It’s the time of year again!  Come get your groove on this weekend with me at Toronto Pride 2011!  With the large amount of traffic, there won’t be a ‘formal’ class – so feel free to drop by anytime & give it a whirl!  Family friendly (I’ll have kids +adult hoops on hand), all levels + ages welcome.

Come, say hi, & hang out!

**Family Pride 2011**

I love this photo that Stephanie sent me.  It makes me feel light & playful. Where does your hoop like to lurk?

I might as well cough up the truth.  I haven’t stayed true to my Hoop 365 goal.  It is really easy to slip into the downward spiral of beating myself up about it.  But you know what?  I have to stop it.  I can tell you a lot of things that contributed to me stopping.  Lack of space, cold weather, bronchitis, the Feb. doldrums, etc.  At the end of the day – I think my accountability is that I just don’t ever enjoy feeling like I ‘have’ to do anything.

No harm, no foul.  Maybe next year.  Or maybe not at all.  Ah, the wonders of the human psyche…

In 2010, my hoop sister (& name twin) Allison of Bloom Hoops hooped to one song a day for the ENTIRE year.  Wowza.  Color me impressed!  I love the idea of just committing to one song.

My hoop practice these past few months has slumped into non-existence.  We moved apartments + neighborhoods, it is winter-time, I have to renew my membership at the local Y … there are a lot of things that stand in my way of hoop happiness.

The pressure just isn’t worth it.  One song a day?  That, I can do.  There’s nothing fancy – this is hooping for my own sake – not anyone else’s.

Hooping to one song a day.  I’ll be using the hashtag #hoop365 on Twitter if you’re interested in joining in or following along (& getting some awesome music suggestions!)

“So how exactly did a Canadian photographer-slash-bike-mechanic meet an American hula-hoop-teacher-slash-receptionist?” asks the stern Customs Officer.

We look at each other & answer in unison: “University!”

Hoop Workshop

It’s time, East Enders – Join me at the Toronto Newsgirls Boxing Gym for an hour of hoop fun!  Body moving hoop dance enjoyment!

You will learn how to keep your hoop spinning while we move & groove to some sweet tunes & work our way up & off the body.

Toronto Newsgirls Boxing Gym
388 Carlaw Av, Unit #108
Toronto, ON, M4M 2T4
(Located just south of Gerrard St, on the main floor of the building.)

If you know you’re coming, please RSVP.

Start your October off with some swirling energy…

Hoops at Withrow Park Farmers Market!

Yes, I’m returning to Withrow Park Farmers Market this Saturday.  Plenty of space to frolic with your loved ones & hoops at the same time.  & purchase some local goodies as well.

Come hang out & give it a whirl!

HoopPretty is made up of Barbra & Rachel, a sister design team that is all about expressiveness, hoops, & comfort.  So far their line includes apparel, accessories, and stickers (seen above)!  I won a HoopPretty twitter contest over a month ago…& even though I was worried that Canada Post failed me…my awesome sticker eventually arrived.  I’m also eying the ‘HoopDanceFreakFlow’ jersey top.

Aside from their fun products – they also have a great hoop blog.  One of my favorite recent posts is all about being a shy hooper & how to intertwine that with other people’s expectations.  Looking forward to seeing more of their fun creations!

There was a July article in the LA Times about movement therapy gaining more acceptance in the treatment of chronic pain.  Not only do reports point towards a lessening of pain but an increase in general quality of life (not surprisingly, these two go hand in hand).  Awesome!

The article focuses more on the helpfulness of slow movement.  It reminds me that I haven’t posted any of my slower hoop practices – something I will try to remedy in the future.  Unintentionally, my slower practices are often my most personal + emotional ones that I feel shy about putting out in the world.

Increasing the connection to your body brings awareness & presence to the activity.  Concentrate on that sore spot, stretch out your spine, emphasize your movements all the way to the tips of your fingers.  Take deep breaths & remind yourself that slow doesn’t equal bad.