Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Susan Redka on May 11, 2011 at 8:04am

Hi Tilly Whirl!  Sounds like you are doing a lot of planning and thinking.  I am also a teacher and this is a really good article to read to help you - it is from superhooper.org by Lara Eastburn (she writes a lot of great articles) and it is something I wish I had read before I started.  Hope it helps!  Good luck to you!  Here is the link:

http://www.superhooper.org/blog018.html

Permalink Reply by Tilly Whirls on May 12, 2011 at 5:46pm

Thanks Susan! I've read a few of her articles now and she's got such great advice to offer. I'll definitely be thinking about this and considering these things all summer long as I get ready to teach and work on my own skills.

Permalink Reply by Maria/HoopME! on May 11, 2011 at 9:01am

Susan shared a wonderful post! 

Tilly, you've thought everything out and are going about it in a logical, one step at a time way! It sounds like you might be getting overwhelmed. I recently talked to someone who has been an instructor for five years. She STILL wakes up and feels overwhelmed! Can you imagine?

 

Keep going, girl. Keep challenging yourself to meet your personal goals without being hard on yourself and looking to the next step. Enjoy each goal as you reach it. Enjoy sharing that new knowledge with others.

 

"Good enough"? There are a number of threads that touch on what "good enough" might look like. Certifications galore? Not necessarily, although they can be helpful. The more trainings and classes YOU have under your belt, the better for your practice and thus the business. But necessarily before you can teach? Maybe not.

 

I don't know what the hooping community is like in your area, but often we look at what we want to achieve...perhaps it's all the incredible fantabulous hoopers we see on youtube...we wonder if we'll ever get there and what do WE have to offer, anyway? But if there is very little hooping going on in your area, you are offering people in your class and people who see you and even hear about you from a friend, a little snippet of the hooping world that they have never heard of! They might be curious...and in time, they may join you! You are not only building a business but awareness and community. Your passion qualifies you for that! Showing someone how to maintain the hoop around the waist, and to move in the hoop even a little, is really amazing if you think about it! Many people don't realize that's out there. Introducing them to the hoop world opens their eyes!

 

In terms of teaching I think love of people is #1 quality to have. Many people can be great hoopers, but dislike teaching or not be skilled at it. Ask yourself HOW you are teaching. Can you verbally break down the moves? Physically break them down? Can you break them down "hands on" if that's the way people learn? Are you able to "read" people well (ie do they look bored? Frustrated?)

 

Often I learn how to teach while teaching. Many students will say "Oh, look! I figured it out like this! (showing me a move) I pay attention to HOW they learned and what worked for them. That helps  me with the next person. Not every trick looks the same for each person nor is learned the same. Take notes at the end of the class to expand on that. 

 

It's natural to be nervous before classes or during. In one class I was a little out of breath from talking, hooping and nerves. I just apologized and got a drink and it gave me a needed break. People really WANT to learn...they are on your side! If you are having fun, they will have fun! Keep things light with a smile and a wink. This makes everyone relaxed.

 

Just some thoughts off the top of my head, anyway ;) You can DO this! You're on the right track! Be patient with yourself and keep moving forward!

Permalink Reply by Tilly Whirls on May 12, 2011 at 5:52pm

Thank you, thank you! It's so good to know that others feel overwhelmed and anxious too.

My first class starts on September 15 (OMG!), but that still gives me the next three months to improve my own skills, really consider teaching and trying it out. My plan is to hoop publicly all summer to hopefully gain some interest and then maybe in July/August host a couple free hoop jams (I'll bring a bunch of hoops with) so I can work with people who are curious and get a little experience before a real class starts.

Anyway, just like it's reassuring to know that I'm not the only person who's ever literally thrown their hoop on the floor in frustration (thought I was till I started reading these forums), it's good to know I'm not the only one who got really anxious about committing to/starting teaching.

Permalink Reply by Phoebe on May 13, 2011 at 3:22pm

Tilly- It sounds like we are very close as far as skills go! (my angles definitely need work) I am Hoopnotica level 1-3 certified. I started my first class with only level 1 and 2 certification and it was a combined level 1 and 2 11 week class- all beginners. I was very nervous!

You are good enough! Teaching is about a lot more than just being able to do the move and the truth is, you don't have to be a master of a move in order to teach it. When I taught angles I told the students that they were still hard for me and then taught them the techniques from Hoopnotica and tips that I was using myself. In the end, we were all practicing and learning together, and they were relieved to see that even I still had trouble! It can be intimidating for students if you never drop the hoop or struggle. If you can play and find fun in your hoop practice even when the material is hard for you, you will be an great inspiration to your students. I think it is better to learn how to have fun while trying hard stuff rather than stressing and getting the hard stuff perfectly.

Teaching definitely gets easier with practice! It sounds like you have the rest of the stuff down with the business cards, website, etc. I think hooping is very interesting visually, but doesn't necessarily sound that great in words. I had many people turn up their nose at "exercising with a hula hoop" and not want to sign up until they went to a demo. They can't visualize the cool tricks and dance especially in areas where hoop dance isn't well known. Get out there and dance at events, in the town square, at the park, and have business cards ready! When they see hooping, they will definitely be interested and want to know more about your class. I also hosted several free demos before the class to get people interested and signed up!

Good luck!!

