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| Who Do you Hoop For? Series: Questions to Ask Yourself About Your Hooping |
When we as hoopers hit a wall we can't seem to get past -- burnout, a loss of motivation, frustration or, worse yet,
the perception that we're not as good as other hoopers, or that we're not the hoopers we used to be or want to be
-- we too tend to look to and at others, studying the YouTube videos ... pausing, rewinding, and forwarding in slow
motion, searching for some secret to hooping awesomeness as though it were hidden in between the frames. And
while that new fabulous move or three may momentarily provide new inspiration or feeling of accomplishment, it's
hard to hold on to. Once we've gotten it, or not, many of us find ourselves right back where we started, looking
for something new.
Inevitably, each of us locates our favorite hoopers, the ones that completely astound us. And we know, too, that
it's not exactly their "bag of tricks" that leaves us in awe. It's something else, something harder to put a finger on.
These hoopers seem to move effortlessly and yet with purpose, playfully and yet with shades of deep meaning.
Their dance is jubilant and yet serene. We wonder to ourselves where that hoop magic came from and sit in awe
as we watch them alternate between harnessing it and then letting it fly. And those of us that want to be
exceptionally good at what we do find ourselves asking, "Why can't I do that?" And that's a fantastic question.
It's one I've asked myself through the years, certainly. But I didn't have to play the videos in slow-mo to get my
answer. I knew immediately what those hoopers I most admired had that I didn't. They danced as if no one were
watching. It may sound simplistic, but it's something I've struggled with for years. It's the very reason I stopped
hooping publicly -- the joy I found in hooping alone in my loft with my vinyl records had somehow disappeared.
Now I only thought about what my hooping looked like to others. I wasn't hooping anymore ... even when by
myself, I was performing. I couldn't escape the feeling that I was being watched, judged, argh ... compared. And
that just felt icky to me. I certainly knew it didn't have anything to do with the reasons I began hooping.
Which took me back to the drawing board on my hooping. I started asking myself some hard questions. Questions
that I built this blog to share with you. "Who do you hoop for?" may not be the most pertinent question for you, but
it's a good a place as any to start. So take a minute to review the thoughts that go through your head when you're
hooping. Do you wonder if you're cool enough, if you're thin enough, if you know enough, if you're good enough?
Do you hoop to impress? Because if you do, it could be the biggest obstacle there is between you and the
hooping you know is in you somewhere, the obstacle between you and the hooping that will make someone else,
someday sit in awe asking themselves, "Why can't I do that?"
the perception that we're not as good as other hoopers, or that we're not the hoopers we used to be or want to be
-- we too tend to look to and at others, studying the YouTube videos ... pausing, rewinding, and forwarding in slow
motion, searching for some secret to hooping awesomeness as though it were hidden in between the frames. And
while that new fabulous move or three may momentarily provide new inspiration or feeling of accomplishment, it's
hard to hold on to. Once we've gotten it, or not, many of us find ourselves right back where we started, looking
for something new.
Inevitably, each of us locates our favorite hoopers, the ones that completely astound us. And we know, too, that
it's not exactly their "bag of tricks" that leaves us in awe. It's something else, something harder to put a finger on.
These hoopers seem to move effortlessly and yet with purpose, playfully and yet with shades of deep meaning.
Their dance is jubilant and yet serene. We wonder to ourselves where that hoop magic came from and sit in awe
as we watch them alternate between harnessing it and then letting it fly. And those of us that want to be
exceptionally good at what we do find ourselves asking, "Why can't I do that?" And that's a fantastic question.
It's one I've asked myself through the years, certainly. But I didn't have to play the videos in slow-mo to get my
answer. I knew immediately what those hoopers I most admired had that I didn't. They danced as if no one were
watching. It may sound simplistic, but it's something I've struggled with for years. It's the very reason I stopped
hooping publicly -- the joy I found in hooping alone in my loft with my vinyl records had somehow disappeared.
Now I only thought about what my hooping looked like to others. I wasn't hooping anymore ... even when by
myself, I was performing. I couldn't escape the feeling that I was being watched, judged, argh ... compared. And
that just felt icky to me. I certainly knew it didn't have anything to do with the reasons I began hooping.
Which took me back to the drawing board on my hooping. I started asking myself some hard questions. Questions
that I built this blog to share with you. "Who do you hoop for?" may not be the most pertinent question for you, but
it's a good a place as any to start. So take a minute to review the thoughts that go through your head when you're
hooping. Do you wonder if you're cool enough, if you're thin enough, if you know enough, if you're good enough?
