Hoopspiration
Encouragement In The Hoop
A hooping friend expressed how she didn’t want to hoop in front of others on a beach, even though she brought her hoops, and made the commitment to post a video daily. Here’s my advice to, “Be a starfish,” and do it anyway! In~Joy some “Encouragement in the Hoop”
They call it a comfort zone for a reason. It’s comforting. However…
1. When we step outside of our comfort zone, we have the greatest growth.
Do you believe in magic? Like Harry Potter invisibility?
2. The hoop is like a “cloaking mechanism”–most people are watching the prop move. My belly dance teachers didn’t see much of my belly dance moves I’d worked in, when danced with a hoop, but I counted them up from the video. That’s how I learned that lesson.
Life’s a beach. No one bought a ticket for your performance–and it’s not like a hoop camp with all your peers.
3. Most regular folk don’t (or think they “can’t”) hoop, so whatever you do would probably be Amazing in their eyes.
Some Closing Thoughts…
I’ve heard it said (often now), if you have a gift/talent/strength/passion, it is your duty to share it, not hide it from the world. Look at how much the hoop has helped and healed so many of us around you. How did any of us get that first message of this wonderful circle?
What if you could bring that to one person? How might your hula hoop and hooping affect them positively–whether for one minute, or one lifetime? Health, Strength, Self-Confidence, Happiness, etc. How awesome would that be?!
Take the bushel basket off your light. Shine for and brighten others. Some little girl or boy may think you’re more awesome than their favorite Disney Princess/character. What kind of a role model might you be for that boy or girl, or their mom or dad…with your pretty plastic circle, on a beach, just enjoying your vacation?
Sending you Hoop Love sister!
♥ Dedicated to Edie ♥
~by Che’ Rippinger
P.S. It took courage to write this, too. Putting yourself out there is a vulnerable act. Here’s to all of us trying!
P.S.S. Shout out to our Fab♥ Over 40 Hoop Community and the awesome people who really care and support one another.
♥ Blessings & Happy Health! ♥
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~Che’ Rippinger is Hip The Hoopla‘s CHO (Chief Hooping Officer)/Owner/Founder and head humorist, with heart. She’s been hula hooping since 2008 and founded Hip The Hoopla in 2011 – while teaching, performing and making pro custom dance hula hoops. A dancer most of her life, Che’ has also been a humor writer/columnist, illustrator and cartoonist for The Denver Post and her Touché! Cartoons have been featured in PLAYGIRL Magazine.
Keep up with Hip the Hoopla with news, #Hoopspiration and special offers. Please sign up now for our special e-mails member list.
Also, please follow us on Facebook. We’re even on YouTube (with our own channel), Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Yelp, and Instagram. To contact us for group classes, private coaching, premium service packages, VIP days, events, performances or custom professional dance hoops, please call 303-980-6295, visit www.HipTheHoopla.com or e-mail Che@HipTheHoopla.com. (Please do not add us to call/e-mail lists without permission.)
Hooping Big Finish
Che’s “Big (Silly) Finish” video #hoopspiration from Instagram @hipthehoopla
5:45pm Yoga Melt (great 1/2 hour warm up, or just on it’s own), and 6:30pm Hip The Hoopla Power Hour for some fun on and off-body moves. Bring a friend for some social + physical fun. www.HipTheHoopla.com to pre-register with March Special: “ZENFOR10” for $10 yoga class, and “MELTANDHOOP” for $5 off the combo registration=2 classes for $20!
Be You-No Matter What Others Say
A Little Advice From The Heart
A hoop friend posted a comment that I don’t think she’s alone in… “Today I experienced feeling not liked because of my free spirit and hooping 🙁 Anyone else ever feel that?”
Luckily, this particular group, we like to share very positive, support, encouragement and helpful feedback.
Here’s my take on it, since I have had similar reactions and feelings. It may be simple, but sometimes the “simple” is the challenging, even though we all know in our hearts what’s the right thing for us to do, if we honor our true selves.
We’re kind of unusual people with our “plastic rings of happiness” (aka our hula hoop). People can have all kinds of reactions, as their own personal stuff come up. Most of us have some things that can trigger something else that can seem irrational or out of place in that moment. When others do this to you, it could be in defensiveness of their vulnerable selves, and they can project their insecurities on to you. It’s hard to realize that they are commenting based on their experiences and realities. It’s also really easy to take what may be their negativity, personally.
