Breakdance
Breakdancing (more accurately known as Bboying) features a number of moves that involve balancing on one's head. These moves are perceived as dangerous. However with proper supervision and appropriately safe methods of learning the risk of injury becomes dramatically reduced through a good understanding of technique as with any discipline. Bboy headstands differ in nature to Gymnast headstands as they are intended for different purposes. In Breakdance, headspins, freeze transitions and other powermoves require the hips to be behind the head not only for balance but for generation of power. For example the transition from a headstand to a one handed freeze will require more movement from the core in order to execute the move cleanly and fast enough to synchronize this movement with the beats of the music. Gymnast headstands are sometimes performed nearer the forehead in comparison to Bboy headstands which, due to the progression to headspins, will be performed on the top of the head. If a line is drawn from the front of the ear straight upwards to the head then this would be considered usually to be correct although this may differ for varying head shapes.
Headstands are the prerequisite for headspins, along with fluent windmills with the head touching throughout the mill. Various exercises exist such as neck bridges or controlled moving of the legs whilst balancing in a headstand which are intended to strengthen the neck and core. This increases control in a headspin and thus reduces the likelihood of injury. Furthermore there are other related moves such as headhollows and hong 10 freezes which involve balancing on the back of the head whilst supporting oneself from behind with the arms and with the torso diagonal to the ground. With Headspins, contrary to popular belief, balancing is performed through stabilization of the core rather than through moving the legs. Observation of any professional dancer will show that if they are proficient with this move that they can adopt any number of positions with the legs without moving them as long as their torso and hips are providing balance.
There are but a handful of athletes/dancers in Bboying who are capable of the feat of balance where a headstand is performed unaided by the use of hands to balance. However impossible this may seem, it is made possible by proper positioning of the core of the body and consistent practice throughout many years to train the muscle memory needed. The hips are ideally situated behind the head so as to counterbalance the legs and arms in front. A few individuals capable of this are known by their Bboy names i.e. Bboy Boom and Bboy Holik are amongst this list of elite dancers. Bboy Boom is noted for being able to perform this feat directly from a headspin by first extending his legs upward to increase his speed and then opening out as wide as possible in order to slow his body down to a stop whereupon he balances for an extended length of time.
Do not attempt any of these skills without assistance of an experienced dancer who is capable of executing these moves cleanly.
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