How to Personalize Popping

If you're an expert at popping, the street dance style characterized by controlled muscle jerks and poses, you don't want to look just like everyone else on the dance floor. Personalize your popping routines to earn a reputation as a master and draw a crowd wherever you perform.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Establish a signature move to lead or finish your routines. Combine a few established steps, hit on opposite sides of your body or integrate movements from hip-hop or break dancing to create a show-stopping combination.

2. Create a series of new poses to transition from one movement to the next. People watch and study a variety of athletes or even animals to freeze and mimic their moves. Use animated facial expressions to bring the "character" to life. Wear stylish, comfortable clothing that will show off your hitting, but also help develop the persona.

3. Integrate props to personalize and add flair to the routine. Developing an innovative way to pop with a hat, cane or jacket, for example, will demonstrate your talent level and creativity.

4. Find a new way to utilize the dance floor instead of standing in one spot as you pop. Combine foot and leg movements, as well as steps from other types of dance, to travel in a circle or from one end of the floor to the other.

5. Vary the speed of your movements. Play off of the music and use unexpected stops, starts and slow motion to grab the other dancers' or your audience's attention.

Tips & Warnings

• Master the basic moves before you attempt to personalize your popping so it's obvious that you're proficient at the style and not just improvising because you're not sure what you're doing. Watch videos of the innovators to see if you've got the moves down pat.

Resources

• Perfect your moves before you personalize.