Double Feature

Victoria stuns again with her fluid hoop mastery...

Winter Hooping...a possibility

It has been freakin' cold down here--The south in South Central PA is really misleading. I do plan on hooping outside as soon as I figure out how that works with a big fat down parka! Meanwhile, this should help to keep warm...

Hooping at York's Landmarks, Part I

I hope there will be many parts to this series, I had so much fun!! That means Tracey will have to come down to visit, again....

More Night Hooping

Gosh, this was from a while back, when I still had hair! My buddies, Alisha and Adam, who recently began to hoop after attending a Mad Hoopers Of York gathering, had this killer party. I dragged some hoops on down to Glen Rock, and let the party goers work some magic....
These photos were taken by a friend and neighbor, Angie and her husband John.


Adam's dad busts a move as I watch


Me, Hooping with hair


Neighbor John, doing some sexy hooping.


Neighbor Angie, as sexy as her hubby, me in the back, hovering, and another friend of hooping off to the right....

My Wet Dream

Ani and a killer hoopstress...'nuff said.

My New Hooping Hero: Volume VII

Great moves, great rhythm, and great outfit! This hoopstress rocks out!

Hooping Fun on My Parent's 40th Anniversary

Several weeks ago, my folks had their 40th year together. A group of friends and family all met is Piscataway, NJ, where my younger bro, Seth recently bought a house. I of course, brought my hoops...

Seriously SEXY Hooping!

This is some hot hooping footage! These two must really be in synch with one another to do this, because it is really difficult! I've tried with my husband, Brett, and really it was a riot! I am sure we didn't look quite as good as these two, but it was good for a laugh...

Hooping JOY!!

This past week, my good friend and all star hooper, Tracey came to visit. We had a veritable hoop fest the whole time, with wild hooping in fun locations, hoop making marathons and new hoop tricks. Tracey mastered the kickup from the ground while in front of a large doughnut and I finally was able to get some hooping around the legs, with Tracey's masterful tutelage.

Hooping Hero Revisited

This woman is so awesome, I had to feature her again! This really is hooping perfectionism; An inspiration to all in the hooping world!

Hoop Wars 2007

As part of my hoop week, I went to N.J. for my parents' 40th wedding anniversary. I got almost everyone hooping, so we had a blast! This video is only some of the fun...more to come!

Hooping towards serenity

For those of you who know me (Tracey ;0), you know the high stress job I have does not make for serenity, but for the next seven days I vow to myself and to you all before me that I will hoop toward a blissful peace on a daily basis. And maybe I'll actually capture some of it on video. And get around to posting it. But hooping first, and foremost...

HoOp HaPpY!

My New Hooping Hero: Volume VI

Not only is she an awesome hooper, but easily the cutest hooper ever!!

Related Activities: Say Hello to Poi!

You may have seen this interesting activity done with scarves or flames, but a good way to practice poi, apparently, is with socks. Check out this video link to get the idea of what poi is. I am not totally sure myself, as yet, but it seems relaxing and fun...The woman teaching the class is very entertaining.

I present an edifying POI video, also quite entertaining! And as you shall see, by the intro, poi and hoop are related!



And a beautiful Poi video. This gorgeous video really covers the exploration of the beauty and fluidity of poi movement. It seems like practicing poi would really help with coordination and improve hooping...

Hypnotic Hooping

This is just beautiful and zen and demonstrates perfectly how meditative and centering hooping can be.

Delovely Delightful Hooping!

PLEASE tell me where I can get one of these HOT silver outfits...I would so totally wear it out everywhere!!!

Sweatin' to the Oldies

Well, okay, maybe not the moldy oldies, but Sinead O'Conner is my nod to the eighties, when I came of age, so it is only natural that I would feel an affinity for her tunes. Anyway, I am just giving a hint as to the inspiration for my next video clip. I was practicing today and I am sweating my ass off! I was trying the little skip/hop that really gets the hoop kicking for some serious power hooping. Some of you folks make it look so easy, but really, it whupped your butt!I have tape marks all up my arms, a bruis under my eye and I am literally dripping with sweat, so much that I don't even feel guilty about the apple dumpling a la mode that I had at lunch today. So, about the clip, Brett and I were going to do it today, but had some "technical difficulties" (dead battery), so you should see our masterpiece tomorrow. Get ready for a lot of spazz, because I am trying a lot of new tricks, and smaller hoops. And as all you know, the smaller the hoop, the more difficult...

