Movement, positivity and connection in Wood Green

Breakdancing class AI generated image

Shakira Dyer shapes up at energetic breakdance and kickboxing classes

At the Community Hub in Wood Green, a kickboxing and street dance session was in full swing – literally!

Run by two different groups – the BreakForce dance group and the Muay Tai martial arts group, Zen Thai – the two sessions showcased different moves in breakdancing and martial arts.

First, Chris and his team from Muay Thai showcased some simple moves for us to try, including the punch, kick and elbow jab.

Unlike kickboxing, in Muay Tai you are also allowed to use your elbows: that’s why it’s known as The Art of Eight Limbs.

The team threw mock punches, just sliding past each other, but the skill involved was incredible.

Gabriel from BreakForce then showed us his breakdancing moves. There was:

• The top rock, where he put one foot diagonally forward and spread arms wide to introduce the dance
• Down to the floor, where he would move to the floor in a creative way
• Freezes, posing standing up or lifting himself by one arm
• Power moves, spin on the ground or standing up with a flick of the feet.

Then we got to practise the moves ourselves. We started with the breakdancing, where I enjoyed the spins on the ground, although I found the air spins and the freezes a bit trickier than expected. I loved the spin on our bottoms.

Young people enjoy breakdancing in Wood Green: credit Cassandra Marshall, Wood Green Community Hub

In the kickboxing, we first did a warm up, spinning arms, stretching and touching our toes. Then we practised punching the air, kicking and bouncing on our toes before bringing our arms in front of our face in a defensive position.

It seemed easy at first, but doing this multiple times was tiring. I stood closer to the instructors and one of them helped me out.

Then, wearing boxing gloves, we practised our skills on other people (who held protective pads) or on a punching bag.

You could definitely feel the vibrations of people’s punches on the punching bag

I got to hold the punching bag, as I didn’t want to be inadvertently punched, even with the protective pads!

You could definitely feel the vibrations of people’s punches on the punching bag, and most participants managed to move the thick hunk of polyester. Yup, me too!

People of all ages took part, from young kids to their parents and older siblings. Some of the kids had surprisingly good moves! It was great to see how both the instructors, Chris and Gabriel, could engage people of all ages and ability levels.

Young people kickboxing: credit Wood Green Community Hub

Breakdancing and martial arts actually have a lot in common in their history. Some of the young creators of breakdancing, in 1970s New York, also knew martial arts such as boxing and capoeira. They would apply these skills in their dancing.

Having done both activities together that day in Wood Green, I can see the connection and both tired me out, in a good way!

I‘d encourage other visually impaired young people, those with other disabilities or people who just feel isolated to get out of the house and give it a try.

I‘d like to thank the Community Hub in Wood Green for renting out their space to these amazing activities, and allowing the community to come together.

To find out more, check these links:

BreakForce: https://www.breakforce.co.uk/
Muay Thai martial arts group: https://ztkc-london.com/
Wood Green Community Hub: https://thecommunityhub.org.uk/