Breaking 101 + 102: Back Once More AKA Bigger and Deffer

Our Breaking 101 and Breaking 102 classes are back at Foster Community Center for another exciting 8-week session! This marks our third offering at this location. We’re grateful for the support.

Under the tutelage of instructor Tabor, our intermediate students return to Room 105 to continue their development in Breaking 102.

Thanks to tremendous interest throughout the community, our Breaking 101 class for beginners has moved to the gymnasium! Backed by Ozay Moore on the ones and twos, here instructor Young teaches this group the basics of breaking. He is preparing them for what awaits in their B-boy and B-girl futures. | AOTA – Photo by Yo Joe Photo

Breaking 101 + 102: Stand and Deliver

Breaking 101 and 102 instructors Young (Rt) and Tabor (Lt) are both proud, honored, and privileged to share their knowledge, wisdom, and love of breaking with the youth of our community.

Each person that takes part in our program gets to benefit from all that Young and Tabor have to give.

The two of them stand and deliver their message to impressionable ears and eyes, helping to cultivate the future of the breaking community. | AOTA – Photo by Yo Joe Photo

Breaking 101 + 102: Put It Down

Our young breakers have been learning and practicing more advanced techniques. They’re attempting freezes, head and handstands, and complex poses that test their flexibility and athleticism.

We want them to be safe and protected as they try these, so we encourage the use of padded mats.

During open floor sessions where they’re free to use the space to hone skills, they’ll grab the mats without being prompted.  | AOTA – Photo by Yo Joe Photo

Breaking 101 + 102: Parents Just (Do) Understand

Our Breaking 101 and 102 classes at Foster Community Center wouldn’t be what they are without the youth from the community. They’ve dedicated themselves to the art, and that’s coupled with the desire of our instructors to teach them.

Another key and vital component is the support of the parents. Having them there watching and encouraging their young breakers adds to their confidence. They too want to learn and understand this element of the culture. | AOTA –

Photos by Yo Joe Photo

Breaking 101 + 102: The Next Movement

We’re grateful for every student, parent, instructor, and supporter that made our second 8-week session at Foster Community Center a success!

The spring session of Breaking 101 and Breaking 102 classes have wrapped. We put a bow on them with a wonderful speech from our instructor Young followed by a class photo.

We’re looking forward to the next session and we hope you are too. Sign up for our newsletter so you don’t miss enrollment information and updates.

We’ll see you at the summer session! | AOTA – Photo by Sunshine

Breaking 101: With Correct Technique

Our young breakers learn the fundamentals from our esteemed instructors. Young and Tabor take the students through the steps. From there it’s just them being creative.

They get to polish valuable techniques during our classes, but that’s also a time and space for them to explore what happens when their athleticism meets their imagination.

We’re never surprised but always impressed by the amazing things they do! | AOTA - Photos by Yo Joe Photo

Breaking 101: Stand Up

Our Breaking 101 instructor B-boy Young One makes learning fun!

The students in the beginners’ class practice basic moves and techniques, and sometimes they do that by playing the game Simon Says.

Here you see the last two standing during a round of lighthearted competition.

After “Simon says look at each other”, Young tried to get the young breakers to do a backstep without asking properly. They remained locked on each other as their peers laughed and Young acknowledged their attentiveness with a thumbs up. | AOTA – Photos by Yo Joe Photo

Above & Beyond: Table the Discussion

This is where we greet and welcome everyone who comes to Foster Community Center for our Breaking 101 and Breaking 102 classes.

It’s a simple table decorated with flyers and backed by our Breaking 101 banner. The setup doesn’t require a lot to be inviting.

People that are unfamiliar with who we are and what we do as All of the Above Hip Hop Academy, but have their attention caught by what we’re doing at Foster, can stop and talk with us, ask questions and get answers that build awareness, interest, and an increased sense of community.  | AOTA - Photo by Yo Joe Photo

AOTA Photo Friday

Photo by Yo Joe Photo

Breaking 101: All In Together Now

It’s beautiful to see our community come together in support of breaking!

This was a huge cypher comprised of our Breaking 101 and Breaking 102 students along our instructors B-Boy Young One and Flava Vitz, and members of MSU Breakers.

The energy in the room was electric and everyone, especially the parents, left with proud smiles on their faces! | AOTA - Photos by Yo Joe Photo

Breaking 101: Special Guest Bboy Zulu Rema

We were excited to have Bboy Zulu Rema from Tunesia with us April 7th to spread that international Hip Hip culture love.