SHOWER TIME!!! Peee-ewww!

Hoop HAPPY!

My New Hooping Hero: Volume V

Sass's sheer rhythm and movement just rocks! Yet another stellar hooper to whom we my aspire...

More Self Promotion

Hoopalicious

Another example of fantastic hooping prowess...

Watch Me Hoop!!

What good is a blog if not a forum in which I can promote MYSELF!! My husband, Brett took a couple of clips of me hooping (as per my request) to Portishead. Hooping slowly, I have discovered, is more difficult for me that hooping fast, and I am not sure I like how it looks, but I humbly present it to you.

My New Hooping Hero: Volume IV

Not only does this grrl rock, but she didn't bang into a single piece of living room furniture. I really found her to be an inspiration to watch. She does a lot of repetition of moves, so if you watch carefully, you can get some idea of how they're done. I'm looking forward to trying the alternation of arm in hoop above head, under to the chest...I'm not describing it as eloquently as the woman moves....

Speleo-Hooping at the Picnic

As those of you who know me, I am an avid caver as well as hooper, and can attest to the fact that cavers are adventurous folks. Not to be intimidated by a loop of tubing, Karen Bange ambitiously took up hoop and went to it. Initially a little shakey, she kept at it and in no time, she was hooping around her shoulders! Go Karen!! I hope to see her at one of the gatherings in the future.





Cassie Jacobs, a fearless caver with some hooping experience was a natural with my large hoops. She expressed some uncertainty at their gargantuan size, but she, too, was pulling some tricks out of the hoop by the end.





Sadly, my camera was knocked off the two story deck by a renegade hoop and fell to its death, so only part of the historic event was recorded by myself. I do expect some pictures to post from some of the other picnic goers and hooping onlookers.

Some of the other folks in the York Grotto (caving club), also sidled up to the hoop for some antics...kudos to Joel, Andy, Randy, Kathy and Jim! Good Job!

My New Hooping Hero: Volume III

All I can say is HOLY SH*&!!! And I hope nobody is offended, but watch this and I can guarantee you will say it several times--she just blew me away!!

My New Hooping Hero: Volume II

If only I had these skills back in the 90's....


May this inspire you to pick up a hoop and GET TO IT!!!

Wildfire Hooper Presents....

The long awaited Mad Hoopers of York Second Gathering!!
Please peruse this award winning movie masterpiece....let me know what you think!

Good Luck With This!!

I tell you, no matter how much I try, it's just not coming to me, the whole around the leg thing! Does anyone have any suggestions?

Hoopy Poopy

Tamie, the Mad Speleo-Hooper...



Alright, I know I said Monday and it is already Wednesday, and nothing is up yet. I swear I had good intentions.
I am working on the movie with all the clips from the second gathering on July !5th 2007. I also have some pics from folks hooping at the NSS convention, and my brother and sister in law who visited yesterday hooping it up in the front yard.
My wonderful husband is planning to help me out with a video of ME hooping! Tracey, you're going to be so proud, your little Alpaca is all grown up!
And, to top it off, I am planning another gathering, tentatively for mid-August, and will be sending out emails to those who have provided email addresses. You can still send me your address, or check back to the blog for updates.

Happy Hooping!

Practice this!

This is one of the little tricks I will be practicing this week....

Hooping Inspiration

Even in her living room, Megan rocks the house!!

Another Sampling

Presenting more pictures from the second gathering of the Mad Hoopers of York! Hope you like them...I am presently downloading a couple clips and more pics from that awesome day to make another movie. That should be coming up Monday.
We just returned from the NSS Convention. I left some hoops around and watched what happened. A couple of folks stepped up to the challenge. These shocking images of wild cavers hooping it up will be up Monday, as well. Meanwhile, enjoy this little gallery of hoopers having fun!I hope that all you folks who moseyed over for some hooping fun will get a look at these pictures. I will be planning on another gathering in a few weeks, work permitting, so check back often to keep updated.

