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: 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

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: 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

Breaking 101: Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See

Breaking 101 instructor B-Boy Young One gets so excited when the students have answers to his questions or when they ask one of their own.

Young explains techniques and moves using easily digestible details, then he opens the corral for them to feed from his buffet of knowledge.

Being inquisitive is encouraged. Recalling what they’ve learned is encouraged.

Every student is welcomed to put their hand in the air.

Every answer they give or question they ask is responded to with enthusiasm.

Everyone there is learning from one another. | AOTA

Breaking 101: Can I Kick It?

Breaking 101 instructor B-Boy Young One preaches what he’s already practiced. Here it’s the kickout.

Young explains the move – a stylish scissor kick manuver, demonstrates it, and then shows the students how to incorporate the new technique into their growing repertoire.

Their impressionable faces light up when Young executes a demo. Once he’s finished it’s their turn.

Each student tries, one at a time, watching their peers while awaiting their turn.

Once everyone’s sampled it, they’ll do together.

Can they kick it? Yes, they can! | AOTA

Breaking 101: Simon Says

Breaking 101 instructor B-Boy Young One makes learning fun.

Teaching and refining breaking skills requires attention to detail, practice, focus, and, of course, trial and error.

While mistakes and missteps happen, most often the students are too busy having a good time to care.

One of the ways Young ensures they get in reps and rehearsal without worrying about whether they’re doing a move right or wrong is by playing Simon Says. |AOTA

Breaking 101: You Must Learn

Part of the art of breaking is having fun, being confident, and showcasing skills and techniques to a thumping soundtrack of Hip Hop music.

Our Breaking 101 students get to experience all of that, especially the vibrant energy, audio, and moves.

A critical element of the class, however, comes during the quieter, still moments.

It’s those times when the students are sitting and listening (Here to B-Boy Young One) that their skills are really developing. Their minds - those devices of theirs that are far more important than their cells, PCs, or tablets - are drafting, recording, and saving.

Before they can break, they must be built.

First, they must listen and learn. | AOTA