Hey I'm Improving!
Wow I progressed a lot through this week! I mean, I faced some serious setbacks, but i'll get into that later on. First let me show you just a couple of the moves I've learned. While they may look amateur (They really are), they serve as fundamental moves that I will need to advance later on.
Indian Step/ Kick and Twist
There are essentially five categories to Breakdancing: Top Rocks or standing moves, Go Downs or transitions, Footwork, Freezes, and the dopest one of all... power moves.
The Indian Step/ Kick and Twist is one of the starting Top Rocks to learn. While there are a few simpler Top Rocks, this one combined simplicity and the cool factor. I intend to practice this move enough so that I can speed it up as much as possible.
Coffee Grinder
The Coffee Grinder was my first introduction into footwork. It is a really quick move that involves getting your leg around your whole body in a 360 motion. While it is a quick move, you end up in the same position that you start. This allows you to repeat this move over and over for a cool look. This move involves a little more flexibility than I previously thought which really made me understand the importance of stretching. Unfortunately, did not realize this before it was too late and I am SO sore now.
My Legs Feel Like Crap
I DEFINITELY OVER TRAINED THIS WEEK. I tried to manage my daily running life and my breakdancing life and it just did not work out. First things first, I run about 7 miles every day to make sure I stay in shape for spring track. Usually I stretch for a few minutes after and rest. NOT THIS TIME. Now I would run and about an hour later start breakdancing. Before breakdancing, instructors say it is essential to stretch. Well, I thought that took too long, and went straight to breakin'. BAD IDEA. Now my quads and knees are actually killing me and I am really sore. However, I still feel like breakin' it down, so I will cut back on the running for now.
Finding A Program
I came across this site called Udemy while gaining information on the history of breakdance. It was perfect. It had a 4 week schedule showing my potential progress, a highly talented instructor who could teach well, and showed all the moves I could ever want to know. One problem though... I needed to pay. Well not much, just $20, but it would still take some persuasion to get my mother on board. I did end up getting her on my side though by showing how much of a bargain it really was. Now I have a pretty much perfect schedule to insure that I become a master at my craft.
Some Cool History
Not only did I learn about breakdancing in terms of its certain styles and moves, but also a lot about its history. Breakdancing started in South Bronx, NYC back in the 1970's. What really interested me was that gangs used to have battles over turf not with violence, BUT BREAKDANCING! They would get their best members to have a breakdance battle and whoever did the sickest moves would win. If only gangs were like that now.
I really like your topic because it is so original. It is also very easy to show your progress by the new moves that you learn. I can not wait to see how good you will be by the end of the project and hope to see your moves on the dance floor someday!
ReplyDeleteWho says breakdancing can't be violent? If you modify it slightly it could become a martial art. For it to be used as a peaceful solution to conflict wouldn't both sides have to agree on the winner? If there was a way to agree on a winner, maybe police could be trained to deescalate conflict by breakdancing instead of using violence.
ReplyDeleteI must say WOW! You have some super impressive moves. Where you this flexible/fast and good with your body before you started or is this something that you learned from dancing? Your' dancing looks really good.
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome. I especially like the coffee grinder. That is really impressive. I don't think I would ever be able to do something like that. I think it is really important you don't over train. It can really result in an injuring and more importantly I wouldn't be able to see your cool moves. Also are you able to do the coffee grinder in succession?
ReplyDeleteAhmed, your blog is really coming together quite nicely. I really enjoy how you provide videos of you practicing the moves, as it shows the readers how the moves look with a level of familiarity, as you yourself are doing them. I cannot wait for your TED Talk and your future posts.
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