Do you hoop to impress? Because if you do, it could be the biggest obstacle there is between you and the
hooping you know is in you somewhere, the obstacle between you and the hooping that will make someone else,
someday sit in awe asking themselves, "Why can't I do that?"
| . |
| Hooposophy articles are written by Superhooper.org's Lara Eastburn All Rights Reserved |
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Comments are updated nightly.
"WOW! Perfectly timed blog... cause I do and always have hooped for me... . I wish I had the grace and style and flow that others
possess, but bottom line? My circle is my own. Thank you for bringing me back to earth... and sky... and spirit!" - 8/20/10
"This is my favorite quote on creativity from Clarissa Pinkola Estes: 'If you want to create, you have to sacrifice superficiality, some
security and often your desire to be liked.' I think all artists hit that point of decision. Are you going to spend energy on Outside-In
thinking, or stay the course of pursuing Art? Sometimes you just have to let go of the superficial and go for what really
matters...Lara, what a fearless writer you are! Keep posting, please! And thanks for what you do." - 4/7/10
This is a great post, and an excellent question for all hoopers to answer, no matter if they've been in the hoop for 3 hours or 3
years. Thanks! - Betherann of www.KitchenCourage.com 1/27/10
"Thanks for this post, Laura! I'm a newbie hooper and I'm already facing some of these same issues, so it's good to know that the
awesome hoopers I see on YouTube, Hoop City and elsewhere go through the same things. This is a timely reminder for me that
I got into this for myself, not so I can post a video online somewhere and impress other people. Other than one video on HC, I
don't hoop in public yet, but when I take that step, I'll keep this blog post in mind and hoop like no one's watching." - Traci
(CircularPraise) 1/27/10
"Right. on." - baxter@hooppath.com 1/26/10
"I have to say that I hoop for myself, and I am now starting to learn how to dance with my hoop and not care about anything but
letting go and having fun. Of course I am more comfortable in my house.. I let go like there is no tomorrow..I really don't like to
hoop in front of people, just good friends..Thanks for posting this, and keep on hooping.." - Anonymous 1/25/10
"Excellent, excellent point Laura! While it's simply amazing to watch a kickin' hooper do their thing, Hooping should be about
finding your own joy. YOUR inner light. Whether performing for a crowd or rockin' it softley in your living room each of us should
have happiness flowing over and a heart full of love. That's what's makes it HOT!" - Gina 1/25/10
"WOW! Perfectly timed blog... cause I do and always have hooped for me... . I wish I had the grace and style and flow that others
possess, but bottom line? My circle is my own. Thank you for bringing me back to earth... and sky... and spirit!" - 8/20/10
"This is my favorite quote on creativity from Clarissa Pinkola Estes: 'If you want to create, you have to sacrifice superficiality, some
security and often your desire to be liked.' I think all artists hit that point of decision. Are you going to spend energy on Outside-In
thinking, or stay the course of pursuing Art? Sometimes you just have to let go of the superficial and go for what really
matters...Lara, what a fearless writer you are! Keep posting, please! And thanks for what you do." - 4/7/10
This is a great post, and an excellent question for all hoopers to answer, no matter if they've been in the hoop for 3 hours or 3
years. Thanks! - Betherann of www.KitchenCourage.com 1/27/10
"Thanks for this post, Laura! I'm a newbie hooper and I'm already facing some of these same issues, so it's good to know that the
awesome hoopers I see on YouTube, Hoop City and elsewhere go through the same things. This is a timely reminder for me that
I got into this for myself, not so I can post a video online somewhere and impress other people. Other than one video on HC, I
don't hoop in public yet, but when I take that step, I'll keep this blog post in mind and hoop like no one's watching." - Traci
(CircularPraise) 1/27/10
"Right. on." - baxter@hooppath.com 1/26/10
"I have to say that I hoop for myself, and I am now starting to learn how to dance with my hoop and not care about anything but
letting go and having fun. Of course I am more comfortable in my house.. I let go like there is no tomorrow..I really don't like to
hoop in front of people, just good friends..Thanks for posting this, and keep on hooping.." - Anonymous 1/25/10
"Excellent, excellent point Laura! While it's simply amazing to watch a kickin' hooper do their thing, Hooping should be about
finding your own joy. YOUR inner light. Whether performing for a crowd or rockin' it softley in your living room each of us should
have happiness flowing over and a heart full of love. That's what's makes it HOT!" - Gina 1/25/10
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