How to Breakdance 101: Unleash Your Inner B-Boy 107 Comments
An impromptu b-boying lesson at home after some Bulleit bourbon. Don’t drink and dance.
Breakin’ 2 did it. It was 1984 and I was convinced I would be a professional breakdancer. Alas, I was seven years old, and I looked exactly like this reader who left a comment on my tango instructional post:
Tim,
I’m pretty impressed by your achievements in tango, but what about tips on your first love?
B-boying is a sport I’ve watched and attempted for years. Sadly, the minute I go from uprock to six-step I look like a two-year-old trying to find spilled jelly-beans.
I don’t know what to do. Can you offer any tips on learning how to storm floors?
PS: Nice freeze on the Jones Soda. I don’t know much about tango, but I do know how hard b-boying is. I’m from Seattle and I’m damn proud.
I didn’t rediscover breakdancing (aka b-boying, not to be confused with popping or locking a la Michael Jackson) until 1997 when I found a few scattered videos of breakdancing online. I download horrible written instructions, crappy 10-second video clips, and resolved to learn how to do my favorite move–windmills–before college graduation. Death or windmills.
Months of bruised hips and humiliation later, I was able to do them. It was almost all guess work and took far too long. I’ve since found better methods for building on basics in a logical progression.
In this post, I will teach you the basics of footwork. If you’ve ever dreamed of breakdancing (and who hasn’t?), this is enough to let you check it off the list…
- Six-step and six-step variations
- Basic flourishes that take 2-10 minutes to learn
- How to enter and exit footwork without looking like an idiot
First, a brief demonstration of what is possible with a mediocre build for breaking.
I am not a good breakdancer, and I’ve never claimed to be one, but I can do enough to use it for dramatic effect around untrained eyes. Assuming you have semi-healthy joints, you can learn how to do the following in 1-2 weeks, and I’ll teach you most of it in the next 10 minutes. This was on-the-spot, in dress shoes, at a conference after months of no practice, which goes to show how simple the moves really are:
Onward to How to Breakdance 101. I cut off my head, as the feet are more important:
This is enough to make an impression around non-b-boys.
Keep in mind that I now b-boy perhaps three times a year, and only for a few minutes at a time. These moves are not hard on the joints and will stay with you. Some other rules of thumb:
1) Thou shalt not break drunk or buzzed. Joints don’t like it.
2) Thou shalt not break on surfaces that might have spilled drinks. Ditto for joints and foreheads.
3) Thou shalt bring a second t-shirt if they plan on not being a sweaty bastard around others.
4) Thou shalt not break in public until reviewing video of themselves. Self-monitoring while breaking is not accurate. Mediocre breakdancing is more of a liability than no breakdancing. Take a few days to get the basics down before showcasing.
Have fun! It’s a great and unusual world to explore.
Here’s how the pros do it–take the time to watch this one:
Posted on October 25th, 2009
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Comment Rules: Remember what Fonzie was like? Cool. That's how we're gonna be -- cool. Critical is fine, but if you're rude, we'll delete your stuff. Please use your PERSONAL name or initials and not your business name and do not put your website in the comment text, as both come off like spam. Have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation! (Thanks to Brian Oberkirch for the inspiration)
107 Responses to “How to Breakdance 101: Unleash Your Inner B-Boy”
October 25th, 2009
6:01 pm
Pretty “fly” old school breakdance moves there Tim! You’ve got that natural flow!
October 25th, 2009
6:07 pm
Sweet. Always wondered when you were going to cover breakdancing. You seemed to have discussed everything mentioned in 4HWW apart from this. :)
October 25th, 2009
6:10 pm
Tim,
Stellar choice for an article. This caught me pleasantly off guard, as most things here do, and I love getting a little insight into this, because you’re right. Who *hasn’t* thought of trying this before?
- Cam
October 25th, 2009
6:13 pm
Ha! What those guys do in the competition is insane! It’s a bit tricky I guess but I’ll start with the basics in your videos!
Excellent stuff as always Tim, keep up the great work!
