Crazy legs filter

February 10, 2008 7:34 AM

How difficult would it be to learn to windmill and headspin like a breaker?

Context: I'm 6'0", 185lbs, moderately unfit, reasonably good at balance sports, but with no experience of break dancing or gymnastics.

I'm curious as to whether this might take 10-100 hours of practice, or more like 100-1000 hours, and whether the learning process could be speeded up by going to a class.

posted by roofus to sports, hobbies, & recreation (4 comments total)

As a former capoerista, here's my guess:

Yes, classes will help. IF you are moderately unfit with no similar experience, I'm going say at least a year of weekly or bi-weekly practice sessions....probably @ 100 hours. Developing strength and balance does not come overnight.
posted by gnutron at 11:12 AM on February 10

The basics of the windmill and flare are easier to learn than headspins, FWIW. Once you know where the moves are, it's just a matter of how high up on your back, shoulders, neck and head you can pivot, which is strength and coordination. I'd say if you were focussed on just this move you could learn it decently in a couplefew months.
posted by rhizome at 11:37 AM on February 10

Also, it might be informative to look at how many breakers do headspins vs how many do windmills. Not everyone has a headspin in their repetoire, even though it's pretty much the flashiest move. And you know that's not for lack of trying.
posted by smackfu at 10:31 PM on February 10

At a camp I taught photography at, one of the other counselors taught breakdancing. It took the kids about 40 hours of work straight through to learn just the windmill. That's eight hours a day for five days straight. I'd guess that it'd take a bit longer a) if you've got a higher center of gravity, and b) if you can't devote yourself to it like it's a job.
posted by klangklangston at 9:17 AM on February 11