I've got the secret y'all. It's easy and you will love it. 

Here it is.

Are you ready?

GRAB THAT HOOP! Yes, it's true, the best way to become a better, more flowing, more knowledgeable hooper is to actually do it. I know, life is busy and sometimes you just feel like you've lost your hoop mojo. That feeling doesn't escape me either sometimes. But actually picking up your hoop, and just organically moving it, not for the purpose of making a video or a #stopdropandhoop post, can do wonders. The competition that seems to have reared it's ugly head in the current hoop scene can really stagger creativity and make us forget why we fell in love with the plastic circle. 

Another tip? Close your eyes, and visualize yourself hoop dancing. Imagine what you want your flow to look like. Take the time to day dream, and then try to put it into action. In a world full of "check those notifications, binge watch this new show, etc", it can be AMAZING to just let your mind wander. 

You're an amazing hooper, and this flow journey never ends. Aren't we lucky for that??

​-Heather

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 :)