Away for a few days...

I am in Indiana, spreading the word of the hoop...actually I am at the NSS Convention(http://www.nss2007.com/) but I have gotten several people to hoop. A guy from the campsite across the way, Vern "The Vernerator," has picked it up really well. I'll be having clips and pictures galore to post when I get home, in addition to getting up more pictures from the last gathering.....check back Monday or so.
Tomorrow night is a bonfire, and the PERFECT environment for wild hooping. Caver are adventurous people to begin with, so this could get interesting....

Happy Hooping!!

Gathering pics

Here's just a few of the photos from Sunday's gathering...more to come!!

Second Gathering of Mad Hoopers of York

The second gathering at John Rudy Park, while starting out a bit slow, ended up a roaring success. I'll be posting some video clips and photos soon. I was a little under the weather today, but like a trooper, I hawked the art of hooping from 3:30 until 7:00. All it took was some tissues and a couple of Vicks cough drops. The weather, on the other hand, stood up beautifully, and I saw nary a drop of rain until I pulled into my driveway at home at 7:20.
Keep your eyes peeled for other gatherings in the coming weeks!

Hooping at Parties: More Night Hooping

Went to a party this weekend, and of course, brought my hoops. Many of the brave and adventurous picked up hoops; there were some intrepid photographers there to document the fun, so I hope to get emailed some pics from that night(My camera's battery died....sob). I'll post them as soon as they arrive...hint hint.

Gathering Update

This Sunday is fast approaching and the second gathering of Mad Hoopers of York will soon be upon us!! I can't wait to see you all out at John Rudy Park at 3:30 pm on what will surely be a glorious day, filled with hooping, new tricks and new friends! Okay, so possible thunderstorms--the key word being possible, not definite. I am still planning to be there! Bring your hoops, or borrow mine; I will even be selling them, if you try one you love.

Hope to see you there! Happy hooping!
Here's some inspiration! ANYONE CAN DO IT, and this guy ROCKS my world!!!

My New Hooping Hero

May we all aspire to hoop as if we grew up in the circus....

Hooping Happiness

I have a million reasons to hoop, and find myself trying to tell people about what IT is, often to be met with an uncomprehending stare. While all it really takes is for the individual to pick up a hoop for a few minutes, some folks need more visual proof, prior to trying it out. I found this site while searching for all things hoop. The intro. essay really epitomizes the benefits of hooping: the art of hoop dancing, meditative aspects, the fitness, the sheer joy! While this particular revolution is taking place in LA, soon, we'll have our very own hoop renaissance in York! Truth be told, I am actually looking forward to the dress-up aspect of hooping. I have always loved to dress up -I mean, who doesn't?!! ; } - so this will be an opportunity for a costume extravaganza! Wheeeee! Hope to see you this Sunday, at John Rudy park. See below for directions.

ATTENTION: GATHERING ALERT!!!

I am organizing another hooping gathering at John Rudy Park in York.
Date: Sunday, July 15, 2007
Time: 3:30 pm
Place : The open glen near the playground. Park in the first parking lot on the left after entering the park (same as last gathering).



I will be providing water and hoops of various sizes and weights to borrow.
Feel free to post any questions to the blog.

If it happens to be actively raining, hailing, or snowing, I will reschedule the gathering for a later date.

Start practicing now!
Browse the blog for tutorials or visit some of the links for some inspiration, then pump up the tunes and get hooping!! See you Sunday!!

Hoop Tricks with Natasha--Pop-up tutorial

Natasha's awesome living room tutorials will let you strut your hooping stuff at the next gathering!

Hoop Tricks with Natasha-Vertical Step Through

Natasha has a slew of concise hooping tutorials on Youtube. This should get you hooping!

Here's Some Skills!

I just really LOVED this video--and Siouxsie and the Banshees rock!!

Hooping Sites of Note

To help you get into the world of hooping, here are some great sites that you might want to visit. These sites also have links to dozens of other hooping sites. Ya'll don't forget to come back to the Mad Hoopers, ya hear!

