Jen

Can *anyone* learn to hoop?

Hi everyone

I fell in love with hooping a couple of years ago at a trance party, and i have wanted to learn ever since. I did attend one workshop which made me want to learn even more, but it made me aware of my complete and utter inhabilty to co-ordinate my body... and i feel will prevent me from ever being able to hoop like some of you guys!

I notice a lot of people who hoop also have an interest (or background) in dance. Ive never in my life had any co-ordination at *all*!.

Im really not exageratting when i say - that my co-ordination is *terrible*. I cant even do an aerobics class because i am just all over the place! At school i was never allowed to be a dancer in any of the performances because i was so rubbish - "two left feet"!! :)

My question is - do you think with the right amount of practice and determination, anyone can learn these things? or do some people either have it and some dont? I am totally willing to practice practice practice! (and very lucky as i have a few months off travelling so i can put the time into it too!)

But, at the same time.. if its out of my control then maybe I should not attempt it? Or maybe it isnt out of my control!?

Any thoughts/ideas on this would be so greatly appreciated!

:)

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JenPermalink Reply by Jen on December 14, 2009 at 8:46pm
Wow 3000 people ? In only 6 months! That is awesome!!!! :) thanks for your response!

This thread is SO inspiring!!
Briana SheanPermalink Reply by Briana Shean on December 14, 2009 at 10:06am
I actually am known to say often, "ANYone can hoop!" My focus as a Certified BodyHoops Instructor is regular folks. I am very proud to be able to say that I have had 100% success (and zero frustration) teaching even those who insist they cannot or have never been able to hoop or "keep one up." --and I can do it in minutes!

The key is using a large enough hoop. Most hoop makers don't see any reason to make larger hoops, curiously. They are critical to training your body to do what you want it to with a hoop of any kind. Start big, and gradually you'll be able to use a smaller and smaller hoop, gaining in coordination, balance, and confidence--believe me, I've seen it--I've had students as young-at-heart as 80! The bloom in people's faces the first time I put them in one of my hoops and they CAN do it feeds my soul!!

Spiral started with a 5-foot diameter hoop and now uses a 30-inch hoop. The most popular size hoop I sell has a diameter of just over four feet--and I sell three more sizes larger than that! (Most "hoop sizing formulas" would have me in a 3.5' diameter hoop at the largest, but I found a 4.5' hoop much easier to learn with--for example.)

I've heard the strange argument of only trying to learn with something that is NOT easier, or closer to what the goal(!) is--but if something is frustrating, it has a good chance of discouraging to the point of never being attempted again. This is totally preventable! Use what works, feel good, do it again! It took me a full year to go to a smaller size--and that's okay! It's not about what others can or cannot do, or what they think, it's about YOU. Use what YOU need to make it work.

If you cannot find someone else to make you a large hoop nearby (this can be costly to ship), I can help you with a special size travel hoop, so you can get it into your vehicle, transport on a bike, get to the park with your hoop, etc. It's become my specialty. You may have no trouble at all--I wish you the best, and happy hooping!!
Eternal VoyageurPermalink Reply by Eternal Voyageur on December 14, 2009 at 12:08pm
My story is pretty similar to many of those here: thrown out in school from the center of a dance choreography to the sidelines... (I took my revenge my not showing up for the performance... I was such a kid then but I'm glad I did that, because the teacher should have tested my dancing skills before putting me into the center). Since them I have been a dance-phobic, once I actually threw up at a dance party to avoid dancing... I was sick at the thought of dancing !
I did a bunch of dance classes, but dropped out of several because I couldn't keep up. I also had trouble in repeating more than 3 moves at a time in Karate. If the instructor did a sequence of 6 attacks, my mind would totally freeze in fear.
That's why I love hooping. Well, I can hoop fairly well for a beginner, and I love being able to set my own pace and style. Last week I spontaneously performed at a party... who would have expected that ?
I feel that probably my hooping will always be more tricks than dancing, and I'll probably never be the best hoopdancer ever, but I'll get pretty good.
So, just try, you'll probably amaze yourself !
Shelly "Holly Hula" McBPermalink Reply by Shelly "Holly Hula" McB on December 14, 2009 at 11:27pm
I do believe that ANYONE can hoop! What I love about hooping is that everyone has their own unique style.

