Dance Styles

Poppin

Popping is a form of dance where the muscles are contracted and released in a rhythmic fashion in accordance with the music. ‘Pops’ can be done with different parts of the body, with the main areas being the neck, arms, breath and legs. In short, wherever the body part with a muscle, popping that body part is possible. Training time and muscle are then very important in this sense.

The origins of popping are pointed to Sam Solomon (a.k.a. Boogaloo Sam) who created the basics of popping and boogaloo. While dancing, Sam would say the word "pop" every time he flexed his muscles, eventually leading to the dance being called popping.

There are other styles categorized under this term of popping. Each has a distinct aspect that adds flavor and variety to this dance style.

Animation – Think of plasticine figures on film. The movements would seem to be very controlled and rigid and elements of dime stopping are included to make the movement more interesting.

Boogaloo – A style which creates movements that make the body look very fluid and without bones. Rolling of the body parts such as the head, hip and legs are some of the movements distinctly from this style.

Strobing – Movements would be made in consecutive stop and go motions creating the effect of a strobe light.

Tutting - The usage of right angles to create movements. This is very much inspired by the Egyptian paints where the limbs of the paintings are usually kept at right angles.