Break dancing or "b boying" began in New York City in the mid to late 1970s. It grew as a popular dance form as did the rise of hip-hop music. There are four basic physical elements of break dancing. Most commonly, they are referred to as toprock, downrock, power moves, and finishing moves (a freeze/pose or suicide).
Toprock involves any form of steps that begin at a starting position. These are typically transitional moves that help you build momentum before you start the downrock moves. Downrock moves are the "footwork" moves that lead to complicated physical contortions; the foundational downrock move is the "6-step." Power moves require the dancer to create momentum with the body, supported by the upper body, so he can achieve such moves as windwills, swipes and flairs. Finally, the dancer will end a series and variation of the above moves with a pose or suicide. These moves often look like a contorted handstand or pike, while suicides look like painful falls or drops executed in ways that do not injure the dancer.
Before you begin the steps, you must place your body with your hands behind you and both feet on the front, mimicking a crab. Below is a step by step explanation.
1. Lift your left hand, and move your right foot where that hand used to be.
2. Shift your weight to the right hand and foot, move your left leg up into the back your right knee.
3. Swing your right leg around in front of your right hand, and the right hand comes down so that your legs are in a crab position. Switch hands so your left hand is now back on the ground and your right hand flies up.
4. Swing your left leg around in a wide circle and wrap it around the right leg.
5. Move your right leg back to the original position.
6. Finally, pull the left leg back while you move your right hand to the ground to complete the push-up position. You are now back in the original position from Step 1.
Once you have mastered the above dance moves, you should consider what you wear while you break dance. An important factor of break dancing is your "style" or "flavor." Many "b boys" wear baggy jeans and large hooded sweatshirts. It is also common to wear full body tracksuits and Adidas or Puma running shoes. The other key aspect of this style is matching colors that are often bright and ostentatious.