Posts Tagged ‘Health & Happiness’
In 1 Minute for 3 Hooping Hacks
Hip The Hoopla Fall/Winter Workshops
Hip The Hoopla is Back On for the rest of 2017! There are only 12 spaces available each workshop (Tues. at 6:30pm), so please contact us immediately to book your spot!
*If you register for the series, you get: Class Notes, a Video Summary, plus extra comraderie and goodies in our private “Inner Circle” Facebook group.
Here’s the full schedule:
“Rocktober Hooping” Workshop Series:
3 Tuesdays: October 10, 17, & 24, 2017, 6:30pm at Namaste Studio, 701 Garrison, Lakewood, Colorado, 80215.
On and off body hooping. Wonderful for beginners, plus those brushing up and expanding your hoop dance toolbox. We’ll cover many foundational moves along with many cool variations, all while incorporating more dance with your hoop tricks. All levels welcome and we’ll have bonus challenges for everyone, no matter where you are in your hoop journey.
Tuesday, October 10: “Creative Core Hooping”
Tuesday, October 17: “A Call To Awesome Arms”
Tuesday October 24: “Leggolicious Hooping”
“Thanks To Hooping” Workshop Series:
4 Tuesdays: November 7, 14, 21 & 28, 2017, 6:30pm at Namaste Studio, 701 Garrison, Lakewood, Colorado, 80215.
More expansion with on and off body hooping. Great for intermediate hoopers. We’ll be continuing to expand your hoop dance capabilities, dance style and choreography. ALL levels are welcome and we’ll have fun and doable hoop moves for everyone, no matter where you are in your hooping education. You’ll be encouraged to consider performing for our little December 16 Holiday Hoopla. Yes, YOU can do this, and you won’t be alone ♥
“Performers Prep” Workshop Series:
2 Evenings: Wednesday December 6* and Tuesday December 12, 2017, 6:30pm at Namaste Studio, 701 Garrison, Lakewood, Colorado, 80215.
You got it, we’re getting ready to perform, and learning pro tips and extra polishing tricks. So whether you’ve never performed before, or are a seasoned artist, we’ll be prepping to give it a go! You’ll get personal attention to showcase what you do best, learning some of the important details for a great personal growth experience, and putting that all into action by doing it with others in a safe, warm, small, and encouraging environment.
*December 5 is rescheduled to December 6 due to a travel change.
Holiday Hoopla
Potluck party and intimate show gathering): Saturday, December 16, 2017 6-9pm, at Namaste Studio, 701 Garrison, Lakewood, Colorado, 80215.
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You are also welcome to book private sessions, coaching, group events, workshops, performances, etc. Please call Che’ at 303-919-9280 for more info. Please NO sales calls, spamming, or adding my # to lists.
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Hip The Hoopla Personalized Fitness Program Personal Investment:
♥”Rocktober Hooping” Workshop Series:
Roctober Hooping 3 Workshops Earlybird Special (RSVP by 10/9/17): $60 for Series (save up to $30)
Individual drop in workshops (if spaces are available) $25 in advance, $30 at the door
♥”Thanks To Hooping” Workshop Series:
Thanks To Hooping 4 Workshops Earlybird Special (RSVP and paid by 11/6/17): $80 for Series (save up to $40)
Individual drop in workshops (if spaces are available) $25 in advance, $30 at the door
♥”Performers Prep” Workshop Series:
Performers Prep 2 Workshops Earlybird Special (RSVP and paid by 12/1/17): $40 for Series (save up to $20)
Individual drop in workshops (if spaces are available) $25 in advance, $30 at the door
If you have any credit remaining from a previous unused purchase, please let us know so we can help you apply it to the new schedule.
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Hip The Hoopla Workshop series are fun-filled, jam-packed dance classes with Laughter Yoga, belly dance, on-body core hooping and off-body hoop dance movements. Classes have a variety of themes and focus.
You’ll laugh, learn, stretch, grow and get your grove on, all with positive personal encouragement and step-by-step bite-sized technique teaching.
