Hooping since August 20, 2008

Last night I debuted as a performer with Mandi & Stina in a hooping trio we're calling Spinbirds. It was a pretty casual event - a spouses' club meeting at Yokota Air Force base - but it was still my first hoop performance on a stage with a costumed, choreographed routine and an intentional audience. After so many months of "performing" in the parks, this felt like a proper show.

And it was fun! I was relaxed, remembered all the steps, stayed in time (mostly), kept a firm grip on my hoop, a… Continue

Not much more to be said about this...stay tuned for success.

I must have been radiating hoop goodness today, because before I even made it to my station to train over to Ueno, I had chatted with two strangers about hoops and hooping. (Maybe you will meet Eriko at a future hoop gathering). At the park, I taught my friend Maki to waist hoop. She was laughing and joyful, but soon had to stop and go to a meeting. Before she left, I used her as a shield while I changed tops. It was warmer out there than I expected.

I hooped on my own for about three hours. Bu… Continue

Last night Tod put on some music that made me grab my hoop and jump up on the table to jam. Unfortunately, I forgot that I was in my pajamas and not wearing a bra. It didn't hurt too much at the time, but today I regret chest hooping braless. Must be more mindful in the future.

I hooped outside in the late afternoon sun for about an hour and got some good flow going. Good for me, anyway, and of course not for the whole hour.

To achieve flow, I turned off my brain, listened to the beat and didn't really care if I did the same five tricks over and over (which I probably did but I wasn't paying attention). The result was smoothness without any pauses, flings or giggles. It felt nice. As I wound down out of one set, a gang of schoolboys applauded me. Good thing I wasn't s… Continue