Breaking Boundaries Shaping the Future Through Breaking BY AMANDA MILLER
16 AUGUST 2024 | NOLAFAMILY.COM Artivism Dance Theatre in New Orleans and Hip Hop X in Baton Rouge are two studios that are guiding young artists in learning the elements of breaking, all while providing them with a space to O riginating in the Bronx, New to the dance style in which b-boys and b-girls move to the breakbeats (a repeated sample of a drumbeat) of a song. Over the years, the dance has gained popularity, acquired mainstream recognition and a moniker of “breakdancing” by the media, and transcended borders, reaching countries such as Brazil, Cambodia, and even Japan. This year, breaking will take center stage at the Olympics. What started as a predominantly male- centered style of dance has since expanded to include more females, and the style has even inspired a younger generation to begin practicing the art form. The Power of Expression York in the late 1970s, breaking or B-boying/B-girling refers
grow both mentally and physically. Sophia Rabinovitz, the Founder and Artistic Director of Artivism Dance Theatre, shares, “Breaking is very much a dance style of strength, particularly core strength. A lot of what happens, people assume has to do with upper body strength, but it’s really hugely abdominal strength, core strength, and timing and coordination. It’s about when you are connecting and firing with which muscle at what time in order to make it happen, and if you miss that timing, the moves are not going to happen.” Along with increasing their athletic ability, dancers are learning work ethic and discipline, and challenging themselves mentally. Brian Watson, owner of Hip Hop X, shares, “It gives them a space to go and let loose. There are still rules that apply, but from health problems to emotions, learning how to be disciplined, knowing when to show up on time for things, [they’re] learning that through dance, which is basically work ethic. On a mental level, it helps them mentally.”
Through breaking, dancers are especially able to express themselves in a powerful way and push themselves to try something new. Arouna Guindo, a Hip Hop dancer and choreographer from West Africa, has been an instructor for over 10 years, and he’s currently an instructor at Artivism Dance Theatre. “Breaking is really particular, because first of all, in breaking, you use a lot of power. We say a power move is the child of frustration, because you put all of this frustration, all of this anger, and stress in the movement, in your dynamic, in the muscles, and this just gives you the power to do all of this. It’s kind of egotistical, somehow selfish at first, because you have to really go and face your own fears and your own limitations and go above them.” Learning the art of breaking has allowed these young dancers to also transform how they feel about themselves. Kit and Bo B., two dancers at Artivism Dance Theatre, each pursued breaking and Hip Hop classes due to their interest
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