As soon as hip–hop artiste Wiz Khalifa’s ‘We Dem Boyz’ or some such song blasts out of the speakers, twinkled-toed Alexandra Lisbette Sasikumar is on her feet, lost in the music. It’s a blur of arms and legs as the American hip-hop dancer and teacher grooves in tune to the song’s funky beats. So quickly does she flow from one arresting move to another, a ‘sidestep’ to a ‘groove’ to a ‘Tut’ [as in a King Tut-inspired dance move], and so on, that even the photographer, with his high-def camera, has trouble focusing to get that one perfect shot of her in action.
“Hip–hop dance is all about the attitude. Dance like you mean it,” says Alexandra, when she takes a breather. “When the song speaks to you, the moves should come naturally and you have to let the emotions flow,” she adds. For the past several months now, Alexandra, has been teaching hip–hop style dance to enthusiasts in the city.
A San Francisco-native of Nicaraguan origin, she moved here last November, with her husband, Vivek Sasikumar, and six-year-old daughter, Mila. “I love dancing and have been into hip-hop since I was eight years old or so. I grew up in the 80s when hip-hop was on the rise in urban America and it was difficult not to get involved in it. Every weekend during my teenage years my friends and I used to go out and dance. I have not studied it as such, save for a few classes to learn the basics. Give me some space with ventilation and good music and that’s all I need to get into the groove,” says Alexandra.
That’s street dancing like what we see in the Step Up movies? “Not exactly; I am not into battles and aggressive dance moves, mainly because I’m not confrontational a person. I’m also not into new-age moves such as spinning on my head or splitting. I’m an old school dancer and my style is a blend of classic hip-hop and R&B techniques, a bit of popping here, Tutting there, locking, shuffling, throwing shoulders, twerking…,” adds the dancer, who is dressed to kill in typical hip-hop gear – lose combat trousers, a hoodie over a black Tee and a baseball cap.
On her feet is a pair of fluorescent pink trainers with yellow lace to add that bit of customary flash. “Hip-hop is a relaxed dance that needs you to be comfortable in and out. So, it’s important to wear loose and comfortable clothing that lets you stretch your arms and legs. Jeans are not advisable because they don’t stretch enough. Also, you have to wear shoes that enable you to slip and spin easily, one that doesn’t grip the floor too hard to cause ankle injury,” she explains.
Alexandra currently takes class thrice a week at Codered studio at Vellayambalam, and at another women’s dance studio. “I’ve noticed that there’s not much of a hip-hop scene here in the city and I realised that it may be because people would not be aware of such a dance style. I enjoy teaching and when I teach, I am learning too,” she says. Alexandra’s one-hour dance class usually begins with a five-minute warm up–routine followed by a 15-minute choreography. Then it’s all about repeating the moves again and again until you get the moves perfect.
Apparently, hip-hop dance is also a great fitness routine, one suitable for all ages, at that.
“I have just danced for three minutes and already I’m sweating like crazy. It’s a fantastic all-round exercise, which strengthens and tones the core muscles, builds endurance and aids weight loss. Many of the movements of hip-hop, for example, mimic that of weightlifting and a high-impact cardio workout. The downward grooves are akin to sit ups, which tone the thighs and abs,” explains Alexandra.
“I personally feel that it’s especially good for women and would like it if more women signed up for it,” she adds. Get on the dance floor.
