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Yoga.Hoop.Dance Fusion: This Ain’t Your Normal “Hula Hooping” On The Playground
Alright, so we’ve all practiced yoga at least once or twice. Or maybe you’re like me and practice almost everyday. Now, let’s take our practice to the next level and spice things up! What would happen if we fuse our yoga practice with hoop dancing? “What’s hoop dancing?!”, you ask. It involves a hoop, yes, it’s a “hula-hoop” and yes, it involves shaking your boo-tay. Sounds crazy?! It is! Crazy fun! It’s kinda like being back on the playground at recess, but even cooler… and sexier because now we’re adults, and being an adult is better than being a kid. Think of all the things that we can do as adults and couldn’t do as kids… like being sexy, while hoop dancing. Yoga.Hoop.Dance fusion brings out your inner child, while cultivating your own creative voice and style as we move and shake!
Ever see those beautiful girls (and guys) at shows and festivals dancing with a hoop circling above their heads like a halo? Ever wish you could learn to dance like that too? Well, you can! Pick up a hoop, set your intentions (just like in yoga class) and start moving and flowing. Yes, I know… it’s not as easy as it looks. It takes time and practice to make it look smooth and effortless, just like anything else. So… let’s practice…
When you attend our workshop on Saturday May 9th, Cat and I will show you the flows and poses, but it is up to you to smooth out your transitions, make it look as effortless as possible, as well as add your own flair. Maybe you have a variation or a special trick you’re working on- go for it! Don’t be afraid to try things because you might look funny, fall over, or drop your hoop- that’s what practice is for! Make all those mistakes over and over and eventually, you won’t fall over anymore and you won’t drop the hoop as much. Remember, it doesn’t happen in just one practice or even a few.
Being a performer my whole life, I understand the importance of practicing, over and over and over and over and over… and finding my meditation and zen within the practice. I also understand the importance of finding my own style and voice. If you are an artist/performer you must answer these questions: What do you want to express? Who are you? Are you passionate? Are you edge-y? Are you more traditional? Or are you a risk-taker? Show these things in your yoga/hooping/dancing. I know, I know… Traditionally, yoga was never meant to be a “performance art”. It wasn’t meant to be aesthetically pleasing to the onlooker. However, these days with Instagram and other social media platforms, yoga has become a type of art or entertainment, leaning more towards acrobatics and dance. Yogis are entertaining their followers by showing off and “performing” crazy inversions and arm balances everywhere and anywhere stretchy pants are permitted. If you cruise through some hooping dancing related threads, such as #hooplife and #hoopersofinstagram, you’ll find the same type of Instagram community for hoopers as well.
Yoga (and hooping) is being introduced to a wide spectrum of people that would never normally see such a thing before. It’s also extremely inspiring and gives me ideas to try new things… Now, I’m getting into a whole other blog post that I could write about… I’ll get back on track here… What I’m trying to say is that Yoga.Hoop.Dance is about performance, style, and finesse. Other times we come to the mat to practice and it might not be about any of those things. It might be more about turning inward for a moving meditation and it doesn’t matter what we look like on the outside. Always know the reason for being on your mat on any particular day. Be clear with yourself. Set specific intentions.
Sign up for our workshop here!
Article written by Brittany Kovler, Yoga Teacher & Holistic Health Coach
Check out her class schedule here.
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