For me…I use the hoop as my “happy place,” the sacred self-space where all the bad stuff can stay outside of it, when I’m in it!
The ultimate thing you can do:
Keep being the greatest you that you know how.
Honor yourself in every moment you can. You not only deserve it, it is your personal right and obligation to do so. Commit to your joy, and your own path. Not everyone has to travel the same road in the same way. That’s what makes us unique, interesting, and have a different perspective to help others, too!
Love, light and laughter to everyone who takes the time to read this. 🙂
Please share.
~Che’ Rippinger is Hip The Hoopla‘s CHO (Chief Hooping Officer)/Owner/Founder and head humorist, with heart. She’s been hula hooping since 2008 and running Hip The Hoopla since 2011 – while teaching, performing and making pro custom dance hula hoops. A dancer most of her life, Che’ has also been a humor writer/columnist, illustrator and cartoonist for The Denver Post and her Touché! Cartoons have been featured in PLAYGIRL Magazine.
Keep up with Hip the Hoopla with news, #Hoopspiration and special offers. Please sign up now for our special e-mails member list.
Also, please follow us on Facebook. We’re even on YouTube (with our own channel), Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Yelp, and Instagram. To contact us for group classes, private coaching, premium service packages, VIP days, events, performances or custom professional dance hoops, please call 303-980-6295, visit www.HipTheHoopla.com or e-mail Che@HipTheHoopla.com. (Please do not add us to call/e-mail lists without permission.)
Attitude Is EVERYTHING! 3 Tips to Pop Your Best Prop: YOU!
Oh Snap — Attitude Is Everything! (by Che’ Rippinger of Hip The Hoopla)
Ever see a boring drag queen? Heck no, Honey! Know why? Because “Attitude Is EVERYTHING!”
There’s something really awesome about dancing with flow props: we get to hide behind the moving distraction of an object. It can be mesmerizing. But even the best attention-capturing pretty moves are rather limp noodles of lifeless effort, unless you put your personality and individual stamp on it. How you ask?
3 Quick and Easy Tips
to Boost Your Awesome Attitude,
Increase Your Stage Presence, & De-Stress:
1. When you mess up, make it look like you MEANT to do that! This is one of my favorite “tricks.” Own it. The good news: If you drop the prop, the people watching may just realize how challenging this stuff is, and how much practice it takes to make something look easy and effortless. Ha! If they only knew!
2. Smiles make everything brighter and lighter. Understandably not every piece of music or dance requires a plastered on fake smile, but it sure beats squishing up your visage into what I call my husband’s guitar solo, “Constipation Face.” And I am not immune to this foible–I find myself having to make a conscious effort to stop my own “Muppet Face” (strangely wrapping my lips over my teeth with a concentrated knit brow look like a Jim Henson puppet). Luckily, I weened myself off of “Michael Jordan Face” quite a while back (that’s the one with the tongue hanging out in utter focused “in-the-zone” movement).
3. Have some “mess-up” recovery moves practiced. If you know some pick up tricks when you drop your hoop, or something unplanned happens, it really helps with those awkward, “Oh-Crap-Now-What” moments.
***Bonus Tip #4*** “Fake it, til you make it.” I remember the fear of dropping my hoop during a performance. Well it happened…in front of all of my peers while under the big lights. In my mind it was a slow-motion catastrophe that seemed to last for an eternally long minute. When I looked back at the video, it was a mere split second of real time. And somehow, I kept spinning and swooped my hoop up and got right back into the dance. It didn’t feel very smooth like that from the stage, but I faked it, and apparently, it worked! (See Video below.)
In another scenario, I was in a big variety show and was just as surprised as the rest of the audience, when a professional belly dance friend’s top came undone on stage. Without missing a beat, she gracefully grabbed her goodies before all popped out, and whisked herself off stage. Before we knew it, she danced back on stage and finished beautifully–with her quickly-fixed top, back in tact. After the last beat, she did a playful self boob-grab, hit a double “thumbs-up” sign, winked and curtsied. Now that’s how you do attitude right!
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Like this article? Please share and follow Hip The Hoopla on social media and spread the hoop love.
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Che Rippinger of Hip The Hoopla at the Hooping Life Film Premiere
Keep up with Hip the Hoopla with news, #Hoopspiration and special offers. Sign up now for our special e-mails member list.
