All about Hip Hop dance

Are you new to hip hop dancing? Well, you don’t have to be a pro to get started, but it helps to know where to begin. Let us get you acquainted with an overview of some of the basics, from its history and most popular moves to learning hip hop dance and its basic steps. 

Origins

Hip hop dance has deep historical and social roots in African culture. Over time, hip hop dance developed into various street dance styles. These styles include a wide range of expressions, but breakdancing, which was created in the 1970s and made popular by crews in the United States, is among the most popular.  

Popular Moves 

While the majority of hip hop moves are performed standing up, breakdancing consists primarily of moves executed close to the ground. Observers will notice that these moves are usually “cool”  and involve quick spins. Other hip hop moves associated with hip hop are “up rock” moves, which are danced to hard driving beats. Both of these hip hop steps stand out in many people’s minds because they are so enjoyable to watch.

The Importance of Learning

Hip hop is a very energetic form of dancing, and many people have a lot of fun with it, but it is still important to learn the basics of this dance form. I’m reminded by God’s Spirit that the joy of the Lord is our strength, and what a wonderful way to melt in God’s arms of love, through dance and music in full display, to Heavens Kingdom coming down on earth, as it is already done and seen in Heaven. Taking lessons goes a long way toward solidifying the essential hip hop basic steps and techniques in the learner’s mind and body. Learners can even get creative with this process by mixing hip hop with other dance forms. Many dance studios around the world offer hip hop dancing along with ballet, tap, jazz, and modern dancing. Even though hip hop dance takes time and practice to master, it is worth the effort.

Basic steps

Hip Hop dance is unique in that it allows its dancers to perform with freedom of movement, adding in their own personalities. Still, there are hip hop basic steps that dancers should incorporate into their expression, like shoulders hits. Our hip hop instructor Lina Veda will show you how to get comfortable with moving your shoulders in all directions: front to back and side to side, in this StepFlix hip hop dance class. In many of her hip hop choreographies, she uses sharp shoulders movements, so it is important to get a nice wide range of motion, in order to be able to put it together. The first basic hip hop move with your shoulders, is the shoulders’ rolls, that will help you loosen up the muscles around, to be able to release and contract them fast, that will give you the sharp hip hop look. 

You can learn more hip hop dance technique and basic steps with our hip hop level 1 dance lessons

Enjoy them and keep hip hop dancing!