Graceful Warrior: Take a Spin With This Hoop-eriffic Workout

I’ve had several friends get hula hoops in the last few weeks and then ask for a few pointers. Since I just picked up my hoop for possibly the first time this year (shame all over my face), I thought it would be fun to post on the basics and joy of hooping. I was able to hoop as a child, but that’s about it. I’ve learned all I know now about hooping from Rayna who founded Hoopnotica. Hooping takes you right back to the fun, carefree days of your youth, but being able to do really cool tricks plants you firmly in the joy of here and now. The Hoop: The new hoops are bigger and heavier than the ones from childhood. This is a good thing because more weight equals greater momentum to help it stay around your waist, plus it’s more of a workout. They make all kinds of fun hoops now too: glow in the dark, rainbow colors, extra weighted, travel hoops (that break apart), and if you heart desires – fire hoops. The Basics: How do you keep the darn thing around your waist? It’s all about pressure points. Most people try to roll their whole waist around inside the hoop, but that is inefficient and doesn’t really work. To keep the hoop in motion, you have to push it either forward and back or side to side. Starting off, just spin the hoop around your waist not trying to keep it going and notice which way you naturally spin it. If you spin it from right to left, then you are going to focus on “pushing” the hoop with pressure points on the right front side of your waist and the left back side of your waist. If you naturally hoop left to right, it is opposite (left front and right back). Stand with your feet hip width and one foot in front of the other (preferably the foot on the side you start spinning from). With the hoop on your back waist and both hands on the back/side, give the hoop a spin. Each time the hoop rolls over the front and back pressure points, shift your weight into it and give it a push. It will take a few spins to find your rhythm, but when you do, you’ll be able to do it for longer and longer! The more you do it, the easier it gets and the less you have to shift forward and back. You’ll also get a little sore and have better toned abs. Now, get out there and find your inner-child in the hoop this summer! By Gina Shelton