Hip Hop Dance Moves

Beginner hip hop dance moves are not hard to master. You'll just need to learn the basic moves, and then practice, practice, practice. The best way to learn is to sign up for a hip hop dance lesson, but you can also watch other dancers, download video tutorials of specific moves or learn from a friend. The following moves are the foundation for other, more complicated dance moves that you might want to learn later.

Beginner Popping Move
Popping moves have been popular since the 1970s, when the Electric Boogaloos started popping during performances. Popping moves are hip hop moves that involve jerking body motions related to the quick contraction and release of muscles. These popping motions are done rhythmically in relation to the beat of the music. Most hip hop dancers rely on angles and mime-like moves as they perform popping moves.

Electric Boogaloo Hip Hop Dance Move
While performing this move, you will need to pretend your body has no skeletal structure but is fluid. Start with one body part and try to roll that limb in such a way that it looks like you've taken your bones right out of it. Stop the roll when you come to a major joint, such as a shoulder, and then quickly jerk the limb-in this case, your arm-into a severe angle so it now appears you have bones in that arm.

Beginner Locking Hip Hop Move
Locking moves consist of exaggerated arm and hand movements and relaxed lower body movements. The movements are done quickly and to the beat of the music, and then you freeze in place.

Six Step Move
Start with your hands and feet on the ground, face down, with your weight on your palms and your feet. Keep your hips up and your shoulders high. Your palms will stay in the middle of the circle made by your feet as you walk your feet around your body in six steps. You will have to lift your hands and move them as you walk around, crossing each foot far over the other one as you make the circle.

Beginner Breakdancing Move
Breakdancing is a highly acrobatic form of street dance that involves toprock, power moves and downrock positions. The movements are often fluid and continuous without a break, using the body in a variety of poses and motions.

Bridge
You might recognize this move from gymnastics class or yoga, but it's a basic hip hop dance move used in breakdancing. Lie on the floor on your back. With your hands on the floor on either side of your head and your feet solidly planted under your buttocks, arch your back until your head is either off the ground or is the only part of your body touching the ground besides your hands and feet. Practice these hip hop dance moves until you can go into this pose quickly.