancing, such as "Top 20 Breakdance Moves" at Amazon (see Resources below).

2. Get your body in shape before you up your exercise level and with lessons. Breakdancing takes lots of upper-body strength and action in the hamstring area (back of the thigh). Try push-ups or lunges to fortify those muscles.

3. Power walk outdoors or dance in your kitchen to build cardio.

Sign up for Breakdancing Lessons

4. Find out about breakdancing lessons at dance clubs and studios, community centers and through other arts programs.

5. Visit classes to see which is best to sign up for. You'll be able to preview the class size, type of students and level of experience you can expect to achieve.

6. Take lessons and learn from the instructor as well as the students. Often a fellow student can "translate" a move that's not getting through to you or show you a trick that can help with a problem.

7. Practice! Practicing complex moves is the best way to get results. Warm up before a dance session with back and leg stretches found at Expert Village (see Resources below).

Tips & Warnings

• Breakdancers are called b-boys and b-girls.
• Wear loose clothes if you don't want them to rip during the tough stuff.
• Be creative! Breakdancing has moved from the streets to the ballroom and other venues as it is fused with other dance forms. Don't limit yourself to rap and funk music.
• Breakdancing involves many aerial moves, and what goes up must come down. You may sustain some painful landings before you master a move.

Resources

• Warmup moves at Expert Village
• Popular grooves on DVD
• History of hip hop