~Ground Force~: BREAKDANCING

Breakdancing first started appearing int he 1970s as part of the Hip Hop movement. Although it did not gain immediate recognition as a legitimate dance form, it became part of the intense "street culture" in big cities like New York and Chicago. In the 1980s however, breakdancing began to become more popular, especially because of exposure in movies like "Flashdance." As the culture spread, breakdancing became a more legitimate form of dance, and was eventually implemented into formal Hip Hop dance instructions. Although the popularity of breakdancing has waned since the 1980s, it is still a fixture in modern culture, and many performers in televised dance shows like "So You Think You Can Dance" and "America's Next Best Dance Crew" often use breakdancing in their routines.

Breakdancing is significant, because it is part of the hip hop urban subculture. The dance requires a high amount of athletic skill and is a fixture of modern dance culture. Breakdancing is also noteworthy as one of the biggest "cross-over" elements of urban culture to make a mark in different industries, including fashion and entertainment.

Modern breakdancing consists of four different types of moves: Top Rock, Down Rock, Freezes and Power Moves. Top Rock moves are introductory style moves and are preformed standing up. These moves mainly consist of some stylized step movements or arm motions and generally are preformed before and after more complex moves. Down Rock, conversely, is performed with hands and feet on the floor, and showcase the breaker's ability to move their feet while keeping their body on the ground. Power Moves are the most iconic part of breakdancing and consist of highly athletic and stylized acrobatic moves. Everything from spinning headstands to high-jumping flares fall into this category. This is the hardest element of breakdancing and is also the most stylistic. Freezes are stylish poses that usually follow a power move or conclude the routine.

Although some people believe that breakdancing is limited to the urban scene in the United States, it actually has a very large international following, especially in Asian countries. Breakdancing groups like Tokyo Rock Steady and the Korean Expression Crew are fixtures in modern breakdancing and perform for captive audiences around the world.

Because breakdancing is a very physical type of dance, it is important not to attempt it unless you are a professional or are being supervised. Some of the more technical moves require intense body control and serious neck and back injuries can result if you don't know exactly what you are doing.

~Ground Force~