I have been teaching hooping and hoopdance for 11 years now. One thing that stands out as the “theme” woven tightly throughout my journey is THIS: everyone loves to play, no matter how old they are, whether they admit it or not, AND we’re NEVER TOO OLD for RECESS!
In fact, the older a person is, I find that they just want to have a GOOD TIME and get physically active instead of dreading their exercise! For them, the gym just isn’t cutting it. They simply want to move and have fun while doing it. They don’t want to think about their “age”…they just want to feel like a kid again. Luckily, hooping fits that requirement. It takes us back to a time when our exercise WAS simply playing!
Yes, you can still think of a hoop as a toy, not a fitness tool (even though it IS, it REALLY is a wonderful fitness item!!)…it’s the BEST kind of toy, too…it allows OPEN-ENDED PLAY…THAT kind of play is even better for the BRAIN, as well! So, while some adults may struggle with waist hooping, the fact that they are trying, is still good for them…there are SO many other moves to play with, using your arms and hands, for example, besides waist hooping, that ANYONE can learn fun things to do with a hoop, SO, both their body and mind reap rewards!
Think of hooping and hoopdance as a crossword puzzle or a word game, with movement and cardio! THAT’S a beautiful thing!
Allow me to share a few pictures of individuals that have been enjoying the benefits of learning to play with a hoop for exercise…they come in all shapes and sizes…both women AND men…various ages, some still working, some retired…some are married, some are single…some have grown children and even grandchildren, too…they travel…they are active in their community…they play at the park, or just in their backyard…BUT…
The one thing they all share is that they met ME and found the hoop! For example…
A few years ago, in a private session, I taught Tom, his wife, Linda and her mom, Lucy…yes, it’s true…and that spry girl is 88 years young in this photo! We had a great time and all three admitted to feeling better by just being up and moving with a hoop…it’s relaxing, not taxing on the joints, yet they could feel the cardio benefits immediately in their body! This family ordered new hoops that day, as well. They LET THE MOVEMENT and MEMORIES BEGIN…joining the ranks of many others who make no excuses and JUST hoop!
Next, meet Lin. She’s been hooping with me since December 2011 and has really shared hooping with her family in big ways. She loves hooping so much that she still comes to weekly sessions at least a couple of times a month, but she also practices at home almost daily or meets with other hoopers for a weekly practice sessions in addition to studio learning. Lin had hoops at her “70’s theme” 70th birthday party back in 2012…she and her husband, Wayne, also requested hoops at their 50th anniversary party that same year, too. Lin has participated in parades and other events with through the years. You’ll find more than one kind of hoop and more than one size of hoop with Lin when she’s on the road…she travels with her hoops and takes pictures to share with us! Lin has been interviewed by media, both on TV and radio, about aRoundJoy training, and she always brings up the fact the “It’s just so much FUN!” Again, this is a beautiful testimony that shouts “You are NEVER too OLD” to do ANYTHING if you simply enjoy it!”
Now, let me give a shout out to my girl, Valerie. She has also shared hooping with her family ever since she came to The HoopShack several years ago. I don’t see Valerie as much as I used to, since she no longer lives in Arlington, but that’s OK, because we can still stay connected on Facebook & Instagram (you can, too…pop over & let’s connect!), plus she’s in my INNER CIRCLE! Some of of my favorite memories of Valerie have to do with her family and hooping…like when her mother-in-law, age 77, asked to start hooping one day. She’s passed away since, and I know the time she hooped with her mother-in-law was a special day. Valerie and her husband, Larry, have traveled to Russia and she actually hooped in Red Square for a few seconds before being asked to stop! They bring the hoops on all trips, in fact! So many I’ve lost count, on ships, by plane…vacations, camping trips and family outings, too! All the while, I get updates from them in the form of texts, cute photos and BLOG posts…that’s right, check out her blog “Valleyann” HERE …you’ll find several posts about hooping and how it’s woven into her life so seamlessly!
These are just three examples of fantastic individuals who know how to have a GREAT time hooping. Some of them just started and others have been doing it and continue to do so. Point is, THIS is inspiration, y’all! This is what it takes to stay moving and connect with others…to take your FUN EXERCISE on the road…to spend quality time with your family…to get your loved ones up and moving…to make memories…it’s easy to do with a hoop!
I could go on and on about so many of my blessed students who I now affectionately also call my friends. So much so, that don’t be surprised when I feature more of them in upcoming blog posts! That’s right! If you are reading this now and KNOW you are one of those special people in my life (MY clients know who I am talking about…especially my INNER CIRCLE members! They’re reading this and smiling!!) get ready, because I’ll be sharing more about you, too!
All THIS fun…because one day I decided to pick up a hoop…and so it goes, it continues…like a circle, all aRound me…again and again…with each new client!
Are YOU next? I sure hope so!
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