Choreographies to do in urban dance

Introduction

Discover the key choreographies of urban dance, providing the foundations to begin or perfect your practice. Whether you're looking to master popping or get started with house dancing, you'll find practical advice and inspiration.

Definition of urban dance

Ah, urban dance! You may be wondering what is behind this term, right? It's simple, but so rich at the same time. Imagine the bustling streets of cities, these squares where creativity springs from every corner. Urban dance is the essence of these free spaces, transformed into real open stages.

Born in vibrant neighborhoods full of life, it represents an explosive mix of genres, emotions and movements. We are talking here about a style of dance which draws its inspiration directly from everyday life, the local cultures And collective energy communities. It is characterized by its spontaneity, her authenticity, and of course, by its incredible ability to make us move, feel, and live in the present moment.

Urban dance is much more than a simple series of movements; it is a universal language, a form of personal and collective expression that crosses barriers and borders. Whether you are in New York, Paris or Tokyo, she speaks to you, challenges you and invites you to join this incredible human adventure.

So, are you ready to dive into this vibrant and thrilling universe? Follow us, the adventure has only just begun!

The different types of urban dance

Origin of urban dance

Before diving into the heart of the matter, let's go back to basics. Urban dance? A kaleidoscope of crops and of movements, born in the excitement of the streets and popular American neighborhoods. Here, each step, each jump tells a story, that of a community, of a moment, of a revolt or of a celebration. It is in this open space, far from traditional dance halls, that urban dance took its roots, providing a new playground for self-expression.

Presentation of the main urban dance styles

Now, fasten your seat belts, because we are off to discover the gems of urban dance, styles that make the hearts of the streets beat faster:

Locking : Imagine a suspended moment, a movement stopped in mid-flight – that’s locking. This style is the art of suddenly locking your movements before resuming the normal course of your dance, all to funk rhythms. Locking is fun, expressive, and above all, incredibly dynamic. A pure moment of theater in the street, where each dancer becomes an actor in their own story.

Waacking : Immerse yourself in the disco era with waacking. A style where the arms are the stars, expressing themselves through quick movements and dramatic poses. Inspired by the clubs of the 70s, waacking is an ode to expression and diversity, a dance that tells the story of freedom, identity and resistance.

Voguing : Directly inspired by the poses of Vogue models, the voguing is a stylized battle, a competition where elegance, precision and attitude reign supreme. It’s a colorful dance form that celebrates LGBTQ+ identity and culture. In voguing, each movement is a living painting, a moving work of art.

Hip hop : We cannot talk about urban dance without mentioning hip-hop, this pillar, this universal language. More than a style of dance, hip-hop is a way of life, a philosophy. It is characterized by an impressive freedom of movement, from ground steps to aerial figures, all marked by an unparalleled rhythm and attitude.

Each of these styles tells a part of the history of urban dance, a universe where freedom of expression reigns supreme. Whether through explosive locking, theatrical waacking, stylized voguing or iconic hip-hop, urban dance is an invitation to share, to live, to express who we are. Urban dance has even inspired some Tahitian dances. Ready to join the dance?

Breakdancing

What is breakdancing?

Let's dive into the heart of learning to breakdance, this spectacular art which combines pace, strength And agility. Breakdancing, or b-boying/b-girling, is a bodily conversation with music, a dialogue where each movement has its own voice. Born in the 70s, on the streets of New York, this style of urban dance is a real acrobatics on the floor, a dazzling mix of figures, passes and freezes that defy gravity.

Breakdancing is freedom in movement. Imagine yourself spinning on your head, sliding on one arm, freezing your body in the air – each figure is a story, a struggle, an expression of self. But beyond the physical aspect, breakdancing is a community, a team spirit, a family. It is a space where encouragement and mutual respect reign, where each dancer brings their own energy, their unique style.

Example of choreography

The Top Rock: Start standing, the music takes over. Top rock is your introduction, your moment to take some space, set the rhythm. Two steps forward, two steps back, let your arms accompany the movement, freely, with style.