October 25th, 2009
6:16 pm
Tim this post is so money. I started toying with break last year in the same way – poor vids & step-by-steps. Bruised hips and humiliation? Check, check. Windmills were the holy grail and every hint of progress felt like a lifetime achievement. Classic line.. “Mediocre breakdancing is more of a liability than no breakdancing.”
Sometimes it’s fun (albeit a bit dick) to go to clubs and covertly orchestrate a break circle, then watch everyone look around until they realize there’s no actual b-boys in the room.
October 25th, 2009
6:41 pm
Nice moves Tim.
Always wondered when you’d cover the topic of break dancing since it was mentioned in 4 hour work week. Nice videos too, except… where’s the big boom-box hiding?
Mike
October 25th, 2009
6:57 pm
…still waiting for that windmill. Pretty aggressive! I’m still trying to master the moonwalk.
October 25th, 2009
7:22 pm
Man I suck at breakdancing :(
October 25th, 2009
7:41 pm
My kids were mortified to learn I had done this when I was just a tad bit older than they are today. My wife, too, for that matter… Nice videos!
October 25th, 2009
7:45 pm
That is so cool! This is why I read blogs…
Rock on!
October 25th, 2009
8:14 pm
nice, Tim.
Are you in japan? im digging the minimalist room with the wood accents. Thanks for keeping the posts fresh and informative. To me, you and Seth Godin are irreplaceable in that aspect. Take care!
King
October 25th, 2009
8:52 pm
Finally! Been waiting for this for awhile. We share similar interests here and I’ve always wanted to see your take. Way to flow bro.
October 25th, 2009
9:40 pm
As a dancer I think it’s great that you introduce this aspect to more people.
I remember that tango article and always appreciate it when someone is willing to go out there and share their interest in dance to so many people.
Also, a nice break down of the six-step basic. I hadn’t heard the tip about the palm vs. the finger bend and will work with that a bit to see how it feels.
October 25th, 2009
10:17 pm
Wow, thoroughly enjoyed watching Lilou. Amazing talent. Thanks for showing me that.
October 25th, 2009
10:42 pm
If I ever wanted to hit up a football game and get free tickets, I’d throw down a cardboard box on the sidewalk, cause a hurricane from my windmills, and make mad tip money. Hell, they may even throw me a couple cold ones, to loosen me up a little.
October 26th, 2009
12:16 am
Nice post! I’ve been breaking for a while and enjoy learning about other people’s experience and exposure to it
Also, I’m glad you included those 4 rules of thumbs to keep in mind. Anyone who breaks for long enough would have figured it out sooner or later but it’s always nice to learn from other people’s experience.
October 26th, 2009
1:50 am
wahaha, brilliant. I’ll get right on it! Gotta show off how Mickey Mouse can breakdance at this Friday’s Halloween party!!
October 26th, 2009
2:09 am
That is some of the funniest video I’ve seen in quite some time, particlarly the “locking” one. Why not just go to clown school?
October 26th, 2009
10:17 am
Now THAT is a good idea :)
October 26th, 2009
2:14 am
Right I now need a new hip.
October 26th, 2009
2:37 am
That breaking competition was filthy. Nice tutorial too. I’ve messed around with this before myself but always found it hard to look cool coming in and out of the 6 step, good info.
October 26th, 2009
2:55 am
Tim, you should stick with ballroom dancing :-)
Nice post. Helping people to expand their lifestyle horizons. I like it.
October 26th, 2009
4:54 am
Awesome Tim, I was waiting for this, my windmills haven’t connected yet and I’ve been performing bboying for two years haha
I may or may not be overcompensating on style lol
I’ve used the principles in your book to travel to France, where I’m currently at (on month 3 of a 4 month trip) and I’m currently practicing at Lilou’s stomping grounds (outside the opera at hotel de ville in Lyon)
Couldn’t ask for a better role model (you), especially as an adrenaline junkie
I’ve also used the principles in your book to get laser eye surgery to help me compete and to get rid of so much time consuming trash so that I can have days like yesterday where I bboy for 3 hours and take a break to skateboard for 4 hours.
Now, what I fear most: Muse creation
Cheers
October 26th, 2009
5:26 am
Awesome Tim. Great to see another how to post like this. Thanks.
