Tribe.net. Local Connections Kara http://hooping.tribe.net/thread/9b4b4bf7-1d05-4fb8-a17e-f64a0ed8f844#7412b4e2-ca94-45c6-b3b0-0d7fc584ef97 2008-06-15T20:47:13Z 2008-06-15T20:47:13Z

Jewels! Good gravey, I can't believe i missed seeing this... What a total HONOR to be an inspiration to one of my most beloved hoop elders. *Thank you woman* Ah, Jewels and Spiral performing with big summer classic in 05...my first hoopdance sighting. Even from 100 yards away, their graceful expression of the music was completely mesmerizing and so divine...I left that show feeling like I had witnessed Truth being born! Those images burned in my conciousness, but it wasn't until almost a year later when i hooked up a high speed internet connection in spring of 06 and discovered hooping.org/youtube. And that I could possibly learn to dance with my 50" monster hoop that had been mostly chilling on the patio for a couple of years. (Gotta shout-out to Kasey Budd - a lovely yogini and SCI fan from my yoga teacher training - awesome lady who gifted me that first phat grooove hoop.) So many great teachers available thanks to their video offerings... Ariel, Kara of Mandala Hoops, Spiral, Hoopalicious, Alexis from Florida, Xta, Sharna Rose... I spent countless hours entranced by you all whirling on my screen. Eventually meeting Spiral and Jewels - learning from these two and also getting to share time and space with these goddesses - has been such a gift...it has felt like a 'completion of the circle' as these two radiant dervishes were the first to blow my heart and mind wide open!

Kara 2008-06-15T20:47:13Z Amy http://hooping.tribe.net/thread/9b4b4bf7-1d05-4fb8-a17e-f64a0ed8f844#acf7e7f1-98ae-4262-b437-f1267ea2f98a 2008-06-14T15:44:48Z 2008-06-14T15:44:40Z

I had wanted to contribute to this thread before, but felt too shy. But I realized that it isn't about ME and I just need to get some thanks out there for my hoop elders! First and foremost, I had the good fortune of crossing paths with Stefan of Groovehoops in '03. He not only introduced me to Burning Man, but also the joy of hooping! His enthusiasm was infectious! We stayed with Hoopalicious at her camp and I was awed by Anah's talent! Her and her posse would wander and hoop about in magnificent costumes. I remember a lady who showed me kindness, Dawn Light. I thought I might be imposing some, so I didn't tag along on any of their adventures, but I should have! I now understand the goldmine of hoopiness there! :-) Stefan gave me an awesome collapsible hoop upon our departure, but, like an idiot, I left it on the bus I took to Berkeley to meet up with a wonderful man I met on the playa (who is now my husband, by the way!). In my excitement, that forgetful moment would put hooping on the backburner until last year! But I am grateful for them introducing me to hoopdance! THANK YOU! It was last year that we got high-speed internet and access to hooping videos! Spiral was one of the first to WOW me with her hoop! Diana Lopez's fluidity and effortlessness caught my eye as well. She inspired me to make a hoop! I ordered her video and was gifted HoopGirl's dvd soon after, both are fun and I learned so much. So thanks to both of them for their guidance! There are hoopers~ too numerous to mention all ~that have influenced and inspired me! But, to name a few: SharnaRose, and her great tutorials, have taught me so much! Same for Caroleeena and SaFire! I wanted to mention that I appreciate all Caroleeena contributes to these tribes, her encouragement and advice are unifying. I aspire to the level of hooping by HooperPower, Hoopadelic, Julah, MandalaHoops, Ann, Beth, Revolva, Michelle......etc etc. I am so thankful for these hooping tribes and hooping.org, & all who contribute. It has enabled me to take this journey in the hoop, despite being physically seperated from all you lovely hoopers out there. I am inspired ALL by the expression and flow! HOOP HOOP HOORAY!!

Amy 2008-06-14T15:44:40Z Aryam http://hooping.tribe.net/thread/9b4b4bf7-1d05-4fb8-a17e-f64a0ed8f844#f3efe795-8b90-4a15-b898-4a052170aa95 2008-04-08T21:41:14Z 2008-04-08T21:41:14Z

Many 'beijos' to you, Squiddie Baby. ...Baby Squids are the best Squids.

Aryam 2008-04-08T21:41:14Z Caroleeena http://hooping.tribe.net/thread/9b4b4bf7-1d05-4fb8-a17e-f64a0ed8f844#2b87e75a-d790-44d3-80ac-c3baf7addb59 2008-04-08T21:28:24Z 2008-04-08T21:28:24Z

I love this thread. Thank you for reviving it Squiddie. Praises, praises, praises.

Caroleeena 2008-04-08T21:28:24Z Squiddie http://hooping.tribe.net/thread/9b4b4bf7-1d05-4fb8-a17e-f64a0ed8f844#4a36a8be-2423-47c6-bfe2-6afc9d3c591d 2008-04-08T19:19:34Z 2008-04-08T19:19:34Z

I decided to revive this post because being the late-comer that i am... i never find these things on tribe when they're happening! :) but it is such a lovely thread that I cannot help but add. to my first teachers-- HeatherFeather, who first hooped in front of me at a Rubulad party in 2003 and i thought, my god, i didn't know a woman could flow like that. who showed me my first tricks and let me bang up the walls in her apartment in Queens as I learned to keep that darn thing on my waist. Reagan--who made me my first hoop and gave me freedom. Dee-who helped me figure out-finally-how to take the hoop off my body and put it back on under the George Washington bridge so very long ago. To my boat-- who made me jump in a lit hoop on a rooftop in Chinatown when all i could do was dance with it on my waist and lift it over my head!! :) Groovehoops- When I saw you perform at NY Decom '04 I think I died and went to heaven. All I wanted was to do just that and be on stage with you. At that time, I could barely keep it on my waist. Back then it was just a dream that one day I might be able to do that. You made me dream it. So thank you. Claire- Who created with me a whole new hooping language and who taught me that hooping is fierce and that every hooper has her own unique style that makes her strong and lovely. Watching Claire hoop is like seeing your favorite band rock out to a sold out crowd. It makes me feel so good! Jen- The only other hooper I could find in Philly when I first moved here... for being my practice buddy late nights on the streets of West Philly, for always bugging me to hoop!! and for astounding me with your crazy tiny little hoops :) Mayra- Who makes me cry when I watch her hoop. You are always an inspiration. I remember watching you waaay back when...at PDF in the fall of 06 when I didn't even really know you that well, and i just thought "Damn!" I wanted to be just like you that day. And i still do! You always inspire me to push my boundaries and test my limits :) Pause- My partner, and so much more. The first time I saw you hooping I just marveled at your beauty. And then you invited me to play with you, and I think fate revealed itself to us that night. You took me to a whole new world of hooping and I will be forever forever grateful for you and this gift. You pushed me every day, even when I wanted to give up in frustration, when I felt like I would never get it, you kept going with me. Even when I burned your hair from partnering with fire... you still loved me ! hehe! And hence, the Burn Pause's Hair move was born, and so was Squiddie as we know her today. There are more, I'm sure... Natasha on the roof at Grand Space, Grasshopper for playing with me last winter when I had the boot cast on, and a dozen others I am sure. Thank you, all of you. Every hooper I meet is like a little present in my life. Oh yes, and last but not least... that unknown fire hooper at Burning Man in 2004. You danced to a slow, beautiful song and the fire seemed to keep time with your heart. I will never forget you or that moment because that is when I knew that someday I would wrap myself in fire and let my hoop sing.

Squiddie 2008-04-08T19:19:34Z jewels http://hooping.tribe.net/thread/9b4b4bf7-1d05-4fb8-a17e-f64a0ed8f844#d7d33f20-d7df-463b-934f-f411de902574 2008-01-18T05:30:58Z 2008-01-18T05:30:58Z

I forgot to mention my dear friend Kara who has revolved into a beautiful hooper in the OBX that inspires me. oxo and i meant to say 6+ years in the hoop...just noticed the typo...

jewels 2008-01-18T05:30:58Z jewels http://hooping.tribe.net/thread/9b4b4bf7-1d05-4fb8-a17e-f64a0ed8f844#1c6f9036-8649-4f7b-8456-244281f3800a 2008-01-18T03:35:05Z 2008-01-18T03:35:05Z

