How to Do Freestyle Popping

Created by a dance crew called "Electric Boogaloo," popping features rhythmic body jerks generated as the dancer contracts and relaxes the muscles in one part of the body. Once you've mastered the basic techniques, you're ready to freestyle and experiment with movements and poses to show off your skills.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Watch videos featuring members of the Electric Boogaloo dance crew. Study their tutorials and samples to be sure you've got the basic popping moves down. Analyze how they freestyle to gain inspiration and discover new ways to combine poses and steps. (See Resources)

2. Combine popping moves with steps from other styles like locking, break dancing or hip hop to add variety. Play off steps from famous routines or those of your friends to create your own combinations and poses.

3. Choreograph a few combinations and commit them to memory. If you're dancing in public and draw a blank as you're freestyling, you'll be able to call them up in a pinch. You can also use them as transitions to move from one section of your routine to the next.

4. Practice extensively in front of a mirror or videotape yourself freestyling. Blast a favorite compact disc and let the beat of the music inspire you to move. Discover what each move and pose looks like as you perform it. Gain confidence in your talent so you won't be so self-conscious dancing in a club or at a party.

Tips & Warnings

• Dress in stylish but comfortable shoes and clothing that increase your agility and overall image as you freestyle. Although garments should be loose-fitting and comfortable, ensure they accentuate your crisp movements rather than camouflage them.

Resources

• Study the masters' moves for inspiration when freestyling.