SaFire, an awesome hooper from Canada who has been getting international attention for her hooping tutorial's, her hooping community HoopCity, and for just being a general badass all the way around, has created a "Hooping Manifesto" which shows her process with the hoop. I think the lessons here are inspiring as life lessons beyond the hoop! I want to share this with all of my fellow hoop enthusiasts and especially my students who roll their eyes at me when I squeek with delight at their successes and act as a pep squad when they are learning telling them to keep practicing and it will come :)
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
A VISION and a PURPOSE
I think I have had a bit of a breakthrough tonight about my vision for my business! I have been working on building my hoopdance and yoga business. However, I haven't been able to escape the feeling that teaching hoopdance classes is only a part of the picture of what I want to be doing and I have been having trouble grasping that other piece.
I went to an event tonight about social entreprenuership. The speaker at the event told his story of how he started his nonprofit organization. It always charges me up to meet people who are motivated change makers, but I left the event feeling like I wasn't completely sure that I got what I wanted out of it. I was late to the event, so I didn't get a chance to hear what every individual story in the room, but it seemed like the topic of the discussion was generally just a discussion of nonprofit management and using a fancy newfangled title of "Social Entrepreneurship" to describe it. Those types of endeavors are noble, but in terms of my own work that kind of model just isn't resonating with me.
I realized that what has been inspiring me lately was people starting businesses with an aim toward creating social change. Just yesterday, I was having lunch yesterday with a local entrepreneur who was telling me about how he mentors inner city kids in DC and how his commitment to giving back to the community was part of his business model and it really got me thinking about what I really wanted to do to give back and what that meant to me. Quite honestly answering this question was causing me to draw a HUGE blank. I started thinking about the issues that I really truly care about. The issues historically that interest me are women's choice issues, protection of the environment, work/ economy issues, and self/esteem body issues.
Joel was the one to point out to me the obvious link to self esteem and body issues. I nearly dismissed his thought as it is something that I have thought before. I have said many times that to me, the most interesting part of teaching hoopdance is watching the evolution of my students who come in on the first day of class with all sorts of bad feelings about themselves that get in the way from learning how to do it. They tell me "I'm clumsy" and "I'm not graceful." On one hand these students frustrate me, because I can see so clearly how they way they are thinking about themselves is the only thing getting in their way. But more than anything, I just completely relate to these students, because I have struggled with these feelings about myself nearly every moment of my life.
When someone compliments my hooping or says something like, "You make it look so easy." I laugh because I know what a hard path it was to get even where I am now. I was not a natural hoopdancer or even a dancer! It took a lot of practice to give me the confidence that I have now. I still struggle with these feelings, but every day I feel stronger, and healthier, and more graceful of a dancer!
Relating hoopdance to self esteem issues is not a new business concept! In fact, three of my most pivotal teachers strongly include this type of messaging into their teaching. My first teacher in object manipulation was Isa "Glittergirl" her own story with her struggle with weight issues and how she overcame that through fire dancing has always inspired me. Likewise, my hoop guru Baxter teaches hoopdance as a way to overcome depression and he has been very forthcoming about how hoopdance helped him tackle depression. His retreats are incredibly powerful and healing to me partially because I feel like he is reading my darkest thoughts. Last, but certainly not least, the entire Hoopgirl business is built on a principal of "Feeling Good." I strongly connected with the techniques and discussions we had in my teacher training about how to help people feel good about themselves in my classes and through hoopdance and I have long admired Christabel for her authenticity and willingness to share her own story of going from an out of shape graduate student to a drop dead gorgeous glamazon.
