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Ding, Dong. The "Fat" Girl's Dead: This One's For the
Plus-Size Hoopers and It Ain't About Losing Weight
Plus-Size Hoopers and It Ain't About Losing Weight
I've wanted to write about being a bigger hooper for quite some time. But I
kept thinking, nah, I'll have those last pounds off any day now...
I'm a plus-size hooper. There it is. Whew, that wasn't as hard to write as I
thought it might be. Why would it be? Because the hooping community
wrestles with the image and goal of an ideal body no less than the rest of
our culture. Amongst the slim and fit figures of our most popular and
well-known hoopers, it can sometimes be difficult to remember that we
bigger hoopers belong. Difficult to quiet that voice in our heads that tells us
we're just "that fat girl in a hoop."
So, what changed that secret and embarrassing self-perception for me? Um,
my own shadow, believe it or not. Here's the story.
kept thinking, nah, I'll have those last pounds off any day now...
I'm a plus-size hooper. There it is. Whew, that wasn't as hard to write as I
thought it might be. Why would it be? Because the hooping community
wrestles with the image and goal of an ideal body no less than the rest of
our culture. Amongst the slim and fit figures of our most popular and
well-known hoopers, it can sometimes be difficult to remember that we
bigger hoopers belong. Difficult to quiet that voice in our heads that tells us
we're just "that fat girl in a hoop."
So, what changed that secret and embarrassing self-perception for me? Um,
my own shadow, believe it or not. Here's the story.
| Hooposophy articles are written by Superhooper.org's Lara Eastburn All Rights Reserved |
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There I was, making my way the 3 1/2 miles around the lake where my dog Atilla and I had
become accustomed to spending our mornings. This particular a.m. I had gotten a later start,
so the sun was a bit higher in the sky than usual. As we rounded a corner into mile two, I
couldn't help but notice my shadow on the sidewalk. And as I ran, I thought, "Hmm. My body
looks and moves like a tower bell. Like a balanced and graceful pendulum."
It may not seem like much, but these were the kindest thoughts I've had about my form since
my daughter was born. There was something about having a symbol to think about in
relationship to my body. A symbol that brings about thoughts of movement and sound,
direction and purpose. Something very real shifted for me in that moment.
become accustomed to spending our mornings. This particular a.m. I had gotten a later start,
so the sun was a bit higher in the sky than usual. As we rounded a corner into mile two, I
couldn't help but notice my shadow on the sidewalk. And as I ran, I thought, "Hmm. My body
looks and moves like a tower bell. Like a balanced and graceful pendulum."
It may not seem like much, but these were the kindest thoughts I've had about my form since
my daughter was born. There was something about having a symbol to think about in
relationship to my body. A symbol that brings about thoughts of movement and sound,
direction and purpose. Something very real shifted for me in that moment.
The first thing I wanted to do with that feeling, of course, was test it out in my hoops. I imagined my body as a
grand bell, rooting my feet into the ground and alternating the movements of my hips with depth, control, and
power. I envisioned my whole body ringing a long, deep tone the likes of which could call an entire town to
attention.
Ding, Dong. My irrational idea of the "fat girl" was dead. In her place stood and swayed a proud and striking
dancer, poised for sonorous impact and taking her place within the community orchestra.
This week, I invite hoopers of all shapes -- from flutes to tubas, bass drums to electrical guitars -- to think of your
bodies as instruments of sound and movement. And then go play the hell out of them ... on the instrument we all
share. Shake it, hoopers. Shake it loud and proud.
grand bell, rooting my feet into the ground and alternating the movements of my hips with depth, control, and
power. I envisioned my whole body ringing a long, deep tone the likes of which could call an entire town to
attention.
Ding, Dong. My irrational idea of the "fat girl" was dead. In her place stood and swayed a proud and striking
dancer, poised for sonorous impact and taking her place within the community orchestra.
This week, I invite hoopers of all shapes -- from flutes to tubas, bass drums to electrical guitars -- to think of your
bodies as instruments of sound and movement. And then go play the hell out of them ... on the instrument we all
share. Shake it, hoopers. Shake it loud and proud.
Comments are updated nightly.
This blog entry has received so much commentary, I have moved it to its own page! Please continue to send in
your comments and read those of other beautiful hoopers on the Reader Comment Page for this entry.
Thank you!
This blog entry has received so much commentary, I have moved it to its own page! Please continue to send in
your comments and read those of other beautiful hoopers on the Reader Comment Page for this entry.
Thank you!
