Let's Break it Down
Original Image By: Luis Andrade. Edit and Design Layout "Forbes Inspired" : Henry "Rival" Vijande
For more than half a century since its inception, now leading into an Olympic bounce, sensory hacking has happened in our dance circles knowingly and unknowingly. Here's the breakdown:
Have you ever experienced the playful mischievous act of Tap and go, Ghost touch, Blindside tap or simply the Opposite shoulder tap? Ever found yourself strangely flinching just before someone taps your shoulder? This act is a physical touch play on your senses. This game or action has evolved into a modern day game, the pointing game or shadow boxing. Direct your seeing in the opposite direction of where your opponent points. If you look where the other player is pointing, you lose. This simple act demands more than just quick reflexes. It involves your visual system, mirror neurons working together, kinesthesia and proprioception. Well you may be asking yourself what relevancy does this have with Breaking, moreover the Bboy Bgirl Lifestyle? Whether you know this or not, as BGirls and BBoys we are constantly sharpening our vision, mirror neurons, kinesthesia and our proprioception. These often-overlooked senses form the foundation of every Bboy and Bgirl's artistry, dictating our movement, awareness, and ultimately, our success. From the New child practitioner to Female or Male Breakers, or Break Dancers to the Professional BGirls and BBoys, this self awareness is key in our self ranking of how we evolve. What exactly are these terms, and how do they elevate the Bboy and Bgirl to new levels of skill and expression? Today we dive into what our visual system, mirror neurons, kinesthesia , and proprioception is. The pros and cons of developing these sense skills. We will also take a look at ways to protect your energy, and self preservation. The Symphony of Senses: Our Vison, Mirror Neurons, Kinesthesia and Proprioception Imagine throwing a perfect strike in bowling without ever setting eyes on the pins. That's the power of kinesthesia, your body's sense of movement and limb position in space. It's a network of sensory receptors in your muscles, tendons, and joints that constantly send signals to your brain, creating a detailed map of your body's position and movement. Whispering to your brain, "Hey, your arm is extended this way, and your fingers are gripping the ball like this." This silent communication allows you to control your body with precision, even with your eyes closed. Think of kinesthesia as your body's internal GPS. It's the sense that tells you where your body parts are in space, even with your eyes closed. It's why you can touch your nose without looking or walk without tripping over your own feet. Now, picture yourself navigating a crowded Jam making your way to the dance floor without bumping into anyone. That's where proprioception steps in. Proprioception is the awareness of joint position and muscle movement. This sixth sense also acts like an internal GPS, constantly updating your brain on your body's position in space. It links information from your inner ear, skin, and joints, forming a map of your body's relationship to the environment. Proprioception, your body's sense of self-motion and position in space, adds another layer to this map. It's like having an internal gyroscope that tracks your movement, speed, and acceleration. Imagine hitting some smooth windmills; proprioception allows you to feel the momentum, adjust your center of gravity, and glide gracefully. The visual system includes both the eyes and the brain. Our visual system helps us recognize depth perception, aided by binocular vision, eyes facing the same direction to see an image . It is crucial for navigating the dance floor, avoiding collisions, and judging distances for control in top rock, footwork, power moves and freezes. Mirror neurons fire not just when we perform an action, but also when we observe it in others. Mirror neurons, tiny neural mirrors, reflect observed actions, shaping our ability to adapt and learn from the world around us.This allows us to anticipate movements, understand intentions, and even subconsciously imitate. In breaking, this translates to:
*Update 2/15/24
