From Function to Fitness :: Getting Your Groove Back

September has been one of the busiest and most amazing months for us.  Top on our list was being a part of a music video.  Can't share any details past that, but we had a sneak peak last week and it is well worth the wait! Next in line is an article about Hooprama in Southern Living magazine for their November issue which should hit stands in a couple of weeks.

We launched a fabulous new class called totalMIX... that I like to describe as a class for those who get bored with yoga, but still desire more stretch and flexibility for their body.  It's a fusion class that melds pilates with some dance components.  No experience or coordination necessary- we promise! 

Check out our new pricing plan that includes $5 new student rates for zumba, cardioFLEX and totalMIX classes.   Now you can afford to try out any of these classes and even bring a friend with you- so TELL SOMEONE!

Hooprama will be at the Walden Artist Market this weekend, Saturday 9-4, Sunday 12-4.  Please stop by, say hello and check out our classes and on-the-spot hoop specials!  {1900 Eastland Ave} and we will be hooping the Komen 5k on behalf of Hooping for Hope next Saturday, Oct 10th.  Don't forget that we are offering free workshops in the studio at the end of October courtesy of our superhooper.org friends.  Please note... if something is already sold-out, you can always get on the waiting list!

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I am very excited to announce that my dear friend Lara, of superhooper.org, is on an adventure.  She is packing up her husband, daughter and business and hitting the road in their very earth friendly green bus.  Her goal... to bring hooping to the heartland of America.  She recognizes that there are lots of people out there who want to hoop, but don't know how to or don't have anyone to hoop with, so she is on a mission to hold classes in both introductory hooping and fire hooping safety in as many areas as they can.

Of course as payback to her inspiring me years ago to hoop through my entire last pregnancy, I offered her my street for her bus and my studio for her workshops.  We are going to have a full weekend of superhooper.org love and hooping!

We will be offering free (*) workshops in hooping 101, sensual hooping, advanced hooping, LED hooping and of course FIRE hooping!  I note (*) because while she is offering her services and inspiration free of charge, I am encouraging my hoop community of Nashville to arrive with a donation to this incredibly generous adventure.  Lara and Drew are the parents of 3-yr old Navi, and well, I would love to send them off with pockets full to feed their bellies and to get them that much further down the road!

Stay tuned to our registration page as the workshops will be posted within the next few days!  And if you want to pre-order your FIRE hoop, you must do so by Oct 13th in order to pick it up at the workshop.  LED hoops will also be for sale too!

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Let me introduce to you the LED hoop.  Don't be fool imitations.  And you get what you pay for.  Yes, old adages that definitely ring true in this case as well as many others.  I have a hoop that I love, that I rarely use.  My LED hoop. 

I paid $99 for the first LED hula hoop I purchased.  It was my way to get in the door.  It was a pretty good hoop for the most part; however, it broke apart one 4th of July at the park and seemed to be down for the count.  After that I decided to take the leap and jump into the land of PSI because from what I could understand, PSI hoops were/are the end-all, be-all to the land of LED hooping.  And you know what?  "They" are right. 

But what I find most difficult about this particular hoop is my own personal inability to share it with others, which is probably why I rarely take it out.  I find it difficult (and a bit painful) to turn people down when they ask to use my hoop which is why I try to bring other hoops if I am out with one of my "performance" ones.  I am not meaning to be rude when I don't share the PSI after all I know it's gorgeous, and "tempting like candy".  But more importantly, it's fragile and to a large degree, irreplaceable at this time in my life. 

But tonight I decided to do things a bit different.  The guys from Electric Western phoned me today and asked if I would come hoop for their 1-year anniversary dance party.  Although usually in bed by 10, this time I opted to respond yes and even decided to bring along my PSI hoop.  One of my teachers, Kristen, joined me and we took turns on stage.  Which by the way, I love to watch her in action- she is the most amazing and inspiring local hooper and of course she has a PSI too. We had a lot of fun but for me, smoky bars and ringing in ears can only go far... aka.the idea of my 2 year old walking at 6am is a bit of a downer when you get past midnight.  So we finished the evening with some, as Kristen puts it, guerrilla [LED] hooping, in the grass across from the pub next door. Unfortunately, my PSI showed her lack of use with a waning charge and I felt a bit guilty for having something so great and using it so little. Needless to say, upon arrival at home I immediately plugged her in so next time she would be 100% ready for a full night out on the town.  Promise me this, if and when you are LED ready, you seriously consider the PSI and of course... always keep it charged- this hoop is a mac in a pc world and should be used and adored as such!

PHOTO BELOW :: My 2-year old on her bike, photo courtesy of Fiona

PHOTO AT TOP :: Hoop FIFI, a tornado of light, at the Untitled GLOW show with my PSI hoop; courtesy of Carl Lambert

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It's been quite a month.  In fact, it's been quite a few months and I am not even sure where to begin.  There have been lots of changes at Hooprama and I am very excited for the fresh start. 

INSTRUCTORS :: I have hired numerous new instructors that I am really thrilled to have as an integral part of Hooprama.  They share a kindness and a passion for teaching. Please take time to get to know them and offer feedback for your classes. 

WEBSITE :: I recently rebuilt and relaunched our website.  Speaking of, at this point everything blends into each other, so if you happen to see some error or misguided link, would you please let me know? Part of the change is moving our old "news" page into our blog... a sort of forcing of us to keep you up to date with current events happening in the land of Hooprama.

HOOP TROUPE :: Keep an eye out for a bevy of fabulous performers representing Hooprama.  We had auditions last week and they were amazing- one hooper brought tears to my eyes she was so incredibly moving.  I am very excited to share the stage with these fabulous women and to encourage them in their performance growth.  We have some amazing things related to performance in the works, so you will need to come back and check up on our blog!

TWITTER :: Ok, so we are now on the band wagon with everyone else and have a twitter account.  Be sure to link to us to hear about last minute Hooprama Happenings.   In fact, we have one posted right NOW!

CLASSES :: We have recently switched over to a NEW STUDENT drop-in rate of only $5 for both our cardioFLEX and ZUMBA classes.  Can't beat a deal like that, so get on over and try it out!  Be sure to arrive a few minutes early so you can fill out the necessary paperwork.

HOOPING FOR HOPE :: Please join us Oct 10th while we hoop the Komen 10K for hope!   You can register online... just be sure to choose Team Hooprama Hooping for Hope.  Send us an email to let us know you registered and we will meet up to practice.  This walk is about representing HFH, not trying to "race" or make a particular time.

I know there is more- much more.  But it will have to wait until another day!    

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