October 26th, 2009
6:05 am
Nice work Tim!
3 tips to take to you to the next level.
1. Keep your all your steps small, esp. your toprocking, it will make everything look neater and faster.
2. Stay on your toes the whole time, toprocking and footwork. esp for your “flourishes” at the front, don’t extend your weight too far, keep it right under your hips.
3. Have somewhere for your hands to go when they leave the ground when you do footwork, so they don’t flail in the air. touching your hip or head are good places to start
Great tip on the hands, some people use there fingetips if they lack the flexibility but it it’s risky. and you sped up jumping six step is called a three step.
All the best, nice work!!
Kool Keith
October 26th, 2009
7:13 am
What a killer post.
I’m going to dedicate my entire day to this.
Just awesome.
October 26th, 2009
7:17 am
I just wanted to add.
Tim, you’ve got some killer moves.
October 26th, 2009
7:26 am
Consider it done.
October 26th, 2009
8:31 am
I most probably will not try this at home :) , but I appreciate your efforts to make the videos. The second video is a little dark though.
October 26th, 2009
8:45 am
When are you guys going to do another episode of random?
October 26th, 2009
8:54 am
I love breakdancing. I should say I love to watch people break dance. I have tried myself but I just cannot do it. It is probably because I’m a girl since most the people you see breakdancing are guys.
October 26th, 2009
9:05 am
Brings me waaaaay back! Good stuff with the uprocking! Now you have to do a windmill tutorial. Make sure you include the different variations-nutcrakers, napoleans, eggbeaters etc. Lol! Tim, what’s the name and artist of the song playing in the background?
October 26th, 2009
9:05 am
I used to dance quite a bit, but it’s been 8 or so years since I’ve really put on the shoes. Not sure if b-boying is my style, but it sure is fun to watch. Thanks for posting.
October 26th, 2009
9:05 am
Are these videos on vimeo?
I’m in China now, and as I’m sure you know, China doesn’t like YouTube.
If they’re not on vimeo, any tips on bypassing the great firewall? Nothing seems to work very well these days.
October 26th, 2009
9:52 am
“Music has just as much to do with movement and body as it does soul and intellect.” -Esa-Pekka Salonen
Hey Tim,
If you can walk, you can dance.
Music isn’t a separate object but the juice that energizes and flows through our body. Sitting motionless while music is playing is like only listening to movies without watching. You only get half the effect.
Like you, I’ve always been infatuated with b-boying. I have a few amateur-looking moves under my belt, and bust them out occasionally in public for some mood-lifting. These videos are awesome and exactly what I need: quick and effective methods to improve my moves without dedicating many hours to become a pro or something.
Thanks as always for your amazing 80-20-style resources,
Oleg
October 26th, 2009
10:50 am
Thanks for the excellent diversion. Your blog is always so much better than answering emails and reading the news! Now I am in the mood to play some “New Edition” or perhaps even watch “Flashdance.” (Remember, she throws in some breakdance moves at the big ballet audition!)
October 26th, 2009
10:51 am
Wait a minute, you recommend trying this WITHOUT alcohol? Seems like it would require at least one shot of tequila.
Awesome videos. Those dudes got mad skillz.
October 26th, 2009
12:12 pm
Tim,
Great videos! I’ve been hoping you’d do a post on this.
Any advice on doing the windmill? It is one of my life goals and I want to have it by the end of the year. The best video I found so far is here: http://www.5min.com/Video/How-To-do-a-breakdance-windmill-5255
My problem is that my wrist keeps hurting from supporting my whole body weight. Also, do you recommend practicing this one on carpet or tile?
Thanks
October 26th, 2009
1:52 pm
lol, I saw a bit of your dancing at the BizTech Conference. The B-Boy side of you was surfacing off stage :-) .
I’ll send a Flicker/Facebook link later on, so you’ll see photos from the BizTech Conference.
Here’s an awesome link, I saw weeks ago on a toddler break dancing, freak’n amazing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiNUkDnDMFA
Am in SF for the rest of the week for the Plug & Play Expo and SNAP Summit. Good times….