ALL LEVELS ARE WELCOME! Everyone will have instruction to help develop and challenge themselves with technique and lots of humor.
Classes have limited spaces available, so please do go online at www.HipTheHoopla.com or personally connect with Che’ Rippinger to get your pre-registration discount and guarantee your class spot!
BRING: Please bring a yoga mat and a bottle of water to stay hydrated. Plus your positive energy and dance spirit (we’ll help you find that if you don’t have it yet!).
TO WEAR: Comfortable clothing is recommended (the hoops love skin, and non-slick materials to stick to better to stay up and in orbit). Bare feet, socks or non-street dance shoes are appropriate for the dance floor surface.
HOOPS: You are welcome to buy a hoop at class, use one of the class hoops or bring your own! Custom orders are available and come with a complimentary hoop consultation. Hip The Hoopla custom hand crafted pro hoops are also available at Things That Glow,
Questions/Info: Please call or text Che’ Rippinger at 303-919-9280 or message me on Facebook (personal or www.Facebook.com/HipTheHooplapage)
(e-mails may have a bit more delay: Che@HipTheHoopla.com)
Please register online now at www.HipTheHoopla.com
or on the Vagaro mobile app ~Thank You ~
♥ ***Hip The Hoopla also offers other classes (please check our calendar), online classes, private coaching and events, too!***
♥ Sign up for our “In The Circle” whirled news http://eepurl.com/bRtK_5 ♥
A Peek Into Hooping Idol 7 – 70’s Week
Welcome to the official week 1 of Hooping Idol 7! Here’s a little behind the scenes of my personal journey here.
I’m so honored and amazed to be a part of this worldwide competition…the most important event happening in our planetary hoop community right now! There are 21 contestants with such different backgrounds, countries, styles and skills.
Why watch a bunch of hula hoopers do their thing, American Idol style? Well, it’s very entertaining to watch the videos for one. And the reason why you should, is to vote. There are 4 judges for Hooping Idol 7 who are not only famous for what they do, they are extremely respected in our field, aka “hooping.” Anah Reichenbach, Babz Robinson, Lisa Lottie and Lila Chupa-Hoops will critique all of our videos and judge on: 1. Theme 2. Skills/Flow and 3. Presentation.
It’s quite the challenge to produce a whole story video, complete with a theme, costumes, videography, location scouting, asking for help, getting techie, shooting, editing and uploading…in 4 days! Yep our first video was due on Easter Sunday. No Easter-egging for me this year. I missed chewing off some chocolate bunny ears and my hubby’s 2 big music gigs, trying to get final shots, switching and learning new editing software, and losing most of my finished edited file, while my software crashed over and over and over (I made it into a drinking game, without actually drinking!).
So some funny things happened during my video taping…not the least of which was not funny…getting stopped by a cop/state trooper.
Me, pleading,”I was doing it for my art, officer. Do you want to see the video??”–Officer on a nice BMW motorcycle, “No, you just absolutely can’t be here, ma’mme.” Me, “That’s a gorgeous motorcycle officer.” –it was! He left and I shot a tiny bit more outside of the arbitrary self standing 30 foot of miscelaneous fencing–footage I used, thank goodness!
Weather–pretty gorgeous for the most part…but…We had wind. That makes dealing with light silk veils and hoop release moves, really, really entertaining for retakes!
I started feeling sorry for supermodels. They get to go to exotic locations and be stunningly beautiful, but you don’t see what they have to do to get certain creative shots–ridiculous poses, adverse conditions, etc. Now I’m realizing for real, these are hilarious, hard, and sometimes…an itsy bit dangerous. Really, don’t try some of this at home, lol–just hide the breakables–just saying.
I welcome (sort of, lol) getting out of my comfort zone. Though, this is like stepping out on steroids, with Red Bull, and triple espresso! “Eeeeeeeeeek!” which I reiterated, from one of my fellow contestants.
Luckily the Hooping Idol 7 entrants are extremely supportive of one another in a private Facebook group. Boy when they say no one else knows what’s going on for each of us like our fellow competitors, that is SO true! It’s a secret lounge, so that info gets to stay in Vegas.
