Comment by Shanna Sweet on April 6, 2012 at 5:05pm

Ha ALL THE TIME!!! Okay well not all the time, but definitely around more experienced/fluid hoopers. The last time was about 2 months ago and I was selling them @ this festival and this one hooper was using my demo and she was SO incredible with all these really smooth reversals and isolations. In my head I was like "OMG I can never hoop in public again". Then I had another drink  

Really though, I hoop alone a lot too and I've found it's helped my confidence a lot just being able to watch myself, and all I have is like a sliding glass door. I'm still too chicken to make a video though...

Comment by Lindan on April 7, 2012 at 10:40pm

Today was my first day hooping in front of the person that got me interested in it since I'm just starting and she's been doing it over a year.  Once I got into it I was okay.  She was actually a little on edge too because she hadn't really hooped a lot lately.  I think people will feel that way no matter how experienced.  It's definitely a normal feeling.

Student Comment by Ayla Hammons on April 8, 2012 at 1:41am

I felt that way when I went to burning man last year( first year going as a hooper) I went to a hoopjam and while there ther were so many awesome hoopers there I was really nervous, I didn't really know many tricks, but I picked up one legged hooping(which I had been working on) after getting the courage to ask a girl to show me how she did it.
I learned to much in the couple hours I was at the jam, and this one guy came up to me and said ' I've been sitting across the street just watching you with some of my friends I just wanted to let you know you move really well'
I almost balked at him, I mean there were all these awesome and experienced hoopers and he was watching me?!
Then I realized what an Awsome compliment it was, nobody moves like me. Only I move like me, and even if it only ever speaks to that one person. Fuck it, it makes me feel awsome.
So I guess I'm saying. Just let go and groove, It dosent matter, somebody will always be a more experienced hooper than you. Remember we are our own worst critics. Somebody watching likes the way you move- even if they don't always come up and say it.

Comment by Hillary on April 8, 2012 at 12:09pm

Girl you are singing my song!  The only public hooping I do is at work, where I find a hiding spot and practice.  I never get to hoop with other hoopers.  :-(

Comment