What element do you identify with most? Believe it or not, our favorites from "Avatar" may have an awful lot in common with our favorite styles on stage and in the studio.
1. Air: Ballet
Airbenders use a style called Bagua Zhang, which makes use of walking in circles and always moving back and forth. Aang is also known for bending a ball of air and riding on it.
Ballerinas are known for spinning in circles, being lifted in the air and always being on their toes. Looks like Aang isn't the only twinkle toes around here.
2. Fire: Break dancing (b-boying)
Alright, I've definitely seen Azula or Zuko pull this move off while firebending. Firebending is based on Northern Shaolin Kung Fu, which uses powerful hand and leg movements.
In breaking culture, battling is an important element where breakers compete and try to outdo their opponent's moves; similar to an Agni Kai, a duel where firebenders fight for their honor. The only difference is that breakers set the stage on fire and not their opponent.
3. Water: Contemporary/modern
Waterbenders use a style similar to Tai Chi which focuses on the breath. Tai Chi comes from the term Taiji which is a Chinese philosophy that refers to the yin and yang forces. This is probably why when Katara taught Aang about waterbending, she taught him about the push and pull nature of the style.
Contemporary dance is an expressive and nontraditional dance. Dancers "strive to connect the mind and the body through fluid dance movements." Contemporary dancers seem to flow like a river.
4. Earth: Krumping
Earthbending is off of Hung Gar Kung Fu, a style "known for its strong stances and its rooting to the ground," according to Sifu Kisu. It also has roots in five animal-inspired styles including dragon, tiger, crane, snake, and leopard.
Krump is a quick and aggressive dance that is used to express emotions like anger and release it in a positive way. Dancing and joining dance groups is a solace for some kids who may have grown up in dangerous neighborhoods.
Many people in the Earth Kingdom attend and compete in games like pro-bending matches and underground earthbending tournaments to showcase their abilities. Toph felt like she was being sheltered so she secretly went to earthbending tournaments to feel the freedom that she didn't have at home.
