​This month I hooped it up with some beautiful hoopers in Charlottetown - Robyn of Hoop Bloom had a special workshop for us. It was all about mindfulness and our patterns. We discovered how we have these hoop dance patterns and how they can be broken - and how much freedom we can find in breaking these patterns!

The deepest message I took from this workshop was about the beginner's mindset. The idea is when we take this approach in trying a new trick, new sequence or skill, our minds take on a curiosity and openness. I thought that was so cool.

I've been hooping for 3 years and by no stretch of the imagination do I think I'm advanced...um no...one click on Youtube will shut down that idea fast! I have my my go-to tricks and I feel super skilled when I'm in that flow state just dancing.  Well, I got to put this beginner mindset into practice during our workshop.

Here's how it all went down:

I'm a list maker - if you could see my desk you would see countless post it notes, to do lists, notebooks full of important stuff (at the moment at least). I feel like I have to get it out of my head and on paper so I can remember it better...it's just how I process information - ah the visual learner! I'm sharing this because I recently was weighing the pros and cons of hooping indoors vs. outdoors. Now that I can get outside and practice I am reconnecting with some tricks that I haven't spent any time on because I've been stuck inside. I made a little video for you of 4 fun moves I like to bust out when I am outside - no ceiling limits - perhaps some wind or bumpy terrain to deal with but oh man! No ceilings! That has to be the biggest advantage to outdoor hoop dancing!

https://vimeo.com/130220345

What do you like to do outside when hooping? Here is what my pros and cons list looks like for an outdoor hoop practice:

pro: no ceiling = big tosses, sunshine, beautiful locations, people see me and I get to spread the hoop love
con: hoop rolls away and it goes far, temperature / weather, surface challenges, strangers interrupting my practice, allergies

Have I missed any? Can you think of any others?

I hope you can join me this summer if you are in Charlottetown - so many fun things planned for our hoop community including a hoop retreat, a mindfulness workshop by Hoop Bloom,  more hoop workshops in New London and some weekly park jams all through July and August!

Come get in on the hoop fun I dish out each month by email: http://eepurl.com/T_ZR5

Happy Hooping!
Carron

There are so many variations of what a performance can be - a flowing improvisational dance, a demonstration at a trade show or other event, busking, cabaret circus style (my fav!) ...the list is endless.

Many hoop dancers perform informally and don't even know it- be it in a class, at a retreat or on their front lawn. Some performances have costumes, music, makeup and a stage - while other performances are simplified with just a connected dancer and their circular partner (their hoop of course).

photo by Dawn of Destiny Photography

Some questions you can ask yourself if you are wondering about performing and your hoop journey:

1. What motivates me? Do I dance for myself? Do I dance to connect to the music? Do I dance to nail tricks? Do I dance for others enjoyment? Do I dance to build connection with others? Do I enjoy the preparation process? You may answer yes to all of these - which is great!
2. What are my expectations when I dance? Am I setting intentions around my dance and exploring where my dance can evolve?
3. How do I define 'Performance'? A child's birthday party, a festival audience member, a live audience or video recording? A paid or unpaid gig?
4. Have I already performed and not really recognized that event for the achievement that it is?

By exploring the above you may discover how you have already performed with your hoop - be it one trick, a sequence of moves or a full song. Once you have identified where your performance journey has started you can then look at where you want that journey to go. For many, creating performing opportunities is not of interest - and for others they have discovered a passion for sharing their skill with others.
Our hoop journeys are unique - embrace yours and spin to your own rhythm!

If you are thinking about performing here is a great article I found with some tips to take your hoop journey to that next level:
http://hooptricks.org/how-do-i-know-when-i-am-ready-to-start-performing

I would love to know how you feel about performing! Leave me a message and share your insights! And as always you can sign up to receive my monthly email - filled with encouragement, tips, tricks and updates on what our community is up to!

Happy Hooping!
Carron