October 26th, 2009
4:02 pm
It’s always enjoyable when you talk about yourself.
October 26th, 2009
4:28 pm
That was a SICK DEMO at Nielsen.
No, it was “fresh”. :)
October 26th, 2009
7:57 pm
Personally I think break dancing is a little dorky,
but hey, I give you props for showing more ways to ‘live’
the lifestyle that one chooses!
October 26th, 2009
8:58 pm
Should’ve asked this in my original comment (more chance of you actually seeing it), but I noticed you seem to be wearing regular sneakers. Is that for any reason in particular, or do you only wear your Five Fingers on occasion?
October 26th, 2009
10:25 pm
Tim,
Was reviewing the ustream video and noticed it was longer than the time I remembered so I skipped forward and the stream included you filming a portion of this video. With that being said how much time does a typical blog take to finish especially with video content.
Enjoyed the video stream a lot of great questions! Hope you do it again bring Kevin Rose along you guys crack me up !
Triston aka TDBRPH
October 26th, 2009
10:41 pm
wow! i am so happy i bookmarked your website after reading your book! i couldnt fall asleep tonight and this was probably the best randomness i could have ever stumbled upon before crashing. thanks for sharing! crazy moves!
October 27th, 2009
12:45 am
By reading this point, I was instantly transported back to being a kid and how I was absolutely mesmerized the first time I saw Turbo do the ‘Broom’ Dance in Breakin’ (reminisce here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVrWDPi12zE). For truly mind blowing skills, spend some time checking out B Boy Junior from France, words can’t begin to explain what this man does (here’s a little something to get you started….http://dancejam.com/videos/1054584402-bboy-junior)
October 27th, 2009
2:02 am
[...] How to Breakdance 101: Unleash Your Inner B-Boy [...]
October 27th, 2009
3:40 pm
Tim, love this post.
My inspiration for breakdancing came from Eddie in the Tekken videogame series. Out of all the martial artists he had by far the coolest moves. However, after a short stint in high-school meant to prove that white people can-in fact- dance my b-boy career has been put on hold.
Best.
October 27th, 2009
10:48 pm
oh mann, I’ve been reading your blogs on and off all day.
information overloadddd…..!
bahaa. This one made me smile.
Didn’t breakdancing start with Nazi soldiers??
October 28th, 2009
3:06 am
you 4 commandments of breakdancing are epic
October 28th, 2009
3:25 am
Hey I just realized that in the Redbull BC One video, it’s Ronnie from Supercrew, America’s Best Dance Crew season 2 winners
October 28th, 2009
6:04 am
Did you or anyone on this blog get tickets to the BC One in NY City this year?? I completely forgot about it and the show is SOLD OUT!
October 28th, 2009
10:01 am
“If you’ve ever dreamed of breakdancing (and who hasn’t?)…”
I had a thought about breakdancing approximately 15-20 years ago but I never dreamed of it.
October 28th, 2009
1:24 pm
Hello Tim
I am 31 and have been labor work 9-5 for all my live and the other day i came across your book at the library it was intersting so i took it home.
thinking about the universty students experiment where you told to to cantact at least three celebarty and have them answar 3 questions.
i decided why not contact Tim himself about this idea that was Burning me.
it’s about selling informational product, internet or tv. and i bleive it’s a great idea. i know you’re a busy man but would approciate if you would help me or mentore me on this one.
thanks
Bounes
October 29th, 2009
6:53 am
Last video is insane. You can’t do that when you’re sitting in a cube all day, and in front of one all night.
October 29th, 2009
8:23 am
Very good way to break down the six / three step. I would LOVE to see a how to video on your mills. What I found with successful b-boying is start strong and end strong for your set and make SURE it is clean. If it fizzles at the end, you fumble over a move, or don’t stick a freeze it will totally disappoint.
I love your take on movement analysis and deconstructing, you really should do short videos on the different power moves with b-boying. It would probably make it a lot safer for those of us who just huck it and hope all goes well.