Thanks for starting and bumping this thread Caroleeena. I wasn't a tribehead when this came around the first time;-) I am honored to be recognized as an inspiration and an elder by some in this community. I appreciate everyone I have met through the circle. I apologize ahead of time for the length of this because my 7+ years of hooping carries a lot of gratitude! So, first I must acknowledge Vivian (who would come to be known as Spiral) for turning me on to the hoop! It was the weekend of Sept 23, 2001 at Mountain Oasis Music Festival when, during the Saturday afternoon sets, I saw this fairy princess spinning an enormous hoop gently around her waste. The hoop was new to her, but it revolved around her in such a soothing meditative way. I knew before I tried in the safety of the late night sets that I had come across something magical. It was just after "911" and I was pretty disconcerted about 'what to do' with my life. We met the next Monday at a show and as fate would have it, we lived in same hood in Carrboro, NC! She suggested getting materials at a hardware store so Bax & I visited Lowe's to get materials for an over-sized hoop. Vivian & I were friends from then on even though we didn't begin hardcore hooping together until a year and half later. She continues to be an inspiration in both the realm of movement and style. MUCH LOVE SISTA! The next hooper I met (to my complete giddiness) was a woman named Monica from Asheville, NC at Smilefest Music Festival Summer 2002 in the same place I had originally been inspired, Van Hoy Camp Grounds. My hoop was still 5 ft in diameter made from a light PVC tubing and she had these AWESOME, small fabric covered (shaggy carpet & faux snake skin) hoops that inspired my first leopard velvet covered hoop. She was a beautiful dancer and very competent hooper. She was the first hoop dancer I ever saw travel the hoop from the waste, up the core and over the heart, a technique Baxter would later call ''chi-ing" the hoop (my 2nd favorite term in HP terminology;-) I learned a lot from playing with her and her friend who was helping her sell hoops (whose name escapes me.) Later that summer, I met Ms. Saturn when she performed at a Bindlestiff Family Circus show at the Local 506 in Carrboro. She wasn't so much of a hoopdancer, at least in this show where she was a sexy Russian trick hoopstress, but she inspired me- more than anyone - to pursue a hoop career. During her show, she selected me, random member of the audience to come up and toss hoops onto her. When she handed me the stack of 10-15 hoops, I asked her if she wanted me to hoop them. With surprise, she asked if I thought I could. Though they were tiny store bought hoops, I quickly evaluated my space (which assured her I was a hooper she would later tell me) and rocked them for a decent amount of time, impressing the locals. Immediately after the show, we talked and exchanged moves. She explained she made a living in NYC doing birthday parties and circus/burlesque shows. I was ready to run away and join the circus after the next night's show in Durham where I delivered one of my handmade hoops, her first over-sized one, to incorporate partner hooping into her burlesque act. From that moment on, I knew I would leave the restaurant business (which took quite some time) and explore the possibility of creating livelihood and a totally new lifestyle from my love of hooping!!! When Spiral returned from abroad, I eagerly encouraged her to join me in a potential hoop performance/teaching/crafting career. There was definitely no twisting of her arm;-) A few months later, Spiral who was, luckily for me, an internet junkie, discovered hooping.org! Now we knew there were others and we began to see videos of Anah & Christabel at burning man and the groovehoops troupe that inspired practice to a new level. Thanks Ariel for connecting the hoopers! Christabel's first website, CircusHoops.com, was also very inspiring and educational, as was Dawn's, SacredCircleHoops. The next Spring, after Spiral had traveled to LA and brought back the inspiration of angle hooping, she & I traveled to Miami and spent a weekend at the Miami Winter Music Conference with Anah and Rayna. Having just watched some vintage footage from this trip, I am very reminded of the hospitality and generosity of those two women. Anah invited us to come down to their gigs, hoop with them and stay in the little apartment they were offered for the weekend. WOW!!! I will forever be grateful for the inspirations by the graceful sensuous style of Rayna and the jaw dropping athleticism, style and flow of Hoopalicious. Not only did they greatly affect my understanding of hooping, combinations and flow, Anah so freely lent out her beautifully crafted costumes and offered advice so genuinely. I also met Stefan from Groovehoops on this trip who shared some fabulous "tricks," a playful and loving disposition and sweet videotaping skills. Forever grateful y'all! It was also a pleasure to visit LA in 2004? and meet Christabel, Anah, KC, Sass, The Hooping LIfe crew, Shredder & Amy (I miss you Amy!) After the Miami visit, Stefan was so hospitable that I visited him and the Groovehoops crew (Wheylan, Jesse, Ashley, Malcolm, Brent) in NYC a few times. Wheylan's athletic combination of gymnastics and hoop skills were totally inspiring (even in the assless pants;-) Malcolm's wizardly isolations, lasso and rolls induced a serious crush and cemented other-wordly images into my hoop obsessed mind. Thanks to all of you for letting us perform & play with you in 2003-2004. Patika, I appreciate your recognition of Viv and me as your hoop elders and want to reciprocate that you are an elder in the performance and fire realm. Thanks so much for getting us a weekly gig and inspiring a desire and appreciation for the fire arts so early on in your community. It was your groundwork that eventually allowed Spiral & I to have a weekly performance gig in GSO. Now that I've already written a novel and I have yet to get to the youtube and tribe days...I will try to move faster. The Carrboro Community has been incredibly inspiring! The children at WSM and classes I have taught who move with complete abandon and appreciation of magical fairies have taught me how to "play" and have helped me be comfortable in pink and sparkles in public. Watching the hoop evolution of folks from our local community including Bax, Bonnie (who was in Spiral's & my first workshop on the WSM lawn), Erica and Beth, Kimowan, Alicat, Nancy, Cathy, Kia, Rebecca, Laurie, Vaughn, Michael P, Jessie, Shelley, Holly, Michelle, BonnieB, Erin, Allison, Natalie, Mary, Marley, Cindy, Tulia, Liz, Sarah, Jabu, Martha (many of whom aren't on tribe.) I have also learned form each one of my students over the years. Thanks... Jessie~ Thank you for being such a diligent and excited student. You have taught me so much about life in return. You really inspired me to delve deeper into my teaching career by making me a college level mentor and showing me the value of being a teacher as hooping took such a powerful and transformational affect on you. Watching the excitement you and Shelly shared reminded me of Viv & myself in the old days. So much LOVE! Revolva~ your innovation, writing and beautiful videos have inspired me deeply. I am honored to be an inspiration to you and to be co-planning the Convergence with ya! You are a gorgeous dancer and performer. I can't wait to meet you personally! Sharna Rose~ your moves, creativity and combinations continually delight me!! Bax~ your passion, belief and creativity has inspired me tremendously over the years. Thanks for reversing the current in Carrboro. In my brief time in the Hoop Path class, I was greatly influenced to get comfortable in both currents. Also, thanks for suggesting the white PVC for my first hoop as I will always have fond memories of the spray painted beauty. Caroleeena~Thanks for being such an open, generous, community focused being. I wish I had known you sooner given you're so close! Mad props for the video tribe. So glad to be organizing Hoop Convergence with you and performing with you now. You are so elegant, graceful and articulate. Moi! I also note...Alia's fire video that rocked my world in 2004. Kara Maia's writing and adorable hoop style. Jasmine's confidence, elegance and grace. Alicat's sweet, genuine, creative and hardcore self. Annie O's World Hoop Day vision. The mysterious female hooper who gave out hoops at String Cheese Incident shows (as we have potentially all been affected by that!) Dizzy Hips (you rock). Candace and her double fire hoop badassedness. Isolation Solution creator NicolasLonguechaud (ahhhh). Vanessa Vortex! Cirque de Soleil's Elena Lev. Diana Lopez, Khan, Nicki, Martine........and on and on and on...It's too much. I can say no more, but thanks! So much gratitude and praise to all you skilled, inspiring beings. In revolving Joy~ Jewels (aka Julia, Julah, Jules)

jewels 2008-01-18T03:35:05Z Jess http://hooping.tribe.net/thread/9b4b4bf7-1d05-4fb8-a17e-f64a0ed8f844#b8dafc2c-0213-419e-b840-b294aa89182e 2008-01-17T18:24:56Z 2008-01-17T18:24:56Z

This so much fun. :) I got a little teared-up reading these!!! So happy to have this space to give thanks for the "Elders" who shared their passion and brought so many of us into the bliss of hooping. I know I'll forgot lots of you in my attempt, but I'm going to give it a shot! I first saw hooping at Burning Man in 2004. I was stunned, awed, amazed, and way too insecure at that point in my life to try it in front of anyone. After the Burn, I came home to my midwest, suburbian home in MN, built a hoop, and learned in my backyard. I didn't discover hooping.org for quite a while, so I was blessed to have the chance to explore on my own. It's beautiful to have all these videos allowing us to follow others' paths, but it's also super-illuminating to bump into stuff on your own, too! (though that sometimes comes at a price of learning some not-so-handy habits/postures) But then I discovered videos online, and WOW, what a wealth of info!! Inspiration after inspiration: Stefan, Anah, Christabel, Karis, Rayna, Spiral, Baxter, Ammre, Xta, Caroleena, Hadria, Sass, Dustin, Khan, Silverstar, SharnaRose, Alexis, Aryam...these are some of the names that come to mind right away. This past year at Burning Man was such an incredible experience, and the hooping was a big part of that! To hoop with some of the above was a giant gift...close enough to feel their energy, look in their eyes, exchange a smile while in the midst of hoop-bliss...I felt like a total fan-girl! It's the first time in my life I've really felt that way, meeting people who I've held in such high regard. Stefan, Christabel, Baxter, Philo, Anah, Jasmine: meeting you, talking with you, hooping with you or near you this year at Burning Man is something I treasure. Thank you, each of you, for being loving, kind, approachable, helpful, sexy, and for shining your lights all around, touching so many of us. hope it gets reflected back to you over and over again. :) <3

Jess 2008-01-17T18:24:56Z Mtn. HoopS http://hooping.tribe.net/thread/9b4b4bf7-1d05-4fb8-a17e-f64a0ed8f844#3277cbcf-0744-47a6-8517-c072a60acf8c 2008-01-17T13:39:13Z 2008-01-17T13:39:13Z

Yes! More videos please.. I am am telling this to myself also! I love you all!!!!

Mtn. HoopS 2008-01-17T13:39:13Z Joanna http://hooping.tribe.net/thread/9b4b4bf7-1d05-4fb8-a17e-f64a0ed8f844#95845318-d37f-408b-ac7d-1be28d293987 2008-01-17T12:07:53Z 2008-01-17T12:07:53Z

It was at a small local (New England, USA area) festival, a Wormtown festival, where I was introduced to hoops (again). I had all but forgotten them since my childhood. This woman (now my good friend, Shel) had a big stack of beautiful fabric covered hoops, so I asked if I could use one. I was hooked! Shel and I hit it off instantly, and she told me some basic principles of hooping. Right after I got home from the festival I looked around and bought a hoop. A couple years went by without much progress. I was basically just waist hooping for exercise at that point. But after developing some wonderful friendships with fellow hoopers (aka: hoopster/Terra but she doesn't check in to tribe a whole lot) I became more interested in learning other things, taking it to the next level. It was Terra that told me about the Bodyhoops teacher training in Northampton, MA. The Wednesday before the weekend of the training, I got in to a car accident and my car wasn't drivable. I ALMOST didn't go…but pretty much at the last minute decided I'm just going to rent a car and go. SO glad I did. Diana's training and direction were very inspiring, and since that weekend I have progressed a lot! It's funny to think about all the things I was having trouble with in that class that I can do without thinking now. =) After being introduced to Tribe, I have been uber inspired by all of the talented hoopers gracious enough to share their videos. Sharna Rose's videos have helped me with numerous moves, and I continue to be blown away by the masters. I am hoping (if not this year than definitely next) to get to Shakori Hills because I've found the hooping community to be diverse, peaceful, accepting, and happy. It's a wonderful circle. =)

