In our interview series, we offer an insider’s perspective into the world of dance, where passion, ambition, and challenges converge. Today we share the story of B-boy Cis Brans, breakdancer, coach, personal trainer, and sports masseur. He has his own breakdance crew and competes amongst the best breakers in the world. He became European champion, world youth champion and is on Team NL.
Written by Lara Sala
“Breaking is freestyle. Listen carefully to the music,
express gratitude and give in to the moment.”
Cis remembers very well how he got under the spell of breakdance: “My mother has always danced and participated in a Michael Jackson show where Raymon Truijen and his crew also performed. After the show my mother got a DVD and I played it in complete gray. What I saw in terms of intensity, the acrobatic tricks, the fast dance moves, the expression of the dancers and the music, made a deep impression on me. Because of this, my mother took me to Raymon’s dance school. That’s where my breakdance journey began.”
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Cis continues his story, explaining, “Breaking is an art form that is all about creativity and developing a unique style. But it is also a sport that requires strength, agility, coordination, balance and explosiveness. Because of this, it requires both physical and mental training.”
About what dance means to him, Cis says, “Dance represents who a person is. It’s a universal language that reveals everything about you; how you feel, where your insecurities are, and whether you’re comfortable in your skin. In that moment when you dance, you are alone facing yourself and those feelings to deal with. And when that succeeds, then you have overcome yourself. Then comes tremendous joy and euphoria. That’s such a deep, spiritual journey.”
Hip-hop originated in New York’s disadvantaged neighborhoods. To what extent this street culture, in which there is a strong hierarchy and you have to earn respect, is still present, Cis shares, “You see the tough breakers, often in a raw urbanized environment. But that tough image is not always what it seems. As an outsider, I can imagine you don’t see it quite clearly.”
“Peace, unity, love and having fun, that’s what it’s all about”
Cis continues his story with an experience he recently had in Vietnam: “‘Mr. Wiggles,’ one of the founders of breaking, told us that breaking is about love as a response to poverty, hopelessness and gang violence. Hip-hop brought the streets together. Instead of getting into fist fights or worse, breaking emerged, holding battles that incorporated elements of basketball, electric boogie, jumping rope, acrobatics, etc. There was rivalry, but it was also about sharing, it’s social. You reach out to each other where needed.” Cis sums it up as, “Peace, unity, love and having fun, that’s what it’s all about.”
He continues: “Breaking takes place in a so-called ‘Cypher.’ This is the place where rivalries are ‘fought out’ and conflicts are resolved. But this also has a friendly side. By making a circle you create space for each other, you are one with each other. So the dancer in the middle is not alone there. They are seen by the people around them. Deep connections and friendships develop there.”
Cis says he always felt safe. He was well supported by his parents and trainer. Still, he is aware of the rumors going around the scene: “It could always be better, but this will always be the case.” He recognizes that positions of power can be acquired in breaking. People with a certain status, can consider themselves “better” than others. “That’s palpable. But at the end of the day, we are all in the same space and we still meet. If you treat everyone with an openness and absence of hierarchy, you will find that others will naturally go along with that attitude.”
With the recent granting of breaking as an Olympic sport, the question arises: will anything change? “It’s a new phase. Breakdance continues to evolve. Look at what the kids can do now? We used to think that was impossible! Also, there is now a physical therapist, masseur and dietician on the support team. That certainly benefits the sport. There is research into why certain injuries, especially in the back and knees, are common. My sports training has also given me a lot of interest in this aspect.”
“Breaking has a global community.
Everyone takes care of each other and feels that love.
I’m really proud of that.”
In closing, Cis highlights what he believes is the essence of breaking: “It is a visual expression of hip-hop that originated on the streets. Listening to the music, expressing your feelings and being absorbed in the moment. What can happen next is pure fun. Besides freestyle, it is also a sport. Sharing this passion with others creates a global community.” He emphasizes this with the example, “When I travel alone, I’m never alone. Then I get calls to go somewhere to a house with a pool or to eat somewhere. The community takes care of each other. Everyone feels that love. I’m really proud of that.”
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