You should take a look at different interviews and videos on b-boy Krazy Kujo, he is incredible at deconstructing power moves and learning safer ways of executing power moves and flips. (After a failed attempt to land in the plank position from a front flip, he slammed his face on the ground so hard it caused him to lose his eyesight for a day… pretty commited)
October 30th, 2009
8:26 am
Oh my, this is the most entertaining thing I’ve seen all week. You’re actually really good! To quote the venerable Paris Hilton, “That’s hot!”
October 30th, 2009
8:51 am
BTW, Tim, in the 3rd video you move like a Capoeirista? Did you ever give that a go?
October 30th, 2009
10:47 am
Ah, you spotted it! Yes, but poorly and a loooong time ago :)
Tim
October 30th, 2009
11:28 am
I’ve been around 30 min of practice now and I still find somewhat difficult to transition from step 4 to 5 and from 5 to 6, I end up somewhat off. So Tim, any tips? :)
October 30th, 2009
8:10 pm
At one minute into this video you can see Shaq break dancing – all 7’1″ and 320 lbs. :-)
http://www.nba.com/video/channels/nba_tv/2009/10/30/20091030_legends_2000_shaq.nba/
October 31st, 2009
9:19 pm
While dancing, do you reflexively come up in a guard position? See “101 part 2″ at around 1:30 for one example, if I’m not misinterpreting your movement. That habit will pay dividends the next time ninjas attack while you’re break dancing ;)
I also thought of Capoeira while watching your demonstration. Also at moments Bagua and perhaps another Chinese/Indonesian art during (what looked like) some nice triangle steps. But sometimes it’s hard to tell where a cross-influence exists and where the human form is just the human form, and so it tends toward certain patterns of movement.
November 1st, 2009
1:34 pm
Dude, my daughter wrote on the cover of your book 4 hr “(home)” work week. Got some serious inspiration for her to pursue this. Care to connnect w me on a muy GRANDE thought that it lead me to?
November 1st, 2009
1:39 pm
ademas, su concepto es totalmente intementable en la profesion de segurancia, pero a crecer pasado mi nivel presente nesasita mas T (tiempo)?!
November 1st, 2009
6:57 pm
I must say Tim, your two instructional videos had more logic in it than most of the DVD’s I bought and the barrage of questions to the local breakers in the beginning years of me trying to be a professional bboy and compete in one of the “Battle of the Year’s” in Germany. But that was almost 10 years ago. My skills have, fumbled a little since my journey.
Now, stalls and power moves have taken over, as well as Korea coming up representing bboys worldwide.
I love the fact that you still continue dancing for passion’s sake and that helps to shake things up on my end too.
One DVD that might help people that I got a while ago was “Breakdance Step-By-Step.” I watched that the most, other than both “Breakin’” movies and “Beatstreet.” Talk about old-school.
Cheers!
November 3rd, 2009
1:36 pm
I want to know what your favorite b-boy music is…
November 4th, 2009
1:04 pm
Tim, I love you (seriously, let’s make babies) but what the hell is up with those bell bottom jeans?!
November 9th, 2009
12:55 am
Those popping and locking videos are freakin’ incredible! The first track on that locking video is pretty sick too. Wow.
November 10th, 2009
1:23 pm
My co-worker was reading your blog and emailed this to me last night. I’d bet money you are the best breakdancer to grace the new york times best seller list, and the best one at the nielsen conference as well. I’ve been breaking since 2003 and I’m inspired to see a respected authority proudly repping their bboy style.
I saw your videos, they were a great jumping off point and I enjoyed them. Tim with your permission I also wanted to offer your readers further breakin’ education our site as a resource. We have plenty of free video previews to learn from even if you aren’t interested in buying any dvds.
You can specifically learn how to Break here;
http://www.cypherstyles.com/category/100_street_dance_videos.break_dancing_videos.how_to_break_dance_videos/
You can learn other styles, like Popping, Rave dance, or Club dance here:
http://www.cypherstyles.com/category/100_street_dance_videos/
Hope the free videos previews help you guys take it to the next level. I say we form a new crew, “BBoy Bloggers United”, anyone want in? We’ll dominate at the next wordpress convention :)
November 11th, 2009
10:35 am
Good stuff.