Permalink Reply by Tilly Whirls on May 13, 2011 at 10:32pm

Thanks Phoebe! That's absolutely what I'm doing! I'm hooping on the town green when I find myself there, I'm hooping at the weekly free concerts they have, at local parks and wherever else I can get. I can't wait till I get my LED hoop to use at the concerts. That might make for a lot of interest in it too. I didn't consider asking the community center I'll be teaching at if I could do a demo there but that's a great idea! The town's annual big festival is coming up too, so I'll be hooping in the street, at the shows, at the kiddie area and anywhere else I can find. :D I actually opened my Hoopnotica level three DVD today. I "get" angles now after their explanations and troubleshooting techniques (but I'll still be working on perfecting them)... maybe I should've watched it sooner. Haha.

Permalink Reply by Kate Morris on May 18, 2011 at 10:31pm

Hey!!!  I'm sure you'll do fine with your class!!!  I just started teaching at the beginning of May.  I'm in the process of getting my Hoopnotica certification, basically I just have to finish making my tape and send it in. 

 

My first class, I was sooo nervous, I could barely finish a sentence without shaking.  I had a full class and I felt like no one was having fun.  After class the owner told me that people loved it and were really excited about it!!! 

 

Where I'm from, there aren't many hoopers at all (that I know of!) and I'm now having the problem of keeping people involved with the class.  A lot of people want to try it, but not many people are sticking with it.  I think that I will try what you are doing, and hoop outside in the park and during outdoor concerts to spread the word!!!  I hope your class goes great, I know you'll be fine!!!

Permalink Reply by JEN on May 20, 2011 at 9:11pm

This is so exciting to read :) i was in the same exact place as you in the beginning of 2010, doing my distance cert with hoopnotica and planning to maybe teach around fall of 2010, when as soon as i got my certification in feb, people wanted me to teach. so there i was, still a new hooper myself, on a weight loss journey, started at 285lbs in sept 2009 when i started hooping, so i was at about 220 or so in feb of 2010 when i started teaching. i was a sahm with nooo fitness background. i was so nervous, but it has been an amazing journey, and now i teach 7 days a week, 16+ classes weekly, my husband teaches hoop as well, and i'm in the process of becoming a Master Trainer for Hoopnotica  (grading distance exams myself sometime in the near future, perhaps :D) and certifying others to teach hoop. it's a wonderful curriculum, follow it and you will become so confident in your teaching, in your hooping, it will explode and be amazing. don't hesitate to add me on fb and ask any questions you might have. support is so critical in the journey!

 

JEN

Permalink Reply by Tilly Whirls on August 6, 2011 at 11:54am

Jen you have the most awesome story. :) I'm so happy for you and your husband. I first saw you on the Today show before I even knew what hooping was, then when I discovered it and heard your story I remembered you. You're an amazing inspiration!

I'm feeling much, much more prepared than when I originally posted this. I've got another few months of progress under my belt, and passed my Hoopnotica 1 & 2 level exams. I also purchased insurance through K&K for dance/exercise instruction, so I'm feeling all professional now. Hehe. In addition to the community center class, I've also convinced my parent employer (Aol) to let me try teaching classes at their Dulles headquarters. I figure they bring in pilates and yoga instructors, why not a hoop instructor? We're trying it out in a week!

I'm so thankful for all the wonderful hoopers here that have been so helpful in my journey and look forward to what's to come.

A quick question for anyone who teaches and performs—did you have to get separate insurance for each of those things or did one cover the other? I've heard from some that their instructor insurance also covers performances/demonstrations. I suppose that makes sense since you may be involved in community events/regional fitness expos, etc., where they may ask you to demonstrate as an instructor...

Permalink Reply by karla Dalnoki on September 30, 2011 at 11:09pm

Hi TIlly,

 

I've used some of the resorces in your discussion for myself. Very good , I don't know a thing about insurance (sorry) But I DO want to now how everything turned out! it is fall now -

 

looking forward to the outcome report of all your expert preperations.

 

Karla

Permalink Reply by Tilly Whirls on October 4, 2011 at 7:27pm

Someone recently posted about being anxious and unsure of teaching hooping and this was my response: 

I just started teaching in September. I was so scared that I'd suck at it or not like it or that I'd flop or it'd be overwhelming, but so far everyone is having fun and it turns out I kinda REALLY love it. Almost all my students were able to get lift up/down in the last class. I was so happy about that.

I created a curriculum of my classes and the progression of the moves. I've got them written out really large in a notebook I can set on the floor and just glance down when I need to remember tips or what move we're doing next. However I'm also trying to keep in mind that we may not get to everything every class, or sometimes one move might take a couple classes.

Along with that, not everyone has to master every move. As long as they know the mechanics of it and are on their way, allow them room to experiment and practice on their own. I can't imagine being expected to do perfect bunny ears or one-legged hooping or even barrel rolls after learning the breakdown in just one class. Just like when learning on my own, there have been some moves that I "learned" how to do, but didn't excel at them or enjoy them so I didn't bother continuing to practice them (hello chest rolls...).

Last, make sure everyone can hear you and has a chance to listen to the breakdown. Talk slowly and loud enough for all to hear. Explain things in different ways if you have to (I teach from the Hoopnotica moves, but I also often explain things in the words of other hoopers who've posted YouTube tutorials who've had great tips). I've taken to standing in the center of my hoopers when showing a move, and showing it multiple times in different directions so everyone has a good chance to see what it is I'm doing.

Permalink Reply by karla Dalnoki on October 6, 2011 at 3:10pm

SOunds like your a great teacher!!! I've never  thought to demo in all four view stances before. Nice concept.