Hooping. Org Magazine is a great resource for all things hooping. It's a wellspring of informative articles and other links to get you started hooping.

The famous, unrivaled site for hoop making--simple, well photographed, step-by-step; my hoop making bible.

Another great hoop-making site, with some terrifically innovative ideas to light up you hooping life!

Jessie's site is for new and experienced hoopers alike...tons of instructional videos, links for hula hoop making how-to, and much more.

If you're kicking around Vancouver, BC, check out Christa's site first! In addition to classes in Canada, Christahoops covers history, sells hoops and has some kickass clips for those of us not within driving distance, just to give us a taste of what we're missing. She makes it look so easy!

Meet some really cool hoopers based out of Sydney, Australia! Never been there myself, but if they're hooping there, I'm booking a ticket, soon!

Brush up on your hooping history at this site.

First Hoop Gathering Of Mad Hoopers of York--THE VIDEO!

Mad Hoopers Of York come together in hooping harmony on this first ever Mad Hooper Video!

Watch that MAMA hoop!

This is a picture of my ma hooping it up last Saturday....if I can get my folks to do it, anyone should be willing to pick a hoop and give it a try. Visit the blog for dates and times of hoop gatherings. And let me know if you're interested in organizing your own!!

Too Much Hooping...




....is never enough

Hardcore Hooper and Double Hooping

Night Hooping

The first day that I was introduced to the hula hoop was not all that long ago. June 15, 2007, actually ...and since then, I have taken the hoop into my heart, and hope to spread the fire. I will be learning right along side all fellow hoopers.
Here's how it went: I visited my good friend Tracey in Northampton, MA, where, apparently there is a renaissance movement dedicated to the art of hooping, or hoop dancing. Tracey has three or four hoops, made by a local woman in one of the hoop groups, and I whirled a couple times in her back porch, banging into furniture and upsetting Tuffy the cat to no end. We moved our hoop party to town...there was a hoop happening, as it turned out in town that day. Several women, effortlessly twirled hoops through the air, around their waists, necks, arms and back down again. One willowy woman in black simultaneously spun two around her midsection so that she looked like the nucleus of an atom. I picked up a hoop hesitantly. I have my moments of coordination, but public displays rarely serve to bring them out. I received quite a bit of encouragement that day, to persevere; not 10 minutes had passed and I was doing tricks. Not great tricks, mind you, but more than the run of the mill around the hip stuff. These hoops made it possible! They were not the flimsy, light plastic hoops that I remember from a failed youth of hoop attempts. They were large, graceful, swooping about my middle with a gentle swish of water....I was hooked.
That night, we brought them to a party and hooped our hearts out. An added bonus that we discovered that night--it keeps the bugs away!

As inspiring as a proper renaissance should be, the hooping in Northampton moved me to bring hooping here to York, PA.

First Hoop Gathering Of Mad Hoopers of York

What a crazy day!! At 3:15 this past Saturday at John Rudy Park in York, PA, the grassy glen was inundated by hoopers of all ages, all shapes and sizes! Hoops were provided by me, Lala the Maddest Hooper of them all (and I have the bruises to prove it, related to a couple of lost battles with the hoop...). Passers by were encouraged to stop and hoop, and a few of the brave accepted the challenge, with outstanding results!

For those who believe they could never hoop, please, allow me to dispel the myth. Case in point: while the folks in question may not be pleased at my revealing their ages, I will do so in the name of promoting the joy that is HOOPING!! My very own ma and pa, ages 61 and 66, respectively, took up the hoops, brave souls that they are, and did a fantastic job!!
Kudos to Yuma, my three year old nephew,
who gave it his all, and Makiko, (both pictured below,) who managed to keep up with him!



Hooping is truly for everyone, great exercise and a promoter of tremendous happiness! Has anyone ever seen a person hooping and FROWNING!?? I think not!

I will be arranging and promoting hooping gatherings in York county in the coming weeks, so keep an eye peeled for future blog posts. If you want me to email you with dates and times as they come up, contact me at elanadavis@gmail.com, and I will add you to my Mad Hoopers.
list.
I provide hoops to borrow at the gatherings, you can buy/order one from me, or make your own.