A recent article in TIME magazine: http://www.time.com/time/printout/0,8816,1925330,00.html highlighted the transformational benefits of hooping. While I was super excited for national spotlight on hooping (I heard about it all weekend long from people I met at my festivals and performances), I was a little unsettled by the focus of the article on weight loss. Weight loss is sexy. Weight loss sells magazines. Weight loss sells hoops. Weight loss can be a very healthy thing for people. Especially people who are very overweight, and positive examples like these can help people reach their goals. But when someone asks me if hoopdance will help them lose weight I stumble a bit when I answer. I stumble because I can't guarentee that. Weight loss occurs when one is burning more calories than they consume. An exercise regime can help, but nutrition has to play a key role as well. I have no doubt that hoopdance can help people achieve their fitness goals. Early on in my hoopdance practice, I also lost some weight (there were other factors as well) but hoopdance certainly played a role.
Beyond the mere fact of not wanting to make false promises, I realize that I am just sensitive to messaging involving weight loss. I have struggled with body and eating issues for nearly my entire life. And I am pretty sure that I am finally free of it, because I find myself weighing more than I ever have in my life, but feeling the best about myself than I ever have! Between hoopdance and yoga, I am getting more exercise than ever. A funny side note to this story is that I was shocked to discover upon finishing my yoga teacher training program that I had gained 5 pounds in that month! In the past this discovery would have devastated me into a spiral of self-loathing and depression that would have lead me into to destructive behaviors. But this time, it has me giggling and wanting to pick up a banana instead of a chocolate bar, and motivates me even more to stay even more active with my yoga, hoop and dance classes. I know that by doing what I love I will easily maintain a healthy weight.
In terms of my business, I am feeling really charged up to integrate this even more fully into my vision for the future. I love teaching people to be amazing hoopers and yogis, but what really excites me is getting people to feel better about themselves. (And the best thing is that as I help others, I also ended up helping myself and making myself stronger as well).
This idea has my mind spinning about all of the possible directions this can go from nonprofit partnerships, book ideas, articles, and curriculum for seminars and youth programs. My mind is whirling with possibilities! And this feels good because it is the first time in a long time that I have felt VISION and perhaps even more importantly a PURPOSE.
I went to an event tonight about social entreprenuership. The speaker at the event told his story of how he started his nonprofit organization. It always charges me up to meet people who are motivated change makers, but I left the event feeling like I wasn't completely sure that I got what I wanted out of it. I was late to the event, so I didn't get a chance to hear what every individual story in the room, but it seemed like the topic of the discussion was generally just a discussion of nonprofit management and using a fancy newfangled title of "Social Entrepreneurship" to describe it. Those types of endeavors are noble, but in terms of my own work that kind of model just isn't resonating with me.
I realized that what has been inspiring me lately was people starting businesses with an aim toward creating social change. Just yesterday, I was having lunch yesterday with a local entrepreneur who was telling me about how he mentors inner city kids in DC and how his commitment to giving back to the community was part of his business model and it really got me thinking about what I really wanted to do to give back and what that meant to me. Quite honestly answering this question was causing me to draw a HUGE blank. I started thinking about the issues that I really truly care about. The issues historically that interest me are women's choice issues, protection of the environment, work/ economy issues, and self/esteem body issues.
Joel was the one to point out to me the obvious link to self esteem and body issues. I nearly dismissed his thought as it is something that I have thought before. I have said many times that to me, the most interesting part of teaching hoopdance is watching the evolution of my students who come in on the first day of class with all sorts of bad feelings about themselves that get in the way from learning how to do it. They tell me "I'm clumsy" and "I'm not graceful." On one hand these students frustrate me, because I can see so clearly how they way they are thinking about themselves is the only thing getting in their way. But more than anything, I just completely relate to these students, because I have struggled with these feelings about myself nearly every moment of my life.
When someone compliments my hooping or says something like, "You make it look so easy." I laugh because I know what a hard path it was to get even where I am now. I was not a natural hoopdancer or even a dancer! It took a lot of practice to give me the confidence that I have now. I still struggle with these feelings, but every day I feel stronger, and healthier, and more graceful of a dancer!