The b-boys in the video at the end reminded me of how much I still love Hip Hop. Even when (mainstream) rappers are struggling to say something new, b-boys are doing their thing the world over.
Thanks for the ill post, Tim.
November 13th, 2009
1:53 pm
Fascinating post. I am not a fan of anything, though, that can cause injury to the brain. You have seen the recent publicity on football head injuries. I would just think holding your breath that long would have to be hard on the brain. It almost reminds of the choking game that kids play.
I am very impressed with David Blaine, I love his magic tricks, his early TV specials were incredible, and I have lamented the fact he has put so much of his energy into these feats of body endurance in recent years. Freezing himself in ice for days, etc.
Remember Houdini died after letting himself be repeatedly hit in the stomach.
November 16th, 2009
8:30 am
No posts for half a month Tim? Something must be in the works…
November 23rd, 2009
6:29 pm
@matty G
‘EES busy with a badass book on fitness that I really, REALLYREALLY want to be a part of!
@ Tim Ferris
Timmay! Any plans to “Tim Ferris” standup comedy? I’m a comedian, and success takes a longgg time. A lot of people do it 2-3 years before they even get PAID. I’m sure you could smash that.
“I don’t want to be seen in the public eye as a comedian.”
Well, you could keep a low profile by rejecting television gigs and just quit right after you achieve a goal…like “Get offered $10,000 for one gig.”
December 2nd, 2009
3:10 pm
nice photo of the tango
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/hubs/thebigpicture/6543717/The-Big-Picture-photography-competition-round-76.html?image=7
December 4th, 2009
10:10 am
Nice videos.
Dude, you are like a Swiss knife. Is there something you can’t do?
December 8th, 2009
1:36 am
Basketball :)
December 22nd, 2009
12:39 am
Is a certain amount of body strength required? Though I’ve lost about 60 lbs, im still overweight some and am having a hard time getting down the concepts, about how many times a week do you practice and for how long to really get it?
December 31st, 2009
8:39 am
ElectricBoogaloo. I had about 12 pair of parachute pants. My pleather MJ knock off Thriller jacket was dope. I met one of my best friends to this day in the 5th grade lunch line after I was new to the school and he said there were some good break dancing lessons nearby(1986). I could moonwalk like a m-fer on rollerskates.
December 31st, 2009
8:48 am
@tomgreenwald great site man. I used to race MTB xc cross country, BMX way back, road racing, crits, track, etc.. BW exercise are great, I will def be checking in.
January 1st, 2010
11:01 am
Thank you a great read I will certainly be back to study future updates. It must take you a lot of time to produce this site.
February 28th, 2010
4:20 pm
Tim, just letting you know if you’re ever in Knoxville, TN, cover and a few drinks are on me if you want to dance at my club. I’m the crew leader of Club Level 10′s breakdance performers. We have 5 to 10 bboys every weekend. We’ve got a stage and a great lightshow. You’ve got some good moves. I know you can afford and find much better coaches than me, but if you want to learn any power moves (which are kinda my thing), stop by and I’ll do my best to show you some stuff you can use, cause I can tell you’ve got the athleticism for it. My real job is as a personal trainer, so I can usually get you going on technique for windmills and flares and stuff in no time. Keep breakdancing. Liked your book btw.
February 28th, 2010
7:25 pm
Thanks Brad! If I end up there, I will do so!
Tim “Wish I could do air flares” Ferriss
April 9th, 2010
9:13 pm
Im having some problems with it, do you have to have a certain physique or not? Im having some problems with the kick through on some parts, ive been at it for some time too
April 12th, 2010
10:44 am
jared,
You really don’t need a specific physique to do it, but that’s not to say it doesn’t help. I’m about 5’5″ and built like a typical Asian (despite being white). No doubt Koreans dominate the power scene, but I’ve seen plenty of tall guys do flares and harder moves. I think with most power moves, a requisite is failing a couple hundred times until you get that one rotation. Then fail trying to get two for a couple hundred times. When you get two, you’ve got the move and it’s just a matter of practice.
Go to a gymnastics place and use mushrooms or other special training equipment that they have for pommel horse and parallel bar flares, then take it to the floor.