Also, please follow us on Facebook. We’re even on YouTube (with our own channel), Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Yelp, and Instagram. To contact us for group classes, private coaching, premium service packages, VIP days, events, performances or custom professional dance hoops, please call 303-980-6295, visit www.HipTheHoopla.com or e-mail Che@HipTheHoopla.com. (Please do not add us to call/e-mail lists without permission.)
Hoopie Award for a Top Tutorial–Like Winning An Oscar!
- Che’ Rippinger of Hip The Hoopla’s “Corkscrew Hoop Dance Combination” video is one of the top 25 tutorials of the year!
It’s like winning an Academy Award in the worldwide hooping community!
Holy Cow, I won a Hoopie Award from Hooping.org!
“Corkscrew Hoop Dance Combination” is one of the Top 25 Video Tutorials of 2014 (out of thousands!).
Thank you to everyone who nominated and voted! This is a big honor and I am very grateful and appreciative.
The 2014 Hoopie Awards complete list:
http://www.hooping.org/2015/01/greatest-hooping-hits-2014/
Hooping.org feature of my video:
http://www.hooping.org/2014/11/corkscrew-belly-dance-hoop-dance-che-rippinger/
My “Award-Winning” Video:
Keep up with Hip the Hoopla with news, #Hoopspiration and special offers. Sign up now for our e-mails.
Also, please follow us on Facebook. We’re even on YouTube (with our own channel), Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn, and Yelp. To contact us for group classes, private coaching, premium service packages, VIP days, events, performances or custom professional dance hoops, please call 303-980-6295, visit www.HipTheHoopla.com or e-mail Che@HipTheHoopla.com. (Please do not add us to call/e-mail lists without permission.)
Hoop Tip to Keep Your Hoop UP Better!
Hoop Tip:
When you LOOK up, your hoop tends to STAY up (better).
Come join us tonight for Hip The Hoopla class at 6:30pm for “Cool Hand Flow” theme. Nab your spot in this intimate setting www.HipTheHoopla.com or MindBody Connect mobile app for faster & early check in pricing!
Red Elephant Workshop shared a link.
Connect with Hip The Hoopla to book your classes, private lessons, package program, event performances and custom hand-made professional dance hula hoops.
www.HipTheHoopla.com
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Che@HipTheHoopla.com or 303-980-6295 (office line)
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Cracking the Whip: 3 Keys to Whippy Fast Moves!
How do you get that cool “whooshing” sound with a hoop?
I’d say “Fear Not,” but alas, cannot, as ‘Whipping The Hoop’ about the cabin can be…well, fun, funny, injury-inducing, and sometimes object-destructive. I really wanna emphasize the “fun” part though, especially because it is awe-inspiring to see when done well!
Here are 3 tips though to help ya out as you learn some Whippy Hoopy Thangs.* (And, as always, these ideas are kind of a metaphor for life!)
1. Make your life easier with the right tool for the right job…Use a lighter hoop. Yes, size matters boys and girls–especially for this stuff. It stands to reason that if your hoop is smaller AND lighter, that whipping it around quickly will be less taxing on your hands, arms, bendy body parts and nearby furniture. Recommended: Polypro or HDPE tubing. Not recommended: Toy hoops. Yes they will whip, but can be easily bent, kinked and warped much quicker than a professionally made hoop by a reputable hoop maker. (There are many qualified local hoop artisans you can support. Check your community. Hip The Hoopla covers the Colorado area and can ship, if you like).
2. Learn Good Technique–with a qualified teacher is best–in person, if possible. But you can also have an online coach (like Hip The Hoopla or many others world wide), or check out some video tutorials on YouTube. Get it slowwwwwwly. If you start just jamming on stuff right off the bat, you may need an injury lawyer–and no one wants to sue themselves.
3. You’ve got to PRACTICE! You knew that one was coming, right?! Whippy moves don’t come about by spontaneous combustion, or via fairy godmother. They take the time and energy of good ‘ole diligent practice. Technique is the main component. When you have that down, then confidence comes into play. Then there’s one more thing that you want to add to your practice…
One more little *Bonus Tip*:
****Facial Expression.**** Yep. Practice getting that scared, “oh crap” look off your face, and try smiling with confidence and ease. Yeah your brain chatter will be racing saying, “But that hoop is whipping near my face — I must close my eyes!” Don’t do that. Keep ’em open so you know which way to duck if you need to. Plus it’s way more enjoyable to watch someone with a pleasant expression…less cortisol for the viewer to stress about you. And, the fake it til you make it grin will bring more of your happy endorphins bubbling your confidence up, too!