Relating hoopdance to self esteem issues is not a new business concept! In fact, three of my most pivotal teachers strongly include this type of messaging into their teaching. My first teacher in object manipulation was Isa "Glittergirl" her own story with her struggle with weight issues and how she overcame that through fire dancing has always inspired me. Likewise, my hoop guru Baxter teaches hoopdance as a way to overcome depression and he has been very forthcoming about how hoopdance helped him tackle depression. His retreats are incredibly powerful and healing to me partially because I feel like he is reading my darkest thoughts. Last, but certainly not least, the entire Hoopgirl business is built on a principal of "Feeling Good." I strongly connected with the techniques and discussions we had in my teacher training about how to help people feel good about themselves in my classes and through hoopdance and I have long admired Christabel for her authenticity and willingness to share her own story of going from an out of shape graduate student to a drop dead gorgeous glamazon.
A recent article in TIME magazine: http://www.time.com/time/printout/0,8816,1925330,00.html highlighted the transformational benefits of hooping. While I was super excited for national spotlight on hooping (I heard about it all weekend long from people I met at my festivals and performances), I was a little unsettled by the focus of the article on weight loss. Weight loss is sexy. Weight loss sells magazines. Weight loss sells hoops. Weight loss can be a very healthy thing for people. Especially people who are very overweight, and positive examples like these can help people reach their goals. But when someone asks me if hoopdance will help them lose weight I stumble a bit when I answer. I stumble because I can't guarentee that. Weight loss occurs when one is burning more calories than they consume. An exercise regime can help, but nutrition has to play a key role as well. I have no doubt that hoopdance can help people achieve their fitness goals. Early on in my hoopdance practice, I also lost some weight (there were other factors as well) but hoopdance certainly played a role.
Beyond the mere fact of not wanting to make false promises, I realize that I am just sensitive to messaging involving weight loss. I have struggled with body and eating issues for nearly my entire life. And I am pretty sure that I am finally free of it, because I find myself weighing more than I ever have in my life, but feeling the best about myself than I ever have! Between hoopdance and yoga, I am getting more exercise than ever. A funny side note to this story is that I was shocked to discover upon finishing my yoga teacher training program that I had gained 5 pounds in that month! In the past this discovery would have devastated me into a spiral of self-loathing and depression that would have lead me into to destructive behaviors. But this time, it has me giggling and wanting to pick up a banana instead of a chocolate bar, and motivates me even more to stay even more active with my yoga, hoop and dance classes. I know that by doing what I love I will easily maintain a healthy weight.
In terms of my business, I am feeling really charged up to integrate this even more fully into my vision for the future. I love teaching people to be amazing hoopers and yogis, but what really excites me is getting people to feel better about themselves. (And the best thing is that as I help others, I also ended up helping myself and making myself stronger as well).
This idea has my mind spinning about all of the possible directions this can go from nonprofit partnerships, book ideas, articles, and curriculum for seminars and youth programs. My mind is whirling with possibilities! And this feels good because it is the first time in a long time that I have felt VISION and perhaps even more importantly a PURPOSE.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Time Magazine recognizes Hoopdance Revolution!
Wow, it was fun seeing this article about Hoopdance in TIME magazine this week. I particularly related to Christabel Zamour's story about getting into hoopdance. When I first started hoopdancing I was overweight and clumsy. My hoop path has been slow, but steady and now 6 years later I am still LOVING getting my groove on with my hoop. My hoop is the one piece of exercise that I have ever owned that doesn't collect dust in a corner.
Hula Hoops: From Child's Play to Real Exercise
Hula Hoops: From Child's Play to Real Exercise
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Yoga, Hoopdance and Carfree Celebrations!
So far this week has been a whirlwind of fun opportunities to introduce people back to the Hoop! On Saturday, I had a fun opportunity to work with my colleague Jocelyn Gordon doing a choreographed hoop performance and demo at Glolal Mala, a fun yoga event attended by over 100 people! (After we did 108 sun salutations and whew my hamstrings are still talking to me about it!) This event was really special for me as I just finished my 200-hour Yoga Teacher training and I am eager for opportunities combining these two passions.