I have no dance background and was often teased while growing up for being such a 'white girl' when I tried to dance. (which really hurt my feelings and confidence!) Now I am a fanatical hooper. When I first started hooping I really wished I could have the beautiful sexy style of other hoopers I would see on youtube. My style is spazzy and all over the place. Now I am beginning to LOVE my unusual style because it makes me unique!!!!

So that is my story and I encourage you to practice practice practice!!! Embrace your goofy style and LOVE THE PROCESS!
Shelly "Holly Hula" McBPermalink Reply by Shelly "Holly Hula" McB on December 14, 2009 at 11:36pm
p.s. you will get both directions in time. At first I only hooped in one direction. Eventually, however, I got bored and started challenging myself with learning all my tricks the other way. Inspiration came from watching hoopers like SharnaRose - she made me determined to learn. Give yourself some time to feel comfortable in the hoop and then start trying things in reverse.
JenPermalink Reply by Jen on December 14, 2009 at 11:47pm
Thank you so so much Holly :)

I was going to ask that question actually but you answered it for me before I did! :)))



I watched your videos and I love your style :) You definitely look very free which is how I want to be eventually. Oh to be so comfortable with the hoop and moves that you can just dance without having to think too much about it :)

its so exciting!! Now i need to buy a hoop :)
JenPermalink Reply by Jen on December 14, 2009 at 11:51pm
PS im watching all the videos on here - getting a bit ahead of myself thinking how cool fire hooping would be, hehe
helskiPermalink Reply by helski on December 17, 2009 at 6:21am
Don't worry! I am completely and utterly malco-ordinated, and was completely surprised that I ever managed to learn, considering I cannot juggle at all or even catch a ball! I am still a very slow learner when it comes to the hoop, and I am definitely not as good as I should be after the amount of time I have been learning, but everyone has to take things at their own speed.
Keep practicing and you will get there eventually, and you won't be able to remember NOT ever being able to do it!

Good luck x
circularlogicPermalink Reply by circularlogic on December 17, 2009 at 8:35am
Some of these replies made me think... I wonder if hoopers "hear a different drummer" so to speak... I mean, sports & choreographed dance have so many rules, "right" & "wrong" ways to do things. Maybe part of what draws us to the hoop is the open-endedness of it, the spontaneity, the ability to make your own rules. I'm self-employed too, & much prefer to follow my own quirky path rather than depend on someone else's vision. I hadn't thought about that connection before but I bet there's something to it!
Shelly "Holly Hula" McBPermalink Reply by Shelly "Holly Hula" McB on December 17, 2009 at 2:57pm
TOTALLY AGREE!!! that completely describes what I love about hooping. :)
JenPermalink Reply by Jen on February 18, 2010 at 9:20pm
Hey everyone

Just wanted to say THANKS forr all your encouragement a couple of months ago - ive just started hoop classes and i LOVE it. Its sooo addictive and i can totally see where youre all coming from. I was hooping/dancing/jumping around for about 2 hours the other night and it seemedlike 2 mins!! Unfortuntley ill be out of action for a bit as ive injured my back but........... i know this is just the beginning , so thank you all for your encouragement :))) Its soooo amazing when you "get" a trick, isnt it!? xxxxx
Snowzilla of Flowlab.ca*Permalink Reply by Snowzilla of Flowlab.ca* on February 18, 2010 at 10:15pm
LOL After responding to your initial post and realizing that you made it back in December (oops, lol) I'm SO happy to see your update - well, minus the back injury! So glad to see you've gotten into it and you're having fun!

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