What’s it all about anyway??

Some of you may know that our very own Spinning Angel is all about hula hooping.  And if you don’t know her, you probably know someone who hula hoops; after all it does seem to be quite the fad these days.  So what’s it really all about?  We’re going to let her enlighten you…

It Starts…

The very first time I saw an adult hula hooping, at least since I was a child, was at a music festival and was about 9 years ago.  I was instantly mesmerized!  The hoopers looked so graceful and I probably watched those magical circles for hours.  The next time I went to a music festival, I decided to buy a beginner hoop.  In high school I had twirled rifles, flags, sabers, and streamers, in addition to a little baton twirling as a child, and I remembered being pretty good at hula hooping as a child so I figured it was like riding a bike, right?

The first hoop I bought was a 4-piece collapsible hoop held together by a long string of elastic around the inside of the tube.  There was limited travel space and the idea of a collapsible hoop made the decision even easier.  I was so excited to start hooping.  We got back to our camp and I put the hoop around my waist and spun it as I rocked my hips.  It fell to the ground almost immediately.  Slightly discouraged, I picked it up and tried again, but with the same result.  The remainder of our trip I tried and tried but couldn’t keep it up for more than a couple of minutes.  I was so disheartened and since I personally knew no one who hooped, it wasn’t long until I gave up.

A short time later we moved to Wilmington, NC and while attending one of their many local festivals, stopped into one of the art galleries where there was an artist selling some of her work outside, along with a handful of handmade hula hoops.  My heart was struck again, but remembering my previous experience I was to discouraged to try again.  With some encouragement, she put one of her hoops in my hand and insisted I try, since her hoops were not collapsible.  To my surprise, I kept it around my waist at least 30 seconds!!!  You can imagine my shock!  Turns out that first hoop was my problem and it made all the difference!

A Spirit Reborn…

Once home, I headed outside with my new hoop to practice and about 10 minutes in, 5 of my neighbors’ kids had gathered to watch.  Being completely new and feeling totally awkward, I decided to practice somewhere else.  Next time we headed to the beach, I grabbed my hoop, but to my disappointment drew just as much, if not more attention than before.  Discouraged, I headed home with my hoop again.

I didn’t try again for a long time, occasionally taking my hoop out when I felt really confident, usually to give up quickly because of the attention it drew.

Alive Again…

We moved again and the new place had space inside to hoop and a big private yard.  I was excited all over again.  Over the next few months I practiced quite a bit.  It was exhilarating learning and enjoying my secret passion without feeling pressured by judging bystanders.

I was given an LED hula hoop for my birthday that year and I was done.  That was 3 years ago, and I pick up my hoops at least a few minutes almost every single day!  The thing I never imagined, is just how much I would get out of hooping.  When I first got into it I was told about the fitness benefits.  Hooping helps to tone your core, for one.  It also has cardio benefits, since it’s a physical activity, burning quite a few calories especially when using exercise hoops.  Around the time I began hooping regularly, I was a size 12.  I didn’t consider myself large, but that was the largest I had ever been and I’m sure that played on my psyche.  Now, I’m a size 4.  During that time, I lost around 40lbs!  And I wasn’t really even trying to; it just sort of all started happening at once.  The most incredible thing about hooping, though, is actually what I gained that I didn’t expect at all.

I never thought of myself as having self-confidence issues, though I was also not the most confident person ever.  Since I began hooping my self-confidence has increased immensely!  Not the conceited kind of self-confidence that makes one believe they’re amazing, perfect, or anything extra spectacular, but more the self-acceptance kind of self-confidence that makes one believe their good with oneself and their imperfections and not care so much what others think.  And not because the old feelings of what if people don’t like me just went away, but more like because you know you’ve got enough people who genuinely love you for you that it no longer matters if anyone else does; you’re good!  It’s almost made the positive people I’ve come in contact with since beginning this journey like icing on the cake!  😉

Really Alive…

Honest moment here, I’m a high energy individual…  The kind that can drive a person crazy to be around at times.  Here’s the thing – I know this about myself.  I’m not dumb; I’m actually quite intuitive and in touch with others and my surroundings.  I can probably tell I’m driving you crazy before you can; sometimes I even drive myself crazy!  But when I began exploring alternative health and complementary medicine I began meditating.  Over the years I’ve learned certain things about myself.  For one, expecting someone like me to sit quietly and be still for any length of time is almost impossible!  But lo and behold!  There are different types of meditation practices!!!  This might surprise some, I know.  I was once surprised too!

Here’s what I now appreciate most about meditation…  Moving meditation!  😉  As I mentioned earlier, there are different types of mediation and one that worked really well for me was walking meditation.  Focus is on your steps, which helps keep the mind quiet, while walking to burning off extra energy.  Perfect!!  One day it dawned on me…  Hooping does the same thing for me!  Focus is on what I’m doing with my hands and body to make the hoop move certain ways, also known as mindfulness which we’ll talk more about later; my movement then takes care of the extra energy.

But by far one of my biggest gains since starting hooping is an incredible network of friends, associates and acquaintances that I likely would have never met without ever picking up that hoop.  From social media, through “hoop groups” and performers’ pages who I’ll likely never meet in person, to local hooping get togethers with people living in my community that I still likely would have never met had it not been for these amazing little circles; I’ve met people I wouldn’t trade for anything!

The absolute best thing that I’ve gained from hooping is getting to share my passion with others!  Since I started hooping, I’ve helped inspire family members, friends (both current and ones I’ve gotten to reconnect with), children, adults, co-workers, family’s co-workers, friend’s of friends, and many more to take a chance and pick up a hula hoop, and maybe feel ridiculous for a minute, but usually feel absolutely incredible, and there just isn’t anything that can replace that feeling!  ❤

So, if I’ve inspired you also to consider picking up a hoop, don’t wait!  It might just be one of the best things you ever do for yourself!  😉  Please feel free to contact me, either through this blog, or directly through my Spinning Angel performance page if you’re interested in learning more about hooping, or if you’d like some help getting started or ordering your very own hula hoop!  While there are many reputable hoop-making companies, I personally recommend Ruby Hooping.  They make great hoops, including almost all of my own hoops, are wonderful people, and offer excellent quality and options for the price.  Plus, if you shop Ruby Hooping, use the discount code “angelspins”; everyone loves a discount!  😉

I hope this has inspired you to get out and try something new!  It doesn’t have to be hooping; just get out and try anything that you’ve never done before!  You never know, you might find your new favorite thing!

Much Love & Happy Hooping!

Spinning Angel

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