General Principles: All living organisms with a nervous system require some form of sensory stimulation to function and interact with their environment. Sensory information is carried by specialized receptors that convert external stimuli into electrical signals. These signals travel through neurons to the brain where they are processed and interpreted. Perception of sensory information is influenced by numerous factors like individual variations in physiology, prior experiences, and current psychological state. Interpreting and experiencing these stimuli are subjective and highly individual. What might be pleasant or stimulating for one person could be overwhelming or unpleasant for another. Breaking the Mold: Why Self-Awareness is your Secret Weapon For Bboys and Bgirls, kinesthesia, proprioception, our vision and mirror neurons fuel our artistry. Imagine attempting a headspin without knowing where your head is in space, or landing a freeze without feeling the tension in your muscles. The very essence of Breaking – power, control, and fluidity – depends on a deep understanding of how your body moves and interacts with the world around you. Breaking aka breakdancing demands mastery of both senses. Every powermove, from freezes like the chair freeze to spins like the windmill, requires precise kinesthetic understanding of muscle engagement and joint stability. Bboys and Bgirls, we train our "muscle memory" to execute complex movements with fluidity and control. Proprioception allows us to navigate the dance floor, avoid collisions, seamlessly integrate with other dancers, therefore creating captivating cyphers (circles of dancers). Beyond Technique: The Emotional Connection: The impact of our dance goes beyond just mechanics. Kinesthesia and proprioception fuel the dancer's emotional connection to the movement. Imagine the exhilaration of landing a complex powermove or the frustration of battling while staying focused to balance in a freeze. This heightened awareness feeds into the emotional expression of the dance, making it more than just technical skill. Sensory Warfare With great power comes great responsibility. This heightened awareness can become a double-edged sword. Opponents and even onlookers with keen spatial awareness can exploit a dancer's proprioception. Sensory manipulation: Experienced breakers can use mirror neurons to their advantage. A fake move, a strategic glance, or even a well-timed vocalization can trigger a subconscious reaction in their opponent, creating an opening for attack. Opponents can exploit visual illusions or misdirection tactics to disrupt a dancer's focus and balance. See Video Examples of myself battling and inside the cypher capturing individuals manipulating these senses.
A well-timed nudge might throw off our balance, and a subtle shift in seeing could disrupt our focus. This vulnerability adds another layer to the competitive scene, forcing dancers to develop mental fortitude and awareness beyond just their bodies. Manipulating someone's sensory organs (sight, sound, touch) while we are performing dynamic movements can disrupt our kinesthetic and proprioceptive awareness, leading to disorientation, loss of balance, and falls.
What can be done ? The benefits of honed kinesthesia and proprioception for Bboys and Bgirls:
Be sure to also:
How can dancers guard their precious flow? Here are some strategies:
The Flip Side of the Coin: Challenges and Risks Like any powerful tool, heightened self-awareness comes with its own set of challenges:
Ultimately, understanding the dangers and distractions that come with kinesthetic and proprioceptive awareness shouldn't stop you. Instead, view it as an opportunity to sharpen your mental game and elevate your dance to new levels. By mastering both your body and your mind, you become a dancer who not only commands respect but also inspires awe with your unwavering flow and captivating presence. Safety should always be the top priority in any physical activity. If you feel unsafe or at risk, don't hesitate to stop and communicate your concerns to those involved. If you have concerns about safety or want to explore movement practices that involve sensory manipulation, consult a qualified healthcare professional or movement specialist experienced in breaking aka breakdancing and its potential risks.
Protecting Your Energy and Ensuring Self-Preservation:
Breaking demands both physical and mental fortitude. Embrace the Journey. Kinesthesia and proprioception are more than just fancy terms for a biological phenomena; they're gateways to deeper self-awareness and enhanced artistry in our Breaking. They are the invisible forces that empower Bboys and Bgirls to move with confidence, creativity, and control. By unlocking our potential, we cultivate not just mind-blowing dope moves, but also resilience, focus, and a deeper connection to our body. Remember, Breaking is a journey, not a destination. From playgrounds to world stages, Breaking thrives on the intricate interplay of kinesthesia and proprioception. By understanding these powerful senses and challenges they present, we BGirls and BBoys can unlock our full potential. We can navigate the dance floor with confidence, and create truly mesmerizing expressions of movement. Embrace the challenges, celebrate the victories, most importantly, harness our inner compass and express it through our captivating art of Breaking, enjoy the dance! “Be in tune with yourself, that will connect you to the beat that matters.” - Rival
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