How to get over the fear of public hooping

If you've met me, you know that I'm loud, giggly, and very much an extrovert. But there was a time when I was just starting my hoop journey that I was terribly afraid to do so in front of people, certainly at a public park or the like. And I still get overly nervous when performing. But when you live in an apartment, or don't have a private yard, it can be really easy to fall behind on your practice.  So I'm going to help you to get over this.

First of all, you're the pro. You know the phrase "in the land of the blind, the man with one eye is king." In your local park, it's likely you're the one with the most hoop knowledge. If people are looking at you, 99% of the time they're looking in admiration. "Wow, look at her go!" "Wow I wish I could do that! "Wow, I wish I had that confidence." That's IF they even look. Think about when you see someone doing something unexpected. You look for a moment, and move on (unless it's something heinous, obviously). You probably don't even think about it again. Most people are interested in what THEY are doing, not others. Yes, there will be people who stare longer than normal, and you are completely right to grab your stuff and move on, ESPECIALLY if they're attempting to video you. Let them know straight up that that is NOT ok. But as much as I've hooped publicly, I can count the amount of times people stared, without coming over and shyly asking to try out a hoop. 

Also, invest in wireless headphones. When you've got your tunes going as you flow, the world can just float away and it helps to concentrate so much. This can help too if you don't want to be disturbed by people just walking up.

Still worried about hooping in public?
Seek out places. Got a pal with a great yard? Ask if you can go over to borrow it. (I do. Come hoop!) Check out your gym or apartment complex, or even your work, and see if there is an empty room you can use. Even just 15 or 20 minutes practicing can help keep up your practice. 

Oh, and is this can be a hard one. Stop watching videos. Sure, tutorials are great, but watching hoopers who've been doing this for years and have professionally shot videos will make you even more self conscious. There is no end game in hoop dance. The journey is its own reward. <3

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