I have a huge fascination with breakdancing (also known as b-boying or breaking). Each time we see people dancing somewhere, I can’t help but stop and watch. I love the sheer athleticism of it. It evolved from almost every dance, acrobatic and martial arts style including: tap, jazz, capoeira, Balkan, ballroom, folk, shaolin kung-fu, circus and swing.
Breakdancing is popular in France. When we were in Nice, we strolled the Pedestrain Zone of the Place Masséna. It’s essentially the main square of Nice and center of all the action. We encountered some break dancers (videos are all over YouTube) on checkerboard pavement and stopped to check them out.
Each time I watch break dancers, I am struck by the communal spirit that surrounds them. It makes you want to learn how to do it. Forget ballroom dancing, we’ll be taking this dance class instead. It looks like a pretty good workout.
Being a former gymnast, I loved the power moves because they are particularly acrobatic. It requires momentum, speed, endurance, strength, and control (like the flare, windmill, swipe, and head spin).
Downrock (also known as footwork or floorwork) describes any movement on the floor where the hands supporting the dancer as much as the feet. Common downrock moves include: the foundational 6-step, and its variants such as the 3-step. Basic downrock is done entirely on hands and feet. It didn’t take long for their moves to get way more complex and too fast for the settings on my camera.
Freezes are stylish poses, and the more difficult require the breaker to suspend himself or herself off the ground using upper body strength in poses. How can you not love these creative displays of agility and physical strength set to music?
Well done gentlemen.
schwingeninswitzerland 