There is no right or wrong. There is only flow or not flow.
Anah (aka: Hoopalicious)

I recently returned from a long weekend in Bend, Oregon where I attended the first annual NW Hoop Gathering. It was a transformational weekend, filled with workshops led by hoop pioneers from all over the country. Presentations ranged from free-form explorations to technical skill-building, as each of the facilitators shared their unique approach to hooping with over 100 attendees. (See a full page article in the Bend Bulletin).

When I first picked up a hoop in 2006, I never imagined where it would take me. The most powerful aspect of my path in the hoop has been the way it has taught me to surrender to the unknown. By allowing myself to be carried on the current of the hoop, my life has orbited to new heights. To me, the hoop is contemplative playtime. It is a vehicle that allows two parts of me to unite in a harmonic convergence. My free spirit is nurtured by the joy of dance and exploration through movement and radiance. And the spiritual seeker and metaphysician in me is taught volumes about how the flow of energy moves in and around my body and mind. The hoop is a metaphor for the ways in which life speaks to (and through) me. Joyful. Powerful. Active. Yielding.

The SHiNE Workshop - What Moves You Matters
Saturday, April 11, 2009

My workshop presentation was at the end of the day on Saturday. After many hours of hooping, attendees were in need of a breather. In the spirit of flow, I surrendered my workshop plan to the tides of the moment. The majority of our time was spent in seated discussion. I introduced attendees to my ever-evolving experience of flow as a harmonic balance between Who We Are and Who We Have Become. Upon opening the floor for questions, we discussed the perceived barriers to living with authenticity. Topics of discussion included: the opinion of others, family dynamics, how ‘should’ can disempower our choices, and getting to the core of what it is we really want. In short, we applied the energy dynamics that the hoop is helping us to master to our everyday lives. How can we flow more deliberately towards our most joyous experience of life?

After a lively discussion, I was eager to move and vessel the understanding through movement. We had very little time, so I picked two exercises to end with. First, we moved into a circle formation and surrendered our hoops - “you are not what you do.” We co-created our own harmonic flow of energy - two concentric circles weaving in and out of one another - as attendees connected with their community face-to-face, hand-to-hand in a perpetually moving circle dance. From there, I felt the space was hungry for release. A Nia experience followed through a powerful dance of rhythm and sounding. The power of over 100 voices wildly basking in unison is still reverberating in my heart.

I am ever-so grateful to Mollie Hogan of HoopDazzle - friend, student, and event organizer - who wouldn’t take no for an answer. When she encouraged me to present at the event many months ago, I voiced my concern about teaching hoop technique as my energy is so much more drawn to coaching these days. She encouraged me to create a workshop that I would be eager to teach, and reassured me in my ability to deliver. I faced my demons of doubt, and I did just that. Thank you, Mollie, for your unconditional love and support.

And I was so delighted and appreciative to see so many friendly Portland faces in the crowd! Your presence made me feel at home and at ease. Special thanks to Lacye Lee for her assistance and support during my workshop!

A Shout Out to the Presenters

I am continually amazed and inspired by the people that I meet through the hoopdance community. The focus of this year’s event was The Evolution of Flow. In the world of flow arts (ie: poi, staff, flags, etc), hoopdance has arrived and is rock-solid! Presentations focused on experiential understandings of flow understanding, specific to the hoop. These few paragraphs could hardly do justice to all the brilliance shared in the presentations... nevertheless, a shout out feels warranted. I express my gratitude to:

Baxter of The Hoop Path for his shamanic teaching style that reminds us all to “go blind” and dive deep into what moves us at our very core.

Ann of The Hoop Path for her poise, grace, and willingness to look closer. Her teaching presence ignites a powerful fusion of femininity and strength.

Spiral of Spiral Hoop Dance for her beauty and presence as she led us through a variety of technical applications inspired by her inspirational circus-style studies. I appreciate so much getting to know her... her smile, her curiosity, and her wonder.

Rich of Isopop for a diagrammatical workshop on isolations and break-style hooping that was awe-inspiring and effective.

Christabel of HoopGirl for her continual courageous pushing of limits! Her workshop on floor hooping and micro-hoop meditations took each attendee into previous uncharted territories in and out of the hoop. Go, soul sister, go!

