They are what Hip Hop dancing is all about. Yes, the Philippine Allstars is conquering the world by storm. This elite group of twelve friends from different backgrounds have been collecting awards from everywhere around the world. Among them are the National Hip Hop Open (6th place in the world), International Hip Hop Open d'Italia (back-to-back World Gold titles in Interational Hip Hop), the World Hip Hop Dance Championships, V.Ent's First Annual Dance Awards (Team of the Year), and World Hip Hop Championships in Nevada (Gold).

With all these things happening for them, most aspiring Hip Hop dancers ask me how they can improve their dance skills so they can become as great as the Philippine Allstars Team. Here are some suggestions.

Enroll in a Dance Studio or Class- Let's face it; dancing is not an easy thing to do. No matter how adept your body is at dancing, there is no shortcut to becoming a great dancer except one thing - hard work. The best way to apply it is in a dance class. The more you become consistent in maintaining your schedule, the more you'll see great improvements. The reason? Muscle memory. Your muscles actually remember movements, and when you constantly do the same movements again and again, it will be easier for you to do it next time. This is the secret of learning new choreography - do the same movement again and again.

By the way, when you go to class, pay attention. You are there to learn, and it will require your commitment to doing it to the best of your ability. It's not the time to show off how well you are versed with a certain dance step -- it's actually your time to ask questions, clarify, modify and improve your skills as you progress to another level.

Observe the other dancers and teachers- This is a good way to improve your skills. As with anything in life, success comes from people who look to others as sources of their inspiration and knowledge. So if you want to be a good Hip Hop dancer, make sure that you study their techniques. Ask yourself: "What makes this person stand out?" When asking this question, pay particular attention to his techniques and movements, and compare it with other dancers that you know of. Another good question to ask is: "What do they add in their movements to make them look good? The truth is, there are many questions you can ask yourself - all it takes is your willingness to be curious and open-minded about it.

Interview experienced dancers and choreographers. Your grandmother was right: Iron sharpens iron. If you are going to choose your "iron", make sure that they are the sharper ones. In the world of dance, your "iron" will be the professional dancers and choreographers. These people went before you, so they already know the tricks of the trade. Possible questions you can ask can revolve around their inspiration for dancing, their favorite techniques, their least favorite ones, etc. Asking questions like these can help you get inside their minds, which will be a valuable tool in guiding you with your techniques as well.

There you have it - short and simple. It may not be easy, but following these guidelines can be a good starting point for you. You're now on your way to becoming a great Hip Hop dancer like the Philippine Allstars.

For your inquiries, you may want to visit Philippine Allstars