I wasn’t born a natural hooper (or maybe I was and didn’t know it yet!) I wasn’t the most coordinated child, and my attention span to follow direction or choreography was minimal, I can’t even remember if I played with a hula hoop. As an adult I picked it up a few times and had no idea what I was doing, even though I thought I was good at moving my hips, each time it just hit the floor. Even though I was nervous as hell to learn in public, I put on some colourful tights and dressed like I knew what I was doing and took my roommate’s little whippet dog for moral support. I had one goal to spin it around my waist!! Finally, I don’t know when? I was keeping it up and semi looking like I knew what I was doing! I started to hear some clapping, this couple behind me were watching me from a park bench. They were smiling just as big as I was, that now I could keep it up. It was a joyous moment and we all started to laugh with happiness, and this is when I truly fell in love with the hoop, the hoopie life then chose me. Every day (most days) for a few months I took the dog and myself to the park and practised. After that I got the courage and booked myself into an 8 weeks beginner course, my thirst to learn tricks and how to hoop dance grew. I wasn’t the best in class, and it took me a fair bit of practice to really nail some basic moves, though here was born my passion, love and joy for the hoop. I found myself a beautiful community that is inspiring, supportive and accepting, and helped me in many physical and emotional ways. I joked with friends and said I’m quitting my day job to become a hooper, my passion now is to spread joy through the hoop and teach anyone who says they can’t, because if I can learn you can too. All you need is the right hoop, a little motivation and encouragement. Also, Movement does wonders for your mental and physical wellbeing; we do it an injustice by not making it fun. Hoop movement and dance bring a childlike joy and excitement to movement, making it a fun way to “exercise”. Naturally, it is the key to unlocking your inner energy and releasing tension.