Yes, I just said that. I know it sounds crazy, but stick with me a second…let me explain. Why should you hoop like a dog, you ask? Well, I observed Bella, our beloved schnauzer one day…and it got me to thinking…
Dogs are precious, unconditionally loving creatures that can teach us SO much about life. Their zest for living in the moment and savoring every ounce of ANY opportunity to connect with others! Transfer this into your own daily life and it’s a combination for happiness! So, why not break it down even further and relate it into your exercise? Of course, for me, I naturally thought to apply it to hooping!
The more I considered it I began to think of so many ways of how dogs provide wonderful examples for someone trying to improve their hoop practice. This is how my #HoopLikeADog hashtag was born. I have shared several tips about this on my social media from time-to-time. Today I’ll share with you some of my favorite examples of how and why we should take a few cues from our canine companions when it comes to approaching our hoop practice.
- Always be ready to PLAY!
What is it that dogs do really well? What are they NATURALS at? They are always, ALWAYS willing to…PLAY! So, YOU should ALWAYS be ready to play with your HOOP! Don’t think of it as EXERCISE? DOGS sure don’t play to get moving and stay fit! They just love to romp and have a good time with you and a toy! We need to approach movement the SAME way! Hooping is the practice you play with, so GO FOR IT! BE a DOG! YES! I know, right? GENIUS!
- Move your arms and legs at the SAME time!
This one is a BIGGIE! It’s actually THE THOUGHT that gave me this whole idea! I’m always reminding each of my clients, that once they learn a few basic moves, and once they feel a bit more confident with their hoop…MOVE the feet more, take a walk…use the SPACE in the room…use more arm movements while walking… do all this at the SAME time that you are hooping. It helps with getting more of the benefits and results that you long for (burning more calories, trimming your belly fat, toning and strengthening the entire body). SO, when I saw Bella running across the floor at The HoopShack one day, I just had this “moment” of clarity… DOGS really do it CORRECTLY, and it’s JUST what we need to be doing! PERFECT!
- Be loyal and love unconditionally.
Hooping takes practice. One of the worst things you can do is neglect your hoop…or get frustrated, negative and put your hoop down for months at a time. Maybe you just talk yourself into a place where you don’t have time to hoop. Perhaps you are not having success with a particular move and you think hooping is not for you since you “can’t” do a certain move or trick. Whatever the reason, NEVER let it be an excuse for you to stop hooping or stop trying. Give the hoop a chance, know that it is your friend and that it doesn’t care one way or the other what you can or can’t do with it. It’s there for you to spend time with, but it will also be there…waiting…for whenever you want to spend time with it. You should be JUST like that RIGHT back to it. When you approach your hoop practice with an “arms wide open” attitude…THAT is when amazing things will happen. Don’t ever be close-minded in your hooping. Keep coming back and even better, never leave!
- Crave and respond to praise!
When we are pleased with our dogs or they perform a trick, we say “Good Girl!” or “That’s my Boy!” SO remember, when you are practicing hooping, let others see you and ALWAYS let them PRAISE you! You will get an even BIGGER boost of self-confidence when family and friends give you a pat on the back and a big high-five! Don’t forget to praise yourself, too! YOU being kind and encouraging to yourself in EVERY thought will keep you coming back for more. Always be reminding yourself of the GREAT job you are doing and how much better you have become since you started! Rewards and immediate gratification are SUCH an integral part of your hoop journey. Praise naturally happens when others notice your abilities and marvel at your new skills, but you can also help yourself tremendously by being proud of all you are accomplishing and relishing each new goal that you attain. Shout it from the rooftops or, in this case, feel free to BARK loudly! GET EXCITED like a happy, jumping dog when you have a fantastic hoop practice!
So, see there? I think you know where I am going with this…and I got more, LOTS more that run through my mind! Every time I see a little doggie I think of another way it relates to hoopng! Maybe now you’ll start to notice it, as well.
Anytime you see me use #HoopLikeADog in posts on Facebook, Pinterest , Twitter, YouTube or Instagram, take note…I’ll have a few pearls of wisdom to share…and I want YOU to use it, too…
By all means, if YOU happen to get inspired and have more thoughts or ideas on how you can “hoop like a dog,” head to your own social media, post a photo of you and/or your beloved furbaby and use the hashtag #hooplikeadog…also, be sure to tag #aRoundJoy when you post the picture! I’d love to see it!
Now go ON…embrace a little 4-legged wisdom…and grab a hoop! If you ever need more info, I’m always willing to play over on aroundjoy.com!
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