May
4
2010
4
2010
The very first time I saw someone hooping, I was completely mesmerized. I stumbled across a YouTube video of a girl who went by the name of “SaFire” and I knew…in an instant, that I HAD to learn to do it too. That was a few years ago…and my desire to learn just kept getting pushed onto the back burner. Last spring, Bella and I got matching mother/daughter hoops made, and while Bella totally rocked it, I couldn’t seem to find time to figure it out…beyond just waist hooping. (Please note: when I talk about hooping, these are not the small “kids” hula hoops…they are adult sized and are usually custom made. The bigger they are, the easier to learn!).
Fast forward to about 2 weeks ago. I finally decided that IT WAS TIME! I broke out my HoopDance DVD and watched a million YouTube videos. We went to HomeDepot and bought tubing to make our own hoops and ordered tape online. This was all during the NüRVers rally, and luckily, there were several other adventurous souls who were willing to hoop it up with me (check out Tara’s blog post about her hoop love). One of my new friends, Rose, helped me learn a trick that I had been working on…and once I got it, I was ecstatic! After that, it was like riding a bike…it just felt very easy and natural instead of awkward and clunky.
We had a BLAST learning different tricks together and cheering when we actually did them without dropping the hoop or hitting ourselves in the face! We even attended a Hooping Meetup in Austin (blogged here)..which was wonderful!
It’s safe to say I’m pretty obsessed with hooping. I dream about it. I plan hoop tape colors in my head. I am always searching for new videos online. And don’t you even think that it won’t happen to you 
Once you start, it’s totally addicting!!
Why do I love hooping so much?
It’s a good time.
Seriously. Who didn’t love hula hooping as a kid? If there is a hoop laying on the ground around here, it’s hard for someone to walk by without grabbing it for a few swirls.
It will raise your heart rate.
Hooping can burn 400-600 calories per hour! And you don’t even realize it because…yep, it’s fun. I will also strengthen your core, your arms, legs…you name it. It’s a great workout.
It’s fun for the whole family.
Both Bella and Matt have their own hoops and we love to hoop it up as a family. Bella learns new tricks so fast…it’s fun to watch her because she is so intuitive about the flow. She just does it…without fear. I learn from her every day.
It’s meditative.
Similar to yoga, spinning a hoop can calm your frenzied mind. Your hooping experience can be whatever you want it to be…depending on how fast or slow you’re hooping and what music you might be listening to.
It’s community-building.
What started off as just a few people wanting to make hoops turned into 16 hoops being made! Once one person starting learning and having fun with it, everyone wanted in on the action. It’s a fun way to pass time and chill with friends and family.
Beyond your immediate community, there is a worldwide hooping community/culture. There are events and performances and all kinds of ways to learn. Right now I have my heart set on Hoop Camp Retreat 2010…that would be the most yummy, wonderful time. All hooping. All day. All by amazing teachers. Oh my. Anyone wanna come with me?
There are tons of hooping resources out there…here are just a few:
SaFire You Tube Videos I LOVE (yes, there are a lot, but she is an amazing hooper and teacher!):
SaFire Silouette: Gorgeous lines.
SaFire Shoulder Hooping: Oooooh how I love this.
SaFire Chest Hooping Tutorial (chest hooping is what I’m currently working on…so I love this)
SaFire in the Sun (love that song!)
SaFire’s Hooping Manifesto: Love The Process
Hooping is not just for girls:
Malcolm Stuart Hoop Demo
SuperVictorio
Rich Porter – Shoulder Hooping
And these just make me REALLY happy:
Hoopalicous HoopCamp Demo
Glory Days by sharnarose
I will be posting more about hooping music and online hooping communities…and I have some REALLY EXCITING hooping giveaways to announce over the next 2 days…so before you get all crazy and go buy a hoop, hold tight. You’ll wanna wait for this!! Wooooooo!
Posted by Sara @ 11:05 pm | Leave a Comment
4
2010
Sara- That sounds great! Ill have to check out those links and get my wife and girls in on the action! We saw this amazing gypsy couple in Raleigh at the fair. The guy mixed music AND drummed while the beautiful woman and lil girls hooped it up! It was inspiring!
5
2010
It’s been a long time since I have hooped! Your post makes me want to go out and buy one or even make a few for my family!
5
2010
This couldn’t be more fantastic timing for me- at a friend’s house the other night I was trying to hula hoop with her girls and was so frustrated how awful I was! I had received a Hoopnotic kit a couple years ago and NEVER opened it. I went home and assembled my hoop and have been practicing every day!! It came with 2 DVDs that I haven’t watches yet, but I do love the size and colors of my hoop!!
I have found myself sneaking outside during the day just to hoop and like you said, it is very relaxing!
And yes, I do think I am getting addicted.
5
2010
Mr. Mom…that sounds amazing! I would LOVE to hoop like that…hooping to live music is the best.
Sue…yes! do it.
Stephanie…that’s so GREAT! I’d love to get the Hoopnotica DVD’s at some point. Definitely watch the DVD’s…they will help immensely with doing fun tricks. I’m glad I’m not the only one who “sneaks away” to hoop. I love that it’s something I can do after the kids go to sleep. Such fun! I’ll add you to my growing list of hoopin’ mamas
5
2010
One of these days when I can afford to get a good one I’ll get back into it. I’ve been wanting to since last Spring when Bella did her performance for us all! Loved it as a kid/teen and heaven knows, I could use the exercise!
