Street Style Squad

Street dance battles have become an important aspect of street dance culture, requiring technical skills, creativity, and showmanship to succeed.Dance battle tactics are used to outperform opponents and gain an advantage in a battle. They can intimidate, distract, or showcase skills and creativity.There are three main categories of dance battle tactics: confrontational, dominant, and storytelling.Confrontational battle tactics are more geared toward mental strategies, involving intimidating opponents up close, and are effective in styles like krump, breaking, and hip hop.Dominant battle tactics involve showcasing dominance and excellence through execution of techniques and skills, either up close or from a distance. It can work for any style of street dance but is most effective in styles like locking, waacking, popping, and house that require a high level of technical skill and precision.The technical battle tactic is all about showcasing excellence and cleanliness of technique in movement, including the quality of movement and tricks such as hat tricks, shoe tricks, flips, splits, and other athletic physical abilities.The goal of musicality battle tactics is to create a visual representation of the music and impress the audience and opponent with the dancer's rhythm and timing.Mimicry battle tactics are about imitating the opponent's moves and adding one's own style and flavor to them, showcasing adaptability and creativity while putting a personal spin on the opponent's moves. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

LMA is a method of observing, describing, and interpreting human movement.Developed by Rudolf Laban, a Hungarian movement theorist and practitioner.LMA categorizes movement into different components: Body, Effort, Shape, and Space.Street dancers can use LMA to develop a deeper understanding of their movement vocabulary and how it can be used to convey different emotions, characters, and stories.LMA can help street dancers become more creative in their freestyle and battle training through storytelling exercises.The Body component of LMA focuses on the physicality of movement, including body parts, body alignment, and body actions.The Effort component of LMA focuses on the qualities of movement, such as force, time, space, and flow.The Shape component of LMA focuses on the form and structure of movement, including body shape, line, and direction.The Space component of LMA focuses on the use of space in movement, including level, direction, and pathway.Street dancers can use LMA to analyze their movement, generate movement material, refine their performance, and give feedback to others.Exercises and techniques to incorporate LMA into freestyle dance practice include Body-focused Warm-up, Effort Exploration, Shape Play, Space Journey, and Storytelling Exercises. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Method acting technique is an acting approach that emphasizes the actor's immersion in the character's emotions and experiences to create a more authentic and believable performance.As a freestyle dancer, tapping into your emotions and experiences can bring a deeper level of authenticity to your performances and create a more powerful connection with your audience.Key principles of the Method acting technique that can be applied to freestyle dance include emotional preparation, sensory work, improvisation, sense memory, and object work.Exercises and techniques to incorporate these principles into your freestyle dance practice include emotion-focused warm-up, character work, sense memory, emotional recall, script analysis, and partner work. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Meisner acting technique can be used to enhance street dancers' storytelling abilities through movement.The Meisner technique emphasizes listening, reacting truthfully, improvisation, repetition, emotional exploration, and being present in the moment.Mindfulness exercises can help street dancers stay focused on their performance and connect with their emotions.Improvisational exercises can help dancers become more comfortable with spontaneous, truthful reactions and can lead to more authentic and believable performances.Repetition exercises can help dancers become more comfortable with their movements and can lead to more dynamic and engaging performances.Emotional exploration exercises involve taking the time to understand the emotions and motivations behind movements and using that understanding to convey a more authentic and believable performance.Incorporating repetition exercises into dance practice can help dancers master specific movements and better understand the emotions behind them.Character work can help dancers create more dynamic and engaging performances that connect with their audience on a deeper level.Meisner technique principles can be applied to street dancing to enhance performances. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stanislavski's acting method can be used by street dancers to create authentic and believable performances.Emotional memory and sense memory can be used to evoke specific emotions and physical sensations, and create a deeper connection to the music and movements being performed.Objectives and actions can be used to create a more dynamic and engaging performance by setting specific goals and choosing specific movements to achieve them.Subtext can add depth and meaning to movements by conveying underlying emotions or messages.Practical applications of the Stanislavski method for street dancers include developing a character, creating a story or prompt, using masks, and practicing improvisation.Improvisation can be used to incorporate Stanislavski's method into street dance training, and help create a deeper connection to the music and movements being performed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Viewpoints is a technique used in theater and dance to analyze and create movement, space, and time.Developed by choreographer Mary Overlie and later expanded by Anne Bogart and the SITI Company.Based on two main concepts: spatial relationship and kinesthetic response.Spatial