How old are you? 24

When did you first start hooping? Summer ‘08

Would you call yourself a beginner, intermediate or advanced hooper? I would say intermediate-although exploring the reverse current definitely made me feel like a beginner all over again.

How often do you hoop? Nearly every day. :)

Do you have an indoor hoop space? Not really. Once in a great while I will clean my living room, and move the coffee table, but I still worry about hitting overhead lighting…

Is there a hoop group where you live? We have Hoop Jams at the park almost every month.

Did you start it? No-it’s a Hooping Harmony run event. I love those ladies! They’re super friendly, and awesome, patient teachers. :D

Would you say that you are obsessed with or addicted to hooping? Oh most definitely. I think many on this site can relate to having to carry hoops in the trunk of their car and hoop on breaks at work or in between classes…any free time is hooping time!

Have you posted hooping videos? I have! I realized the little digital camera my mother bought me last Christmas has video capabilities (no audio unfortunately), so I’ve been taping my practice sessions. I took SaFire’s advice in documenting everything. I think it’s interesting to track your progress and see how far you’ve come. Also it’s useful in gaining feedback and advice from fellow hoopers.

Do you have friends nearby to hoop with? I do! I’m lucky in that regard. I also have friends who want to come over and learn. 

Do you teach hooping? I don’t teach a class or anything, just the basics to friends who express an interest.

What kind of songs do you listen to while hooping? All kinds. I love Beats Antique, Tool, Massive Attack, Mindless Self Indulgence, A Perfect Circle, Sneaker Pimps, Kidney Thieves, etc. But anything with a good beat or pretty melody (with strings is a plus) that I can get into.

What is your favorite song right now? I would say...Tool - H

Do you buy hoops or make your own? Both

Have you lost weight since starting to hoop? No…I think I may have actually gained a few pounds, lol, but I’m getting into my mid-twenties so I think that’s normal. I’m sure it will keep me in shape in the long run though.

What size is your favorite hoop? I’m not sure. I don’t really measure or take note of that…my current favorite hoop is my fire hoop that my boyfriend bought me for my birthday last year. The wicks are removable so I usually just hoop with it minus the wicks (I have yet to actually use it as a fire hoop)!

Are you comfortable hooping by yourself in a public place? Oh most definitely. I actually enjoy it if people stop to watch too (which is weird because I used to be unbearably shy growing up).

How did you learn the majority of the tricks you know today? youtube tutorials all the way!

Who is your favorite hoop teacher? SaFire taught me most of what I know via her awesome youtube tutorials. However, Ariana and Laura Marie are phenomenal teachers as well, and have become my favorites for in person training.

What advice would you give to to beginner hoopers? Do not get discouraged if you can’t get something right away. If you see someone hooping and it looks effortless that’s just because they put in a LOT of effort in order to make it look that way.

Do you fire hoop? Not yet, but I will!

Do you own an LED hoop? No, unfortunately…someday!

How much time do you spend on hoopcity? Well...it’s my homepage…lol

What was the first trick you learned (besides waist hooping)? Raising the hoop from waist to chest hooping with arms inside the hoop (boy did I struggle to learn that one)!

What is the last trick you mastered? The elbow to elbow pass in front-next I shall tackle the behind the back elbow pass.

What trick so far was the hardest for you to learn? Thus far…knee hooping. When I attempted to get it I wouldn’t, and when I wasn’t trying I would. It was quite frustrating for a while there. Now I could knee hoop all day, but am struggling to get down one-leg hooping (I’m getting there though)!

Which one are you finding is almost impossible to get? As I stated above- one leg hooping for sure.

How many hoopers would you say live in your town/city? Wow, I have no idea. There are quite a few who come out for our Hoop Jams though.

Have you performed hooping in front of an audience? I’ve “performed” at a nightclub, and practiced in front of random people in public at Hoop Jams (it takes place at a small park in the downtown area of Northampton). I don't know if I would actually call it performing though since I wasn't paid or anything like that.

Has anyone told you were too old to be playing with a hula hoop? No, that would be really odd. There are plenty of people older than me who hoop anyway and I foresee doing this for as long as I can!

What’s the worst injury you’ve acquired from the hoop? I’ve gotten some pretty intense bruises from knee hooping.

Have you ever hooped naked? No, lol.

Have you been to a hoop camp/retreat? No unfortunately…I do want to go to Wildfire someday though!