5
2010
I bought an “exercise” hoop about 6 years ago and used it until the padding came off. I love it so much! It’s definitely meditative when alone and fun to do with my kids. You’ve inspired me to do it again. I want to try to make my own. Hmmmm…..sounds like a fun homeschool project/activity.:)
5
2010
Deea and Christy…we bought a 100 foot coil of tubing from Home Depot for $20 and that makes 8 hoops. It’s really quite easy! The taping is the most difficult part
But then again, I’m kind of a perfectionist. ha.
5
2010
LOVE this!!! Never heard of it and can’t WAIT to get started!!!
5
2010
I have my own beautiful hoop that I took hours to tape myself…and had a rough time learning then just gave up after that first week. You’ve inspired me to give it a go again.
5
2010
I noticed you linked to cloth tape. Does it make a difference?
I think I might just give this hobby a try!
5
2010
Your place is a happy one, a place to breathe and take in life.
Thank you for stopping me. Thank you for inviting me in.
5
2010
That is such a funny coincidence! I started hooping a few days ago and I love, love, love it!
5
2010
jajajajajaj Sara what a fun!!!! Love it!! You are just amazing!!!!
5
2010
Jessica…cloth tape (AKA gaffers tape) gives more “grip” to the hoop. I started with vinyl/electrical tape but will be adding cloth tape on top. You can also use metallic/glitter/mirror tape for pretties
it’s recommended that you cover the edges of those tapes with gaffer or vinyl though.
5
2010
that does look like fun. I never was good at hooping as a child. I’ve been looking into belly dancing recently, and hooping looks quit similar and much more fun!
5
2010
I’m hanging on! I too wanted to hoop a few years ago and just let it get pushed to the side. So many wonderful things are converging for me right now. Looking forward to giving it a whirl!
5
2010
I have been lurking on your sites for a year or so now, but I just had to step out of lurkdom to say what a small world- the hooper named Rich that you link to is one of my best friend’s brother-in-law. He’s totally awesome! Keep hooping and thanks for all the entertainment and inspiration!
5
2010
my goodness…it looks like there is a whole hooping world out there! Who knew!? Very cool.
5
2010
I’ve been wanting to try hooping for so long! I’ve never been great at hula hooping but I’ve heard that if you get the correct size/weight, it helps…
I didn’t realize you can make your own (duh). I love the tape and colors so I might try making one!
5
2010
My friends and I got bit by the bug back in January and have made SEVERAL hoops! I saw your hoop hanging in an old RV photo about that same time… it made me muy jealous!
You can get all sorts of yummy tapes at http://www.identi-tape.com The chick on the HoopDance DVDs is just plain awesome!! That’s what (for the most part) we’ve been learning from. If you want a real eye treat (and maybe a little hit on the old wallet) check out the LED hoops! Holy crap, Batman!! Two of my friends have one and when I get the money….. http://www.trickconcepts.com/Glow-hoop-32-LED-Hoops-P199C80.aspx
5
2010
Oh, and if that retreat were on the East Coast instead of the West, I’d be right there with you, Sister!!
5
2010
It’s been a week since I started hooping and I’m totally obsessed. I love Safire’s videos and if I manage to stick with it, am planning on taking one of her online classes. I’ve been doing a lot of hand hooping too with small hoops to liven things up. Of course, after hooping for an hour a day for the past week, I’ve got a few bruises I’m sporting.
If any of you belong to Netflix, you can get the first two DVDs of Hoopnotica series through them. Our local library has the HoopDance DVD so between that and online videos, I should be learning a lot here shortly. That is, if I don’t clock myself unconscious first.
5
2010
Oooooh I just have a look at Bella´s show ohhhhhh she is aboslutely lovely and she is an expert!!! Good for Bella!! So lovely Sara!!!
5
2010
I love my hoop!!!
5
2010
My sister just passed on this website to me today, about using play as fitness. It was so inspiring just watching their promo video. What a great idea to build up our physical beings through laughter and community. It reminded me a lot about what you’re doing with the hoops.
http://www.exuberantanimal.com/
9
2010
I pretty much make a career out of lurking and loving, but I’m due to give birth to a girl today, so the video of your daughter’s hooping show has me blubbering away like a crazy person. I think I will remember it as one of the happiest things I’ve ever seen. Way to go, Bella! *sob*
19
2010
My friends and I got bit by the bug back in January and have made SEVERAL hoops! I saw your hoop hanging in an old RV photo about that same time… it made me muy jealous!
You can get all sorts of yummy tapes at http://www.identi-tape.com The chick on the HoopDance DVDs is just plain awesome!! That’s what (for the most part) we’ve been learning from. If you want a real eye treat (and maybe a little hit on the old wallet) check out the LED hoops! Holy crap, Batman!! Two of my friends have one and when I get the money….. http://www.trickconcepts.com/Glow-hoop-32-LED-Hoops-P199C80.aspx
14
2010
I’ve been checking this out sinc you mentioned how much you love hooping. Found out Safire is actually from my very own town! However… she is on the road alot, so a new girl took over and there’s a group that meets every Sunday afternoon. SOOO excited! (I think there’s even a gym they rent in our oh-so-very-c-c-c-c-cold winters.)