Synopsis of Hoop classes 1,2, 3 and 4 (vertical and hand hooping)

Material covered in 5/9 Hoop 1 class: waist hooping L and R, catch and send it the other way, spin into and away from hoop direction, pass hoop around body palms down to keep it down, palms up to raise it over head, one handed hooping overhead (halo), and in front of body, walking with hoop on waist: forward, back, side steps, grapevine hip hooping, fast and slow speed hooping on waist and hip, both directions.

Material covered in 6/27 Hoop 2 class: Hoop floating (back of hand in front of face), revolving door from passing around body, revolving door jump in and spin, bow (bend over at waist and do extra circle in front- can do on one leg, swoop (take hoop over head w single hand, enter and throw hoop into spin around body, hip hooping.

Tips on Hoop 2 moves and tricks- A copy of Jenny’s notes:

Hip Hooping - Practice taking steps forward, backwards, sideways, diagonal and turning.  Do this in your natural direction and your reverse direction.

Revolving Door- You can make this look more graceful by standing tall and drawing out the lines  of your body.  You can also add a small turn for a nice touch.  Crouch down to make this move look more creepy-crawly.

Revolving Door Transition Jump -  Turn with this move to build up momentum and to give yourself more time to make sure your ready to jump.  Use both hands to give a strong throw when the hoop is at your waist.

The Swoop - Draw the hoop up your body.  Experiment with doing this move fast and slow.  It will have a very different look depending on the speed and effort you put into it.

Floating- You must always turn. Remember to keep your eyes on the back of your hand. Only bring the hoop down to a level that you feel comfortable with. Be patient and over time you will be able to bring the hoop down lower and lower.  Eventually you will feel a tremendous amount of control and be able to manipulate this move in different ways.

Bow - Lean over at your waist as far as possible.  This will become more comfortable with time.  Your hand is on the inside of the hoop.

Throw Behind Back into Bow- Use your “second hand” to bring the hoop around your back as far as possible.  Really allow your body to lean and move with this move.   Your hand will be on the outside of the hoop with the bow.

Corkscrew UP & Down - Turning in the direction of your hoop will give you more time to either pick the hoop off of your waist or to bring it down to your waist.  After you are comfortable and in control, you can choose not to spin.  This is another one to experiment with to see what you like best.

Remember to be patient.  Even just a few minutes a day can really make a difference.  Hooping should stay fun and be a way to relax and unwind.  Everyone learns at a different pace and there are no deadlines to learn any move.   The more you are patient and take your time to learn new moves and to smooth them out, the better and more skilled hooper you will become.

Material Covered in Hoop 3 class 

- warm up exercises: walking and hooping with eyes closed, grapevine step while waist and hip hooping, add spin at ends, change direction of hoop, on knees, one leg balance,

-  prayer swoop, 2 hands, 1 hand

- from hand passing, pass hoop under leg, the bow (from hoop 2)

- jump through rabbit hole

- floating lower, add flair with other arm movements

- hooping on angle, front, back

- hand off

- using arms to shimmy up from waist to neck/shoulder hooping

- thigh hooping

Hoop 4 (November 22/2009)

Hoop Workshop   - Vertical Hooping            November 22, 2009
Vertical hooping is a whole different area of hooping in addition to on the body hooping.  There are many tricks and moves in the vertical hooping that are very impressive.  It is always a good idea to wear gloves with these moves.  If your hands get sore, give them a break!  It will take time to build the muscles in your arms, shoulders and back to be able to master these moves.  With patience and practice, you will be able to nail these down!

Hoop Tips:

Vertical Hand Hooping - Remember to practice with both hands AND in both directions.  Spending time getting comfortable with this will make all vertical hooping tricks come easier.

Forward Weave - This move is when the hoop is weaving back and forth on both sides of your body.  The wrist movement is key here.  Allow your wrist to freely move with the hoop.   Keep a loose grip so that the hoop can slide in your hand.

Vertical Jump Through - When you are doing the forward weave, there is a chance to “jump” through your hoop.  The chance is when the hoop is low and on the OPPOSITE side of the hand that is doing the weave.   Think of leading with the SAME foot as your hooping hand.  For example, if you are weaving with right hand you will jump through when your hoop is low and on the left side of your body.  You would lead the jump with your right foot.  Remember to really extend your arm at the end of the trick to help build momentum again.

Roll Across the Back - This one is intimidating!!!  Take your time and expect your hoop to go rolling in all directions!  First step is to get over intimidation.  Don’t worry if this takes awhile.  If your starting off with your right hand, just get used to letting go of the hoop however you can.  Remember that the hoop must be spinning in the same direction that you want your hoop to roll across your back.   This is a forward spin.   As you get control, think of letting the hoop roll between your first and second fingers when you are about to let the hoop go.  This will send the hoop on a straighter path.  It will take some time to get your other hand to learn to catch the hoop.

Isolation-  Isolations are when the hoop appears to be frozen in mid  air yet your arm is still moving.  With Vertical Hand Hooping, your hoop is moving around your hand.  With isolations, your hand is moving around your hoop to keep it in the same spot as much as possible.

Arm/ Elbow Hooping - Try to keep your arm level.  If your arm gets sore or you start to get worried about the hoop hitting your head, either take a break or start over.

Circus Start-  If you are a left hooper — Put left foot in the hoop first.  Then cross your right foot over your left.   With your right foot, drag the hoop out to your right side.   In this position your left foot will still be facing forward.  Your right foot will be sideways and facing the right.   Remember that this move is really about your right hand and getting the throw just right.  Takes quite a while to learn how to catch the hoop with your body.  Turning will help you put that extra momentum into the hoop to catch it.
If you are a right hooper, reverse the directions!

Passing Pop Up (bonus horizontal move) - If you are a left hooper—-Start with normal passing. When your bring the hoop behind you with your left hand, really build up extra speed, duck down and give that extra flick with your hand to help the hoop get going on your body.