Joanna 2008-01-17T12:07:53Z silverstar http://hooping.tribe.net/thread/9b4b4bf7-1d05-4fb8-a17e-f64a0ed8f844#55800ebe-7945-489a-96b3-c6702372f66a 2008-01-17T03:50:45Z 2008-01-17T03:50:45Z

Even though Martine is younger than I am and I didn't meet her until last year, I must thank her as one of my hoop elders too - her unflagging enthusiasm is contagious. She is always supportive, determined, and hilarious. She is also one of the sweetest people I have ever met. She has a childlike wonder and awe of the hoop that I admire - she treats every hooping experience as the best Christmas present she has ever received. Like many other hoopers who I have met, she has grown as a hooper so much in the short time that I've known her, which is really inspiring to me. On that note, every person who has increased their flight time and grown before my very eyes deserves thanks for inspiring me to pick up my hoop more often. It might sound funny, but when I see you guys post a video of something you have learned, it warms my heart because I am so proud of you! Hee, and it makes me feel like a slacker, which is the kick in the ass I need sometimes! I also want to thank everyone who has posted videos so that we can share your hooping journey with us. It can be very daunting to put yourself out there like that, especially for newbies, and I appreciate your bravery in allowing us to watch you grow and change. I'm afraid that every time someone posts in this thread, I am going to have this same urge to say, "YES!" followed by "Crap, how could I have left that person out of my previous post?"

silverstar 2008-01-17T03:50:45Z Revolva http://hooping.tribe.net/thread/9b4b4bf7-1d05-4fb8-a17e-f64a0ed8f844#a40c0f45-82ec-42c8-90d8-2ae892f22771 2008-01-17T03:10:51Z 2008-01-17T03:10:51Z

Thank you to Ariel, Rob and Kara and Groovehoops for posting some of the first hooping videos that I can ever remember seeing -- in particular, Ariel's "Getting it up," Rob's "Hooping in the Tall Grass," Kara's "Hooping for Whirled Peace" and Groovehoops' "2004 Demo." I had already been dancing with toy hoops by the time I disovered hooping.org in 2003, but I credit you all as some of my earliest teachers with "hooping" hoops. I STILL can't do that one-armed handstand move that Malcom (hey, how come he isn't mentioned enough!) does in the demo reel, but I definitely hurt my arm trying. Thanks to all those badass hoopers for inspiration. I'm really lucky to get to hoop with Kara and Rob in person these days. I want to say a separate thanks to these two for -- even years after I first saw them online -- still providing me with movement to which I can aspire. (And for coming out to jam and for picking me up from the airport.) ;) I thank Spiral, whose first silhouette video was also a big mind-blower for me. I had never seen anyone use small hoops before -- and there she was, using TWO of them and moving so fast. I remember watching that one over and over, thinking how beautiful it was and how I'd never seen anything like it. Lately, having the opportunity to meet in person made me realize how intelligent, creative, bold and compassionate you are, Spiral. You can even match me donut for donut! :) It's an honor to know you. Thank you to Anah. I asked her for advice over myspace a few times, and she was always really nice about responding back. That was when I lived in Detroit, before I ever posted a video or anything. I felt touched that she'd take the time to share her knowledge with little old me. And then, I have to thank her for being brave enough to go on "America's Got Talent," at which point even people who had already seen me perform said, "Oh, I guess this IS a real artform." :) Thanks for being a pioneer, Hoopalicious. Christabel's long-ago hooping.org posts about "How to perform in a club" helped me out a lot. I love to perform, so I'd like to thank her for that. I had performed dance over the years and been on stage doing other stuff, but there are unique aspects to a hoop performance, and what she said has wound up being helpful over the years. Thank you, Christabel for sharing your experience. Thanks to Baxter for helping me move my hooping past a plateau last year. I was first inspired by his videos, then by seeing him in person at BM 2006, and then I took his workshop a few times in early 2007. I am now officially "fluent" at reversals and "second current." I think hooping constantly in both directions unlocked some energy in me and helped me not go back to grad school this year. Thank you, Baxter for helping me not go back to grad school!!! It's been absolutely for the best. My professors might want to have a word with you... :) Before I left Detroit, the first experienced hooper that I EVER met in person was Liz from Chicago's Spunn. I think it was at the 2004(?) Detroit decomp. She taught me how to spin it on one shoulder, and I was so excited because I'd seen that move in videos but had been so frustrated by it. Karis was also inspirational to me. Sue said something above about how I had inspired her to try jumping over the hoop (thanks for the compliments, Sue!), but I was motivated to try that by watching Karis. He is pure, liquid grace. His style blew me away. Sharna Rose has been a big inspiration. Remember when she posted that first video, looking rather shy, in her backyard? I can't BELIEVE what happened from then until now. I'm constantly amazed by her videos. Sharna, you've become a role model for me ... and I think for a lot of other people. Julia, I've been inspired by your videos, but also by your dedication to the community. Hearing your stories of traveling to teach about hooping and wellness and bringing hoops to orphans in Haiti ... well, that's about the pinacle of what can be done to spread hooping as a healing art. I'm so happy that you are spearheading Hoop Convergence. You are a really important person to the hoop community. Thank you for existing! Caroleeena thank you for inspiration in terms of writing and hooping. I've been impressed by how honest you are on tribe and how intelligent you are -- always having the right words for the situation. The video you did to "Unwritten" was one of my faves of 2007. I would have nominated that if I'd known there was such a thing as "The Hoopies." Thank you for your honesty and free spirit. Hooping Annie -- Bless you, bless you, bless you!!! World Hoop Day was one of my favorite things about 2007. And Susie, Doxie and Faith -- thank you for World Hoop Day DETROIT. These ladies were pivotal in building 50 hoops for Alternatives for Girls this year and passing out 250 toy hoops to the crowd (thanks to Cityfest). I was a little teary-eyed about the fact that (I think) Detroit gave away the most hoops. 300 total. Not that it's a contest, but we're always like the city with the crappiest economy. It was nice that the city with that's sometimes known as having the least ... was able to donate the most. I feel lots of gratitude to everyone who made that happen. Oh my gosh, Marawa, Dizzy Hips ... how do I say it all? This is hard because I feel like I'm giving a nod to so much, but it's been a long hoop journey. So many people have been a big blessing along the way. For online or in-person hoop goodness, thanks Sandy, Ter'i, Aryam, Lucian, Khan, Silverstar, Ann, Beth, Bonnie, Philo, Kahunahula, d-bug, Surprise, Aaron and Amber, Hailyn, Alicat (for also helping plan Hoop Convergence!), Squiddie and Pause (I really loved their doubles work) and really just **everyone** on tribe. I think this post goes beyond praises for our "hoop elders" because it's possible to learn a lot even from people who discovered hooping more recently. On that note, I want to end with a special thanks to Martine. I had a really difficult winter/spring this past year. And here comes Martine, sending me nice messages about how I inspired her and how excited she is about hooping. Her enthusiasm really cheered me up. She brought me back to the wonder of first discovery, which helped me reconnect with my own hoops and emerge from my funk. Even if you didn't know that's what you were doing, I'm so grateful, Martine! :) Now everyone please wrap your arms around yourself and squeeze. That's from me. You're ALL worthy of honor and praise.

Revolva 2008-01-17T03:10:51Z Sharna Rose http://hooping.tribe.net/thread/9b4b4bf7-1d05-4fb8-a17e-f64a0ed8f844#bfff825c-ad69-4068-9180-7df6b91b6d2d 2008-01-17T02:45:07Z 2008-01-17T02:45:07Z

How could I forget Revolva and Bunny Hoop Star.

Sharna Rose 2008-01-17T02:45:07Z Sharna Rose http://hooping.tribe.net/thread/9b4b4bf7-1d05-4fb8-a17e-f64a0ed8f844#01c617ff-a245-4c86-b59c-79bd561a14fa 2008-01-17T02:31:00Z 2008-01-17T02:31:00Z

