A primer for those of us with…eh, more life experience…
If you have a ten-year-old and want to encourage him/her to choose a career with stability, you might suggest chiropractics. Why? Because with the dance moves kids are doing today (especially B-boys and B-girls), I suspect they’ll all need alignments before they’re thirty.
As you may remember, the first form of dancing referred to as hip-hop was breakdancing and dancers who “break” are often referred to as B-boys or B-girls. In the early days, breakdancing included mostly quick footwork and body freezes. As the style evolved, more emphasis was placed on floorwork. You’ve all seen the kids who spin on their heads and do all sorts of contortions that defy the makeup of our human anatomy. So what are these moves called? And why should you care?
You should care only if you want to be the cool mom, dad, or grandparent. Or, if you write any genre that involves teens.
Popping is a street dance that relies on quickly contracting and relaxing muscles. Each contraction is called a pop and the dancer combines his/her pop with poses in rhythm with music. Since a picture is worth a thousand words, here’s a couple of links to show you “what I’m talkin’ about”:
Hip Hop with popping elements: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=fvwp&NR=1&v=emy9R7zxAlg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Or-MW9J_pcc&feature=related
Locking is based on freezing from a fast motion and posing in a certain position, not unlike the robot. However, locking today is much more sophisticated and requires greater control. This dance form requires specific arm and hand movements while the legs and feet are typically limber. The movements are exaggerated and Lockers often wear funky clothing with stripes and suspenders. Here are some examples: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0yuk45LbeU&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=U9JryrAkTfA
Downrock or "floorwork" describe any movement on the floor where the dancer’s hands support the body. Advanced downrockers are nothing short of amazing and variations of this technique can involve threading limbs through each other. Watching this technique, you’ll understand why I think chiropractors will be in big demand.
This kid is simply amazing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2NReMcO42A
Another cool example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNukF7XGKTc&feature=related
Hip Hop is no longer just a street dance, it’s big business. The World Hip Hop Championships have been conducted since 2002 with participation from all over the world. In 2011, the contest was held at the Orleans in Las Vegas with the US winning most of the solo titles and New Zealand (yes, New Zealand) garnering most of the crew (a.k.a. group) honors.
Once upon a time, learning to waltz required a dancemaster. Don’t you think it’s incredible that kids today learn to spin on their heads? Without any formal training?
8 comments:
Amazing videos!
Great post, Robin. How amazing to see kids doing these acrobatics. I'm always in awe when I watch them. And kudos for including YT links. Very interactive!
I got dizzy just watching. Thanks for dragging me a teensy way into the teen scene. Bet the World Hip Hop Championships don't have a "seniors" division.
Too funny, Linda.
These are not only aerobatic feats but these kids seem to defy gravity! What strength too! Thanks for sharing.
Cindy at explorevirginia.blogspot.com
Thanks for adding the visual links to your descriptions. These kids are really athletes who set their routines to music. We older folk (me) should recognize the dance for its unique qualities and not complain just because we don't understand it.
Great information here, Robin. Thanks!
I think these kids will enjoy life more for getting so much exercise and discipline. While not something I would ever try (even if I could)its as new and fresh to the senior set as rock and roll was to our parents.
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