Jan 2008
Perusing various dance videos on YouTube, I stumble upon this one:-
Become completely hooked and know from then on that this is something I have to try for myself.
Feb 2008
I get hold of the Betty Hoops hoop-and-dvd pack which proves faithful for these precious few weeks. Disappointed at the so-called "dance" element of the accompanying dvd, I concentrate on the basic exercises instead. Despite Betty's clearly explained technique, I still have trouble keeping the hoop 'up' and spend the first 2 weeks really frustrated.
March - May 2008
Now armed with the accessibility of YouTube hooping tutorials, I am slowly improving - much to my surprise - and soon outgrow the heavy slowness of my Betty Hoop. But Betty does introduce me to the world of collapsible hoops. I soon discover a blog posted on Hooping.org on how to make them.
At this point, I am feeling confident enough to actually go out and meet some fellow hoopers. After a browse online for a hoop class of some sort, I happen across the Synergy Centre in Camberwell. I am blessed to say that the very first hooper I meet is actually the legend that is Sharna Rose, who is just as sweet as her hooping is! As helpful and humble a hooper one could ever meet, she gives me tips on hoop-making and even gives me my first LED hoop experience. :o)
A few weeks later, I am back at the Synergy Centre, this time joining a hoop group organised by Cara and taught by Anna. Much fun is had and I relish my Tuesday (soon to become Monday) evenings.
It is also around this time that I meet another established hooper, Diana DeFries of Hoopswhirled, who runs a monthly hoop club in Highgate.
Sept 2008
I attend my first ever hoop teacher training course. Body Hoops is based in the States and is founded by Diana Lopez, who makes annual trips to the UK to teach her branded program.
I have an absoloute blast, meeting other dedicated hoopers from around the country (as well as Ireland and Norway!). I also get to do this :-
Achieve Level 1 certification of Diana's program, which sets me on the path to teaching...
Dec 2008
A hoop dance demo at my work's annual Arts and Craft Fair leads to small, but enthused interest in hoop dance.
I immediately set about booking a timeslot in the staff workout studio and try to recruit potential participants to try and change their perception of hula-hooping...
Jan 2009
Start teaching hooping to a bunch of nervous colleagues, young and old(er), but by the end of it they're laughing, happy that what they thought they would never be able to do has just been proven wrong! :o) (This tends to happen a lot after a hoop class: there is always something that one achieves, no matter how small.)
Feb 2009
The heaviest snowfall in London allows me the opportunity for some snow-hooping, which is pretty challenging to say the least...
I also perform solo onstage at MoveIt, the UK's annual dance exhibition. I took the plunge on MOAM's Freestyle stage, where dancers volunteer to perform a 3 min slot of their chosen dance-style. I was nervous, but the urge to show the mainstream what hoop dance was all about, proved greater. Alas, I didn't get shortlisted to perform on the main stage (which was hugely overpopulated with street-dance acts), but I did get some lovely compliments afterwards.
Apr 2009
HoopGirl herself, Christabel Zamor, arrives in the UK to teach her popular HoopGirl program. Like Diana of BodyHoops, Christabel responds to demands from us dedicated UK hoopers to teach her performance-style brand of hooping annually on British shores.
After a fairly intense 3-day course, I successfully achieve HoopGirl Level 1 certification.
Back at work, my list of intrigued potential hoopers is growing (thanks to a few dedicated students!), so I set about upgrading to one of the building's function rooms.
Jun 2009
Hooping hits the tabloids, with a review of the Kennington Hoop Class in the Evening Standard. As a result, I sell my first travel hoop to a guy!
With Anna and Cara away at the end of the month, myself and resident Kennington hooper, Fi' undertake running the Kennington class.
Jul 2009
I attend the UK's first ever Hoop Gathering. Already an established event in the States (known as Hoop Camp), Gemma Goddard's dream of organising a UK based equivalent finally pays off and hoopers from all 4 corners of the UK unite for 3 days of hoop-bonding fun. :o)
I am especially looking forward to meeting one of my hooping 'idols', Beth Lavinder, resident of the Hoop Path in North Carolina, USA.
