As a parent, you want to learn more about your children's hobbies to support them. If your child is interested in hip-hop dance classes, you might hear them use terms such as breaking, popping, and locking. Here's what you should know about these original and still popular styles of this exciting art form. 

What Are the Top Styles to Learn in Hip-Hop Dance Classes?

1. Breaking

Breaking or breakdancing became popular in the 1970s, when street dancers known as Breakers, or Bboys and Bgirls, performed the moves in their neighborhood streets and parks. The classic moves include toprock, go-downs, and downrock footwork. Along with freezes and power, these moves allow dancers to show off their athletic abilities and creativity. Skilled dancers often spin on their heads, stand on one hand, and perform daring acrobatic moves, including backflips.

2. Popping 

Popping features lively freestyle moves that occur with a hit or stop to dance music or drum beats. The dancers tighten their muscles to freeze, then loosen to look as if they do not have any bones. In hiphop dance classes, the students learn animated moves and create their own style, such as puppet, crazy legs, gliding, and strobing.

3. Locking

Locking is a separate technical style from popping, but instructors and students in hip-hop dance classes typically put them together. Characteristics of locking moves include quick actions, wrist rolls, extravagant gestures, and sharp stops, rather than fluid motion. Humor, individual creativity, and audience interaction play a big role in successful performances. The combination of popping and locking inspired hip hop and dubstep, performed to electronic dance music.

If your kids want to learn a popular and fun dance style, enroll them in hip-hop dance classes at Forte Arts Center in Channahon, IL. This highly rated studio offers a wide range of classes, talented and patient instructors, and a safe, comfortable environment. With over 30 years of experience in serving and motivating students of all skill levels, this center is an excellent place for your child to develop artistically and socially. For more about their high-quality dance education and training programs, visit them online. Call (815) 521-0744 to ask questions and register for lessons.