Alright, so I know I say I have enjoyed every class thus far, but honestly tonight's class was the BEST. Ali is a UWL TR graduate who has a passion for hula hooping. She recently received a grant for starting a therapeutic hula hooping program for incarcerated women. She came in to our class to spread the love of hula hooping and also as a part of her official license as a hoop instructor. I would describe her as spunky, hilarious, and free-spirited. She was SO much fun. She began by showing us a powerpoint about hula hooping and its physical and psychological benefits. There are endless benefits in both categories. Some include improving overall fitness, relaxation, meditation, improving self-confidence, and improving organ tone. Ali told us about her journey through the hoop and how huge of an impact hooping has on her life. I thought this was so fascinating because many people think of hula hoops as kid toys or hula hoop contests. It was so interesting to learn about hula hooping in a totally different light.
After being introduced to the benefits of hooping and what it is, we were able to create our very own hoop! We were able to pick what size hoop we wanted and cut off the irrigation piping. After we cut the piping, we put the ends in hot water to make them more flexible. Once they were heated up, we inserted a fastener plug into the hoop and connected it. The process was super easy! The only thing I thought of was that when working with different populations it is likely individuals will need assistance with the cutting of the hoop and construction part. Once the hoop was connected, the fun part came. There were many different fun colored rolls of duct tape including neon colors and fun designs. We ripped strips of duct tape and decorated our hoops however we wanted! We were all in a common study lounge area decorating our hoops. It was really fun to look around and see everyone so focused on their hoop and peronalizing it. I really enjoyed that we were able to create our own hoop because I think it gave our hoop a deeper meaning for us because we went through the process of creating it and decorating it on our own.
After we had our hoops made, we went outside and hooped! Ali ran us through a warm-up and cool-down. During the warm-up we did different moves with the hoop and she wanted us to focus on using our hands. I really learned that hooping does not mean the traditional hula hoop move around the waist. Hooping involves many different movements and is very individualistic. The possibilities and moves with the hoop are endless and creative. Hooping is more of a dance because it is all about feeling the free spirit of hooping and really "getting into it." I thought the hooping part was really fun but I wish it was longer and we would have learned more moves with the hoops.
In my future I will definitely be able to use the activity of hooping. I think that hula hooping is great and can be used for all populations! The possibilities are endless. Stephen talked about his son and hula hooping. There are also ideas that hula hooping would work great for kids with Autism because of the "hug" sensation and a soft textured hoop can even be used. I thought about using hula hoops within geriatrics for helping with hand strength and arthritis. I think that a big hula hoop could be used and people can work on holding the hoop together and off of this base different activities and games could be created. Today's class made me think not only about hula hooping, but also about different simple basic things that can be used for SO much more than what they commonly stand for. I had always thought of hula-hooping as a contest that you see on a cruise ship or something. I now have been exposed to the deeper meaning and world of hula hooping. Funny thing is, I asked for a hula hoop for Christmas. (along with new toothbrushes.. yeah, I am a bit strange) I received a hula hoop for Christmas (I was on Santa's nice list) and I had fun trying it out with my family. They all made fun of me for wanting a hula hoop for Christmas. I loved it though and was even sore and brusied the next day from hooping! After today's class, I called my Dad and rubbed it in his face for laughing at me about hooping. I told him about what I learned and that hula hooping is becoming a new fitness method. I think hula hooping is AWESOME and I am so happy I had the opportunity to learn all about it. I think creating the hula hoop and then actually using it would be a perfect activity for so many different populations!
In tonight's class, I "aimed for excellence" by fuly participating in hooping. I also participated in the post discussion and really thought about the therapeutic implications of hula hooping.
I am so excited to continue to hoop. My next goal for hooping is to tandem hula hoop with my roommate. :) ( this IS possible-- youtube it and you will be amazed!)
Tonight was a great class! I cannot stop telling people all about it and showing off my hoop! :)
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