Oh, also, I talked to a very pro videographer yesterday who had all to do to not laugh out loud for my request for this assignment: Him: “This will take about a month and around $400-$500.”
Me: “Well I have a “no to low” budget, and it’s due tonight, what would you recommend instead for a video novice that has to learn software and produce a video before my deadline?”
Him: “Adobe Creative Cloud–use a student address and get a great discount otherwise it’s $50 a month.”
Me: In my head, Uh, well I already spent money on an expensive software that doesn’t work for this and Adobe is for uh, pros…and although I can get there, probably not TODAY.
What I actually said, “well I respect what you do, and thank you for your time.” (Yes I studied this stuff in college for my degree, but that was a long time ago, several careers back, and technology has gone through a time warp of amazing new things coming out daily! Yes there’s an ap for that, I tried many, but don’t have a lot of time to piddle around and experiment.)
So that’s it for me at the moment. It’s the wee hours of the night…aka Morning. This roller coaster ride just started. I hope to hang on for dear life, while learning and growing at hyperspeed!
Hey, remember, with your help, I can move on. 6 talented people get cut THIS WEEK! So Please Vote at www.Hooping.org on the “70’s Week video page” when it’s up which will have the specific directions. I’ll post the specific link when I get the info ♥ Thank you in advance ♥
In case you are wondering, without further ado…here’s my entry to enjoy. See if you can spot the cop scene, or if it got edited out!
Also, Yes, I actually do have this album, though I had to borrow a record player. It was my momma’s who this video is dedicated to ♥
YouTube link: https://youtu.be/hGl6HfHH4Q4
Vimeo link: https://vimeo.com/213482617
Hooping Idol 7 – 70’s Week – Che Rippinger from Che R on Vimeo.
And in case you want to get a behind the scenes check-ins when I can, here’s a minute update (which I post on Instagram @hipthehoopla, Twitter @hipthehoopla and my Hip The Hoopla Facebook page and I’m hashtaging, too #hipthehoopla):
Ok, now that I have officially, earned a teeny tiny breather, I’m going to get a little sleep in while its still a bit dark.
Oh…and if you want to see how this all started…here’s the link with my audition video and the start of this process for me:
Che Rippinger in Hooping Idol 7!
♥ Hoop Love, Ya’ll! ♥~ Ché Rippinger, Denver, CO USA
Representing Colorado and our Fab Over 40 Hooping worldwide hoop community group.
4/20/17 UPDATE:Voting has Closed…And I made it to the next round!!!
Here’s the Results
Older part of this post–
****Vote for me today 4/19 until 7pm PST! http://www.hooping.org/2017/04/hooping-idol-7-super-seventies-week/ (scroll to bottom, ✔ check box for Che Rippinger) Viewer votes count 60%! (I’m video #18)~Thank you!!!***
~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 (30+years), 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: Hip The Hoopla Circle E-mail
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.)
New Class Series
Two New Hip The Hoopla Class Series:
Heart Body Circle Series:
Tuesdays Feb. 14, 21 & 28, 6:30-7:30pm
Flexibility Workshop Part 1 & 2:
Thursday Feb. 16 and 23, 6:30-7:30pm
These are offered as limited space group classes at Namaste Studio at 701 Garrison, Lakewood, CO 80215
Grab your spot now at www.HipTheHoopla.com or MindBody app.
Further information:
Heart Body Circle Series
Tuesday February 14th: Getting in touch with your core heart and breath center
Tuesday February 21: Moving in your body–getting in touch with your danceable parts.
Tuesday February 28: Developing your physical and mental expansion with your circle.
In each class you will learn techniques to feel more comfortable bringing your own brand of uniqueness and personal self into your hoop dance. All levels are welcome.
This series is $35 for all 3 classes* with a savings of $25 ♥ Or you can drop in to each class for $20, or $15 if pre-registered at www.HipTheHoopla.com or the MindBody app.
