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Permalink Reply by SaFire* on December 23, 2009 at 11:24pm

I would say Hoop Convergence and Hoop Camp are the best so far (I've been to those two as well as the Northwest Hoop Gathering) NWHG is fun too but everyone stays elsewhere so it's less retreat like. I'm not sure what the plan is this year, it may be different.

Both Hoop Camp and Con are AMAZING! I do know that Hoop Camp is a bit more expensive so if cash is a factor you may want Hoop Con. I'd say they are both equally awesome. You get to stay in a cabin for the weekend with other amazing woman and it's an incredible growth experience in regards to Flow.

Much Love,
SaFire

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Permalink Reply by SaFire* on December 23, 2009 at 11:28pm

P.S. This year I hope to make it to The NWHG, Hoop Con, UK Hoop Gathering, WildFire, Fire Drums, and Hoop Camp and then some general festivals too...

I'm going to lose my mind this summer... As long as I'm smiling. ; )

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Permalink Reply by Briana Shean on December 24, 2009 at 12:06am

Harbin Hoop Jam immediately follows Hoop Camp, which makes it easy for those coming from afar to take in more! (But you can just go to Harbin and have an amazing retreat, even bring your significant other and share your world.)

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Permalink Reply by Jessica Torus* Wagstrom on December 24, 2009 at 12:23am

I've been to Hoop Camp, as well as Hoop Path Retreat. If you get a chance to go to either, I'd take it, but Hoop Path Retreat has my heart. It was my first major hoop event, and the first time I got to mingle with any "big name" hoopers. The city is gorgeous (it's the same city as Hoop Con). I really connect with Baxter's teaching method and the hooping mythos he's created. It's hot and sticky and very transformative. Not as workshop heavy as Hoop Con or Hoop Camp, but it will make you work, it will make you sweat, and it will make you think. Plus the Hoop Path people are all so beautiful and sweet. :)

http://www.hooppath.com/cms/

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Permalink Reply by Kinetic Kristen* on December 24, 2009 at 5:26am

Hi Megan! I think you know what I'm doing, Hoop Convergence! This is my first hooping retreat and part of the reason I'm going to HoopCon (besides the fact it's only like 8 1/2 hours from home) is that just about everyone I want to hoop with is either going or teaching. Unfortunately, some are not attending, which saddens me but I would love it if you girls would come to HoopCon. I'm considering renting a van or something if enough local people are going so that we could all chip in.

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Permalink Reply by Megan on December 26, 2009 at 1:33pm

hoop con i think is definitely looking most likely, based mainly on location and the awesome things i've heard! since we'll only be doing one probabaly though, we are trying to decide if it might be worth it to travel a little more..decisions! decisions!
ill keep you updated kristen on what we decide! hoop con would be awesome too because we'd get to visit more with you and other near-by hoopers :)

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Permalink Reply by Tangled Macrame on December 26, 2009 at 2:34pm

Willow is hosting a Midwest Hoopfest in IL this summer. It's still in the embryotic planning stages, but you can find some info on the Midwest Hoopfest group here on Hoop City. It may be a good option for midwesterners who are unable to travel to the larger, national events.

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Permalink Reply by Jaguar Mary on December 27, 2009 at 10:14am

I've been to Hoop Convergence and Hoop Path and had full-on inspirational experiences at both events. I'm organizing an international retreat in Bali, Indonesia called the Sacred Circularities Hoop Dance Retreat. The dates are March 23-28 2010. As far as I know, it's the first international retreat to focus on the spiritual/esoteric aspects of hoop dancing. We'll be blending the hoop flow with yoga, moving meditation techniques, sound alchemy, sacred geometry and more. The teachers for the retreat are KaRa Maia with Jahsah (Mandala Hoops), Kandice Korvs-Kaus (Holistic Hooping) and Jocelyn Gordon (Hoop Dance DC). It's an intimate gathering of about 30 people. The retreat is already half-full. Find out more about it at www.dchoopcollective.com

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Permalink Reply by Tink in Tokyo on December 28, 2009 at 2:53am

If you are keen to visit Japan in autumn, Spin Matsuri will be held again in October 2010. Last year's retreat saw 45 people spending the weekend at a lovely resort near Tokyo and enjoying 7 workshops by instructors from Japan, the US, UK, and Australia. I'm looking forward to its second edition.

