Dance embodies one of our most primal relationships to the universe. It is pre-verbal, beginning before words can be formed. It is innate in children before they possess command over language and is evoked when thoughts or emotions are too powerful for words to contain.
Dance is a powerful ally for developing many of the attributes of a growing child. Dance helps children mature physically, socially, and cognitively. The physical benefits of dance are widely accepted, but the emotional, social and cognitive attributes have only recently begun to be appreciated.
Dance provides young children multiple perspectives. It is “a foundation of experience necessary for the future development of more advanced skills and a way to affirm an inner life and alternate realities” (Stinson, 1990). Through dance, children develop enhanced sensory awareness, cognition, and consciousness. It is this heightened state that creates the magic of movement that is dance.
This past Monday we had the great opportunity to teach breakdancing classes at the Circle of Support Summer Camp in Dallas, TX. Children's Health was given the task to provide health education classes and contacted us to see if we would be open to this opportunity. We jumped at the chance to help create a healthier and happier generation through breakdancing and agreed to volunteer our services.
The drive from San Antonio to Dallas took longer than expected but in the end it was well worth it. As soon as we walked into Joseph J. Rhodes Elementary the students greeted us with questions. "Are you the breakdancing guy? Do we really get to learn how to breakdance?" I knew right then that it was going to be a great day.
Bottom spins bring smiles!
After we set up the classroom, the first group of students began to pour in and it was showtime. We began each class with a brief introduction telling the students who we were and what we do, then we got the kids moving. "If we can listen without music, then we can listen with music," was my way of helping the students understand that our time was limited, but we could make the best of our short time together.
Students learning "kick outs".
Once we showed the kids what was expected of them, they jumped right into the lessons. We started off with spinning down to the floor, then moved on to "kick outs". The students squatted down and leaned back onto one hand, then kicked both legs out to the floor, then brought their legs back quickly to a squat position. This move is essentially a side plank with fast movement added for stylized effect.
Motivated teachers make motivated students.
Depending on each student's skill level, we then taught them progressively harder or easier moves to keep their heart rates and confidence up. The favorite move of the day was the "bottom spin". Students sat on the floor and kicked with their good leg and pushed with their bad hand causing them to spin until smiles grew and laughter was heard around the classroom. It was a fun time had by all. The best part was that the students were exercising and building confidence at the same time. All that was needed was music and open space. No balls, goals, courts or expensive equipment, just space, music and imagination are required. I have first hand experience using breakdancing to stay healthy, gain attention, build self-esteem, and even travel the world. My hope is that I can spark the same interest that was sparked in me in at least one of these students.
We were able to introduce breakdancing as a healthy and active hobby to over 100 students in Dallas, TX in just one day, now that's what we call a successful day. We would like to thank Trustee Nutall of Dallas ISD for organizing the Circle of Support Summer Camp. Also, Karen Kaighan and Sandra Vasquez of Children's Health for giving us this great opportunity.
When I moved Onsite Youth Training (OYT) to San Antonio, Texas I was hoping to find a way to reach more young people that would benefit from our services. We started out in 2014 teaching private lessons and instructing small group classes in Sacramento, California. The students were happy and we were having a positive impact on their lives. Yet I knew that we could do more, the question was how do we reach the students that would benefit from our services the most?
Ms. Morgan teaching her Hip-Hop choreography class at Hutchins Elementary.
The answer to that question was SA Youth. They had the students and the best part was, that if we could find a way to partner with them, the classes would be free to the families. SA Youth has been in business for over 30 years helping San Antonio’s low-income children stay in school and helping young adults who have quit school gain a second chance through high-school credit recovery and workforce training. So I was determined to get my business in business with SA Youth.
The Hip-Hop choreography class at Heritage Elementary with Ms. Amy.
Flash forward to April 11th, 2016 and I was signing a contract with SA Youth to provide 8 school sites with Hip-Hop dance classes twice a week. This now allowed us to reach over 300 students a week! The choice to move OYT to San Antonio was a great one and with the help of SA Youth we will continue to create a healthier and happier generation.
Mr. Chris getting funky with with his Breakdancing class.
We all know that regular physical exercise is good for a girl's body, mind, and spirit. But you can get your daily dose of endorphins from a jog around the block.
So why dance? The Women's Sports Foundation has discovered that dance offer some extra benefits for girls in addition to having fun and getting fit.
Here are a few:
Girls who dance do better in school. You might think that athletics will take up all your study time. But research shows that girls who dance do better in school and are more likely to graduate than those who don't. Exercise improves learning, memory, and concentration, which can give active girls an advantage when it comes to the classroom.
Girls who dance learn teamwork and goal-setting skills. Working with coaches, trainers, and teammates to win battles and meet goals is great practice for success later in life. Being a team player can make it easier to work with others and solve problems, whether on the dance floor or in the workplace.
Dance has hidden health benefits. Some benefits of dance are obvious — like improving fitness and maintaining a healthy weight. But girls who dance are also less likely to smoke and have a reduced chance of getting breast cancer and
osteoporosis later in life. Sure, you can get these benefits from any type of exercise. But if you have trouble getting to the gym, there may be more incentive to show up and play if you know your coaches or teammates depend on you.
Dancing builds self-confidence. Girls involved in dance feel better about themselves, both physically and socially. It helps to build confidence when you see your skills improving and your goals becoming reality. Other esteem-boosting benefits of dance participation include getting in shape, maintaining a healthy weight, and making new friends.
Exercise can cut the pressure. Pressure is a big part of life. Dancing can help you deal with it, since exercise is a natural mood lifter and a great way to relieve stress and fight depression. Plus, when you are on a team, you have friends who support you both on and off the dance floor.
Terrence came to OYT after a class-mate told him about us. His mother was looking for a way to help him build esteem and have fun being physically fit. After a few weeks of private lessons, Terrence was ready to join and keep up with our group class. His mother informed us that he was teaching the skills he learned to peers at school, allowing him to gain peer attention and support his self esteem. Terrence has made great strides during his time with us and he will continue to grow stronger and happier.
We made a stop in Hamburg, Germany to visit breakdancing pioneer Sonny T. While in town we did a bit of sight seeing, hosted a dance workshop at Sonny's dance studio and contributed to a legal art wall in downtown Hamburg.
The dance workshop went great! The students and I had tons of fun and got a great workout.
Signing autographs for sweaty students.
Glaze adding his contribution to the community art project.
Positive Coaching Alliance is a national non-profit developing “Better Athletes, Better People” by working to provide all youth and high school athletes a positive, character-building youth sports experience. Learn more in this short video.