*Click Here to Join the e-mail list for a super special Hip The Hoopla Circle pricing.♥ ♥
Flexibility Workshop Part 1 & 2
Thursday February 16th: Expanding your upper body and core flexibility.
Thursday February 23th: Increasing your lower body strength and dynamic range.
This workshop double header is $30 for both classes* with a savings of $10 ♥ You can drop in to each class individually for $20, or $15 if pre-registered at www.HipTheHoopla.com or the MindBody app.
Classes are taught with love and encouragement, in a positive, safe, no-judgement zone atmosphere. You are welcome to come participate at the level you can, or attend and take notes (pricing is the same). Che’ Rippinger has been teaching a wide variety of dance to dancers of many ages for 30+ years. She has and continues to study with many master teachers. With her experience, she’s developed a unique teaching style of compassion, technique and humor, increasing mental and movement blossoming with each individual, according to their needs.
If you haven’t already, visit, like and share our Hip The Hoopla Facebook page for juicy happiness, health and hooping tidbits, including tutorials, #hoopspiration and other fun joyful goodies.
Real Changes in 4 Steps
You may perhaps be either pro or anti New Year Resolutions. This year, I’m taking a gentler approach: I’m incorporating 4 lovely steps I’m renaming “tenants” or “Shifts.” Plus I’m throwing in 2 more bonus steps, also. My basic plan that is changing my perspective this year: “Shifting with My Why.”
Some of us have made the same or similar resolution list over and over. Maybe with some success, and maybe nothing happened. What if instead of a “Do or Don’t” mentality, we simply “Shifted?” We’d move more smoothly into gear and our transition could be more gradual.
In my Hip The Hoopla classes, coaching, and mentoring, I sometimes refer to it as, “Baby Steps.” Kathy Freston, author of Quantum Wellness, brilliantly calls it “Leaning In.” You can call it “toe-dipping,” or whatever the heck you like. Right now, I personally resonate with “Shifting.”
Why is my list this year, both very, and subtly different? I’ve chosen less weighty goals for some of my plan. But the real key is that for the things that I still want to work on accomplishing…I need a better strategy. So I’m building off of my success strategies of the past, and adding a new one.
Over the years, I’ve decided to drink more water, get toxic chemicals out of my house, eat more simple homemade basic healthy foods, go vegetarian, meditate, do yoga, read more, and the list goes on. The “on” part refers to works yet to have more significant progress. (Ooops, I know, that’s guilt creeping in, lol.)
Which brings me to Tennent #1 for this year:
Be Gentler on Myself
I am great at “guilting myself out,” more for what I haven’t yet accomplished, or thought I didn’t achieve “well enough.” Time to move past that. Funny how a little life seasoning will bring about this wisdom.
That brings me to Tennant #2:
Celebrate My Wins
I am literally doing a silly happy dance. A rocking business friend of mine, Rita Goodroe calls hers, “The One Minute Dance Party.” Even if I don’t physically get up to dance, laugh, or hoop, I want to at least acknowledge myself for both my big and little wins.
I used to think cleaning my office was the big accomplishment. Now I know that clearing a simple well-used drawer, to reflect easy of use and the tools I genuinely need, is just as valid to my happiness and productivity. A little work done, that is in alignment and moving me towards my goals, is Movement. And success, begets more success. I didn’t make that principle up, but like sure does attract like.
Tennant #3:
Progress, Not Perfection.
This one is a doozy! I think it is human nature to stall completion until a project is deemed “Just Right.” The problem here though, is that many of us stay in that perpetual tweaking stage of un-done, rather than move over to the threshold of “good enough” and a completion. Making excuses of why something is not done, eventually wears so thin that “This is still not done,” is the overall message. Sometimes this step of making “progress” gets messy and frustrating because there may be one step forward and 2 or more steps back, on the way to that hopeful eventual achievement.
In japanese, they have a word “Kaizen,” which means “Never-ending improvement.” This is helpful for me so I don’t nestle into a “comfortable rut” and stay in that zone for my time on this planet.
My new Tennent #4 that I’m adding more into my Shifts List this year:
Understanding and having a really significant WHY.