P.S. Bonus, bonus tip: If you are new to the hoop whipping concept, start with grip moves before advancing to hand release moves for more control and less bonking of nearby valuables.
Hope these 3 tips and bonuses help increase your personal level of hoop dance. Happy Hooping!
♥ ♥ ♥
*Whippy Thangs can be described as very fast movements, sometimes moving so quickly that they make a whooshy sound. They can create a breeze from the hoop movement, and even more of a wind current from onlookers gasping, “Ahhhhh!” They can be moves like escalators, folds, flips, breaks, etc. Even schmears can be done at lightning speed in a whippy motion!
~Lovingly written, tongue-in-cheeky by CHO (Chief Hooping Officer) Che’ Rippinger, who’s been hooping since 2008, running Hip The Hoopla since 2011 – while teaching, performing and making pro custom hoops.
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Hey, in case you want to learn more in person, please come join us at…
“Whip It, Whip It Good: Wicked Fast Moves Made Fun & EASY!” Saturday’s 10am Hip The Hoopla theme. Jump on the Crazy Train with us: www.HipTheHoopla.com or MindBody Connect mobile app to RSVP (all levels welcome + drop-in’s too, if space available!)
Or if you prefer to work one on-one, or a private group, we can schedule an in-person or virtual meeting!
For more information, Please visit www.HipTheHoopla.com , www.Facebook.com/HipTheHoopla , or call 303-919-9280, or e-mail Che@HipTheHoopla.com and subscribe to our e-mail (no spamming–just juicy hoop goodness).
We are also on YouTube, Pinterest, Yelp, LinkedIn & Twitter #hipthehoopla.
January Jump Start – Schedule, Specials & More!
Give your goals some jet fuel! Hip The Hoopla is here to help to kick butt on your wellness, weight goals and well-being (a.k.a. Happiness).
Give yourself the gift of health and humor with hooping. Here’s a sneak peak at the January Hoopla! (Warning: Hip The Hoopla promises high doses of laughter, hoop dance, positivity and motivation!)
JANUARY CLASS SCHEDULE:
Group classes (all levels welcome) Tuesdays 6:30pm & Saturdays 10am. January 3, 6, 10, 13, 17, 20, 24, 27, (31-Tentative-depending if Broncos play in the Superbowl!)
JANUARY JUMP START SPECIALS:
♥ $99 January Special= 1 private lesson* + 1 Month of Unlimited Monthly Group Classes (save $71!)
♥ 5 Class Pack $65 (Save $10) (exp. 3 months from purchase)
♥ 10 Class $120 (2 classes Free-Save $30!)
♥ 30 Day Unlimited Group Class Pass $80 (Save $40+)
Stay tuned for Hip The Hoopla’s NEXT big Announcements including:
1.) ONLINE CLASSES! Yes, you asked, and they are in the works! The tentative plan is once a week with a replay (if available)…and also…
2.) ONLINE WELLNESS WORKSHOPS!
3.) A MONTHLY PLAN PACK for those dedicated to wellness and wonderment! (Including your own private sessions, and special surprises, too!)
(*Studio rental and/or on-site travel costs are extra. Private lessons priced for Lakewood location.)
For more information, Please visit www.HipTheHoopla.com , www.Facebook.com/HipTheHoopla , or call 303-919-9280, or e-mail Che@HipTheHoopla.com
Hoop Corkscrew Combo-Belly Dance Inspired!
You may already know all the cool hoop moves, but sometimes getting them coordinated in an eye-catching combinations is helpful. Here’s one I call the “Hoop Corkscrew Combination.”
So thrilled this tutorial was featured on www.Hooping.org (the mac-daddy of info for the hooping world) and also on www.Hoop-Trix.com ♥♥♥
♥ In-joy! ♥
Are there other moves you want to see explained or broken down in an easy-to-understand, silly, and humorous way? Connect with us! Hip The Hoopla is here to help.
