How to Dance Isolations in Hip Hop

Hip Hop is an individual expression of oneself through music. Vocals and beats are laid on separate tracks and then brought together to form one cut of a song. Vocalism and lyricism in hip hop have created a place in history that no other music shares. The manipulation of technology also separates hip hop from other forms of music.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Hip-hop music
• Place to dance
• Mirror

1. Develop a routine of stretching before any dance moves are tried, especially new ones. It's most important to stretch your arms, legs and lower back.

2. Extend your shoulders and leave your arms straight down at your sides. Any move is original, so you can lift your shoulders high or lower them; the choice is yours.

3. Hesitate between moves for a mere second or two for greater effect. This also gives the crowd a chance to react to your creativity.

4. Feed the crowd by pushing your chest out and pull your arms back behind your back—move your body from side to side, as you do this isolation move.

5. Ride the applause of the crowd—the more they go crazy, the more you ebb and flow your whole body.

6. Watch other hip hop dancers perform their isolation moves and adapt them as your own—do not copy, but alter them to your style of dance.

7. Review your isolation moves in front of a mirror. The more you practice, the better and more creative your moves will become.

Tips & Warnings

• Choose the right music for you to feel alive when you dance.
• Do not steal the isolation moves of other dancers—make them your own.