I get asked everyday to troubleshoot problems that my hoop training clients are experiencing. They come to me with questions…I give some suggestions and tips to try. One that is always helpful in almost every situation is very simple, but often forgotten about. It’s easy to do and anyone can do it, although it’s sometimes the last thing you would think to do. See, it all starts with your eyes and where you are focusing them. YES, it’s just that easy! Here’s a few reasons why you should look up…

  • When you look up, you are putting yourself in uplifted state of mind. You think taller, lighter…and thus, you are happier. This can effect your attitude during hoop practice, for sure. Even if you don’t hoop (yet), pay attention to where you are focusing your eyes as you go about your day and then check your attitude at that moment. Try looking up and see if you feel a shift in how you “feel”…this is actually a great pre-hooping practice.
  • Focusing up puts your body in the correct posture for successful hooping and proper technique. You only need to refer to the first bullet point to understand that when you think taller you actually stand straight and tall…so this is all related to remembering to look up so you can place the body in the right alignment with more ease.
  • You can hoop while not looking up, but if you want to have that confident, fluid style, looking proud, motivated and happy, then looking up will help you accomplish that. Again, refer to the previous two bullet points. This is all tied in together. See how this is all related?
  • Now, in this short post, I’m not going to technically break down each move and explain how looking up helps specifically. Just know that the concept of correct posture matters in ANY move. A wonderful side benefit from hooping, when done properly, is better posture, ANYTIME, not just when  hooping. It all starts with looking up, whether you have the hoop with you or not.
  • When you look up, others can see your face, and if you seem uplifted, it makes your hooping more inviting and a pleasing experience for the observer. If you want to share more joy, let others  feel it, hooping is perfect for that. If you want to do more connecting with others and attract more joy, just think about your gaze, where you are looking and what your face is saying to those watching you.
  • Perhaps the biggest reason why I have trained myself to not tilt my head down is due to my inner ear issues and fear of triggering another vertigo attack. Looking down while turning can make you dizzy. Nobody wants that. I suffer from vertigo occasionally, but I digress. That’s a topic for another day. Just keep your gaze up and look with intention at objects, focal points, as you turn. I’ll go into more of this in a future post.

What if you want to look down while hooping?

I realize, at times, you JUST want to peek down, see what’s happening, perhaps, with the hoop spinning on the body…it’s inevitable. My best advise is to find a reflection to watch yourself in…a mirror, if accessible, a window or glass door…or sometimes even a vehicle if it has enough flat, shiny area on the side. You can also just glance down PERIODICALLY with your eyes, while not moving your head down…you eyelids will almost looked closed, but your shoulders, head and chin should remain up. Use that as a little technique whenever you feel the urge to look down. It takes some practice, but if you focus on small eye movement, keeping the other body parts in alignment, it will become your new normal.

Enjoy this short video and get inspired. Again, even if you are not hooping right now, looking up can help brighten you day. It’s never a bad thing to try and develop into a daily habit.  You’ll be that much more prepared to start hooping!

 

 

I also have a more recent video, recorded “live” over on my Facebook page…I speak about the physical pain that looking down can cause. So, head on over and watch that, too. While you’re there, stick aRound a few minutes, like, follow, comment and connect with me there if you haven’t already! I regularly make daily live videos on various, informative topics, including hooping, and so much more!

Oh, and don’t forget! I have a free waist hooping video series that also explains more about how focusing up and posture are related…sign up anytime right here! It’s a great preview of what it’s like to train with me!