A Novel in Praise of my Hoop Gods and Goddess. I am really humbled that I may have inspired anyone and certainly would never have believed that I could have done so just over two years ago when I saw my first hooping video. I guess that's how this hooping/sharin/lovin spreadin joy practice works, we all are united by the energy of the hoop, we all have something to offer and we all share a passion that ingnites a recognition in an other who thinks "I could do that". At least that's what I thought when I saw the Groovehoops 2005 showreel on Hooping.org. My English sensibilities were a tad shocked with the nipple tassels, the tight pants and the sheer sexiness of it all, but I was addicted immediately. I watched hooping.org 2005 film festival entries religiously, returning over and over again to the vid's of Ariel (living room), Rob (in orange pants), Kara, (Whirled Peace) Heather (Hooping in the Alley), Laura (Superhooper with fire) Jasmine (with fire), The Bay Area Hoopers (so cool and chic), XTA (I learn't so much from her) and Regan (rocking that fire hoop - my favorite vid of all time). Regan's fire hooping vid just blew me away and at that point I just had to have a hoop. Up to this point I had been using a acuhoop and it really hurt my poor boobies. So I praise Jason, for without his instructions I might be purple with bruises or given up (if the doctor had his wicked way). I started hooping in Feb 2006. I was very inspired by all the links from "The Hoop - A revolution of Sorts" website. I was fascinated with Anah and Christabel, with their sexiness or rather their comfortableness with their sexiness. I loved their sassy dance free style. Diana from Bodyhoops moved in such a fluid way, she was so precise and poised and very strong. She inspired me to try lunges and squats with the hoop. Jamie (MsB) was pure poetry in motion and the video from her website touched my soul. On the trailer I discovered Baxter, this trailer where he was seated in the golden sun made me smile and I resonated so strongly with his words. I brought a Betty Hoops hoop, I tried to watch Dizzy Hips but did not really meet him until later and I spent ages looking at the vids and pics from the Mutayor crew. I thought I had seen it all and then Spiral came into my perception. I loved her name, having always been obsessed with spirals and her dance style spoke to me of things to come. And Karis, wow completely speechless hooper inspiration. From "Hoop" The movie I discovered a link to Tribe and to the community in which I feel at home. I was a silent lurker for a long time. I set up a Uk tribe because I had not yet met another hooper in the Uk and I knew that they must have existed. In the days before our lovely Caroleeena started the Hooping vids tribe people posted their vids on the hula hooping tribe and my inspiration was fueled day after day. I discovered youtube at about the same time and my husband was gobsmaked at the time I spent on the web and hooping in the living room. Beautiful Sass really really really fed my imagination with possibility. I fell in love with Angie (Uk circus style hooper of Fat Boy Slim fame) and suddenly knew that I could not possibly be alone in this country. Over the Summer of 2006 teaching workshops I met Miss Merlin and Anette Gliwa who showed me some circus tricks. These were the first real hoopers that I had met. Then later I met Angie and took a workshop with her, she was amazing. I met Christabel in person in November of 2006 when she came over to do the Heartfm training and I decided there and then that if she ever came to the Uk then I would train with her. It was great to see a proper hoopdancer in the flesh. I met with Diana Defries (hoopswhirled) who inspired me and helped me with an audition for Britains got Talent (of which I failed miserably at). it was great to have a hooping real flesh buddy. I trained with Christabel and Diana Lopez and they both taught me valuable lessons in how to hold space, both being powerful women. In the meantime Beth, Jules, and then Ann came along to fire my spirit (Bonnie, Victoria and Caroleeena). So many inspirations along the way Mayra's salsa dance, Squiddie in that wierd tower, Amre in the rain, Jess to Bassnectar, Hadria with her dreads, Natasha with not matrix, Marlo in the garden, Terri in a snowstorm, Brandon on a thai beach(my amazing fire hoop), Chika, Lucien, Vicious Von Loop, Megan in Canada, Silverstar with her non stop passion......I had better stop there. I love this 'medicine wheel' of a community and I love respect you all. You are all my teachers.

Sharna Rose 2008-01-17T02:31:00Z Caroleeena http://hooping.tribe.net/thread/9b4b4bf7-1d05-4fb8-a17e-f64a0ed8f844#b5cf45c8-a7e4-4bf0-8334-de045de27ce4 2008-01-16T22:45:44Z 2008-01-16T22:45:44Z

Oh Tedward. I so want to get you in the hoop now. One day, when we meet ...

Caroleeena 2008-01-16T22:45:44Z Tedward http://hooping.tribe.net/thread/9b4b4bf7-1d05-4fb8-a17e-f64a0ed8f844#dd300b91-d5c6-47ce-8d72-17e66caebfe3 2008-01-16T22:24:22Z 2008-01-16T22:24:22Z

I reckon I should chime in. Though i don't hoop, I did meet Anah and Sita in the desert in 2000 (ish) and invited them to a party I was helping to throw. That started our hoop relationship and though I never quite got it, Anah did try diligently to get me hooping. Later she'd be the first person to ask me to build a fire hoop. Kandice, of course was my motivation for a lot of the safety improvements on my original designs. Her frenetic use of them kept me spotting weaknesses and tweaking the designs for both cost and structure. She, too, tried to get me hooping, but to no avail.

Tedward 2008-01-16T22:24:22Z Coehlo http://hooping.tribe.net/thread/9b4b4bf7-1d05-4fb8-a17e-f64a0ed8f844#8abf9a0f-1556-4a90-a809-b04d619485b5 2008-01-16T21:37:37Z 2008-01-16T21:37:37Z

I was first exposed to hooping at the Philadelphia Experiment Halloween party in '06... when I made that fateful statement, "that is so f*ing cool". Pause was the first person to say "why don't you hoop? You should try it!" It wasn't until June '07, after two more blow-me-away PEX parties with amazing hoopers, that I finally decided to seek out the supplies to make my first hoop. The first video tutorial I watched online was Natasha's Beam Me Up, I think. I then bought Christabel's instructional video, which I have to admit sat around until last month when I finally popped it into the DVD player. I'm still working on that Eagle roll move!! After that, I have Michele to thank for being the first hooper to work with me one on one at the October PDF. She helped me start to find my groove and improved my shoulder hooping like crazy. The PEX hoopers, including Squiddie and Miya, have been inspirational and fantastic resources. Spiral's hooping continues to amaze me... when people ask me what the heck hooping is, I go to Youtube and make them watch her videos, saying, "THIS is what I want to look like when I hoop!" I hope to someday take the trip down to NC for a class. Tribe has been absolutely essential, with all of your friendly knowledgable hoopers encouraging my learning and gracefully tolerating my ignorance and persistent questions. Thank you ALL. You folks are lovely.

Coehlo 2008-01-16T21:37:37Z Sue http://hooping.tribe.net/thread/9b4b4bf7-1d05-4fb8-a17e-f64a0ed8f844#debd57bd-530c-4686-a573-e74e376e940b 2008-01-16T21:19:28Z 2008-01-16T21:19:28Z

Oh goodness, and after all that I still forgot Aryam whose dancing to Scissor Sisters wowed me to pieces and meant I had to buy the album. How could I forget her wonderful dancing. Sorry!

Sue 2008-01-16T21:19:28Z Sue http://hooping.tribe.net/thread/9b4b4bf7-1d05-4fb8-a17e-f64a0ed8f844#9708c74c-0059-4353-8bd8-40b86051a170 2008-01-16T21:16:43Z 2008-01-16T21:16:43Z

Oh gosh, where to start! I don't know if hooping or Tribe or both in equal measure are the things I want to concentrate on in this response. I have been involved with the Internet more or less since commercial inception, I've been a web master and some of my very early web shopping sites won awards!!!! (That never fails to amaze me because I'm neither a designer or a computer programmer, but I was very determined!). However I was not drawn at all to on-line communities. YouTube, FaceBook, MySpace, didn't do anything to interest me. It would not have occurred to me to join them. Then one day, I think either my husband or a neighbour sent me a link to a funny YouTube video which I watched and presumably because of some fluke keyword, there in the list of other videos on the right was Sharna dancing in a charity shop wedding dress. I was intrigued, clicked it, watched it with jaw dropping and excitement fluttering in my stomach and was immediately and totally blown away by hooping. I am not athletic, a dancer or particularly young but I wanted to do that. Within days I was devouring the huge video resource of hoopers out there. I ordered my first hoop from Sharna and sat and waited with baited breath. When it came I couldn't hoop. But I could do off body stuff with my hands because it never occurred to me that I wouldn't. I pulled muscles, made a complete ass of myself, but it never occurred to me that it wouldn't work eventually. I so wanted to do what I had seen. Within days of seeing my first video I had a YouTube account, then a Tribe account and FaceBook account. My husband still laughs at me for the time I spend on them because for years I was really derogatory about his use of such sites. Tribe is by far the best. The connections I feel with everyone around the world through the hooping tribes is incredible. As for hooping inspiration, I love everyone! I adore watching the videos. I love Sharna's videos because she is so creative in such small hoops and small spaces. I think she's a real performer of the future. Also her little tutorial videos are great. I am currently hitting myself on the head every time I practice because I'm trying to do the bent over behind the back pass she does and so far I can't get my arms up high enough above my back. But I'm trying. Early on I found Hadria practicing stalls in a skirt and thought it the prettiest thing I'd seen. That wonderful track was downloaded and I now regularly dance with it, although nowhere near as good as Hadria did. The Hoop Pathers fascinate me. Their movements are so sharp and fast yet immensely graceful, so I wait with baited breath for Ann, Beth, Baxter, and others to post. I loved Bonnie's Xmas gift videos. I also found Alan really inspiring here in the UK. His 4 month hooping video caught my eye. He is younger than my Dad, but in mental terms he's decades younger and he's up for hooping which I think is great. I think it was Alan who inspired me to have a go at making my first hoops. Then I poured over Natasha's videos of how to make and tape hoops, and Xata's also. They were so helpful. I learned the step-through (well, I'm not that good at it yet, but it does happen) from Natasha too. I thought she was lovely. Pretty, a wonderful dancer, and a warm looking woman with her lovely dogs around her feet. As the summer wore on I became fascinated with Silverstar's wonderful little videos. I love her dance poses and her style of demoing a move. Her smile lights up the video which is wonderful. I was awed when Diana Lopez posted a comment on my blog!! By goodness, hers was my first pro video purchase and I learned how to move my feet from her, and here she was commenting to an earthling. Later came Revolva's Harvest Moon which is one of the prettiest videos we have. Her fabulous long legs. She was the first to inspire me to try to pass the verticle hoop under my leg! I got stuck on top of it. But I can do it now. I think she is just so graceful. But then you Caroleeena with your wisdom, kindness and super hooping skills, you are a true inspiration. Diana Defries in the UK who has one or two lovely videos (but needs to post more) and who has been so supportive of me through blogging and messaging and supplying me with connectors. I could go on and on (I already have half of you will be saying) but that's because every one of you on Tribe and YouTube have inspired me to learn something new, to find a new passion in music, to move my body in a way I was not used to doing but enjoy. You have made me loose weight, get fit and find a new and fun thing to share with friends. My hoop class on a Thursday now has 5 ladies and one man is getting interested in joining. 3 people in the village can now hoop and others are interested. I am setting up a new little web business connected with hooping loosely which I would not have thought of before and I love it all. Thank you to everyone who has crossed my path. You have affected me in ways you will not realise and I think it's fantastic that the Internet has allowed it to happen. I raise my glass to you all, Amre, Chika, Coehlo, Kitty, Mon, teri'b, katie, Spiral, Sass, Victoria, P0ppy, Brooke, Jess (her hooping twins was an early favorite), Lucien and Marlo and Khan et al. Oh, and to finish, I now have contact lenses as a direct result of a discussion on here about hooping in glasses. If anyone got to the end of this you deserve a medal.

