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Permalink Reply by The CircularPhile on October 4, 2009 at 6:13pm

I haven't taught, but I've taken. Each class was one hour long. I ended each class dripping sweat, so I would say they worked us hard enough. We spent the first two classes on waist hooping alone. 1st one was learning how and moving feet, 180 and 360 turns and taking steps. Second one was speed control w/hip hooping, more walking, turning practice while waist hooping. 3rd class they started adding in arm movements while waist hooping, hand hooping and chest hooping. The following classes covered waist and hand hooping reversals, lifts from the waist, the weave, the bow, horizontal passing, and incorporating dance. Vortex wasn't covered until the second six week Beginner 2 class. We started each class with a warmup, then a game. We worked on the lessons for 30-40 minutes. The last ten minutes they just played music and we freestyled, whatever we wanted. Diana Lopez of Body Hoops does the best job teaching beginner hoop moves while keeping the class cardio that I've seen. She has several lessons on Hooping University that may give you some ideas.

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Permalink Reply by Amanda of Hip Flick Hoops* on October 4, 2009 at 7:39pm

Nice thanks for such a detailed reply. Wow first two classes only on waist hooping.. that makes me think that my lesson plans for my classes might be too advanced... I guess I'll have to see after my first class..

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Permalink Reply by Natalie Zem on October 5, 2009 at 8:14am

Amanda:

I am actually shadowing a "hoop aerobics" instructor now, and will be taking over the class in January (also at a community college). TOOC's outline seems to be right in line w/what my instructor/mentor does. And I've witnessed it myself, even after 2 weeks a LOT of people still struggle with waist hooping, so I believe a sloooow progression is best, but to offer options for people who have "gotten" it a little faster. I could totally see a difference in the people who had a hoop at home and practiced during the week vs. those who only hoop at the class, using the instructor's hoops.

I'm glad you started a post about this!

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Permalink Reply by Amanda of Hip Flick Hoops* on October 5, 2009 at 8:43am

Haha I actually didnt start the post, I just followed it because I wanted to hear the replies.

Wow shadowing a hoop aerobics instructor would be SOOO awesome! Lucky you! In my classes they will be required to have their own hoop so hopefully after the first week they practice at home! :)

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Permalink Reply by Danielle on October 5, 2009 at 9:44am

During hoopcamp, there was a hoop-fitness workshop. One question that was asked was about how to address students who do not know all the moves used in the workout.... the answer was that the hoop-fitness class was not offered to beginners. A beginner hoop class is enough of a workout for newbies, learning the basics. The hoop-fitness class was geared to more intermediate+ hoopers. I found this really insightful.

Also, if in your basic hooping class... you see someone who has "mastered" the move being worked on, have them switch to their "outflow" or use a smaller hoop. There are plenty of ways to keep students challenged and engaged :)

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Permalink Reply by The CircularPhile on October 5, 2009 at 7:10pm

Good point. I meant to mention the beginner versus the cardio class. I saw an interview with a hoop aerobics instructor and they require a beginner's class first to learn the moves before moving into the cardio. The outflow suggestion is good, too. I had forgotten, but we did some of that in the first two lessons also.

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Permalink Reply by Tangled Macrame on October 5, 2009 at 11:07pm

hmmm....I think my outline needs some tweeking. I plan to use the first two sessions for waist hooping variations and basic hand hooping, then moving into the weave and some off-body pieces for lesson three. I'll introduce the drop-up/drop-down briefly, then begin work on the vortex in session 4/5.

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Permalink Reply by l "lady lamb" to the inz on February 18, 2010 at 10:05pm

just a cool thought i just heard hoopers burn up to 100 calories per hour when hooping amzing right . i do think though you have to feel your group out on how they are doing when they first get thehoop ive taught a couple of ppl and everyone is differ. i would start with waist hooping walking while hooping turning while hooping and then startings to do lifts if everyone is comfy. then so on.. if someone needs a break adv them to rest watch feed back etc. make sureyou stretch too thats super important. let me know how it goes

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Permalink Reply by Whirled Peace Hoops on March 2, 2010 at 10:26pm

I've been teaching classes for about 2 months now and I've learned a lot! My original lesson plan was definately too advanced!...I find it difficult to put structure into my classes and since I am gearing them towards fitness I've also found it hard to get the beginners to really do intense cardio....It's definately slow, especially if you only meet for an hour per week.

So far, I break down my classes into sections that flow together, beginning with a warm up, then core work, then arms, then leg, and cool down. It is important to spend a lot of time with waist hooping, showing them recovery methods, walking and turning, stoping and reversing the hoop's direction, and dipping the arms in and out... I've found that blindfolding my students while waist hooping has really helped, and they all like it! It helps them feel the hoop and lets the body respond more naturally....As for arms, I go over grips, catch and release, and then show them the basic vertical and horizontal hand hooping. I also incorporate hooping on the arms, the weave and passing around the body. Everyone seems to catch on rather quickly actually, it suprises me! As for legs, I do moves like passing under the legs, and simple jump throughs. All of my students are usually able to do most of the moves.

I feel like I have to keep it interesting, and therefore end up teaching what is probably an overwhelming amount of tricks in every class....however, it has been working and the students like to switch it up. It helps them to not get frustated if they can't get somethng, they can try something else and then go back to it!...I realize now that students probably wont get a great workout until the intermediate level, but they all come back to me with sore muscles every week (the good kind of sore)!...and its actually possible to burn up to 600 calories per hour!!...amazing :)

....so if anyone has any tips on structure or any other aspect of hooping, please share! thanks <3

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Permalink Reply by JEN on March 21, 2010 at 10:45pm

I teach a bunch of classes at various locations weekly, and I find all my classes are different, however a basic outline I got online before I started teaching now makes me LOL. No way in six weeks in ANY of my classes have I ever come close to covering as much as this outline said, HA!!

My class is an "intro to hoopdance", but depending on where everyone is, we do some high intensity/cardio stuff as we progress.

My classes are also drop in option, so that can make it tricky-have 5 or 6 regulars, and then 2-3 newbies, you know?

So I start with a 5 minute warm up/centering, then we warm up waist/hip in the natural and unnatural. For newbies or those just wanting to keep it there, they just waist hoop. For those wanting to take it up a notch, we do a few counts of 8 at high intensity with forward stance, side stance, hip, natural/unnatural.

We do some other intensity builders-plies/squats while waist hooping (again those that want to keep it basic absolutely can, I stress this numerous times in class, to work at your own pace, only pushing yourself when you feel you have the foundational move strong)

We do off the body hooping-halos, passes, slow leg lifts, haven't even gotten to cabaret legs yet in any classes.

We go back on the body, hip/waist transitions, spinning, compass, beginning walking.

I end each class with 10-15 minutes of free hooping, in which I'm available to troubleshoot/give one on one to students in whatever capacity. I encourage things like-trying out a couple hoops. Using my Poi hoops. Just kind of letting lose and really expressing themselves in those minutes.

Sometimes we do a 10 min free hoop and a 5 minute game. Or just 15m free hooping. I vary it.

Then a 5 minute cool down.

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Permalink Reply by GroovinMeGzz on March 22, 2010 at 10:28am

HI Hoopers!!

Make sure to teach your students how to properly stretch after a routine and educate them on being aware of over using their muscles. AKA Make sure they are going BOTH directions with their hoops, using BOTH arms for hand hooping and what not...we don't want any injuries! Especially if any of your students are previously under active and hooping is their ONLY form of exercise.
Once you start marketing your class as fitness, you've got to keep it SAFE. I recommend looking into a group exercise certification too. Its a fun experience and gives you creditability! :)

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