Sure I want to declutter and clear out things that no longer suit me or my current lifestyle. But my WHY is really powerful: to create a space to do the things I really WANT to do. When I have space to do what I want, I can literally breathe easier. I have more joy making progress on my goals. I can live with a space that’s clogged energetically, or I can open it up to it’s magnificent new purpose. My life is enhanced, and those around me benefit greatly too–more enjoyment, peace, prosperity, joy and overall harmony.
It’s pretty cool looking at a new year with hope, backed by action.
Oh, and my Bonus Step/Tennant A, (that I have actually been doing for several years now):
Utilize the Soft or Running Start
For me, this is taking a running start at the new year–before it starts! In this space, I am messing with my goals and trying them out when no one is looking–in December. I don’t make any grand announcements at all. I just make a mental list of some testers and start trying them out. This is like January for the rest of the world. What happens during January and a new list for a lot of people, is some inevitible tripping points. Many throw in the towel here and quit, instead of reupping and moving along anyway. (See Tennent # 3 of Progress Not Perfection.)
Also another bonus step/Tennant B that I need to remember, too:
Keep Your Sense of Humor
You see, I wanted to make a simple list, and it got long, pretty quickly. So I am laughing at myself already. But I still like a challenge and there seem to be 12 months to accomplish a little change for the better, in each one. Wish me luck! I’ll need a little of that, and a little kicking myself in the katookus. Plus the help of some accountability buddies, will do wonders for my personal and professional progress. Blessings to you in your own journey. May it be not only successful, but also, a lot of fun!
I’d love to hear from you. What are your goals, personal ways to accomplish them, and what are your stumbling blocks and eventual successes? Any short cuts or tips you can share to help me and others? Please let me know on my www.Facebook.com/HipTheHoopla page, call, text, snail or e-mail.
Hoop Love, Ya’ll!
~Che Rippinger, Founder of Hip The Hoopla
~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 (30+years), 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: Hip The Hoopla Circle E-mail
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.)
Free Ah-Ha Moments Hula Hoop Training Session
Please join us (or click to catch the video replay now) for a free online 30 minute session with Che’ Rippinger, Founder of Hip The Hoopla on Blab, Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2016 at 11am MST/1pm EST.
“Ah-HA Moments from a Hula Hoop: Laughing Lessons in Life” includes some life and hoop lessons and a short hula hooping dance demonstration.
Please click here to subscribe now/RSVP your spot for this free webinar.
Your live participation is really appreciated!
(We will hopefully have a recording available.)
♥ Enjoy this video and…Grab your FREE ⭕️Hoop Dance💃mini course right now: That’s going to show you How to 😁get Happy, 🌱get healthy, and ⭕️get hooping…for FREE!!
○ Are you in our Hoop Loop? Get in our Whirled News inner circle (email with free gift!) for exclusive member specials, early announcements and fun tips and tricks for hooping and a happy healthy humorous life.
♦ Want to have your own personal coach on the go? Join the Happy Hooping Habit for classes that fit your unique schedule, energy levels and body needs. Adaptive Hooping is included for those days when you need some extra love and understanding.
Torso Info
Keep Your Core/Torso Safe and Healthy
TUESDAY TORSO INFO
Did you know:
1. “The human spinal column is made up of 33 bones: 7 vertebrae in the cervical region, 12 in the thoracic region, 5 in the lumbar region, 5 in the sacral region and 4 in the coccygeal region.” (From disabledworld.com)
2. “Turning Torso” is a residential skyscraper in Malmö, Sweden and the tallest building in the Nordic countries.
3. Core hula hooping massages the spine, internal organs and a myriad of acupressure points.*
4. “Torso Tricks: is the Hip The Hoopla Tuesday 6:30pm class theme. www.HipTheHoopla.com to massage your terrific spot!
Your spine and torso influence all the body’s movements. When this is compromised by any kind of injury, motion can be extremely painful. By taking care of your body, you increase your longevity and mobility. Just ask anyone who doesn’t have use of their spine the importance of regular care and maintenance.
