A freeze (word that means "to freeze" in English) is a break dance trick that is so called because it consists of keeping the body in a fixed position for a certain period of time. This particular freeze is called a baby freeze because it is supposed to be one of the easiest to learn. This is a movement in which you must raise your body close to the floor while balancing on your hands and head with your feet in the air. This position is a great transition for linking more advanced moves in a break dance routine.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Warm Up Before Break Dancing
Step 1. Keep in mind that you must heat
This step is important because it will allow you to stretch your muscles and warm them up, literally. It can also help prevent injury.
Step 2. Try aerobic exercises to get your circulation going
For example, you can jump opening and closing your legs, or do scrolling push-ups.
- To jump open and close your legs, start with your legs together and your arms close to your body. Jump opening your legs shoulder-width apart as you raise your arms above your head. Jump landing in the starting position and repeat the exercise.
- To do scrolling push-ups, do a couple of regular push-ups, then take four steps in a plank position. Do more pushups.
Step 3. Stretch
Stretching will help you feel more flexible when you start dancing.
For example, try stretching your hamstrings. Sit on the floor with one leg bent. Extend the other leg forward. Let your extended leg pull in as you lean your torso forward. Hold in this position for half a minute. Repeat the stretch a few times and switch legs
Step 4. Do sit-ups
These movements develop the strength of your abdominal muscles, which will help you gain dexterity to perform all types of dance movements.
Step 5. Stretch your wrists and arms
When you break dance, the weight often falls on your shoulders and wrists, so you should make sure they are flexible enough before you start.
- Keeping your arm extended, move your hand back and forth to slowly stretch your muscles.
- With your arm still extended, rotate your palm several times.
- To stretch your forearms, bring your palms together in front of your chest with your elbows out. Rotate your hands forward, stretching your muscles, then backward.
Step 6. Stretch your neck
You will use your head and neck to keep your balance.
- Standing with your torso upright, gently draw a circle with your head, relaxing your neck muscles. Repeat the movement in the opposite direction.
- Face forward, gently grasp the side of your head and bring your ear to your shoulder, holding the stretch for several seconds. Do the same exercise on the other side.
Method 2 of 4: Prepare the environment
Step 1. Make sure you have enough space
When you break dance, you can end up rolling around the room, so make sure there is nothing around you that you can break or hurt.
Step 2. Choose a surface that does not slip
Most hard floors and carpets are fine as long as you make sure they don't slip.
Step 3. Use a mat
When you're starting out, you're at a higher risk of falling. Place a padded mat under your body. Make sure it is non-slip so it doesn't slide out of place.
Method 3 of 4: Do the baby freeze starting from a squat or semi-kneeling position
Step 1. Get into position
To prepare for the baby freeze, you will need to get into a deep squat position, with your tailbone close to the floor. You should spread your legs slightly less than shoulder width apart, with your weight on the balls of your feet.
If this position is uncomfortable, you can start with one knee on the floor and the other leg bent with the foot planted. Make sure the foot on the floor is on the side of your dominant arm
Step 2. Place your arms
To properly distribute the weight before performing the baby freeze, you will have to position your arms correctly.
- Place your non-dominant arm against the outer side of the opposite knee. The leg will rest against the back of that arm, above the elbow.
- Use your dominant arm to carry most of the weight. The elbow will be close to the side, near the hip, and below the rib cage.
Step 3. Place your hands on the floor
Keeping your arms in position (you may need to stretch your dominant arm a bit more), place your hands palms down. Place both hands on the floor, next to the outside of your dominant leg.
Step 4. Bring the weight to your hands
Slowly lean your body to the side, separating your legs from your arms to seek balance.
- Bring your dominant arm back into position, resting it firmly against your abs, close to your hips, at a 90-degree angle and with your fingers slightly apart on the floor, pointing outward.
- The other arm should be shoulder width apart from the first. It should also form a 90-degree angle when leaning against your knee, balancing your posture.
Step 5. Move into final position
Lower your head slowly towards the floor, in front of your arms, until it rests on the mat.
Once the side of your head is on the floor, shift most of the weight onto your stronger arm, using the contact between the floor and the head and the other arm for balance. Both arms should be kept flexed
Step 6. Raise your legs in the air to check your balance in this position
Once you feel confident, raise your legs in the air, supporting them on your non-dominant arm. The leg should rest against the biceps.
- This step may take several tries. If your arm isn't strong enough to support your body for a while, try holding out for a few seconds at a time until you get the hang of it.
- Make sure only the top of your head is resting on the floor. Don't put your weight on your cheek.
Step 7. Hold in position
Once you have your legs in the proper position, you will have to hold in the posture, the static (freeze) part of this break dance trick.
Step 8. Practice the movement
Perfecting this move may take time. Keep trying, working your arm muscles and training for balance. Once you have fully mastered the baby freeze, you can use it as a transition between other break dance moves.
Method 4 of 4: Do a baby freeze starting from a one-hand twist position
Step 1. Start with your knees and hands flat on the floor
Basically, you need to get into a crawling position.
Step 2. Swing your dominant arm down about 1 foot
This arm will be the fixed base, so it will support the weight of the whole body. Move it towards your feet, so that the elbow is wedged under the rib cage.
Step 3. Try to hold the one-handed twist position
Basically, you will have to raise your legs and head off the floor. The head will be turned towards your non-dominant arm. See if you can keep your balance.
Step 4. Move into the baby freeze position
Once you've been able to balance a few times, swing your legs to the side. The leg opposite the non-dominant arm should land on it.
The torso will be turned so that the knees point to the side, but keeping the palms of the hands resting on the floor
Step 5. Rest your head on the mat for balance
As you throw your legs to the side, lower your head to the floor for balance.
Step 6. Hold the position
Stay in this position to freeze.
Advice
- Make sure to keep your elbows tucked to your sides. If you don't hold them in this position, you will fall and possibly land on your head.
If you fall, try leaning to the other side to bring the weight back to your feet, or try rolling forward. You can also try landing flat on your stomach, with your head up and your hands at chest level to support your torso. This way, you can undo the fall