Sue 2008-01-16T21:16:43Z Michele http://hooping.tribe.net/thread/9b4b4bf7-1d05-4fb8-a17e-f64a0ed8f844#f0ed5d13-536d-48ea-b8ca-5e23fd39e655 2008-01-16T18:44:32Z 2008-01-16T18:44:32Z

Jesse Kyle gave me my first hoop in 2002 and I am forever greatful for it. She's an increadable dancer and community organizer and totally a rock and roll mama. I can't imagine what my life would be like today if I had never met her.

Michele 2008-01-16T18:44:32Z beth http://hooping.tribe.net/thread/9b4b4bf7-1d05-4fb8-a17e-f64a0ed8f844#168cfa2d-219c-4fe3-a76f-71323b463daf 2008-01-16T18:14:46Z 2008-01-16T18:14:46Z

Ditto. Your words are so generous. Believe me, your enthusiasm and skills inspire me as well. Honored to know you, friend.

beth 2008-01-16T18:14:46Z Aryam http://hooping.tribe.net/thread/9b4b4bf7-1d05-4fb8-a17e-f64a0ed8f844#63490829-fa67-48ae-9ce9-c37c630cbd41 2008-01-16T17:46:19Z 2008-01-16T17:46:19Z

Thank you, Silverstar!

Aryam 2008-01-16T17:46:19Z Mtn. HoopS http://hooping.tribe.net/thread/9b4b4bf7-1d05-4fb8-a17e-f64a0ed8f844#023d0bd0-a40d-40ac-9ea8-02ca69e24b3f 2008-01-16T12:30:10Z 2008-01-16T12:30:10Z

I am a relative Newbie. I am of the 'internet' generation of hoopers.. My lovely husband found 'how to make hoops' somehow on the internet two Thanksgivings ago.. I played and didn't give much thought to them. somehow I got hooked. I found hooping.org and that led to Christabel's blog and hours of hooping on youtube. the amazing thing is i can still find videos out there that I have not seen. There are so many talented hoop dancers out there.. the hoop path people all strike me as having a grace that I aspire to reach. So --of course-- some of my favorites to watch are Baxter, Spiral, Julah, Ann, and then -- of course -- Sharna Rose -- My fellow hoop friend and I marvel at Sharna's creative moves, flow (combos/segways) and adventurous spirit. I appreciate all of you out there who put videos up and share support & kind words thru this medium. It has been keeping me going thru this cold winter. I look forward to the Retreat where I can have the honor of hooping with such a talented bunch!

Mtn. HoopS 2008-01-16T12:30:10Z silverstar http://hooping.tribe.net/thread/9b4b4bf7-1d05-4fb8-a17e-f64a0ed8f844#9c51ca04-4fcc-4d3c-9051-fe10a5b07ed5 2008-01-16T10:02:05Z 2008-01-16T10:02:05Z

I remember reading this thread when I began hooping and being in awe of everyone. Thank you for bumping this thread back up so that we can have a whole new crop of hoopers praising our hoop elders! First and foremost, I must praise Christabel. I am so lucky that I discovered hooping while living in the Bay Area because it gave me the opportunity to learn from such an incredible and talented hooper. She has inspired me in so many ways - her hooping, her drive, her openness, her sincerity, her generosity, and her radiant personality. She continues to amaze me constantly. Although I've never met Anah, she was the first taste of hoopdance I saw online, thanks to the brief clips on her website. Seeing those few seconds looped together made me want to learn how to hoop. She has since taught my mom how to hoop too! She has brought so much national exposure to hooping, from music videos to America's Got Talent to commercials. Her hooping is a sight to behold - so much energy and light! Ariel's "how to get it up" video inspired me to try getting the hoop off my body a few days before I took my first hoop class. Without a word, she was able to clearly demonstrate how to do it - and with such a sense of fun! I miss her presence here on tribe, but I wish her well and I thank her for being my very first hoop teacher! Hadria was the first non-pro hoop video I saw while browsing youtube, and she was just so cute and bubbly that she made me want to find her and hoop with her. She made hooping seem cool but still accessible (I hope that didn't come out sounding wrong!). What I mean is that she wasn't a hoop teacher or a hoop performer. She wasn't wearing yoga pants or a glittery costume. She was a normal person who happened to be a kick ass hooper. That was really inspiring! When I finally got to meet her last year, I was so excited to see her in person! She is as brilliant in real life as she is on youtube :D Philo was the first person I met at BAH, and even though I didn't go again for a few months, he remembered me the next time he saw me. He is one of the reasons why BAH is what it is: unfailingly inclusive and accepting of all hoopers. To take over hooping.org was a pretty huge undertaking. To make it even bigger and better than what it was before is saying something. Bax was the person who kicked my hooping ass into high gear. I had been at a plateau for a few months (mostly due to my own laziness). When I took his workshop, a new world of hooping opened up to me, and something inside me opened up as well. I still don't know exactly how to explain how his class changed my hooping and me, but I felt a shift inside myself. On top of that, Bax is the nicest guy I could ever hope to stalk. The first time I saw Ann and Beth hoop in person at Baxter's workshops, I was speechless. I actually thought that I should leave if everyone else in the class was that good. Little did I know that Bax had brought some ringers to California with him! Ann and Beth are amazing, not only for their incredibly precise hooping but for their huge hearts. Two days after I met Beth, I mentioned that I wanted to come to North Carolina one day to take more classes with Bax. Without missing a beat, she offered to let me stay with her if I ever came to NC. She and Ann welcomed me into the Hoop Path family with open arms and I found everyone else there to be as warm, kind, generous, and genuine. Aryam's youtube videos astonished me - who was this energetic girl dancing with the hoop at the park? I'd never seen anything like it before, and I was so inspired by how much dance she integrated into hoopdance. She is so light on her feet and a joy to watch, even without any music! For months, I saw this red-headed angel on tribe answering questions, offering advice, and being an all around nice person. When I finally met Caroleeena at the Hoop Path retreat, I was shocked that her hair wasn't Bozo red, but everything else about her was exactly what I expected. She is a thoughtful, compassionate member of our tribe, always ready to listen or help. Xta was so helpful, even before Ariel left the hooping tribe in her capable hands. She has organized the hoop tribe with her collection threads, and her videos were so helpful! Endlessly patient and eager to help (to the point where she has made videos of herself taping a hoop at someone's request), she is a wonderful representative of the hooping community. There are so many other hoopers who have taught me and inspired me, but I'm afraid of turning my post into a novel so I will conclude by saying thank you to each and every member of the hooping community. We would not be as strong as we are without each of your contributions.

silverstar 2008-01-16T10:02:05Z Caroleeena http://hooping.tribe.net/thread/9b4b4bf7-1d05-4fb8-a17e-f64a0ed8f844#fb911be3-baf6-449d-817a-6af5baf3ac4c 2008-01-16T09:04:27Z 2008-01-16T09:04:27Z

I thought I would revive this thread. It was so lovely. So many praises. Many of us missed the opportunity to nominate people for the first annual Hoopie Awards. This thread gives us the opportunity to sing the praises of all those teachers and mentors and inspirations anyway for all to see. It encourages us to sing praises in our hearts. We may not all win awards but we are all winners. We may not all teach classes but we are all teachers. And even if we don't mentor another, we mentor ourselves. Thank you all for continuing to teach and mentor and inspire me. I am so grateful for you.

Caroleeena 2008-01-16T09:04:27Z Patika http://hooping.tribe.net/thread/9b4b4bf7-1d05-4fb8-a17e-f64a0ed8f844#8c4744ae-09d3-4496-a961-9556c30d4626 2006-07-09T05:26:11Z 2006-07-09T05:26:11Z

HA HA- not 54 years ago- that would make me pretty ancient. 4 years ago was my first hoop dance experience.

Patika 2006-07-09T05:26:11Z Patika http://hooping.tribe.net/thread/9b4b4bf7-1d05-4fb8-a17e-f64a0ed8f844#a43ac66e-38b8-4c54-8214-018187f52160 2006-07-09T05:24:55Z 2006-07-09T05:24:55Z

My first experience with hoop dancing was about 54years ago in Asheville. I took a road trip to see my friends fire perform. They were in a troupe named Transform Venus. I had been fire dancing for a while with torches and had just begun playing with Poi. I was taken back when I saw a girl that I know now, but did not know then named Ambra (SP?) perform a beautiful dance with a fire hoop. I decided right then and there there that I wanted to be able to do that. There was not anyone in my town that played with fire at the time and I knew of no hoopers so it was another year or so before I had my next experience with hoop dancing. I was at Tate Street Festival and saw Julia (from Chapel Hill, NC) hoopin with her friend Vivian (now Spiral) and her dad. I was in awe by the beauty of there dance. Julia's dad (who I had known for a few years) brought me I tried playing with one for a bit, but didn't really know how to do any tricks and I felt it to be overwhelming .I knew Julia and we chatted and she said that she was planning on lighting them on fire soon. Later I was given a wonderful opportunity to fire dance weekly at a resturant in Greensboro. The owner wanted me to perform every Friday and Saturday. I did it a few weekends andI decided that i didn't want to commit to performing Friday & Saturday nights. I called Julia and ask her if she had started fire hooping and she said she had. I told her about the gig and she and Vivian began performing on Saturdays. Vivan- now Spiral would stop by sometimes on her way to her shift at the resturant. We would exchange ideas about costuming fire and all. she new I wanted a hoop and had let me play with hers. One day before her shift she drove into town early and brought me hoop supplies and taught me how to tape and make a hoop. She also taght me how to get a hoop from my waist to my chest. Spiral and Julia became my hooping inspiration and I absolutly loved and still love to watch them. I am forever grateful for Spiral bringing my first hoop into creation. Christabel and Anah became my inspiration through Tribe and the internet as well. I love there style! Now all hoopers are my inspiration. My best friends, new hoopers, children who hoop. I LOVE Hooping! This is a great post Carolyn- thank you

Patika 2006-07-09T05:24:55Z Christabel http://hooping.tribe.net/thread/9b4b4bf7-1d05-4fb8-a17e-f64a0ed8f844#77a99895-c6f6-4310-8907-56d28d1392a2 2006-07-08T02:36:26Z 2006-07-08T02:36:26Z