Easy steps to keep you actively mobile:
1. Stretching.
The expansion and contraction of stretching helps bring blood flow to the muscles and helps the nerves act and react. It also assists in preventing injury and improve flexibility and extension.
Note: start with smaller, gentle movements to get blood flowing, before attempting deeper stretches (which are excellent to do after your workout to cool down).
2. Deep Breathing.
Oxygenation of all the body’s cells is crucial for not only proper function, but survival. Deep breathing will help get nutrients in, and move toxins out. Plus it’s great de-stress technique. Getting in some deep breathing helps decrease your stress hormones, while easing up your adrenal functioning.
3. Hydration.
The body may function for a while without food, but deprive it of water and you get mild reactions to total shutdown. Drinking water throughout your day will help you keep up optimal functioning. And if you find yourself thirsty, that’s your body telling you that you are already dehydrated. Tip: Try using one large water bottle and refilling a few times to remind you to keep your daily H2O intake up. Important: If you travel to high altitude or dry climates, increase your water intake significantly. Altitude sickness and foggy functioning can be mild to severe, depending on your body and acclimation.
4. Movement.
“Use it or lose it,” definitely applies to the body. When the body doesn’t move, it goes into atrophy. That means that tissues, muscles, shrink and can even break down and become inoperable. “A body in motion tends to stay in motion,” is a good way to be. Staying active will help supply blood to all your parts that need it.
5. Massage.
Massage can really move around lymph and help clear toxins from the body. There are a wide variety of styles to choose from: Swedish, deep tissue, Shiatsu, Thai and many others. Plus massage can be relaxing, soothing and release things you didn’t know you were even storing in your body. If you can get to a professional on a regular basis, that’s optimal. Though you can even learn techniques to do on yourself, which are also very useful. Massage after a workout, is especially helpful to prevent the lactic acid build up in your muscles, which creates pain.
6. Manipulation.
There are manipulation experts who study with years of training to move the spine and body safely and correctly. Licensed Chiropractors and Pilates professionals (originally created for injury recovery) are options to look into.
Your health care professionals should discuss with you options and treatments, if you are experiencing pain and mobility issues. Prevention and healthy maintenance is the key to staying at optimal functioning for as long as possible.
These tips, plus great nutrition, exercise and positive influences can take you farther than previous generations ever thought possible!
*Hula Hooping Trade Secret*:
Psst: There’s something that hula hoopers know that’s one of the greatest “workout” secrets. You get in all 6 of the above core-care techniques in one of the most FUN ways possible! Movement and stretching are inherent in hoop dance. Hydration when you sip water throughout your hooping practice, and deep breathing from your laughter and joy. Plus, you massage acupressure points all over the body and get in some gentle manipulation, too! That’s a huge easy check mark to put in the whole, “I really enjoy my workout,” column.
No matter what you choose to do, go do something! It’s crucial to take care of your torso and entire body, for a great life.
Now go move with more grace, ease and joy.
♥ 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 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.)
YouTube vs. Personal Training
I received a call for a young “very advanced” hooper who might want some instruction, “if” it fit her high level of talent. I found myself vulnerably defending my skill level as advanced enough to teach this person–who, from the description, might possibly know everything from YouTube. (Link for my video proof-trying a completely new combination of sword and hoop dance below.)
If we have YouTube, then WHY would we want to pay to train with Live people, on an on-going basis??
1.) The top teachers, instructors, dance companies and various experts who just I have studied dance (30++ years) and many other fields with, have literally, thousands of years of training and experience–combined. And surprisingly, some of of them are not even on YouTube. (What?!)
2.) Next, ALL of the tremendously talented dancers I know–ESPECIALLY my teachers, keep learning, taking workshops, master classes, training, studying (plus reading, watching, observing), etc. I see them there, so I know!