June 13th, 2010
10:34 am
Hello Tim,
how are you and where do you come from? In my opinion you overdo it with the 4 hours per week, but 10 or 15 would be o.k.! I invest 20 at the moment.
You are a good breaker… I am not bad as well…
The ones beneath you are excellent (the pros and friends) – here the music by James Last “Weekend-Törn” can be heard for completion. I can build on this – I am a skilled biophysicist and interested in mind-body-environment relations. This dance in this context is important as far as I see. My theat cue is “adequate culture”. Please always stay alert if danger might happen and do not drink too much – maybe only spicy or fruity if you know the origin and how it is made.
Best wishes
June 21st, 2010
8:30 am
Nice videos. Hope this free videos previews help you guys http://break-dance.info/hip-hop-hip-hop-obuchayuschee-video-onlayn-2.html
July 4th, 2010
2:40 am
Hello Tim,
one more advice to you from my point of you:
Do NOT try to be cool or sly – you are cool, that’s cool.
But do not try to command this to others – they do other things and are not like you!! My advice is: Listen to your fears and then try to formulate briefly and manageably (a little neologism :-) for you the causal structure! I am a bit the opposite of you ;-I
Best wishes and thanks to you – you are really “cool” (and by “doing your thing” a B-Boy like me!)
July 10th, 2010
1:42 pm
Hi Tim, wondering if you’re taking part in this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7gg_W7yT9Q&feature=fvhl
September 11th, 2010
1:19 am
they got a really happening b-boy scene in Japan
http://www.japansugoi.com/wordpress/tokyo-b-boy-park-festival-2010/
September 26th, 2010
3:05 am
im 10 years old and im mad at windmilling sort of anyway i like your tutorial videos they are really good :]if you don’t believe im 10…then that’s alright.
October 22nd, 2010
12:54 pm
It’s nice to see video of you breaking. After you made the mention of creating break circles by lying on the dance floor in 4HWW, I wondered how much training you had. I’d like to see what your powermoves look like, but you definitely have a lot of style.
Breaking and parkour are at the top of my To Do category on my dreamline. I’ve only been doing it for about a year, but I’m up to about 5 rotations with both my windmills and headspins. I’d like to go study it in France as soon as I graduate college and get my muse worked out.
November 6th, 2010
3:19 pm
Hello Stover,
the 5 rotations with both your windmills and headspins is much more than I can contribute here. I can fall down in an appropriate manner. That’s all for the moment.
Please keep on breakin – as yu know it’s important
November 8th, 2010
6:51 pm
I think I would seriously hurt myself trying to pull this one off. I’m sure some people have tried it while they were under the influence. I would hate to see the results.
November 29th, 2010
7:45 pm
hiya…found ur site while researching for my speech class. had to be something that i’m passionate about and can explain to the class. googled – how to break and found you. not too shabby really. u break the 6step down pretty good. i can agree with ur standard rules except for #4. don’t be scared…just bust what u got. peeps are around to criticize which helps. also the adrenaline helps kick things up a notch. coming from my small town of pc bch fl…all we have is club lavela. not exactly prime breakin area…but it helped us out. u either have a love for it and just go with the flow – or u stand on the side lines wishin someone will push u out. take that leap wether ur good or not – i love to see people try and help them to learn while in the process.
one luv!! keep it going!
December 3rd, 2010
12:23 am
Hi Tim
Since I’m a fellow bboy entrepreneur and my life is now FREE working a job thanks to your 4 Hour Work Week book, I thought I had to share this with you.
I noticed you posted the Red Bull BC One clip on your blog.
BUT DID YOU KNOW THIS?
There’s a bboy that looks IDENTICAL to you and was in the finals of the 2010 Red Bull BC One battle against Neguin! The bboy, who looks like you, or should I say, IS you, is called Just Do It. He’s from Holland.
Here’s a clip of him:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QAJZOqD3cM
When I watched the battle, I swear I was watching you!
Seriously, check it out!
He looks like you in every aspect!
I nearly pooed my pants!
I was like “OMFG Tim Ferris in the Red Bull BC One finals”!
