You can't find them right in front of the stage, bouncing and dancing along with the other fans.
You can't find them sprawled out on their blanket—they've got too much energy for that.
You have to look past the crowds, and you'll find them all along the edges—spinning, twirling and glittering to the beat of the music. These music festival regulars turn sound into motion using only two things: their bodies...and a hula hoop.
If you've ever been to a music festival, you've likely been captivated by these graceful people, maneuvering their hoops like they were born spinning. They dance perfectly to the beat of each song, and you find yourself rooting for them to just spin one more circle—do one more trick. It is impossible to look away from a really good hoop performance. You've also probably thought, at one time or another, "I could totally do that." At the end of the festival the hoopers pack up and go home, but the image of their craft still spins in your head.
Maybe you're considering hooping. Maybe you're a seasoned hooper looking to share your love of the circle. Maybe you're looking for someone to give you that final nudge into the hooping world.
You can find it all right here, with five simple reasons to start hooping.
1. Movement meditation
One of the best benefits of hoop dancing by far is movement meditation. If you've ever tried meditating but can't seem to quiet that monkey mind, can't get yourself to sit still, and no matter how long you sit there trying to look like a Buddha statue, you can't get that itch on the back of your neck to just leave you alone. Enter hooping. You've got music, you've got motion. Your arms and legs and core are constantly moving, and yet with all this motion your mind enters stillness. Because for a few moments, the world exists only inside this hoop.
2. It's a real workout
You probably hooped for hours as a kid with no further thought into the physicality of it. But as an adult, hooping can be a wildly beneficial exercise. It's good cardio, a good core workout, and (depending on the trick) can be an excellent way to build muscle in your arms and legs. Additionally, building up all that muscle in your core will help you to stand up straighter and blast that belly fat you've been dying to kick before summer break.
3. Hooping improves your coordination
Obviously, right? The more time you spend in the circle, the more you and your hoop can connect as one. Many hooping tutorials will tell you to "close your eyes and feel the hoop." Getting connected with the hoop helps you connect with your inner self, as concentrating on the sensations of hooping will help your mind to be more connected with your body. The left and right sides of your brain and body activate while hooping, making them stronger with each spin. Groovy.
4. The community
Finding a hobby almost always helps to expand your social circle. Plus having a community of hoopers can help you to better your craft. If you're a lover of music, motion and good vibes, the hoop community may be for you. Not to mention, once you become a star hooper you can teach your craft to the world.
5. Hoop vibes
We can all agree that exercise is an excellent mood booster. When you work up that hoop sweat, your brain is releasing tons of hormones like serotonin and dopamine. These "happy chemicals" flood you with positive emotions, and are great for busting stress. Whenever I'm feeling down, I pick up my hoop and get to spinning until I feel better.
Are you ready to start hooping yet?
