Hoop Change

They say that a change is as good as a holiday. Seems life is one long holiday for me. Who would have thought that a plastic circle could have such an impact on every element of life?




Let's start with the physical changes. I hear varying reports about the number of calories that hooping burns per hour and it is not something that I am really too concerned about. What I can say is that hooping has rapidly and drastically changed the shape, feel and strength of my body. As fat has been dissolved muscle definition has been enhanced, this does wonders for self confidence. Clothes that I probably would not have felt comfortable wearing a few months ago are now so loose I cannot wear them. The great thing is though I am not skinny by any means, I have a lot of meat on my bones it is just that that meat has become more defined and solid. I have to be pleased with that. All thanks to the hoop.

Hoop Dance performances require me to steer away from the jeans and t-shirt look I was used to, to a tighter, shorter version of everything. I have had the standard body conscious moments in the past, not feeling entirely comfortable with what was going on but I can say that much of those concerns have been spun off. There is something about wearing fishnets and metallic hot pants in public, not something I would have ever done in the past, that causes a fight or flight mechanism to kick in. You either rock it or stash it away in the cupboard. Hooping has helped me to rock it.


The spiritual benefits of being a hooper. Whether we want to believe it or not the fact is that life is a reflection of what you put out there. I can offer up a million and one examples of situations that have occurred due to the manifestation of thoughts and positive actions. Since having hoops swirling around in my life, everything about my existence has evolved so positively fast. On a daily basis I am flooded with love and support by friends, family and strangers. What I am giving out is pouring back into my life ten fold. I am often overwhelmed at how easily my every thought and dream becomes a reality. While I know I have so many people to thank for that, I also know I have to give props daily to the hoops and my dedication to sharing the joy they create.



The emotional side effects of hooping should be obvious. You cannot be unhappy inside a hoop. Some of my friends have questioned my passion in the past, misunderstood it. Once they get their hips moving and that hoop grooving they are hooked just like me. To watch the hoop love spread throughout my growing circle of amazing friends is life giving.

The hoop has touched my family in fun filled ways too. I have a very creative sister who has her head in spin about what color and pattern to make her next hoop. While I secretly wish that she could come to Tokyo for a hoop up, I know that she will enjoy her time in the London hoop circle. I think we could put on one very fabulous family hoop tour, Mum has her very own hoop too!



Hooping continues to challenge and change me daily. I hungrily seek more, give more and in return am rewarded so very much more.

p.s.　All photos in this post were taken by Masao at last night's Sky High party in The Mado Lounge hosted by the fabulous Guy Perryman. More photos of the fun filled night here.

The story behind this shot

Sunday was just one of those wonderfully memorable days. Hanami, cherry blossom picnic, time for us is one of the most gorgeous times of the year in Japan because it is a time when we can all come together and just chill under the Spring flowers, get all excited about Summer and laugh about times gone by - Sunday was no exception.

Having been away in Australia for what I thought was the peak sakura time I was sad to think that I might have missed hanami season in Japan this year. Perhaps the blossoms were a little less plentiful but that didn't stop the crowds of party goers flocking to Shinjuku park to enjoy the last bursts of the short lived season (I swear there are way more than 4 seasons in Japan.) I was lucky to be a part of Sunday's celebrations.

We packed up the hoops, stuffed our bags with some yummy fruit and headed to meet up with the gang. Shinjuku Park is a gated park for which you need to pay an entry fee. To keep the park gorgeous all year round and ensure everyone's happiness, apparently, there are many rules and signs clearly stating them. One of the rules is " no play things" - that includes hoops. I prewarned Masao that we would be busted at the gates (there is no way to hide 10 colorful hula hoops) Sure enough we were swarmed upon by security guards, one after another. Each time we fended them of with "Oh no we are not going to use the hoops we are just carrying them" They believed us (??) and we were in.

It was not too long before the hoops were cracked open and the groovers came out of the woodwork. It is so cool to watch hooping newbies initial reaction to hoops. It is like each personality type has a different approach to how they tackle the first time hoop moves. Some like to sit back and watch for a long time before attempting, some want to jump right in and get their spin on not giving up until they master it, others come into the spin laden with self doubt and then surprise themselves when they can actually get into the moves quick quickly. It is all such a joy to watch.

Time flew and we were soon heading out of the park towards another local hang when we spotted IT. The ghetto blaster sent from heaven. It twinkled in the sunlight and spoke to Leila and I in very clear terms, saying "turn me on and get your hoop on!"

And so we did!

With the hoards of human traffic flowing out of the gates it wasn't long and we had drawn quite a crowd. The show pony in me took full advantage. Leila and I showed off a few moves, we let the break dance boys do their thing, a funky old man with smoke in mouth popped in for a quick dance off, we passed around a few hoops and then it was time for the grand finale. A little party trick that Bunny taught me that is a true crowd pleaser - the hoop throw on. We only had enough hoops for Leila to throw 5 hoops on me but it was enough for a big cheer, a good tummy workout and a final rock star pose.



It is a revolution!