“When I first started two years ago, it was very hard, Joel would push me to perfect the moves until I got them right. I stuck to it because I loved the challenge. Going to the studio was also a good way to meet other people who shared the same interest,” says Raymond.
Raymond feels he has become physically tougher after taking up breakdancing and trains up to five hours a day to maintain his form.
It has also made him more conscious of his food intake. He takes carbohydrates before a dance session and limits himself to only fruit juice afterwards. He also cautions first-timers who think they can learn by just watching videos.
“It’s dangerous because there is no qualified instructor to watch over you. You can get injured this way,” says Raymond.
Tan, 23, another student, who has also become chief instructor for the Bandar Sunway branch says that in breakdancing, there is no gain without pain.
“I not had any broken bones but I have sprained my foot and my hand. It’s not easy especially when you are advancing from one level to the next,” he says.
It is no surprise that there are more boys than girls at the breakdance school.
“There ARE gilrs but the ratio of male students is higher. The boys take up the dance for many reasons. Some want to show off their new moves when they go clubbing and some just want to impress their girlfriends.”
Breakdance, which originated in New York in the 70s, is not a new fad. It was the rage in Malaysia in the late 80s when hip-hop movies like Beat Street and Wild Style came to the local cinemas.
Teenagers embraced this new and exciting dance the same way their parents took to the a-go-go and cha-cha. However, the extreme physical requirements did not find favour with the elders. Breakdancing was banned in school and the whole movement had to go “underground”. The popularity of the dance resurfaced five years ago, helped by MTV and hip-hop artistes like Usher, Missy Elliot and Too Phat.
Hip-hop is a cultural movement that began among urban African-American youth in New York. It includes graffiti art, deejaying, MC-ing(short for ‘moving the crowd’, a job for the master of ceremonies) and breakdancing.
“Contrary to what people think, the term ‘breakdancing’ does not have anything to do with breaking bones. It refers to the beats of hip-hop music which is known as ‘break beat’.
“To be a good breakdancer, you not only have to be able to do the movements but move to the rhythm of the music as well.”
Well, moving to the rhythm was what drove Joel to set up Urban Groove.
“I love the elements of hip-hop. And breakdancing is certainly a more exciting way to keep fit than just pumping iron. I view it as an art. I feel a sense of responsibility to expand the dance and instill the positive values associated with it,” Joel says.
He admits that his career path was a cause of some concern to his parents.
“They were worried because they felt that breakdance was dangerous. They didn’t say ‘no’ but they reminded me that a career in dance or sport was not something I could continue doing once I was old.”
“They also doubted whether I could earn money from this. But they also had confidence that I could do it if I set my mind to it.”
Today, Joel has six breakdance instructors and also provides hip-hop instructors to 10 dance schools in Kuala Lumpur.
Those who wants to persue hip-hop dance seriously can sit for exams and obtain accreditation from the UKA. In addition, Joel also organizes breakdance competitions and graffiti contest every six months.
“When an aerobic dance school asked us to teach in Seremban, we didn’t expect that the response would be so good. So I decided to set up a branch there,” says Joel.
“I don’t see myself as the next Clark Hatch of breakdance! It’s not about doing business. I’ve had a lot of offers to open branches. But I need to find people with the right attitude who will preserve the art, I believe that if we have integrity, business will grow.”
Joel also stresses that as a breakdance instructor, one must want the student to learn. He wants every instructor to have that attitude.
“That’s why I am very particular about who I choose (to be an instructor).”
As to whether Urban Groove will be in for the long run, only time will tell, says Joel
The best advice he received came from his church pastor:” Whatever you do, make sure you do it with integrity and for the right purpose – regardless of what other people think.” That’s certainly what he has done.
Terms
Six-step: crouch and swing one leg around in a circle. Only one hand touches the ground at any time. As his leg swings, the breakdancer switches hands while keeping his body from touching the ground.
Freeze: the breakdancer stops and freezes his body(for a few seconds) in an awkward position – doing a handstand with his legs crossed in front, for example.
Turtle: the breakdancer lies down facing the floor with only his palms touching the ground. He then moves around in a circle using only his hands, shifting the weight of his body from one arm to the other as the turns.
Call 012-3896588 to find out how you can
learn the moves, or pop into Urban Groove
Dance Network, 45-3, Jalan PJS11/28B, Bandar
Sunway, Petaling Jaya. It is open from 3pm-midnight.
I am just so tired of others saying they know all styles and can do this and that..i am not only gonna talk the talk but WALK the talk..ill just put videos of what the instructors of urban groove and me myself can do….i wont make claims to things i cant do like what all other studios are doin…you can check them out at 
JOEL TAN's ZONE 