The 6-Step: Place on the ground! Sit with one hand on the ground, the other in the air. This is the time to draw a circle with your feet, alternating positions, creating the six basic steps. Remember, flow and rhythm are your friends.

The Freeze: Choose a moment, a break in the music. This is where you freeze, literally. Whether on one hand, balanced on the head or with one foot in the air, the freeze is your signature, your moment of glory. Practice, find your balance.

The Baby Freeze: Perfect for beginners. Sit down, place one hand on the floor, elbow level with your hip. Use the other hand for balance. Lift your feet off the ground, cross them and freeze. Breathe, you’re there!

The exit : Every good choreography has an end. Stand up, bring the movement back up, with a final top rock, or a simple sliding step back, before ending with a pose, your pose, the one that says "that was me, and I loved every moment.”

Remember, breakdancing is a journey, not a destination. Every fall, every slip, every success is a step toward your ultimate expression. Be patient, practice, and above all, have fun. Dancing is the joy of living, and breakdancing opens its arms to you. Ready to dance?

Popping

Describe popping

Enter the electric world of popping, a style of urban dance where the body seems to dialogue with the beats of the music through magical jerks. Let's imagine for a moment that each muscle in your body becomes an instrument, capable of creating an illusion of robots or supernatural animations. Fascinating, right? Born in the 1970s in California, popping is distinguished by its rapid muscular contractions followed by releases, producing this pop or electric shock effect. Speaking of electric, popping is also present in the electro dance. 

What makes popping so unique is this ability to precisely isolate and control different muscle groups, from the arms to the legs to the torso and even the neck. It is a dance that plays on optical illusions, on the effects of waves and fluid sliding, on abrupt freezes. But beyond the technique, popping is a means of expression, a way of telling a story, your story, with your body as the main narrator.

Example of choreography

Ready to get started with some popping choreography? Don't panic, we'll start slowly. Here is a basic sequence for beginners, designed to introduce you to the pleasure of popping.

The Fresno: Standing with your feet shoulder-width apart, begin with this fundamental step. Let the beat guide your movements. Pop your right arm while slightly shifting your body weight onto the left leg, then reverse. This is the basic movement that will help you become familiar with the concept of popping.

The Waves: Let's introduce some fluidity. Stretch your arms out in front of you, palms down. Now imagine a wave going through your left arm, through your torso, then out through your right arm. This undulating movement requires isolation and control, but once mastered, it is breathtakingly beautiful.

Gliding: To add a little magic, gliding. On the spot, use the left foot as a pivot and slide the right foot forward, then bring it back. Alternate. The idea is to create an illusion of floating, as if you are gliding across the surface effortlessly.

The robot : Let's have a little fun. Transform yourself into a robot. Each movement is jerky, mechanical. Isolate each part of the body during the movement, using sharp stops to accentuate the robotic effect.

The Hit: Let's finish in style. Hitting is the essence of popping. Choose a muscle, contract it strongly then release. This can be done with any part of the body, but start with the arms to get used to the feeling.

The most important thing in popping, as in any dance, is to put your soul into your movements. Don't worry about perfection. Explore, experiment and above all, have fun. Dancing is a celebration, and popping gives you a world of possibilities to explore. So, ready to make your world pop?

House dancing

Describe house dance

Welcome to the vibrant and energetic world of house dance, a style that captures the very essence of freedom and joy of life. Imagine yourself dancing in the heart of a never-ending party, where every movement is a celebration of life. Born in the clubs of Chicago and New York in the 80s, house dance is intrinsically linked to house music, with its catchy rhythms and deep bass.

What characterizes house dance is its incredible fluidity and freedom of movement. It combines gliding steps, light jumps and pelvic and torso movements, all to hypnotic house beats. But that's not all ; house dance is also marked by its influence from jazz, funk, disco, and even African dances, offering a richness and diversity of movements.