Wow. There are so many people to thank! Fist thank you to all who thanked me ~ it is such a joy to share hooping! Thank you to all of my students and and friends and supportive networkers who are the ones who make it possible for me to do this for a living! "Elders" is a funny term because I learn as much from new hoopers as older ones... but... Big gratitude to the first hoopdancer I ever saw~ Rayna at a festival in Ojai in 2001 who welcomed me into her home and the whole LA hoop community later on... an embodiment of gratitude, grace and slippery etheral beauty. Thanks to Anah who was an amazing icon for me as I watched her embodiying hard core urban rockstar hooping, seeing her first at the Gathering of the Tribes Festval. Later on Anah taught me so much about hoop partnership, performing, being sexy, using makeup and how to travel the world with hooping. Thanks to both Rayna and Anah who blew away my inhibitions when I first saw them hooping buck naked on a Santa Barbara beach and felt all my own insecurities intensely in response -- amazing mirrors! Thank you thank you! I've moved through so much beause of you both as my costumes travelled from ankle length all the way up to booty short length (and occassionally butt-less) over the years. Thanks to Kabir in Santa Barbara who helped me figure out how to make my first hoop (5000 or so hoops ago? wow!). I love your contagious, insane energy. Thanks to Dawn Light for modeling how to radiate light and joy and love while hooping! What a wonderful lesson and now central to everything I do. Thanks to Sass for being bad ass and beautiful and so confident in Good Vibe Hoop Tribe. Kandice, the first person I saw do double hoops, thank you! Thanks to KJ who embodies super play play yum yum Hoop Tease energy.. I love your smile! Thanks to Jasmine Patten who shapeshifts like an amazing otherworldy fearie... i love your theatricality. Thank you Cara for your powerful feminine warrior goddess modeling while you explore shapes in the hoop, and Candice Sutter's grace, authenticity and presence -- a psychic leader and magnifier. And basically all the whirly girlz who showed me that powerful together women, doctors by day, can be rockstar hoopers bhy night. Thank your wise belly based energy Ruby Hoop! You show me the power of being serious about integrating other forms of dance with hooping and opened my eyes to hoop burlesque. I've always admired Spiral's precision, concise control and percussive power while hooping.. thanks for the inspiration! Thanks to Erin Schredder who's powerful focus and dedication to becoming a pro hooper almost overnight astounds and amazes me. Natasha in Florida! WOW! Your playful, cantering sex kitten moves are still mezmerizing me and it has been since March when I saw you last! Thank you to Alhia of Eye Candy .. the hottest hooper I have ever seen yet in my entire life -- you show the power of no makeup, no costume, full blooded Latin hooping, then romantically whisking into towering high heels and a Range Rover to speed away into the tropical Miami night ... yowza ~ a model in luxurious, sexy, wealthy hooping heroine-ship. Thank you Kamala of Indra Yoga... your gorgeous hooping reminds me of the playfulness of feeling beautiful while hooping without having to worry about tricks or impressing anyone.. just having fun and flirting... thanks Satize for showing me the Butt Spin and inspiring me to take hoop floorwork to a whole new level... thank you Ariel for holding space over the years!....and there are so so many more people to thank but in the interests of not going on forever, I'll pause here... Thanks to Source energy, who vists everytime in the circle and reminds me how important it is to come back into connection with the All that is through dance.... thank you thank you!

Christabel 2006-07-08T02:36:26Z Miranda http://hooping.tribe.net/thread/9b4b4bf7-1d05-4fb8-a17e-f64a0ed8f844#55fb1ab0-6108-4e38-8f38-bacb887dc901 2006-07-07T21:33:57Z 2006-07-07T21:33:57Z

I actually started hooping for a boy! I was at our farmers market and this guy that I had seen around town was there hooping and selling hoops. We flirted while he taught me my first few tricks. His name is Stephen Dean (aka: Wanderlust). Hooping felt natural. I fell in love with it at first sight (he took a little bit longer). He and I dated for about 3 months (I broke up with him the first day of burning man 05). No one has actually taught me how to hoop except Stephen at the beginning. I have been inspired by Dasha, a hooping goddess and Tom (aka Harold the Hooper). I am amazed watching hooping grow in Salt Lake City.

Miranda 2006-07-07T21:33:57Z orshadow http://hooping.tribe.net/thread/9b4b4bf7-1d05-4fb8-a17e-f64a0ed8f844#bd3bb086-2a44-44c6-822d-7cdfcaca0c88 2006-07-03T18:55:57Z 2006-07-03T18:55:57Z

My sentiments exactly! I received my first hoop from the wonderfully-talented Caroleeeeeeeena and have been slowly learning how to move it gracefully. She has also been my only teacher, since I took one class from her. It was wonderful to go to Shakori Hills one night this year and see Spiral and Baxter in action among the crowd, and a few others as well. But mostly, this tribe and hooping.org have been instrumental in helping me feel less like a clod! :) Thanks to you all!

orshadow 2006-07-03T18:55:57Z Cass http://hooping.tribe.net/thread/9b4b4bf7-1d05-4fb8-a17e-f64a0ed8f844#a57196ca-23e8-4bd6-997c-55b209e79f03 2006-07-03T16:20:30Z 2006-07-03T16:20:30Z

I just wanna say thanks to everyone here for encouraging and maintain a positive environment for beginners. I havent had anyone to learn from in real life and everyone who has ever submitted a video of thmselves hooping has contributed to my hooping in a huge way. This summer will be my first experience hooping WITH other people and I fell confident and excited to participate. Thanks everyone :)

Cass 2006-07-03T16:20:30Z Caroleeena http://hooping.tribe.net/thread/9b4b4bf7-1d05-4fb8-a17e-f64a0ed8f844#c5b31aa5-fa73-43a0-8cf5-50fe4eb47fba 2006-07-03T13:49:45Z 2006-07-03T13:49:45Z

I don't think we need to be quick when singing praises to our inspirations. Thanks everyone for contributing to this thread. I absolutely love it!

Caroleeena 2006-07-03T13:49:45Z Corbett http://hooping.tribe.net/thread/9b4b4bf7-1d05-4fb8-a17e-f64a0ed8f844#e330ffa5-8686-47ad-bafc-25055c22447e 2006-07-03T12:33:03Z 2006-07-03T12:33:03Z

Ok... making this quick as I could go on forever. Steph, Jeanine and Suzanne were music friends of mine that dragged their hoops to ever festival and show, they would try to get me to hoop but I never cared to or had any real interest. They left me alone with their hoops one day at Haymaker Music Festival to take a porta-potty break. Well Keller Williams sings a song that he fell in love in the porta-potty line and that day I fell in love while they were in the porta-potty line. They taught the basics on how to keep it up that afternoon and I continued to play with their hoops at events that followed that summer. The next June Jeanine gifted me a collapsible hoop that still travels with me everywhere, if you see me hoopin that original one is not far. I started to take the hoop to shows and festivals across the country where I had the chance to hoop along side some amazing talents like Stephan and Meghan the Cat. They probably don't even realize how much those of us just hoopin along the sides watch and are inspired by them. Finally last year Burning Man I really "got it." I was able to hoop dance freely for the first time and actually learned some real tricks from the hoopers there! At this point the many names of the wonderful hoopers are a blur within the names of the many people I meet at the burn. Anyway thanks to them all... Burning Man was a huge turning point for me. Now I was at a party a few months ago with those original 3 girls that got me to hoop for the first time. Of course we break out the hoops at every party and they got to see me hoop a bit for the first time in almost 6 months and they couldn't believe how far I had come. We were taking our little group pictures later that evening hugging, laughing and being silly girls when I took the chance to thank them for getting me to hoop and helping me through the basics. They all laughed and went on about how they knew there was secretly a hooper hiding inside of me all this time but they just had to wait for it to come out. It is good to know that sometimes your friends can see things in you that you can't see in yourself. One more great gift those girls gave to me was dragging me to Talia's house. I had no interest in being part of a hoop group, adding one more commitment to my schedule and going over to some girl's house that I didn't even know. Well those friends seem to always know what's best for me... because Talia is now a good friend and I hate to miss a hoop group session. Talia picks up every little trick possible from watching videos and other hoopers then somehow can break them down for me to understand. She is a beautiful hooper and I am thankful for all that she has taught me. I promise to stop here. Thanks to all the hoopers along my path and to those whose journey will still cross mine. I guess that wasn't quick sorry...

Corbett 2006-07-03T12:33:03Z BabyDoll BetsyRose http://hooping.tribe.net/thread/9b4b4bf7-1d05-4fb8-a17e-f64a0ed8f844#cc59fee7-0f08-4221-9c57-ad6e534bf5a4 2006-07-03T08:52:09Z 2006-07-03T08:52:09Z

soooo, the first person i ever saw hoop really, was at a psytrance event, her name is KC from Spunn in Chicago. If you ever get the chance to see that girl hoop the one word that i can come up with is, magnificent. I didnt really think much about trying hooping myself after that, untill my friend Ashley PK or LGG from Iowa talked me into doing it with her, It was July 28th 2005. Yeah i know im a nerd i even remember the exact date. Id always been a fat ugly kid(seriously i looked like meatloaf from 10-16yrs) and my family was very poor(seriously we went without heat for 2 years in Iowa) . The only times i had tried to hoop before were when the other kids wanted to get a good laugh at my expense, i quickly learned that hooping among other things meant "bad attention" But Ashley persisted, just try it, and eventually i did, and its been the best thing ive done for a very long time. The next person who inspired me was a girl on hooping.org. i think her name was Heather, i originally saw a video of her hooping, but i havent seen her on this tribe or since at all. But the video has helped me more than any other thing besides Ashley at becoming better. Then was Rob, I also saw his video on hooping.org, i still love telling guys that say "well im a guy i cant hoop" that one of the best hoopers ive ever seen in my life(even though it was a video) is a guy. And finally Spiral, when i checked out her website, it had everything that i felt about hooping stated, right there, even though ive never been good with words, i read her site, and felt like "yes exactly thats what i feel". Spiral is a huge inspiration, and i thank everything that she exists. Thank you everyone, that lead me to this point.<3<3<3<3