On Tuesday, I hosted a hoop jam at CarFree DC a festival held to encourage people to get out of their cars for a day. I have to say this event hit the mark for me as the type of event I want to do more of and I was really grateful for the opportunity! First off, it was for a great cause that I totally believe in, secondly, it exposed hoopdance to a whole new group of people and I was really excited about the openness and enthusiasm shown by adults wearing their work clothes. Third, it once again proved that hoops make every event way more fun!
So far my classes this week have been really fun too and I am feeling very energized towards my mission of getting people moving and hooping!
On Tuesday, I hosted a hoop jam at CarFree DC a festival held to encourage people to get out of their cars for a day. I have to say this event hit the mark for me as the type of event I want to do more of and I was really grateful for the opportunity! First off, it was for a great cause that I totally believe in, secondly, it exposed hoopdance to a whole new group of people and I was really excited about the openness and enthusiasm shown by adults wearing their work clothes. Third, it once again proved that hoops make every event way more fun!
So far my classes this week have been really fun too and I am feeling very energized towards my mission of getting people moving and hooping!
Monday, September 14, 2009
Solo hooping on a Monday afternoon!
I am feeling grateful that my schedule allowed me today to take advantage of the beautiful sunny day with a solo hoop session at the park by my house. It has been far too long since I had a hoop practice session by myself, just for the joy of hooping. I set my little ipod speakers and went at it. Feeling myself becoming more relexive and graceful with every beat and delighting myself by landing tricks that I have been working on for some time, but haven't practiced for a while. It was a good reminder that while classes and group hoop jams can be fun, solo practice is essential. Feeling blessed to enjoy such a beautiful day with myself.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Feeling lots of Gratitude for My Hoop Students!
(I recently filmed this demo for Arlington Independent Media.)
Tuesday evening was the last class of the Summer session at Contradiction Dance. I am truly grateful for the fun loving women that comprised my first SOLD OUT class session. It was a really nice experience to grow with a class of consistent students and be witness to their growth over eight weeks. Each week I looked forward to coming into class and put a lot of thought into both the principle and the body part focus for each class and how I could connect with the students and inspire them to find their own unique hoopdance. Each week I left the class blessed for their earnest willingness to try something new and for their constant feedback!
I have a couple weeks off before the new session begins. I am excited to be offering two weekly classes in the fall and one brand new class at a new dance studio Joe's Movement Emporium! (I am subbing my dear friend Noelle Powers regular class while she goes traveling).
Here is the Fall Schedule:
HoopGirl Workout Level 1
Wednesdays 7:00-8:00pm Starting September 9!
Joe's Movement Emporium
3309 Bunker Hill Road
Mt. Ranier, MD
Hoopdance Level 2
Thursdays 7:00 - 8:00 pm starting September 17!
Click HERE to register
Contradiction Dance @ Echo Park
7014 Westmoreland Ave, A
Takoma Park, 20912
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Come see me perform at the Vixen Variety Show this Friday!
Ladies & Gentlemen
may I have your attention Please? Vixen variety is brining you our 1st birthday, one Year Anniversary Show... not Thursday, but Friday August 7th, 2009! This Retroactive Rarities Show will take us on a journey to re-visit some of our favorite performances form the Vixen Show over the last 12 months. Join Ginger Leigh the Burlesque Beauty, Private Tails the Tap dancing Tassel Turner, Andy Roginous as the Cat in the Hat, Suprise as Fox in Sox, Ken Vegas the Mad Hatter, Jayson as the White Rabbit, Poppy La Rouge as Eve, Moira Lee our aerialist and your host the Fire Dancing Belladonna! You don't want to miss this once in a life time opportunity to see these unique and entertaining performances all in one show. As Vixen Variety brings you Retroactive Rarities!
Come celebrate our Anniversary with us!
Palace of Wonders
1210 H st NE WDC
$10
9:00 (show starts at 10, arrive early to get a good seat)
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