Example of choreography

Ready to dive into the rhythm? Here is a simple house dance choreography to introduce you and make you feel the energy and freedom of this style.

Jacking: The heart of house dance. Standing, begin by moving your torso back and forth in a fluid motion, as if you were “jacketing” your spine. This basic move will help you get into the groove of house music.

The Loos Legacy: Add to that a little footwork. Loos legs consist of slightly bending the knees and rotating the legs from the inside to the outside, alternately, while maintaining the jacking movement. This gives a feeling of fluidity and lightness to your steps.

The Basic Step: Now let's integrate a simple step. Slide your right foot back while bending your left knee, then quickly alternate with your left foot. This step should be light, almost as if you are playing with the ground, while continuing your jacking.

The Shuffles: For a little more dynamism, try shuffles. While standing, slide one foot out while bringing the other foot back to meet it, then reverse. This quick, fluid movement is perfect for exploring the space around you.

The V-Step: Let's finish with the V-step. Imagine drawing a “V” with your feet. Start by moving your feet diagonally away from each other, then bring them back together. It's a joyful and expansive movement, which fully expresses the freedom of house dance.

Remember, the key to house dancing is letting yourself go with the music, feeling the beat in every fiber of your being. There's no wrong way to dance house, as long as you move with your heart. Let the music guide you, explore these movements, and above all, have fun. House dance is an invitation to celebrate, to express your joy and your freedom. So, are you ready to dance like no one is watching?

The krump

Describe the krump

Welcome to the explosive and emotional world of krump, a dance style that goes far beyond simple movement. Imagine a dance that channels raw energy, passion, and the most intense emotions – it's krump. Born in the streets of Los Angeles in the early 2000s, krump is an artistic response to social tensions and challenges, a powerful means of expression where anger, joy, sadness are transformed into art.

The krump is characterized by its rapid, wild, and sometimes aggressive movements, offering an impressive visual spectacle. It is a very physical dance, where the whole body is involved: expressive faces, powerful arm movements, stomps, and chest pops. But at the heart of krump, there is a story, a message, a voice that wants to be heard.

Example of choreography

Ready to release your energy? Here is some basic krump choreography to help you get started and feel the power of this dance.

The Stomp: Start with the stomp, a fundamental movement of the krump. This is a powerful ground kick, as if marking your territory. The stomp is your base, your anchor, it establishes the rhythm and intensity of your dance.

The Chest Pop: Integrate chest pop. Using your torso, make a quick forward movement, as if you are pushing something away with your chest. This movement expresses strength, challenge, it is the beating heart of your choreography.

Arms Swings: Add arm swings, large and circular movements of the arms, as if you were releasing all your energy around you. Arm swings are your space for expression, where each rotation tells a part of your story.

The Jabs: The jab, a quick, impactful movement of the arm, as if you were throwing a punch. The jab is direct, precise, a flash in the night. It represents your fight, your resilience.

Facial Expression: Krump is also a face dance. Let your emotions be painted on your face, whether it is through a cry, an intense look, or a smile. Your face is the mirror of your dancing soul.

Freestyle: In krump, freestyle is essential. After practicing these movements, let the music carry you away. The krump is personal, intimate. This is the time to tell your story, to use your body as a paintbrush on the canvas of life.

Krump is a dance of pure expression, a body language that goes beyond words. Don't be afraid of intensity, of exploring your deepest emotions. Every movement, every gesture is an affirmation of oneself, a declaration of existence. So, take a deep breath, let your heart speak, and krumpz!

Conclusion

Urban dance, rich in styles and history, offers a unique and powerful avenue of expression. From breakdancing to krump, each genre illustrates the diversity and energy of street cultures. These dances allow for the exploration of personal expression through movement, providing both challenge and joy.

Learning these choreographies is opening up to a world of creativity and connection, strengthening self-confidence and body control. Every step, every movement tells a story, your story, with captivating rhythms that invite freedom and expression.

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