BabyDoll BetsyRose 2006-07-03T08:52:09Z Reagan http://hooping.tribe.net/thread/9b4b4bf7-1d05-4fb8-a17e-f64a0ed8f844#ae1b60d0-5c93-4a32-b53c-655d064f33eb 2006-06-27T17:25:51Z 2006-06-27T17:25:51Z

Sorry I didn't do this sooner .... OK - Huge thanks to Heather for introducing me to the hoop in the first place. Claire and Heather for learning with me ... we may be separated now, but HOOPDEEZ will always be my old school crew! Can you believe the first time I ever saw a fire hoop it was one that I MADE for Jillian ... I'd never hooped in my life, but she asked me if I would help her build a hoop ... we somehow figured it out, and she performed with it that evening. So big thanks to her! Stefan and the Groovehoops - the first hoopers I saw do a performance. HUGE gratitude to JasonUnbound for creating his website back in the day that showed us how to make our own hoops! I was so grateful when I finally got to meet him - and now he's a good friend! Amy & Jay who came to NY and reached out to us East coast hoopers - we stayed in touch, and now they've made me a SF hooper! Everyone who I've shared a hoop with, who then proceeded to teach me a thing or two or eight - Mayra, Ammre, Ligaya, Athena, Nia - thanks for seeing the joy that a simple ring of plastic could bring, and for increasing my love of it.

Reagan 2006-06-27T17:25:51Z Xta http://hooping.tribe.net/thread/9b4b4bf7-1d05-4fb8-a17e-f64a0ed8f844#ece72d5a-e4e8-4914-8030-d226f491c155 2006-06-27T15:36:56Z 2006-06-27T15:36:56Z

My first intro to hooping was a lovely video by Ariel, dancing around her living room in a hoop... I was fascinated, and watched it a dozen times over the next two days, dragging friends and coworkers over to watch the monitor with me... two or three days later, I had my first hoop, the next day I had two more... and it has been ongoing. The 2004 Burning Man video, Groovehoops demo reels, the workshop video with Anah, Sass and Christabel, and Ariel's "ask a question, get a answering video ten hours later" tutorials... those were my main source of inspiration and coaching. I have yet to take a class or workshop from anyone, am hoping to meet some folks at Burning Man with radically different ways of moving the hoop, so in turn I will come up with radically different ways of moving the hoop... and keep sharing and talking about it and honouring... Thanks, y'all :) X.

Xta 2006-06-27T15:36:56Z emilee http://hooping.tribe.net/thread/9b4b4bf7-1d05-4fb8-a17e-f64a0ed8f844#a8fa3349-fcc7-4b1d-9994-f280c4d86f7e 2006-06-27T08:30:17Z 2006-06-27T08:30:17Z

courtney thank you so much, there is nothing as fun as actually helping someone else get a trick down. i really appreciate the complete lack of competition and the full on support and excitement we all have for each other. for my own tid bit: i was living in india from after burning man last year until recently. at one point in the first month or so of my trip, i did a group 6 hour straight meditation until sunrise. one of the things that surfaced in that meditation for me was that i needed to explore hooping. funnily, it was something that had never caught my interest before and cannot even remember seeing it prior to this calling in my meditation. and beautifully enough, i came home, went to greensector, met a beautiful couple jen and justin, and they spent hours in the wee hours of a cracked out morning teaching me the basics patiently and supportive. (ly?) got my hoop, and birthed myself into what i am today. yay to exploration, growth, fun, and shaking our hips. i really appreciate you all. -emilee aka, hoop nasty!!!!

emilee 2006-06-27T08:30:17Z sass http://hooping.tribe.net/thread/9b4b4bf7-1d05-4fb8-a17e-f64a0ed8f844#4eefbb8a-95ab-4beb-a731-a91850670e7c 2006-06-27T08:27:41Z 2006-06-27T08:27:41Z

i'm surprised i haven't seen anah's name mentioned here yet. that first moontribe i went to in i think it was december 2000, where i saw anah and sita hooping and through anah's encouragement, jumped in the hoop myself, is where it all started for me. then seeing anah and rayna hooping together was another inspiration. a few years later christabel came along and as i like to put it, unceremoniously yanked me into my real life by dragging me along to burning man and into the good vibe hoop tribe in '03. dawnlight danced her way into my heart with the pure joy she put into hooping and kandice embodied everything that was fiery and fierce inside a hoop or two or three - and then she could do it on ice, too. that woman could throw down with her multiple hoops. she was the first fire hooper i saw and still remains the only person i've seen perform with multiple fire hoops. carlos is the first person i ever saw doing hoop isolations and angelo is the person who broke those isolations down for me for the first time at topanga days. i used to be jealous of kj and jenn - thinking that i wanted to be able to hoop like them. i saw karis. jaw dropping. raven made me my first fire hoop, was the first boy hooper i knew and is the first person i saw doing tosses with a lit hoop. and stephan and brent and groove hoops and baxter who blew me away with his unique brand of scratch hooping (changing currents) as well as his amazing mind and spiral and kc who came to a workshop in l.a. having been hooping for only a month or two and still blew everyone away. and glittergirl, temple of poi queen who played with the pod of anah, carlos, dawn and myself at a new year's eve party in sf and then didn't stop hooping for the next 8 hours and is now teaching countless other hoop newbies. and all the other hoop gods and goddesses i've met here on this tribe and who inspire me with your moves and videos. you are all my elders and my peers and i'm really glad to be part of such an amazing circle.

sass 2006-06-27T08:27:41Z {courtney} http://hooping.tribe.net/thread/9b4b4bf7-1d05-4fb8-a17e-f64a0ed8f844#179df40f-522d-4597-883e-e60d17e75d00 2006-06-27T06:09:11Z 2006-06-27T06:09:11Z

Oh my, what a fun thread. Initially, I was inspired by the many amazing albeit anonymous (to me, at least) hoopers at Burning Man last year. I had never seen hooping before and I was floored. At some point after my return, I decided that by Burning Man 2006, I was going to be a hooper! As fate would have it, I went to a party and met Malia who was hooping her little behind off. She was so cute and told me about the Santa Monica Hoop Group, which I filed away for later reference. I found Rayna (aka Hoopnotica) offering her classes on here and signed my little ass up. The first day of class when I saw Rayna hooping, I had never seen anything so beautiful. Rayna moves with her hoop in a way that I have still not seen replicated. Keaton also taught and the two of them were really inspirational for a newbie. Since then, I have had the pleasure of seeing many people hoop it up at Space Island, all of whom I watch to learn something from. But I must give a special shout out to my girl, Emilee (aka Hoop Nasty), who awed me from the start. She always takes the time to give me little pointers and she tears up the dance floor. Finally made it to the hoop group in Santa Monica where there was something to learn from everyone. Thanks to all who I have learned from. You rock. Courtney

{courtney} 2006-06-27T06:09:11Z vanessa http://hooping.tribe.net/thread/9b4b4bf7-1d05-4fb8-a17e-f64a0ed8f844#d83eac53-108e-4f43-98e5-fca3ac846b03 2006-06-27T04:31:43Z 2006-06-27T04:31:43Z

Hello All. I am a new hooper and I can relate to almost every word that mntmama has written. I beagn hooping after seeing my best friend hoop. She rocked- so beatiful and elegant- and I was inspired to try. Many, many, many attempts later I could finally keep it going. Then she taught me my first trick - bringing it up with my dominant hand. Again, many more attempts and finally BAM- I got it. I was hooked. She turned me on to hooping .org and this is where I want to express huge gratitude to everyone who shares their stuff. I have learned more than I ever thought I could by watching and listening to and observing all of you beautiful women and men. My daughter Mya, 7 years old, performed at her hooping moves at her school talent show last Friday. Her choice for music was "Facing East" by Theivery Corporation. Here's to our children - future elders in the making!

vanessa 2006-06-27T04:31:43Z Alexis...aka shehoopsalot http://hooping.tribe.net/thread/9b4b4bf7-1d05-4fb8-a17e-f64a0ed8f844#55951bb6-790d-454d-9a52-2ad4e163520b 2006-06-26T22:04:58Z 2006-06-26T22:04:58Z

I think its really cool that we can be on here thanking the people who have inspired us, then two posts later find other newer hoopers thanking the people that were thanking THEIR inspiration on previous posts. We are SO lucky to have this community!

Alexis...aka shehoopsalot 2006-06-26T22:04:58Z Katie http://hooping.tribe.net/thread/9b4b4bf7-1d05-4fb8-a17e-f64a0ed8f844#f19795df-dc99-428f-9d49-d1424c5ea40c 2006-06-26T20:44:24Z 2006-06-26T20:44:24Z

I thank all the previous girls who have lived at Flora Way in Normal, IL. I had never tried hooping until I started coming to parties there about 2 years ago. They always had people in the front yard hooping and getting people at the parties to try it. I tried and tried about 100 times and finally it clicked. Then I moved in here and started going to Cheese shows with my old roommate Jen Spearie. We went to Big Summer Classic and observed Stefan teaching some other girls tricks. Just by watching that we picked up on how to lift it above our head and spin it on the hand. After that it was all over. I had to learn everything. Since then the SPUNN girls, JeffZ, Justin and Erica in Chicago, and countless other people that I don't know have inspired me to learn many other tricks. The videos posted on tribe have also helped.

