That plastic hula-hoop you played with as a child has little resemblance to the heavier and larger hoops used in the sensuous art of hooping. Modern hoopers combine the hip and torso action used in Hawaiian hula dancing with sexy, flowing moves for a total body workout.
“Everyone can do it,” says registered HoopGirl™ instructor Sadie Yancey. “The fitness aspect of it is just like dancing. It depends on how much you put into it and how much you do it.”
The beautiful, rhythmic flow of the moves is not restricted to just the traditional waist or hip areas. The entire body is put to work, toning both the large and small muscle groups, with most people noticing the effect first in the core.
The benefits of hooping appear to be more than just physical. “For many people it turns into a meditative or even spiritual experience,” Ms Yancey says.
“Because it’s a personal experience, it’s less threatening than going to a gym and staring at yourself in a mirror and being yelled at.”
The bright and colourful tapes adorning the modern hoops provide decoration and grip through the use of friction tape, while the weight and the larger diameter allow for more controlled movement and slower rotation. These hoops may be purchased through www.HoopToronto.com or made with some poly tubing — the type used for irrigation is ideal — a PVC cutter, some insert connectors to match the diameter of your tubing, colourful electrical and friction tape and a hairdryer.
There are many websites that can provide step-by-step instructions on how to make your own.
If variety is the key to maintaining optimal fitness and longevity a good benchmark of success then hooping is definitely worth a look. The historical references to hooping date back to Ancient Greece where citizens did it as a form of exercise. In 14th century England it had a huge resurgence of popularity and in the 19th century it picked up the popular name of hula-hoop. The 20th century saw over 25 million hula-hoops sold in 1958 in just a four-month period.
Today, hooping is accepted as a popular form of fitness alongside other specialized arts such as kickboxing or belly dancing, and, when combined with yoga or Pilates, builds strength, balance and flexibility.
Visit www.northofthecity.ca to view a video of my introduction to hooping. Get your hoop out and join us for some hooping good times.