Girls in breaking — a different dynamic, an aesthetic of its own
Breaking is often imagined as a purely male style. Teacher Serhiy Banko explains why women's breaking is not a copy of the men's but an aesthetic in its own right.
Breaking is often imagined as a purely male style — power moves, battles, street spirit. Teacher Serhiy Banko thinks that is half the picture.
Women's breaking is not a copy of the men's
"For girls, breaking should be slightly different, not the same as for boys," says Serhiy. In his view women's breaking is strongest precisely when it is not trying to be an exact copy of the male style: "It's more supple, more flowing, with an aesthetic of its own. Not rough, not sharp — beautiful in its own way."
Among the examples Serhiy himself looks to: the world-class Ukrainian b-girls Bgirl Stefani and Bgirl Kate, who represent Ukraine internationally, and a Japanese b-girl he calls "the benchmark of feminine breaking" for the particular suppleness of her style.
Girls at IDC
Serhiy has already had promising female students, and the difference in approach was noticeable straight away: "Their movement quality was a little different — it was interesting." Those girls are no longer training, but Serhiy is just as open to new girls joining the breaking groups as he is to boys.