relationship involves examining the space around you and the relationship between the performers and the space.Kinesthetic response is focused on the performers' response to the space and each other.The Viewpoints method is based on six Viewpoints: Space, Time, Shape, Gesture, Movement, and Story.Street dancers can use the Viewpoints method to create more authentic and engaging stories in their freestyle and battle training.Exercises that street dancers can use to get started with the Viewpoints method: Space Exploration, Gesture Studies, Movement Phrases, and Storytelling Exercises.By focusing on different Viewpoints and exploring them in different ways, street dancers can develop their improvisational skills and create more dynamic and engaging performances.Incorporating the Viewpoints into storytelling exercises can help street dancers create more authentic and meaningful connections with their audiences. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Street dance is not just about impressive physical movements, but also about the story behind those movesThere are various acting techniques that street dancers can use to enhance their storytelling abilities and improve their freestyle and battle trainingThe Stanislavski method encourages performers to immerse themselves in their character's emotions and experiences to create a realistic performanceMethod Acting encourages actors to find personal connections to the character, to understand their physicality and emotionsThe Meisner technique focuses on creating truthful and organic performances by responding truthfully to the environment and scene partnerViewpoints technique focuses on space and time in a performance, encouraging performers to become more aware of their bodies in space to create unique and dynamic performancesLaban movement analysis is a technique that focuses on individual movement qualities and how they can be used to create dynamic and expressive performancesIncorporating these acting techniques into street dance practice can help become more creative, create authentic performances, explore movements in different spaces and environments, and become more expressive and dynamicExamples of techniques include using prompts to create a story behind movements and wearing masks to become more connected to movements and create more expressive performances. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A street dancer and a filmmaker can collaborate to learn from each other's craft and create something remarkable.Both the street dancer and the filmmaker have unique strengths and weaknesses that make the collaboration exciting.The filmmaker can teach the street dancer the fundamentals of film language, while the street dancer can teach the filmmaker the importance of rhythm and musicality in dance.Both parties can work together to create a project that showcases their skills and challenges them in new ways.The collaboration can include smaller projects to experiment with different techniques and ideas.Maintaining an open and collaborative mindset and regular communication and feedback sessions are essential.The collaboration can be an incredible opportunity for both parties to grow creatively and learn from each other's craft. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The episode explores a scenario where a street dancer and two visual artists, a painter, and a sculptor, collaborate to learn from each other's craft and techniques.Both dance and visual arts require an understanding of space, composition, and movement, and have the ability to convey emotion and tell a story.The street dancer can teach the artists about movement, fluidity, rhythm, and how to use the body to express emotions and tell a story.The artists can teach the dancer about composition, color theory, negative space, and how to create depth and dimension through color and texture.The collaboration can lead to creating pieces that combine dance and visual art, such as abstract paintings inspired by the dancer's movements and sculptures that capture the fluidity of the dancer's body.The artists can learn from each other about storytelling, using body language, facial expressions, symbolism, and metaphor to convey emotion and tell a story.The collaboration can lead to experimentation with different materials, mediums, and techniques to create unique and innovative pieces.The street dancer can learn about color theory and incorporate it into their movements and costumes, while the artist can learn about body language and use it in their artwork.The collaboration requires constant challenge and open-mindedness, and the artists can attend workshops and read books to solidify the learning process.The collaboration can lead to growth and evolution as artists, creating pieces that push the boundaries of their respective disciplines and tell cohesive stories. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Collaboration between a street dancer and a live band musician can be inspiring and educational for both parties.Musicality is an essential element of street dance and live music can be a great source of inspiration for street dancers.The street dancer can learn about different elements of music, such as rhythm, tempo, melody, and harmony, and how to incorporate them into their dance.Improvisation is a fundamental aspect of street dance, and practicing it with a musician can help the dancer become more versatile in their movements and develop a stronger sense of musicality.Observing and studying a musician's performance can teach the street dancer about different ways of moving and expressing themselves through their body, and gain insights into how to create dynamic and expressive performances.The musician can learn from the street dancer's physical expression and movement, and gain insights into how to create more dynamic and expressive music.Collaborating on live performances by combining dance and music can help both the dancer and the musician become more creative and expressive in their respective fields.Starting with a simple jam session or creating a choreographed routine can be effective ways to collaborate and create a dynamic performance.The street dancer can attend rehearsals and learn about the different instruments and techniques used by the musician to create more musically-informed performances. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Collaboration between a street dancer and an actor can be a fruitful journey to explore and learn from each other's craft and techniques.Both artists should take the time to understand each other's art forms and be willing to push themselves out of their comfort zones.The street dancer can learn about different acting techniques such as the Stanislavski and Meisner method to infuse emotion and depth into their movements.Both artists can read books and watch performances outside their usual genre to push their creativity.Street dancers can learn from actors about the use of breath, subtext, and character development to create more expressive and dynamic performances.Actors can learn from street dancers about physicality and improvisation to become more comfortable with spontaneity and develop their ability to think on their feet.Both artists can work together to create performances that incorporate both street dance and theater.Both the street dancer and actor will have a deeper understanding of each other's art forms and will have created performances that incorporate both street dance and theater. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The morning routine is important as it is in line with dance goals and dedicated to dance growth.Meditation is great after waking up because it helps focus and concentration.Meditation helps improve awareness and presence while dancing.My morning routine includes three parts of training, which are dance training, strength training, and recovery.Strength training helps to have much more stability while dancing, while stretching and mobility work helps to improve flexibility and mobility.Consistency is more important than intensity in the speaker's training routine. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The concept of character in dance is about bringing personality, attitude, and emotion to the performance.Creating a character requires creativity, imagination, and the ability to empathize with the character's personality and story.Different dance styles and genres have their own unique character and movement vocabulary that dancers need to learn and embody to perform authentically.Characters in dance can be used to convey a story, mood, or theme and to create a connection with the audience.Character development is an ongoing process that involves exploring different emotions, movements, and styles to expand the dancer's range and versatility.Dancers should always be aware of their own physical and emotional limitations and avoid appropriating cultures or styles that they are not familiar with or do not understand.Authenticity, creativity, and self-expression are the key elements of successful character development in dance.The use of characters in dance is a way to explore one's own identity and personality and to communicate with others in a meaningful way.Characters in dance can be inspired by personal experiences, dreams, memories, and cultural traditions.A good dancer is someone who can connect with the music, the movement, and the audience and create a unique and memorable performance. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we demystify the terms "groove" and "flow" commonly used in the dance community, and how to improve your dance skills by understanding these terms better. We explore the different meanings of groove, from authentic feeling that makes a dancer move in a certain way to staying on the pace and vibe of the music. We discuss how groove is about expressing oneself within the pace of the music, and is often compared to the relationship between the bass and the drum. On the other hand, flow refers to the smoothness of movement transitions, continuity of motion within the body, and personal style in dance or rap. We also provide tips on how to practice flow and improve your dance skills, such as going from one position in your body to another without stopping.The terms "groove" and "flow" have multiple meanings in the dance community and are crucial for effective communication and expression in dance.Groove can refer to the feeling or authentic emotion that inspires a particular movement, as well as the ability to stay on pace and vibe with the music.Balancing intricate rhythms and sound with the overall feeling of the dance is essential to maintain the groove.Groove originates from the rhythmic relationship between the bass and the drum, which creates a particular rhythmical vibe for dance.Flow can refer to the smoothness of transitions between movements and locations, as well as the continuous motion of the body and personal style in dance or rap.Flow also describes the ability to connect with the music and stay inside the groove while hitting all the instruments in the music.Harmony is created when instruments come together and fit perfectly, creating a particular vibe that tells a story and evokes an emotion.Groove provides the pace and timing, while flow allows for exploration of different sounds and movements within that pace.Understanding the various meanings of these terms can facilitate discussions and aid in understanding the needs of a dancer.Practicing flow involves going from one position to another without stopping and creating infinity signs with the body. