Breaking, also widely known as Break Dancing, is different from a Street Dance or Hip Hop dance class, based mainly on learning choreography.

Young people still learn important foundations and techniques, but they are not expected to spend the whole class standing in a line and copying exactly the same routine.

Instead, they are given the freedom to explore different moves, make their own choices and develop a style that feels like their own.

One student might enjoy footwork. Another may be interested in freezes, power moves, music or creating their own combinations.

The aim is not for every young person to look the same.

We want students to understand the foundations, discover their own strengths and become the best version of themselves.

More Than a Weekly Dance Class

Our classes also have a strong community atmosphere.

Students practice together, encourage each other and celebrate when someone finally achieves a move they have been working on.

The coach is not the only person who can share knowledge.

Young people are given opportunities to demonstrate, explain moves and help other students. Someone who has only recently learned a skill may understand exactly what another beginner is finding difficult.

This creates an environment where students learn from the coaches and from each other.

As their confidence grows, they begin to realise that they have knowledge worth sharing.

Taking Break Dance Skills Back to Formby

During their time attending classes in St Helens, the young person began using their Breaking skills outside the weekly sessions.

They took part in dance at school and began showing friends some of the moves they had learned.

This became an important part of their journey.

Instead of always feeling as though they were trying to keep up with their friends, they now had a skill that other young people wanted them to share.

They could demonstrate a move, explain how they had learned it and encourage their friends to have a go.

The skills learned in St Helens travelled home to Formby with them.

For that young person, Breaking became an opportunity to lead.

Learning About Hip Hop Culture

Coaches don’t just teach Breaking as a collection of moves without explaining where they came from.

Students are introduced to the values and history of Hip Hop and the stories of the leaders and pioneers who helped develop the culture.

They learn that Hip Hop includes:

• Breaking
• DJing
• Rap and MCing
• Graffiti art
• Knowledge and community

Young people may also have opportunities to try these different skills through workshops, events and community projects.

This helps them understand that Hip Hop is more than a style of dance.

It is a culture built around creativity, freedom, identity, sharing knowledge and bringing people together.

From Student to Young Leader

Leadership does not always mean being the loudest person in the room or standing at the front of a large group.

For a young person, leadership can begin with showing a friend a move, encouraging someone who is struggling or having the confidence to demonstrate something new.

Breaking creates these moments naturally.

Students begin by watching and learning. As their knowledge develops, they begin contributing ideas, supporting newer students and passing their skills on to other people.

The learner gradually becomes someone others can learn from.

For this young person, travelling from Formby to attend Break Dance classes in St Helens led to much more than learning physical moves.

They found a community, developed confidence and discovered that they had something valuable to teach.

Sometimes the greatest sign of progress is not simply being able to perform a move.

It is becoming confident enough to help someone else learn it.

Looking for Break Dance Classes in Formby?

From our research their are currently no Break Dance teachers and coaches who provide weekly Break Dance classes in Formby.

Our specialist Breaking classes take place in St Helens, with young people travelling from different parts of Merseyside and the wider North West to attend.

Families searching for Break Dance classes near Formby can find our current class locations, ages and times on the Powered by Hip Hop website.

Do You Remember Break Dancing in Formby?

We would also like to discover more about the history of Breaking, Break Dancing and body popping in Formby and Sefton.

Were there dancers or crews practicing in the town during the 1980s, 1990s or later?

We would particularly like to hear about:

• Break Dancing in Formby schools or youth clubs
• Local dancers, crews and nicknames
• Talent shows, discos, battles or performances
• Photographs, flyers, newspaper cuttings or videos

Contact Powered by Hip Hop if you have a name, photograph or memory that could help us record the history of Break Dance in Formby.