Here is the Hoop Corkscrew Tutorial Link:
http://youtu.be/puyNA3_19d0
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Connect with Us! Hip The Hoopla offers humorous hoop dancing classes, private lessons and coaching–both in person, and virtually–for whatever level you are starting at… or want to get to!
Check calendar for Hip The Hoopla class details. www.HipTheHoopla.com/classes
*If you are interested in getting hoops: ready made, custom, twins, multis, collapsible convertibles, polypro, HDPE, or PE (black tubing)…please connect with us for a complimentary hoop consultation (by phone or in person).
Contact us: online at www.HipTheHoopla.com, Che@HipTheHoopla.com, 303-980-6295 / 303-919-9280 cell Latest info, updates, tutorials, events and “Hoopspiration” posted regularly on Facebook: www.Facebook.com/HipTheHoopla
We’re also on Twitter #hipthehoopla, LinkedIn, Pinterest, YouTube, Yelp and Google+
How to Get Great Layering And Coordination
Want to get a smooth combination of dance flowing WITH your hoop moves?
Here’s what I recommend at my Hip The Hoopla classes: practice and “get” the thing you want, BEFORE you put the hoop on. Each element may be easy…but when you try putting it all TOGETHER, perhaps a different story. It’s the magical practice of layering (I learned from belly dance). Video* Link Example is below.
Here’s the thing: when you try it all together, one thing will come and one–or several–things may go. Focus on getting just one element in moment. Add another in the combo, then another, then one more (try feet, then hoop, then facial expression, etc.) It’s perfectly o.k. to take a hoop move you have on “auto-pilot,” and add your new thing (footwork, arm movements, turns).
The real secret was already given away: Practice. It’s amazing how quickly we can make something look effortless, with a lot of…EFFORT! Most pros put in many hours…drilling, bonking, dropping and laughing in frustration at themselves while learning new material and making it look easy. You’re not alone.
Watch anyone’s progress. You didn’t start out with a coordinated walk out of the womb. You had to get strength to keep your head wobble up, then roll over on your belly, crawl, get some hand-holding help, then try waddling walking on your own, run into a few table corners, fall down, cry and try it again…all before you could think of hitting the dance floor. And what makes you think hoop dance would be easier than that?! LOL. You got this. I know you can!
I’ve watched some pretty remarkable progress advance with these steps:
1.) Decide you want to do it.
2.) Break down the foundational steps and work on each individually.
3.) Put it together.
4.) Practice and DO it.
5.) Enjoy it when you GET it!
And here’s 4 bonus hints to make leaps in progress:
1.) You can also help your progression along with perfectly visualizing what you want to get.
2.) Video is helpful to see what’s going on (what you ARE doing and what you THINK you are doing, may be two different things).
3.) Writing things down, also helps. (I like adding stick figures and directional arrows with my notes–my personal hieroglyphics!).
4.) Get feedback from a real person. If you can get to a class or a private lesson–in person–great! If not, we can help virtually with an online session. We’re just a click away ♥
P.S. Sanity is over-rated. Enjoy the process. When you nail the thing that’s driving you nuts, you will be so overjoyed. Then you’ll forget all about that, and be on to the next self-challenge.
P.S.S. Hooping is a metaphor for life. You’ll find the things you learn “in the circle” apply to the rest of your issues–really. Funny, but true! ♥
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Connect with Us! Hip The Hoopla offers humorous hoop dancing classes, private lessons and coaching–both in person, and virtually–for whatever level you are starting at… or want to get to!
Check calendar for Hip The Hoopla class details. www.HipTheHoopla.com/classes
*If you are interested in getting hoops: ready made, custom, twins, multis, collapsible convertibles, polypro, HDPE, or PE (black tubing)…please connect with us for a complimentary hoop consultation (by phone or in person).
Contact us: online at www.HipTheHoopla.com, Che@HipTheHoopla.com, 303-980-6295 / 303-919-9280 cell Latest info, updates, tutorials, events and “Hoopspiration” posted regularly on Facebook: www.Facebook.com/HipTheHoopla
We’re also on Twitter #hipthehoopla, LinkedIn, Pinterest, YouTube, Yelp and Google+
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*Here’s that Video (as promised above) from a practice session working on getting layering and belly dance into my hoop dancing. ~Che’ Rippinger
Link: http://youtu.be/Ur_LcQgxK1o