3 Ways to Cope with Injuries as a Bboy/Bgirl

Throughout my 10+ years of breaking, I’ve experienced numerous injuries, including my wrists, knees, shoulders, and more. Unfortunately, these injuries have caused me to miss out on several jams over the years.

I’m currently dealing with a shoulder injury and it absolutely sucks as the pandemic is finally over and jams are popping up again.

Some days I want to say,

“Screw it, Imma pull a Fleau on this jam.”

Long story short, Bboy Fleau along with Bboy Vicious from Sweet Technique won the notorious Outbreak World Finals in 2013 — with a knee brace.

However, I know that pushing through an injury isn’t always the smartest idea. Rushing back into breaking too soon can result in further damage or even a longer recovery time.

After waiting for three years due to the pandemic,

I've got no time to waste.

So what can we do when we get hurt?

Here are my 3 tips on how to cope with injuries as a breaker.

1. Focus on Other Aspects of Your Dance

While you’re recovering from an injury, you can use the time to focus on other aspects of your dance that don’t put stress on the injured area. For instance, since my shoulder is injured, I can’t train up my floats.

I feel like this is a sign from the universe telling me to focus on the other aspects of the dance such as musicality, threads, freezes, footwork, and all that jazz.

I mean, I don't want people to just see me as “that UFO guy”.

I’m definitely more than that.

2. Stay Mentally Strong

Dealing with an injury can be a mental challenge, especially if you’re used to practicing 2–3 times a week. However, it’s of the utmost importance to maintain a positive mindset during the recovery process. You can use the downtime to meditate, visualize your comeback to the scene, or set new goals for yourself.

One conversation I had with Bboy Xisco from Hustle Kidz, while working with him on his clothing brand Tulum Essentials, left a gem I’ll never forget.

He said, “Take out Breaking, and what do you have? Your lifestyle.”

This bar serves as a great reminder that life is not just about breaking. It’s our lifestyle, experiences, and creativity that shape our dance style and flavor.

By focusing on other aspects of our lives and maintaining a positive mindset, we can cope better with injuries and come back stronger than ever. Remember, breaking is just one aspect of our lifestyle, and there’s so much more to explore and enjoy beyond the dance floor.

Maybe I should pick up my saxophone again.

Careless Whisper anyone?

3. Seek Medical Attention + Follow a Treatment Plan

I left this last because this is a no-brainer yet many of us are still ignorant about checking up on ourselves. I’m guilty of this too.

It’s crucial to check up on ourselves regularly and take note of any changes or discomfort we may be experiencing.

Ignoring warning signs or downplaying injuries can lead to further damage and even longer recovery times. It’s important to seek medical attention and follow a treatment plan as soon as possible if we suspect an injury.

Let me tell you a story.

In 2020, I suffered a knee injury while breaking. At first, it didn’t seem like a big deal, so I ignored it and kept pushing myself. Unfortunately, I kept re-injuring the same knee, and the pain became chronic.

Eventually, I decided to seek medical attention, and the diagnosis was a magnificent meniscus tear. I wished I had checked it up much earlier because I treated it too late and will always have 95% of my knee function. If I had sought treatment earlier, I might have been able to prevent further damage and limit the long-term effects.

Even though my knee is okay now, I can’t help but think about the missed opportunities that could have come my way if I had treated my knee earlier. I often imagine the possibilities and potential I could have unlocked with my style if I hadn’t neglected my injury for so long.

It’s a harsh reminder that taking care of our bodies is essential not just for our physical well-being but also for our artistic expression and creative potential.

By prioritizing our health and seeking medical attention when needed, we can unlock a world of opportunities and explore our full potential as dancers.

I’ll end the article with this.

Simon Ata, also known as Simonster, is a renowned bboy and calisthenics athlete who has dealt with several injuries throughout his career.

Here’s my favorite quote from Simonster on how he deals with injuries:

“I think the key to coming back from injury is taking your time and not rushing it.

It’s important to be patient and to listen to your body. You need to give your body the time it needs to heal properly.

And when you do come back, make sure you start slowly and build up gradually.

Don’t try to do too much too soon, or you’ll just end up back where you started.”

Have you ever sustained an injury while breaking? How did you cope with it? I would love to hear your experiences and insights in the comments below!

Peace!

Contact Me

• LinkedIn: Erryl Ho
• Instagram: @dirteeeee
• Email: sendtoerrylho@gmail.com
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