Origins of Hoop-Dance
"Hooping" has been around for centuries, when Ancient Egyptians used to make hoops out of dried grapevines. However, most people remember hooping as the fad of the '50s, when the American company Wham-O sold them as the plastic rings we know today. It was then that the "hula" part was added, the waist movement resembling that of the traditional Hawaiian Hula dance.
Modern Hoop-Dance
It was only a matter of time before hula-hooping evolved into something bigger and better. A large part of this is often credited to a U.S. band called the String Cheese Incident in the '90s, who's fondness for the hula-hoop had them actually hand them out to the audience at each of their gigs. Eventually people started getting more creative with them, making up different moves and performing them in time to music.
While it is very much part of the sub-cultural scene in America, it is still relatively unknown in the U.K . However, word is spreading and once you get into hoop-dance you'll soon find yourself part of a small but burgeoning hooping community!
Contemporary Hoop Dance vs. Circus and Gymnastics Hooping
Many people are unfamiliar with the concept of contemporary hoop dance. When all you've seen of hooping is tricks, multiple hooping and loads of shiny leotards, you'd be forgiven for thinking that's all there is.So what is it exactly that differentiates contemporary hoop dance from these very famliar concepts? Is there really any difference??
Take a look at these videos and judge for yourself...
Circus Style Hooping
Rhythmic Gymnastics: Hoops
Contemporary Hoop Dance
As you can see, these are all forms of hoop dancing, using a combination of artistic expression and technical ability.
However, the contemporary hoop dance examples shown here demonstrate a modified and a more personalised style of using hoops that to me, makes hoop dance more accessible to the average person i.e. you and me! The best thing about this form is that even if you only know the most basic of moves, you can still hoop dance quite skillfully and gracefully. See the video on the Journey page which is a perfect example of how good you can look with minimum tricks - because it's all in the way you move!
Flow vs. Tricks
Being able to move your body with the hoop, controlling it with rhythmic grace, is a skill in itself, yet one that is often overlooked. The key to getting that movement is to choose music that you love as this will influence your moves. There's no one type of music that hoop dancers use as this is largely a personal choice. As such, there is no 'right' way to hoop dance: it's however you feel the music!
Spinning and Turning
The 2 most common styles that I find most graceful to watch are spinning and turning.
For a more 'broken' style, there are moves based on stopping the hoop and spinning it in the opposite direction. These are known as breaks and reversals:
Hoop dancing largely based on tricks can produce it's own type of flow: but this is dependent on how quickly you are able to move with the hoop so that one trick leads smoothly into the next one. Flexibility, co-ordination and nimbleness is key here. You may also have to put in a lot of jumping around with this style!
Guys n' Hoops
Another popular misconception is that hoops are only for girls. Well, take a look at these videos and see if you (don't) change your mind...
For most male hoopers, moves are largely centred around the arms, hands and upper body. They can also incorporate poi-based moves with hoops, known as 'poi-hooping' which is much more technical than dancey, but may be more appealing to the guys (and yes, this is also popular with some female hoopers too!)
So, next time you hear a guy scoff at the mere mention of guys hooping, just show him these examples!