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dancers consider various factors when joining a battle, such as judges, DJs, and wages.Some dancers prioritize fun or practice over winning, while others take the judges and DJs into account and adjust their dance accordingly.When preparing for a battle, dancers try to anticipate what the judges are looking for in terms of dance style and technique.Dancers strive to master various skills, including groove, isolation, flow, concept, and groundwork.During a battle, dancers may face challenges such as not liking the music, but they see these challenges as opportunities to push themselves and grow as dancers.For some dancers, battling represents life and overcoming obstacles.Understanding the importance of music in dancing and the full story behind it is crucial.To dance well, a dancer must feel the vibe of the music and understand what the beat maker was trying to make the listener feel.Creating a story or feeling behind the music can help dancers follow the rhythm better.Rather than becoming a slave to the music, dancers should take time and bring more expression to each sound.To achieve cleanness and control, dancers must learn to be silent and listen before speaking through the body.Before dancing, silencing the body and taking time to stand still helps clear anxiety and motion that the dancer wants to do but cannot.Practicing moving in slow motion helps create clean movements and control over the body, which helps with musicality and makes it easier to grab certain sounds.Breathing must also be noticed while dancing.The mind and body must work together while dancing, and to achieve this, the mind must be cleaned to clean the body.Going through the music instead of on the music, not rushing to catch every sound, and calming down and not trying to give everything at once can help dancers achieve control and cleanliness. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Street Style Squad Podcast is your go-to source for all things street dance.The episode discusses cross-training for street dancers and provides insights from books that can help dancers improve their skills. Cross-training allows dancers to develop a strong foundation in one or more styles of dance and expose themselves to other styles and techniques, such as martial arts and acrobatics. "The Talent Code" by Daniel Coyle explores the importance of deep practice and repetition in skill acquisition, while "The Cross-Training Advantage" by Pete McCall provides comprehensive guidance on cross-training for athletes. "The Complete Dancer" by Lisa Howell focuses on anatomy, alignment, and injury prevention for dancers of all styles. The episode provides specific tips for effective cross-training, such as listening to one's body and avoiding overtraining, setting specific goals, and experimenting with new things. "The Dancer's Way" by Linda H. Hamilton and "Dance Anatomy" by Jacqui Greene Haas offer further guidance on developing a balanced training program that addresses all aspects of dance training, including technique, strength, flexibility, and artistry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Street Style Squad Podcast is your go-to source for all things street dance.The episode provides tips for dancers who want to excel in their craft. The first tip is to do it for the love of dance, not to win battles. Having a mentor and developing expertise and confidence over time are also crucial. It's important to set clear goals, practice consistently, and continuously learn and grow. Understanding the history and culture of the dance and seeking inspiration from all sources is beneficial. The importance of having discipline and committing to goals and plans is also emphasized. Various books are referenced, including "The Alchemist," "The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck," "The Power of Now," "The 5 AM Club," "Outliers," "Grit," "The Compound Effect," and "Mindset." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Street Style Squad Podcast is your go-to source for all things street dance.This episode talks about what a jam session is and how it brings dancers together. The competitive dance scene is important, but jamming is where dancers come together to share their love for dancing. A jam session is an environment where dancers come together to share, exchange, and enjoy moving to music with other dancers, sometimes with a DJ spinning. Before organized competitions, it was all about going to the jam, party, or club and getting down together. A lot of dance styles also have well-known sequences and routines, while others involve freestyling together, while encouraging and hyping each other. Block and house parties have always been a place for dancers to jam together since hip-hop culture first started. The jam session is a great opportunity for musicians and dancers to meet new people, network, and improve their skills. Dance jams and hip hop culture are deeply intertwined, and today, dance jams continue this tradition of spontaneous creativity and community building. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Street Style Squad Podcast is your go-to source for all things street dance.This episode explains street dance battles, how they work, and their different forms. Street dance battles are competitions where individuals or teams (crews) of dancers compete against each other. The competitions usually take the form of straight knockout battles.The judges are a crucial part of street dance battles, and they evaluate each dancer's skills, creativity, and overall performance. The judges typically use eight criteria to evaluate dancers, including musicality, foundation, character, difficulty of movement, style, execution, composition of round, and originality. The episode also explains the different ways that dancers can qualify for the main competition, and it offers tips for dancers to remember when competing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Street Style Squad Podcast is your go-to source for all things street dance.This is an episode about the importance of understanding the song-form structures of different genres of music for dancers. We explains the different types of song-form structures such as verse-chorus, AABA, AB, verse-prechorus-chorus, verse-bridge-chorus, and rondo. Then we explore the most common song-form structures in popular genres of music including hip hop, pop, R&B, funk, disco, and house. We explain how knowing the song-form structure can help dancers anticipate changes in the music and create movements that complement the overall performance. We also provide an example of how understanding song-form structures can inform performances in a waacking versus locking dance battle. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.