It is such a magical experience: meeting other UK hoopers and learning new techniques. Definitely a staple in my hooping calendar!
Hulaganation @ Secret Garden Party.
A few of the Kennington Hoop Crew hoop it up at this arts-based festival, spreading the hoop love on up-for-it festival-goers!
The fabulous Anna is also there to oversee the shenanigans and provides us all with a fire-spectacle in the nightly fire-performance 'show' (along with other fire acts such as poi and staff).
London preparations for World Hoop Day also begin, which this year I am organising...
Aug 2009
HoopandGlory goes live :o)
I write my first hoop dance article for sassy, alternative e-zine MookyChick.
Orders for my travel hoops increase in the run up to World Hoop Day.
Sept 2009
The big day finally arrives: 09/09/09 is World Hoop Day and this year I am in charge of the London celebrations.
We start off at Wellington Arch, Hyde Park Corner, creating our own "hooper island" before departing at 8:30, music and hoopers in tow to complete our grand finale: a 9-min hoop-a-thon in Trafalgar Square.
It is an absolute success and everybody who takes part is fantastic! Can't wait for next year's event: 10/10/10. :o)
Oct 2009
Diana Lopez returns to the U.K. enabling me to complete Level 2 of her BodyHoops program.
Nov 2009
Introduce the alternative 'figure-of-8' style travel hoop onto my site as a means of designing a lighter hoop. Also provides a slightly cheaper option than the 4-section design.
My determination in getting a venue to bring hoop-dance to West London finally pays-off. The new beginners-intermediate drop-in classes are due to start in Ravenscourt Park from Jan 2010...!
November also lends me my first experience in teaching hoop-dance for fun, as I assist my fellow hoop-dance buddy, Charlene 'Empress Hula' Davies in entertaining a hen-party.
The fabulous Sharna Rose graces the Kennington Hoopers' class armed with her breath-taking skills. If you think that mastering the basics means you're nearly there, then you obviously haven't witnessed Sharna in action! ;o)
Dec 2009
My first 'official' hoop performance takes place at Jumble @ LiquidNation, Ladbroke Grove, London. Audience includes support from two of my fellow Kennington hoopers, Marina and Mary and my boyfriend on photographic duties. While not exactly hitting the big-time yet, was good for me to test the waters of stage-performance.
Jan 2010
Things are hotting up on the hoop front: first and foremost are my new classes in Ravenscourt Park - the only weekly, drop-in hoop dance class in West London (and as far as is known, the only regular hoop class in West London)!
Despite the snow, the turnout for the 1st class is a success allowing me to meet my eventual group of regulars...
Sports Relief Ad
An open invite is put out on various Hoop groups for participants to take part in a TV promotion for Sports Relief, this year incoporating a Hoopathon: an attempt to break the world record for the most people hooping simultaneusly - hooping is catching on and filtering into the mainstream! And who better to sponsor the Hoopathon than Hula Hoops (the crisps)!
Mar 2010
I get to teach my first Polestars Hoop Birthday party at Loop bar and club - incidentally the venue of choice for my own birthday last year.
21/03 Sports Relief Hoopathon
The day finally arrives on this fine Sunday morning. Scores of participants (mainly kids) dressed in the obligatory red hula-hoops t-shirts congregate in the bandstand area of Embankment Gardens, practicing for the 2-min simultaneous hoop that we - and 15 other cities - will undertake at 12 noon.
And we did it! Just over 1,300 hoopers manage to break the record of Most Number of People Hooping simultaneously.
May 2010
Some LED hooping at Promnight. Trying to do this in heels while looking elegant is no mean feat!
July 2010
UKHG 2 - "Push It Forward" brings together some old as well as new (but familiar) faces to inspire and challenge the experienced hoopers. With workshops taught by regulars Sharna & Diana, Emily & Chanti of The Pantalooneys and Beth Lavinder, this year multi-talented performer SaFire joins the rank of guest teachers.