hula hoop

i’ve been suddenly inspired over thanksgiving break!

i really want to learn how to spin around my elbows and be able to jump into the hoop. those are my next tricks i think.

I got together with one of my hoopy friends to trade tricks and practice our hoop skills. We both started around the same time, but she already knows some killer tricks I can’t even wrap my head around. I tried a few of them but gave up pretty quickly. I like feeling the rhythm that comes with spinning around my “core”—waist, neck, an hands above my head.

It’s a shame that I want to stop my progress here. I have such a nice hoop and a definite propensity to learn… but I’ve grown complacent with what I know. Maybe this is the end of the line for me.

I’ll have a quick stop in NY in about a week at Rosewilder’s place. I wonder if we’ll have time to get some materials to make a hula hoop? I think hooping might be right up Rosewilder’s alley ….....

Wadaya think, girlfriend??

I’m couchsurfing in Asheville NC for about a week. A lot of things that I have been curious about for the past few months have been revealing themselves to me while I’ve been here – someone said this place has that potential – it’s wonderful to experience!

Lo and behold, the first place I couchsurfed at is across the street from a house with about 20 hula hoops out in the front yard. Last night I saw the gal there outside hooping with a friend and I joined them, learning a few (basic) things. WOW WHAT A GREAT WORKOUT! Can’t wait to do more more more!

over fall break i hit Myrtle Beach, South Carolina with my mom, who lives there. it was really quiet, tourists wandering away in the off season. mostly snowbirds, not much to do. i needed the break from school and work but this also afforded me the oppertunity to practice my hooping! and lord jesus, did i pick up skill fast.

i hooped for about an hour three times a day, morning, midday, and night. i can keep a hoop up without falling for ages now, and have even mastered spinning it around my neck and transferring between “levels”.

there were so many nice places to hoop on the beach. the shore itself, naturally, but i hooped in the driveway if i was feeling shy, or when i got bolder, in this really pretty courtyard between the two premier hotels in North Myrtle.

of course a lot of people were curious about if not startled by a girl with an afro doing tricks with a rainbow hula hoop in the cold, empty setting that is Myrtle in the off season. it gave me the idea that maybe, with a few month’s practice, i could come back over Spring Break and perform on the street for money.

when i got back, i watched my friend Leila, who got me in to hooping, do her thing. while i’m much improved, i ain’t got nothing on her. gimme a few months… i’ll be back in Myrtle and this time i’ll REALLY wow some comfortable white middle class tourists.

found instructions for making a hula hoop. doesn’t look difficult or expensive.

yesterday i cracked how to spin it over your head with two hands. it’s pretty nifty. now i’m working on bringing it down to my hips in one fluid motion, and hopefully from there figure out how to bring it back up again.

hooping is so much fun. it gets your heart rate up a little, gets your body in motion. its just effin silly… and everyone needs silliness!

i want to beak a record!!

It is the only sport I’m good at, I can keep it up for hours. It IS a sport. At least in my book :)

...but somehow they can’t keep a hula hoop up and I’m determined to change this. I’m taking a hoop dancing class and bought myself a custom hula hoop. Hopefully I’m on my way!