New students often ask which style they should learn first. Honest answer: learn what each one is, then follow the music that moves you without permission. Here's the map — four styles, four histories, four different conversations with the beat.
Breaking: the Bronx conversation
Born in 1970s block parties, breaking is equal parts dance and athletic dialogue: toprock standing, footwork low, freezes punctuating, powermoves exclaiming. It rewards patience — a clean six-step beats a sloppy flare every time.
Locking: funk with a wink
From California clubs comes locking — big arm points, wrist rolls, and the signature lock: a sudden freeze held with a grin. It's the most joyful style on this list and the best cure for taking yourself too seriously.
Popping: electricity made visible
Popping contracts muscles to the beat in hits, then layers waves, tuts and animation. It looks mechanical but feels musical; great poppers are really drummers with their whole body.
House: the club never closed
From Chicago and New York clubs, house is fast feet, fluid torso, and an unbreakable connection to the DJ. If you love getting lost in music for hours, start here.
Taste all four
Our Wednesday foundations class rotates through every style, two weeks each — the perfect tasting menu before you commit to a term.
