This week marks the 12th Anniversary of my very first time hula hooping! Yep, I had a private hoop lesson out in California as a “souvenir“ from our vacation to L.A. in the summer of 2007. I guess I ended up liking it just a little bit…‘ya think?
Watching TV
It all started SO randomly, too. One day in 2007, as I turned on my television, hoop fitness was being featured on Good Morning America. I froze in my tracks and just watched…and I was drawn to it. The hoop in the air, spinning on this woman’s hand. It looked like an angel’s halo! It reminded me of baton twirling, I would later figure out…something I grew up doing. I’d never picked up a hoop, though, even when I was a little girl.
How about that? My beginnings with a hoop happened simply by chance…at the age of 47…by complete accident. I wasn’t looking for it at all…it just found me one day, as I watched my daily dose of morning news. Crazy to think that if I had not seen the story that day, I would not even sitting here writing this blog!
It Was Meant To Be
Hard to believe, right? I mean, simply seeing this beautiful exercise option on television is where my hoop journey started…and what’s even more amazing, another one of those “God Winks” as I call them, is the fact that we just happened to be heading to Los Angeles a couple of weeks later, WHERE this hoop lady from television was located (yes, I immediately ran to my computer to learn more about this hoop stuff I had just seen)! Imagine my excitement learning that I was about to have an opportunity to actually try this hoop deal, so close to our hotel, in fact… and I couldn’t pass up the chance to go take a lesson IN PERSON with THE woman, Rayna, I saw hooping on the TV screen in my den! CRAZY pants! What were the chances?
Should I ask my hubby about it? I was so stinkin’ excited! What would he say if…WAIT…more about that in a sec…
My Experience
Anyway, I’ll never forget how I excited, yet overwhelmingly nervous I was to meet her on the day of my lesson. New place, new person, NEW ACTIVITY…what was I DOING??? Once we got started, I could not even keep that hoop spinning on my waist…it fell to the floor…no biggie, because I DID learn how to spin that hoop on my hand overhead, plus another move, passing the hoop around my body! I fell in love…and WHAT wonderful arm and upper back exercise it was! Who knew??!? I walked away with a whole new outlook on how to stay active going into my 50’s! I had to get a hoop…AND I had to challenge myself to learn waist hooping and more moves…I was hooked within that first hour…and ordered a hoop when I got back home from our vacation!
The whole experience has been replayed over and over again right in front of me, almost weekly, over that past 12 years, too…you know WHY? Because I’m the instructor and my clients are NOW where I was back all those years ago, on that sunny California day. Excited and nervous, unsure of what to expect, but wanting to learn it…heck, to see if they CAN even do it. I know EXACTLY what they are about to experience…and just typing that gives me chills.
My Client’s Experience
It’s a real blessing to feel those same “chills” again and again, for so many years, as I work with new women…so much so, that it’s truly woven into my heart. My goal is to have every client leave with a feeling of confidence, excitement and love for the hoop, because THAT’S what I left with after my first lesson. It’s also WHY I now only teach privately in-person, to individuals and small groups. I really want to make sure each woman gets enough attention, learning what they need to know personally, for the best outcome and results, based on their needs and goals. It’s how I was “raised” in my hoop practice. I didn’t learn in a large class setting; rather, I was instructed and mentored individually and in small groups, having more one-on-one time with coaches and trainers. The result is what you see in my hoop style today. I explain lots more about how I work with my clients. HERE
Through the years, with ever-changing technology, I’ve been able to expand that same personal attention into the online space, and quite frankly, it fits me now, in this new “season” of my life, offering all my years of experience on a broader scale. I’m able to teach women all over the country, instead of just where I live. I offer the right size hoop for success, include my online hoop training videos WITH each hoop and still make sure my clients have an experience working with me “virtually” that is just as good, in some cases even more so, than being here with me in person. I take it a step further with members of my Inner Circle online coaching group, going into more of a personal experience, where we all grow together and I support them each month. I’ve been supported , and I want to do that for them.
Oh, and My Husband?
My example of and inspiration for “support” comes from my husband, who’s always supported my hoop efforts these past 12 years. Without him, none of this would be possible…he’s been instrumental in so many ways…emotionally, PHYSICALLY, financially and more…and at times when I KNOW he’d rather be doing something else, he’s STILL there for me, ready to help.
In fact, let me get back to the STORY that I started earlier…you’ll get a giggle…
His assistance started the day of my very first hoop lesson, too…changing our plans, dropping me off at the studio, DESPITE the fact that I didn’t even tell him I booked it until we got to Cali! I knew he’d think I was absolutely nuts! Seriously! I’m not even kidding…the conversation was pretty hilarious…but he just rolled his eyes and took me to the studio, bless his heart! He and my son went and walked around the beach while I went to this “hoop thing” as he called it. I kept reminding him it was my “keepsake” from our summer travels. I doubt he thought it would be anything that would truly last.
As it turned out, it was so much better than any magnet, coffee mug or t-shirt…the best thing I ever “took home” from a trip…something that changed my life…so that I can change yours.
Looking forward to working with you!
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