December 4th, 2010
5:29 pm
Hahahaha… man, I WISH! Nice find. Neguin is INCREDIBLE.
December 5th, 2010
5:34 am
Hey Tim
It’s amazing how much you have changed my life!
My name is Jackson “I CAN airflare” Lin, here’s a clip of me doing some airflares:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIcuMgm8lm4
In 2007 I came across your book, the 4 Hour Work Week. It got my attention because:
1. You were a bboy.
2. You were not working a dead end loser job, like most bboys.
3. You went to breakdance in Taiwan (my parents are Taiwanese).
4. You hated your job and your bosses too.
I was like wow, this Tim Ferris guy must be my long lost brother!
We had so much in common!
After listening to your 4 Hour Work Week audiobook like 5 times… this is what happened after.
In 2008, I started looking for the “Muse” to fund my life. I tried a lot of things ranging from MLM to options trading…
But they weren’t what I was looking for…
So I looked towards internet marketing, because you mentioned about making money through the internet in your book.
Which led me to find Mark Ling at the end of 2008, and affiliate marketing.
Fast forward to 2010.
Now I have a muse making me more passive income than my friends working as lawyers full time!
It’s AMAZING how much things have changed.
Your book was the starting point that changed everything for me.
In fact, I even blog about how your book affected my life on my internet marketing blog:
http://jacksonsmarketingtraining.com/blog/about-me
Seriously, we should start up a bboy crew “The 4 Hour Work Week Bboys”.
We’d be AWESOME!
We’ll go and battle our previous employers and totally serve them!
Haha!
December 6th, 2010
11:33 pm
Jackson, those airflares are GREAT! Thanks so much for the comment, and congratulations!
Until we meet in person (I can only offer some footwork),
Tim :)
December 10th, 2010
7:30 pm
But the windmills are something I will endeavour. If possible without headspins – my hair is and was always a bit hedgehog-like. That’s why.
December 19th, 2010
11:50 am
Haha, I tried some of those moves last night and crushed my elbow really bad.
Probably should have listened to you Tim and didn’t try to start doing things buzzed. WHOOPS!
February 5th, 2011
2:25 pm
Mark be careful – the windmills are something one could endeavour in a step-by-step manner doing breaking, the headspins in my opinion are not necessary. I think you will loose control including your head. Already as a child I avoided the headspins. As far as we know with this part of our body we think – I do not recommend it as biophysicist. Neither heavy head balls.
February 5th, 2011
2:39 pm
… but keep on breaking carefully – this street art breaks up too strict day-by-day moves…? That’s why. I try to think in this way and try to separate windmills and headspins here as well… it’s not easy that’s for sure ;-I
February 14th, 2011
4:14 am
I think you know I like careful trying in a non-Don Quixote manner – which should be allowed … not?!
Good bye here to all – leave this nice B-blog ;-I
March 31st, 2011
9:38 am
are you gonna post a tutorial on how to windmill? im 10 years old and i cant figure out how to windmill! it is soooo frustrating.
April 10th, 2011
9:16 pm
gracias for this post, you should check out some of relentless’ tracks. they are an electro band based in San Francisco!
September 25th, 2011
3:50 am
Bboying is not a sport, not an acrobatic practice like a circus… it’s a Dance and a Lyfestyle.
It’s the only dance of Hip Hop culture, it’s one of the 4 elements of HipHop: mcing, writing, djing and breaking.
Now people, please, learn that is not a collection of trendy moves that you can show to your friends and girls at the next party after watching 2o 3 videos…learn that is required time and will to learn this dance. Learn that is about knowing yourself through self-expression, expression of your personality and emotions through one of the most amazing dance in the world.
Learn that one has to learn first the basic and the foundations like every field of knowledge in human things. So i decide to post this video for you who are truly interested:
This is the only dvd made up with knowledge, passion and very good tutorials
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2C2X5U_uag
“This is a dance” means the connection between music and the dancer, it’s not about kicking in the air some strange and aggressive moves =)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWUkb-h6YEE&feature=related
December 26th, 2011
2:45 pm
I think you know I like careful trying in a non-Don Quixote manner – which should be allowed … not?thanks for info..