Katie 2006-06-26T20:44:24Z Melissa http://hooping.tribe.net/thread/9b4b4bf7-1d05-4fb8-a17e-f64a0ed8f844#b5918729-e591-47d4-a426-99208303eff9 2006-06-26T20:25:39Z 2006-06-26T20:25:39Z

YES! Let's give thanks and praises for our Hoop Elders, young & old, teachers are teachers... My first introduction to big 'adult' hoops was in April of 2002. My friend Monica Buckley was making & selling them in and around Asheville, NC at the time. We all met up again in NJ and she had some hoops with her. They were beautiful, all covered in fabric and fur. I wasn't really open to it then, different headspace for me, I think I felt to shy to try... I regretted not giving it a go, so when the local Repertory Theatre changed owners & had a 'rummage' sale---I found a big hoop! Images of Monica twirling about feeling so joyful and creating such joy filled my mind. My 'new' hoop was covered in foam (pipe insulation style) and black & white electrical tape stripes. It was weighted and the heaviness was just that - I was hooping for lightness and was uninspired by my new find. I even recovered it with plushy deep blue 'fur' but the joy of hooping was not there. Then one lazy day in the Spring of 2005, I googled 'hoops' and found hooping.org! I was so excited! I had to have one of these kind of hoops. After devouring the site, I figured I could make my own hoops - I knew one hoop would not be enough for me. I've made about 30 hoops and still have about 10 of my own ( well, one each for my husband and my son). I love hooping! I go to the local Farmer's Market on Saturdays and hoop to the live music there. I try to encourage people to come out for G.Y.H.O! in City Park. Every Sunday I go down to one of our local parks with my hoops & music and share the joy. I've been hosting the Get Your Hoop On! Group Hoop Gatherings for 8 weeks now and the largest group of hoopers has been --- 7! Pretty good for my small town of about 6000 people. Each week there are also more people showing up in the park just to use the park so it's feeling like a real community gathering. I'll go and hoop alone but it's definitely more fun with more people. I'm grateful to all who have contributed to and shared with hooping.org. It has been my main source of hooping info for over a year and I share it with all who are interested. I love that I can learn so much from this media, the connections are amazing. The weekly group hoop gatherings would not exist in Bisbee if not for the inspiration & instruction found at hooping.org. A wonderful bonus is the abundance of smiles and laughter found whenever the hoops go 'round. So, I thank you Monica, for the planting of the seed and hooping.org for the motivation to grow. Increasing positive energy one revolution at a time --- Melissa

Melissa 2006-06-26T20:25:39Z mtnmama http://hooping.tribe.net/thread/9b4b4bf7-1d05-4fb8-a17e-f64a0ed8f844#32a252ed-42be-476a-937c-bdfb8e741461 2006-06-26T16:50:23Z 2006-06-26T16:50:23Z

I would like to thank my best friend Jammerz for inspiring me to learn how to hoop. I saw her hoop dancing at the club on her b-day and I had to learn how! She looked so funky and graceful and happy. It took me 3 months before I could keep the hoop around my waist for more than 5 minutes, but after that I was hooping up a storm! I'd also like to thank my 10 year old daughter, Skylah, for challenging me to learn new tricks. And finally much love to all you folks here and hooping.org. Thanks for all the inspiration, instruction and creativity that you share with the world.

mtnmama 2006-06-26T16:50:23Z Jeffz http://hooping.tribe.net/thread/9b4b4bf7-1d05-4fb8-a17e-f64a0ed8f844#b67b6f34-24fe-4256-97f0-b24762c4a875 2006-06-26T16:32:51Z 2006-06-26T16:32:51Z

I have everlasting gratitude to the Spunn Hoopers, especially KC & Elana for performing at local events (to start the hoop spark going in the greater midwest electronic music scene) and sharing their hoop love with the Iowa Hoopers (who in turn brought it down to Iowa from Chitown), also for Liz from Spunn for encouraging me to take it up. For both Ashleys, BetsyRose, and Liz from Iowa for their hoopiness putting me in awe continually and helping me to start out. I learn most from the internet being isolated in Des Moines, so would also like to thank Ariel, Xta, Diana, Stephan, Rob, everyone for just having kickass videos that I learn and get inspired from as well as being so helpful here and on the website. I get inspired by alot of the videos here and too many to name really but particulaly inspired when I watch Chris, Spiral, Anah, and Alexis video's so much contagious spirit!

Jeffz 2006-06-26T16:32:51Z Alexis...aka shehoopsalot http://hooping.tribe.net/thread/9b4b4bf7-1d05-4fb8-a17e-f64a0ed8f844#40b333ea-8a1f-45c1-b197-6750c4e14efd 2006-06-26T12:55:16Z 2006-06-26T12:55:16Z

My *original* hoop inspiration comae at Langerado music festival in 2005. It was brief, but enough to make me know I would not be leaving the festival without a hoop from the girl dancing with two el-wire covered hoops. Her name was Sheila Maguire. I never did get to hoop with sheila at that festival (not till one year later as a matter of fact), but I did talk her into selling me one of her own personal hoops on my way out of the festival, and then on to Uphonia where, like so many of us, I was completely enraptured with the beauty and talent of Spiral. She was to be performing with Dubconsious the next day (which I missed because I was working artist check-in) but that was my first festival with hoops (it was two months after Langerado and I had already started making them and brought 20 with me to share with festival goers), and I learned SO much hooping with her. She's also the one that told me about hooping.org, where I then found all the videos that shaped my early hooping style. Thanks Rob, Kara, Ariel, and of course, Anah, Christabel, and Stefan, who have so selflessly shared their wisdom with me so many times over the last year. And even though she and I were learning at the same time, thanks Xta for that original post about trick tips where she and I shared so much information! When I first got back to St. Petersburg, FL, there were apparently no other hoopers here (except for Linda, who I hadn't met yet, but every one constantly asked me if I knew...she later found me on tribe and she and I have become friends, along with her man, Doug, who you can now see a video of on the Hooping Videos tribe) so I built my own hoop community here, and when I finally did meet Linda, between the two of us and all our friends that caught the hooping bug, we've got a pretty steady stream of hoopers attending the weekly drum circle on the beach--usually at least 20, plus all the folks there that just pick up the hoops and play! And I continue to learn every day from all of you fellow tribers--thank you so much for enriching my life so greatly!

Alexis...aka shehoopsalot 2006-06-26T12:55:16Z Caroleeena http://hooping.tribe.net/thread/9b4b4bf7-1d05-4fb8-a17e-f64a0ed8f844#a6b254a5-cb09-493c-a701-1e1fd7b43f05 2006-06-26T12:24:04Z 2006-06-26T12:24:04Z

It's cool to see the web that attaches us all.

Caroleeena 2006-06-26T12:24:04Z ammre http://hooping.tribe.net/thread/9b4b4bf7-1d05-4fb8-a17e-f64a0ed8f844#7c12db86-01c0-4305-b58d-cbf8d48d1939 2006-06-26T08:02:41Z 2006-06-26T08:02:41Z

Well, i believe i saw heatherfeather fire hoop at PDF fall 04 and that was the first time ever seeing anyone hooping. Then the next night they had some hoops laying about and i tried one. Onces *fell* twice *fell* three times *fell* She encouraged me to keep trying and such and, i think i maybe got it to stay for a few seconds but nothing more. Then i went to NY decom that year and i took some video of heather and claire spinning shiva and some photos too, and i got the files to them. In thanks heather and regan made me my first hoop. They gave it to me at a party in brooklyn. It wound up sitting around my house/dorm/apartment for a long time until i finally said, well i have it i might as well use it. and so i did. then everytime i saw regan or heather i'd make them show me more moves. So essentially, it was Heatherfeather and regan who started me on the hooping path. Then i saw the burning man 04 video and i was like, "Oh man i wanna hoop like that rainbow bright girl!" who turned out to be anah. Then there's ariel and xta for all the tutorials and such. There's rob and the other girl who has the video on mandala, and jsut a few other videos i remmeber always going back to in hopes of learning from.

ammre 2006-06-26T08:02:41Z Caroleeena http://hooping.tribe.net/thread/9b4b4bf7-1d05-4fb8-a17e-f64a0ed8f844#677c6a45-25bd-46ba-9620-0e487073a450 2006-06-26T03:06:11Z 2006-06-26T03:06:11Z

“No one lives long enough to learn everything they need to learn starting from scratch. To be successful, we absolutely, positively have to find people who have already paid the price to learn the things that we need to learn to achieve our goals.” – Brian Tracey I have been blessed to have some amazing hoop teachers. My first was Paula who taught me that grownups could hoop and talked me into buying my first hoop. The second was Vivian (aka Spiral - http://www.spiralhoopdance.com/). I had heard of Vivian (who wasn't Spiral yet ;^) before I ever saw her hoop. When I finally saw it, I was blown away. It was galaxies beyond anything I could have imagined. Beautiful, graceful, athletic ... I was instantly inspired. And, while everyone around me was gasping, “I could never do that”, I thought, “I could do that! I am going to learn to do that!” That day I started a journey that I am still on today, a journey that has been empowering and captivating and delightful and frustrating and challenging and life changing and wonderful. I am filled with gratitude. Since then I’ve had many teachers – most of whom I’ve never met. I live in Raleigh, North Carolina and for a long, long time, I was the ONLY hooper here. Thank goodness for the folks at Hooping.org! Their forums helped me understand moves I’d seen but didn’t have a clue how to replicate. I am grateful for all those cyber teachers! And I am grateful to Hooping.org for creating such a wonderful space for sharing and learning! They also posted the first videos I’d ever seen of other people hooping. I will always remember the first time I saw the hooping video from Burning Man, 2004! It totally enflamed me. I learned from every hooper on that short video. Thank all of you too and thank Stephan for making that video. I am also grateful to all the hoopers I have hooped with over the years. Baxter, Julia and Beth, along with Vivian, you have been wonderful teachers and examples. Thank you for fostering a hooping community in nearby Carrboro - the first I know of in this part of the country. Val, Allison and Pam, we have come a long way together. Thank you for the encouragement, patience and community. Patika, Micha and Christine – our playdates have led me to new and wonderful understandings. Anah, Cristabel, Stephan, Ariel, and all you wonderful hoopers on Tribe, I am so very grateful to you all. I would not be the hooper I am today without each and every one of you. You have all changed my life. Thank you, thank you, thank you. We are all standing on the shoulders of giants. Would anyone else care to recognize their giants?

Caroleeena 2006-06-26T03:06:11Z