The Green Eyed Monster

So, when I started hooping in 2010, it was still a fairly “new” thing. There were videos on youtube, but nothing like now. The local hoop tribe was still pretty small. And instagram wasn't even a thing yet! Fast forward to 2017 and hooping and flow arts in general have exploded. Videos have gone viral, hoops are at every music fest, celebrities have even joined the flow. So when you're just starting out as a hooper, and you begin seeking out other hoopers, it's really easy to get discouraged, seeing that others may be more advanced. Especially if you've been working your butt off for a few months, and see videos that are like “my 1 month hoopiversary” where the dancer's skills are melting your face off. Or maybe you've gotten up the courage to go to a hoop jam, ask another hooper for help with a move, and get blown off. I totally get it. It's happened to me more than once.


Repeat after me. HOOPING IS NOT A COMPETITION. No matter what other people are doing, you are AWESOME. There's no end game in hoop dance. The journey is the reward. Some people learn faster than others, some have more time to dedicate, and for some people it just clicks faster. Yes, there will always be those girls who don't want anyone else to discover the plastic circle, they want it to only be for a select few. Screw that. Keep learning, keep practicing, and surround yourself with positive hoopers who celebrate every shoulder rotation, every successful foot pick up, every isolation. Sometimes you


Remember, we're playing with a toy. Don't let it stop being fun :)