(I am one of the organisers, so full disclosure and all that).

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Permalink Reply by beth lavinder on December 28, 2009 at 12:07pm

First of all, I'd like to say that if there was any earthly way possible, I'd be on a plane for Bali in March if I could. The Sacred Circularities Hoop Dance Retreat sounds divine. I wish Carrboro and Bali weren't so far away.

I can definitely testify to the wonderful experience of Spin Matsuri. It was one of the most well-organized and beautifully located hoop gatherings I've been to. It was a blast meeting hoopdancers and instructors from Japan, Australia, the UK and the US. A lovely, blossoming community of earnest and badass hoopdancers in Japan. For me and my daughter, Erica, it was one of the highlights of our year. If you can make it across the big pond, I cannot recommend this event enough.

The UKHG is another opportunity to travel to an exotic (to me) location and experience an entirely different community of hoopdancers. The venue is incredibly beautiful and lush and the vibe there was especially warm and relaxed. For me it was really exciting because there was a very different focus and approach to hoopdance and it really helped me break out of my box. I'd go back in a heartbeat.

I've also been to Hoopcamp twice and it is fun, festive, located in the redwoods near Santa Cruz, and bursting with enthusiastic and blissed out dancers. If you are looking for a large variety of teachers, I think both Hoopcamp and Hoopcon can give you that. You will get a taste of something like 15 different instructors and although the classes are rather short (50 minutes or so) you get to try a lot of different things. I left Hoopcamp both years utterly exhausted and elated.

I've been part of the HoopPath community since the beginning and have been a supporter of the HoopPath Retreat for the last three years. We are now planning for the fourth HoopPath Retreat (HP4) in June. I would say one of the biggest differences between HP and the other hoop gatherings is that HP focuses on one particular approach to hoopdance and goes DEEP. The classes are taught by Baxter and are an opportunity to really explore your own inherent expression and source for inspired movement. While there is focus on technique and skill, these are more avenues towards self discovery and growth. The entire event is organized and crafted around exploring your personal potential for authentic expression and understanding. Even though the event is quite large, we bond in mini-Tribes and as a larger Tribe by bringing intention to each part of the Retreat. The HP Retreat really has my heart and is, for me, personally, the most significant hoop event of the year.

That's just my 2 cents worth. Each Retreat offers something different and of course, we each bring something unique to each event. If I could, I would spend the entire year going from one awesome event to another. They each have something for us. HOpe to see many of you at some of these events in 2010.

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Permalink Reply by Stevi Allen on February 5, 2010 at 6:13am

I'm not sure how helpful I can be because I've only been to one retreat and I'm a hooppath local, but I can testify that I loved last years hooppath retreat. There were so many wonderful hoppers from all over the place, and as usual Baxter pushed everyone very far. Also I can promise that the locals will make you feel at home in carrboro. But I think I might be a little biased

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Permalink Reply by Ann Humphreys on February 5, 2010 at 10:22am

Yeah, maybe Beth, Stevi & I are all just a *little* biased! ; >

I have been to HoopCamp twice (loved it both times) as well as to Northwest Hoop Gathering (also amazing, really fascinating & theoretical) in addition to planning and hosting all Hoop Path Retreats. Obviously HP Retreat is my favorite by a considerable long shot, and we do try to keep the cost *very* low.

But when it comes down to it, attending ANY hoop event, you really just can't go wrong. Hoopers are wonderful, hooping is wonderful, there is no wrong choice.

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