hooping
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A Word About "Tricks" and "Trick" Hooping
The modern hooping community, it seems, universally refers to the things we do with a hoop as "tricks." And for
good reason, it would appear. Some of the things we do can certainly be "tricky," taking multiple bruises and
hours, if not months, to accomplish with some relative ease. We think about the feats we perform with our hoops
as tricks to be "mastered," "conquered," and "controlled."
And frankly, it's always kind of rubbed me the wrong way. That's not surprising either, I suppose, given my
pre-hoop incarnation as a sort of linguist. But it's always struck me as rather strange that we as a largely positive
community, employ such a negative word so often in reference to our art.
Now, some of you may object that there's not much harm in such a little word. But the words we use
say a lot about how we regard our hooping practice. And words manage to frame how we feel about what we're
doing. Here's a quick look at the dictionary definitions of "trick:"
a crafty or underhanded device, maneuver, stratagem, intended to deceive or cheat; artifice; ruse; wile.
an optical illusion: It must have been some visual trick caused by the flickering candlelight.
a roguish or mischievous act; practical joke; prank: She likes to play tricks on her friends.
a mean, foolish, or childish action.
Informal. a child or young girl: a pretty little trick.
Slang. a prostitute's customer. b. a sexual act between a prostitute and a customer.
So over the years, I've slowly replaced the word "trick" as it pertains to hooping, with the word "movement." In my
classes, for instance, I might say, "Be patient with yourself as you learn this new movement." I'm not suggesting
that we eliminate "trick" entirely from our vocabularies, but that we weave in some alternatives and see how they
feel, see if they're not more motivating and uplifting. You may find that this simple replacement encourages your
students and you in ways you didn't suspect. We may associate "trick" with "jumping through hoops," but there
are other words in our language that subtly remind us that we're dancing with them. Leave a comment with your
alternative word!
Now go out and practice that new movement you've been working on!
good reason, it would appear. Some of the things we do can certainly be "tricky," taking multiple bruises and
hours, if not months, to accomplish with some relative ease. We think about the feats we perform with our hoops
as tricks to be "mastered," "conquered," and "controlled."
And frankly, it's always kind of rubbed me the wrong way. That's not surprising either, I suppose, given my
pre-hoop incarnation as a sort of linguist. But it's always struck me as rather strange that we as a largely positive
community, employ such a negative word so often in reference to our art.
Now, some of you may object that there's not much harm in such a little word. But the words we use
say a lot about how we regard our hooping practice. And words manage to frame how we feel about what we're
doing. Here's a quick look at the dictionary definitions of "trick:"
a crafty or underhanded device, maneuver, stratagem, intended to deceive or cheat; artifice; ruse; wile.
an optical illusion: It must have been some visual trick caused by the flickering candlelight.
a roguish or mischievous act; practical joke; prank: She likes to play tricks on her friends.
a mean, foolish, or childish action.
Informal. a child or young girl: a pretty little trick.
Slang. a prostitute's customer. b. a sexual act between a prostitute and a customer.
So over the years, I've slowly replaced the word "trick" as it pertains to hooping, with the word "movement." In my
classes, for instance, I might say, "Be patient with yourself as you learn this new movement." I'm not suggesting
that we eliminate "trick" entirely from our vocabularies, but that we weave in some alternatives and see how they
feel, see if they're not more motivating and uplifting. You may find that this simple replacement encourages your
students and you in ways you didn't suspect. We may associate "trick" with "jumping through hoops," but there
are other words in our language that subtly remind us that we're dancing with them. Leave a comment with your
alternative word!
Now go out and practice that new movement you've been working on!
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| Hooposophy articles are written by Superhooper.org's Lara Eastburn All Rights Reserved |
Comments are updated nightly.
"We learn & execute exquisite SKILLS :)" ~ Jozette of Whirled Peace Hoops, 12/1/10.
"I'm so glad I found someone else commenting on this. I believe how we [use] language [...] dictates how we approach it. Instead
of tricks I talk about learning new "expressions" because that's what hooping is for me - a series of ever-evolving expressions.
Thanks for sharing all of your thoughts on hooping." ~Xakara, 12/1/10
"Thank you so much for bringing awareness to this area." -9/3/10
"I like how Spiral and Rich's project refers to hoop "techniques". Great thoughts, as always, Lara. ~Tangled Macrame, 5/25/10
"I like this...I'm big into language too. It's so important. Thanks for sharing this!" -5/5/10
"Be patient with yourself as you learn this new movement. ~ what a great quote! I will remember this always when taking on new
movements. Thanks for your awesome words of advice, Lara!!" ~ BHoops 2/1/10
"I like the word "skill" too. We can always be learning new skills no matter how long you have been hooping. I also like that word
because it can be achieved at so many different levels that it would be rare for two people to ever be in exactly the same place at
the same time! =)" - Gina 1/25/10
"We learn & execute exquisite SKILLS :)" ~ Jozette of Whirled Peace Hoops, 12/1/10.
"I'm so glad I found someone else commenting on this. I believe how we [use] language [...] dictates how we approach it. Instead
of tricks I talk about learning new "expressions" because that's what hooping is for me - a series of ever-evolving expressions.
Thanks for sharing all of your thoughts on hooping." ~Xakara, 12/1/10
"Thank you so much for bringing awareness to this area." -9/3/10
"I like how Spiral and Rich's project refers to hoop "techniques". Great thoughts, as always, Lara. ~Tangled Macrame, 5/25/10
"I like this...I'm big into language too. It's so important. Thanks for sharing this!" -5/5/10
"Be patient with yourself as you learn this new movement. ~ what a great quote! I will remember this always when taking on new
movements. Thanks for your awesome words of advice, Lara!!" ~ BHoops 2/1/10
"I like the word "skill" too. We can always be learning new skills no matter how long you have been hooping. I also like that word
because it can be achieved at so many different levels that it would be rare for two people to ever be in exactly the same place at
the same time! =)" - Gina 1/25/10