Shout out to Hip Hop Association of Advancement and Education (HHAAE) for making it possible!

Kicking off our first spring session centered on the universal power of Hip Hop. Salute Monk Matthaeus for the hook up!

There was a Q&A and, of course, an open session to build with the brotha Rema when he touched down in Lansing. | AOTA - Photos by Yo Joe Photo

Breaking 101: Show Me What You Got

Our young breakers collectively get excited for the cypher. Some individuals, though, look forward to it a bit more than others.

They’re waiting anxiously to show off a polished technique they’ve learned in class or to surprise everyone with a new and unexpected move they’ve practiced at home.

We love when they show off polished techniques! We love being surprised by the unexpected!  | AOTA - Photos by Yo Joe Photo

Breaking 101: Guess Who’s Back?

Our second 8-week Breaking 101 session at Foster Community Center is underway!

We’re excited to have everyone back and we welcome all the new breakers and supporters joining us!

With an incredible increase in interest and signups, this is our chance to impact more young lives in our community and teach them the art of breaking, one of the key elements of Hip Hop culture.

Our 101 classes are the perfect introduction for beginners and our newly established 102 classes will further the development of intermediate breakers.

Breaking is a community and we’re endlessly thrilled to grow it. | AOTA - Photo by Yo Joe Photo

Breaking 101: NBA Jam, With the Shoes

Fresh kicks are essential to a breaker.

Wearing shoes that are light and comfortable is vital. They must look good too!

“Daaaang … Did you see what they just did?! And look at those shoes! It’s gotta be the shoes!”

Let’s not forget that breaking is an art that’s steeped in style. Rocking a nice pair adds traction to a breaker’s confidence. | AOTA - Photos by Yo Joe Photo

Breaking 101: Lovin’ It

One of the beauties of breaking is how it permeates the heart. Once people try it, actively or as a spectator and supporter, they begin to embrace the art from a genuine place in their spirit.

A great example of this is watching a cypher.

The breaker performing in the middle is loving what they’re doing and accepting the love they’re getting for doing it while returning gratitude through their moves.

Everyone surrounding that breaker is loving what they’re seeing and encouraging them with supportive love.

All that love filters out to everyone watching outside the cypher. It’s good vibes, positive energy, and warmed hearts! | AOTA - Photos by Yo Joe Photo

Breaking 101: Hey, Mr. DJ

“I am ready to call my friends so we can boogie down; where’s the party?”

It’s at Foster Community Center during our Breaking 101 classes and cyphers!

Music is key element of our classes. It energizes our impressionable young breakers, the instructors, and everyone within earshot.

We’re grateful to have Ozay Moore provide an upbeat soundtrack for our breakers to rock to, but it also draws in passersby, turning them into curious spectators who can’t help wanting to move to the beats too.

“Here is something that’s going to make you move and groove.” | AOTA - Photos by Yo Joe Photo

AOTA Photo Friday

Photo by Yo Joe Photo

Breaking 101: Warm It Up (Get Ready Remix)

Before breakers get busy, they must first get ready. And not everyone prepares the same.

Some huddle together to share ideas and encouragement, some might sit and vibe to the music, and some meditate alone in the moment.

Others, like our breaking instructor Tabor aka Flava Vitz, observe the room; watching and waiting to share wisdom, guidance, and inspiration where needed. | AOTA - Photo by Yo Joe Photo

Breaking 101: Get Ready

Breaking 101 classes at Foster Community Center welcomed lots of new and excited enrollees.

While our intermediate students continue their growth in class across the hall, our new breakers take advantage of open floor until their session begins.

Here they can warm up and learn from veterans like the MSU Breakers who also take advantage of the space.

Breaking is a community and we’re endlessly thrilled to grow it. |AOTA - Photos by Yo Joe Photo

Breaking 101: Leaders of the New School

After a memorable run at REACH Studio Art Center, our Breaking 101 classes have a new home at Foster Community Center!

The new location brought new eager youngsters excited to learn breaking. Our instructor Young and our established students made the fresh faces feel welcome.

It was rewarding seeing the smiles on their faces and the faces of their parents. It was a fun experience.

Breaking is a community and we’re endlessly thrilled to grow it. |AOTA