Khan for his wisdom and insight as he expressed an understanding of flow that pushed our boundaries into quantum physics and beyond. I was especially affected by his presentation, as I saw so clearly how the hoop is really a vehicle for the energetic teachings that come through us all.

Philo of Hooping.org for his playful and approachable teaching style that emphasized legwork and so much more. I am so grateful to Philo and the way in which he owns who he is and connects us all to one another, one click at a time.

Anah (aka Hoopalicious) of Hoop Revolution for her expertise and willingness to share it. I felt so much alignment with her teaching, in philosophy and technique, and I appreciate the ways she pushed me into so many areas of exploration in my hoop I had yet experienced. I am renewed with inspiration!

Thank you to all of the presenters for your wisdom and sharing. The best part about sharing a platform with you all was truly feeling complete authenticity in our sharing with one another and the community at large.

And as a final thought... a very heartfelt thank you to the radiant women in my life who support me every step of the way. I am blessed in friendship withe amazing women who inspire me endlessly! The best part of my weekend was the sharing of laughter, insight, and delight with ladies dear to my heart: Jasmine, Christabel, Holly, Keri, Jennaluna, and Mollie... you rock my world! Cara and Sylvia... you were both there with me in spirit. Thank you for your invisible support. I love you all!

Tags: hoopdance, northwest hoop gathering, Hooping, shine coaching

In February, it will be two years now that I have been hooping. Therefore, I feel it's high time to reflect on the past couple of years, and to offer a heartfelt shout out to some extraordinary hoop colleagues and friends.

I want to express my gratitude to Jasmine, my soul sister and friend who first introduced me to the hoop. She also inducted me into the world of teaching hoopdance, and the conception of HoopShine is owed to her. Jasmine, because of you, I am a better friend. Thank you for teaching me about truth, radiance, and integrity daily. You are like no other.

Also, to the whirlyGirlz (Jasmine, Holly, Keri, and Cara), who are an amazing group of women that I have had the pleasure of hanging with in and out of spin time. Thank you for your endless inspiration, creativity, and sharing of brilliance.

Christabel Zamor, a powerful and radiant angel in the flesh who is one of my many life guides in disguise. Thank you for inviting me into the world of HoopGirl to add what I have to bring. I have gained so much from our time spent together. Together, we have created a new paradigm that I hope we can bring to life in more of the world - what is it to collaborate fully without diluting any part of oneself. It is pure magic teaching with you. I look forward to future adventures facilitating together in and outside of the hoop.

Jonathan Baxter, you are the hoop shaman that made me realize what was missing. Thank you (and Ann) for all that The HoopPath brings to life in so many of us. You are a messenger of the highest, for you have allowed your uniqueness to create something unparalleled. May you experience the sense of freedom that you gift to so many.

HoopShine students, agents, and friends... YOU are truly what it is all about for me. Serving you is my joy. It is you that get me into the hoop on a regular basis. It is through your presence that the hoop speaks through me. Thank you for trusting me to hold the larger hoop around us all.

For some time, I did internal battle with the fact that I was a hooper didn't really fit in the hooping world. As a hoopdance performer, I experimented. I adorned myself in costumes that didn't resonate with my being. I attended festivals and events that I felt should excite me more than they did. It has been a bit confusing really. Paradoxically, I am extremely drawn to inspiring people (many of those listed above) who have interests so different from my own. I fought the urge to become something I am not... but in the end, I chose to accept my variance in desires and do only what moves me. It has worked beautifully, for it instills a sense of self-love that is honorable to my heart. And, these inspiring individuals are all the more inspiring for the ways in which they respect and honor my uniqueness. I appreciate having such healthy and balanced relationships all around me.

I have come to understand that I am a Teacher and Guide above all else. The hoop is one of many glorious vehicles through which I can learn about (and share) the messages that come through me. And it is likely that the hoop's presence will likely wax and wane in my life. I am willing to be present to the now, as the hoop constantly urges me to be. And I am no longer anxious to be other than that which I am... or to echo someone else's practice.

I share all this to remind you to always follow the path of your own heart.
Make your practice personal. Do what moves you.
Hoop for you! After all, it's built for one, yes?

Tags: Hooping, hula hoop