Replies to This Discussion

ModPermalink Reply by Martika* of MartikasMysticDesign on July 24, 2012 at 11:20am

In my hoop journey I used Baxter's teaching on blindfolded hooping to help me really focus in on the feeling of the hoop on my body and the way I naturally react to response to that feeling. You want to have lots of space and be in a comfortable environment. I like to start with basic waist hooping to feel the difference of not using my vision to aid in my hooping. You can do any kind of hooping you like. However, I suggest you do basic on body hooping the first time you do blindfolded hooping. It's not about practicing big tricks or even trying to nail tricks perfectly. It's all about relaxing and being comfortable with being uncomfortable. Learning to not force yourself into being in this mental state but letting your mind slip into your own world or be in the zone or find your flow etc.
(in my opinion.)

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Permalink Reply by Super Starr on July 27, 2012 at 10:40pm

I like this, I will have to try doing the blind fold thing.

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StudentPermalink Reply by Kacie Knight on July 24, 2012 at 12:21pm

Basically, just spending time dancing in the hoop, consiously not doing tons of tricks is the greatest way to really open up your dance. I find it really helpful to use a big, heavy, groovy hoop. Try dancing to lots of different kinds of music, especially things you normally don't dance to. Also, spend some time drilling being able to move and hop in every direction while hooping. 

The easiest way to do this is to have something on the ground like a cross, or two intersecting lines. If you are on a gym floor, a basketball court, or just draw something on the sidewalk it will help. Then you can practice moving in each direction, backwards and forwards, as well as diagonally, in little steps and big jumps while hooping. Once you can do this, you have the freedom to move in your hoop however you are called to in your dance. 

I've done this in workshops with SaFire and Baxter, and honestly, it opened up a whole 'nother level of mastery of movement that was incredibly freeing!

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StudentPermalink Reply by Steph Webb on July 24, 2012 at 8:39pm

That sounds great thank you!!!

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StudentPermalink Reply by Niky on July 24, 2012 at 2:37pm

You probably know more tricks than I, as I went right to the dance focus!  I started moving forward and back, and side to side, side stepping, etc and getting usedto freely moving about with my hoop!  Of course awesome, and more importantly, live music helps to make ya wanna dance to!  I am sure you will find flow :)

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Permalink Reply by Munai on July 24, 2012 at 3:44pm

I used to focus on tricks too then i watched the video you are talking about and it made me realize the same thing. in my opinion flow is when you stop thinking and let your body ''flow'' with your hoop. it hasn't really clicked for me yet.. but dont force your flow, it will come. i find it like my dancing, when i'm at a venue up on stage go go dancing i lose myself in the music and kinda go in a trance. i think one day it will be that way for my hooping but i dont think im comfortable enought yet. im going to try the blindfold idea mentioned above, i think that would really help a lot. i find i always mess up when i start staring at my hoop and concentrating too hard on making my moves perfect.

i hope some of this helps!:) love and light<3

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StudentPermalink Reply by Nicole Colindres on July 24, 2012 at 3:50pm

Great advice! I think it comes at a certain point and then you know it. Its hard not to get hung up on it. I think one way that has worked for me has been to say...ok, I'll dedicate a certain amount of time in my practice towards tricks....then I am going to forget about tricks and work on dancing while doing what comes easy to me. Eventually my tricks have lent them selves into my free hooping.

I think workshops would be great too!

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StudentPermalink Reply by Steph Webb on July 24, 2012 at 8:44pm

That's a good idea, I'll go out with the  intention to dance and then get distracted if some thing I whip out doesn't go right. If I give myself some time to work on tricks first maybe I can get my brain to chill out a little lol

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Permalink Reply by Alycia Betts on July 24, 2012 at 3:57pm

Warm up with your eyes closed/blindfolded, get more into isolations, it willl help this alot.

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Permalink Reply by allyhoop on August 1, 2012 at 10:02am

I took a Baxter (hoop path) blind flow meditation prop class. It was AMAZING, not only is the  hoop connecting with body but also your body mind spirit feel connected to  the hoop and completely free of judgements and self. Flow is beautiful

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Permalink Reply by Mina Bear on July 24, 2012 at 4:23pm

I used to be a trick hooper as well and sometimes i still am, my main reason was that i was shy. Whether you are dancing just yourself or dancing with a hoop you can still feel a little self concious. Im not sure if maybe it is the same for you, but it is possible, once i built up my confidence in my hoop dance abilities I started jammin wayyyy harder!

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Permalink Reply by Shasta Lee on July 24, 2012 at 8:25pm

Not sure if someone has said this already, but music for me is flow. 

if you find your right music, you'll most likely get into the flow. remember to dance with the hoop, and you don't have to do trick after trick. sometimes you can just hoop on the same part of the body for a while, but just dance around while you do it. 

or you can try doing all the tricks you usually do, but while moving slowly to the right, or to the left. keep your feet moving and try and pay attention to what your other hand is doing if it's not on the hoop and some how incorporate it into your movements. 

if you are waist hooping, move your arms hands fingers, everything :) 

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