For a full introduction to breakdancing, see Mahalo's how to breakdance.

• Breakdancing is a virtuosic and exciting form of dance. While it is also an improvisatory form of dance, there are some basic moves that have been passed down from dancer to dancer and standardized. One of these moves is the baby freeze. Freezes in breakdancing are sudden halts in the body's motion—essentially striking a pose. The difference between a baby freeze and other, more atheletic freezes is that baby freeze doesn't require you to press into a full handstand. Don't let that fool you though. The baby freeze is a difficult move to execute. This guide will help you break the step down, but you should still take it slowly as you learn the classic baby freeze.

• Breakdancing is an athletic form of dance. If you're new to breaking, consider working with a teacher at a dance studio or gym. If you're on your own, takes things very, very slowly and keep the following preparation tips in mind:

1. Wear loose, comfortable clothing. Breakdancing requires a lot of squatting and loose-limbed movements. Be sure you're ready to move without splitting your pants.
2. Wear protective gear. If you're trying on-the-floor moves for the first time, wear knee and elbow pads to protect your joints.
3. Practice on a wood floor or mats. You can't breakdance on carpet. You need a slick surface that allows you to glide and spin.
4. Warm Up. You need to get your muscles warm and your heart pumping before you begin any serious work-out, and breakdancing is a serious work-out.
5. Work out your arms and abs. Most breakdancing power moves and freezes require strong arms and abs. Visit your local gym, and ask for help identifying exercises that will help strengthen your biceps, triceps and abs.
6. Find a breakdancing class. Breaking has been around long enough that it has become institutionalized to a degree. Most large to medium-sized cities will have dance studios which offer breakdancing classes. It's never a bad idea to begin a difficult form of dance with a professional teacher.
7. Listen to Hip Hop. Breaking isn't just an isolated form of dance. It's one of the four elements of hip hop and part of a broader culture. You'll appreciate breaking that much more if you understand where it comes from.

• A freeze is exactly what it sounds like. The dancer stops and poses before moving on to the next step or ending his or her turn on the dance floor. One of the easiest freezes to do is the baby freeze because you can use your head as well as your arms for support, and you don't have to lift your legs into a full headstand position. The number one rule with learning a freeze, however, is to take it slow.

1. Start in squatting position.
2. Reach both of your hands over to the right side of your body.
3. Place both of your hands on the floor. (Your hands should be pointing in opposite directions—one to the front, one to the back.)
   • You want to keep your arms as close to your body as possible. Your bended right arm is actually going to push into your side during the freeze, and your bended left arm is going to form a shelf to rest your right knee on during the freeze.
4. Lean your body (still in the squat position) all the way over your bended arms, and rest your head on the ground. Your right foot should be off the floor with your knee resting on the shelf formed by your left arm.
5. Lift your left leg up. You are now in the freeze. Your body weight is being supported by your head and your two bended arms.