Breakdancing provides a sense of family for some MSU students.
When Michael Doa’s roommate first handed him a flyer for the MSU Breakdance Club after his freshman year’s Sparticipation, he laughed the idea off.
The mechanical engineering sophomore prefers country music and the band Earth, Wind & Fire over anything else. Doa said, at first, the club didn’t seem like it would suit him — he lacked rhythm and could never picture himself dancing.
However, as he tossed more and more flyers aside, the only one he had left was the one for the breakdance club. With a “don’t knock it until you try it” attitude, Doa decided to attend one of the club’s sessions.
At first he felt awkward. His body wasn’t used to it and he just didn’t know how to dance. However, with the support of the welcoming club, Doa became a part of their small community.
“Everyone was so nice and it was a good workout, so I gave it a chance,” he said. “About two or three weeks went by and I really started feeling it. I was like, ‘this became really fun! When did this happen? I know how to dance now!’”
Almost two years of dancing have passed and he now spins on his upper back as if the motions came to him naturally.
Experience is not a requirement to be in the club. Those who have been perfecting their moves for years and people who are still wobbly on their feet are all welcome at the sessions.
Doa said one of the most important mental aspects for those who want to breakdance is to simply keep an open mind.
“Some people come in and get discouraged because they aren’t good right away and they leave,” he said. “You have to give it a two week grace period because your body isn’t used to it yet — mine sure wasn’t.”
Juniors and seniors, some who have been practicing for four to five years, typically act as teachers for the newer freshman and sophomore members. Doa, who doesn’t even have two full years of experience under his belt, also acts as a teacher.
Since everyone has a different body type, their strengths, weaknesses and styles vary.
One of Doa’s strengths is the windmill, where a person spins and flips on their upper back with their legs stretched in the air.
His biggest weakness is balance, but not physically on the dance floor. This year, Doa has been struggling with keeping up with his classes and with the club.
However, he said if he ever needed to drop anything, the MSU Breakdance Club would be one of the last things he would consider.
“If my legs were to fall off, I’d still go to sessions just to hang out,” Doa said. “Family is such an understatement when you’re talking about the club.”
The club was first established in fall 2007 and currently has around 30 members. They hold practice sessions on Mondays and Wednesdays from 8-10 p.m. in IM Circle’s second floor gymnasium.
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