Masaaki Imai wrote about the Japanese way of “Kaizen,” or continuous improvement that is known worldwide in business. A lot of time, money and energy is funneled into whatever expertise we chose to focus on, as we continue to grow, develop and learn new styles, techniques, methodologies and earn certifications. I see belly dance extraordinaire Rachel Brice (and many other brilliant luminary talents out there) at the top of her game–training with others. She has something new to bring to the table every time we come to her workshops. Each time I study with someone, I also get different things out of it, as I am at a new point in my journey as well, on any given day. Take yoga and you will quickly and mindfully “get” this concept. Teachers have teachers. Coaches have coaches. Mentors have mentors.
We all learn from others. Along the way we develop our own styles and ways of doing things that are completely unique to us. You can see me personally in someone’s beginner class (of anything), and I will STILL get something out of it. I call it a “golden nugget,” a good bit of info that I can add to my repertoire of knowledge. It could be an innovative technique of teaching, a warm up stretch, or a way of explaining something so easily, or in a different way than I do, that totally clicks. There are many “Ah-Ha!” moments in all of our paths. And the really cool thing is they can come from completely unrelated fields, and connect with us, too!
3.) Another major point of continual training, is that we do NOT know everything there is to know. No one is a perfect dancer, or perfect anything for that matter. One reason is that “perfect” is a moving target. There can also be extreme variations on what constitutes perfection, depending on who you talk to.
When I trained in martial arts, around the 3 month mark I was feeling a little bit cocky about my skills. When I earned my first black belt, I learned, as any humbled black belt achiever does, we are on the mere precipice of the enormous learning cliff out there! Centuries, cultures, styles–it would be impossible for one human to take the vastness of it all in. Every teacher doesn’t know everything, nor does every student. Hence why we share knowledge, and very often, learn from each other.
Also, even with any expert in whatever field, as the football saying goes, “On any given Sunday…” Meaning that anything can happen, even when you think you know exactly how it will go. Hoopers drop the hoop. Dancers stumble. Pro football athletes mess up their plays. Martial artists can be defeated. Business people can botch a presentation. Donald Trump can go bankrupt, more than once, and still be extremely successful, respected, and very very rich.
4.) Why train with others, instead of in our own little “Box ‘o Comfort?” Learning is Multidimensional. YouTube is a great resource and entertaining rabbit hole of (mostly free) information. It is also an internet “taste” of what many offer professionally. And though there are a multitude of dynamic educational tutorial videos available at your fingertips, is not a real face to face person, with personal two-way dialog communication and feedback, pin-pointing everything you personally want. Plus people absorb and pick up on things can be in so many ways: kinesthetic, auditory, visual, experiential, etc. There’s no “one-size-fits-all” learning, especially when trying to grasp different skills. Each of us can even bounce between styles, depending on the circumstances.
I personally took one hoop class and got hooked. For a year, I practiced on my own and watched some dvds and videos. Then, I went to a workshop with Jonathan Baxter of Hoop Path–and met other real people in the community! That’s when I got serious on my hoop journey. And as with other interests I’ve pursued, I became a sponge for great stuff from every possible source I could afford with time and money.
To be clear: That doesn’t mean that everything I am is from something else. But I combine bits and pieces of my extensive path and experience, molding them into and with my own very unique approach and style. Because I offer what I do, people come to me to help them reach their goals. I listen and do my best to tailor what they want and need, with what I have and bring. This leads to one of the last reasons to work and train with others…
5.) By supporting others, we all help that field (whatever it is!) grow and develop overall. Since we all have bills to pay (shocking, I know!), our professional lives provide our service/product for income, which helps us continue our expertise, with honor and dignity. I understand that when I register for a workshop or take a class, I help that person get to do what they do best. Without enough warm bodies in the room to complete a minimum to keep them afloat, things get cancelled. As a result, their lives, and ours, are at a loss.
…And on one last, very important bonus note: I take classes with other people, because I want to energetically create a flowing cycle where others in turn, come out and support my classes and professional path. I know I have helped many achieve new avenues of happiness, health and breakthroughs in learning. It’s not for the money that I continue with my Hip The Hoopla business (though I really like being in financial integrity to pay my bills and honor my commitments as best as possible). The main reason I continue this passionate, and sometimes very challenging work, is because it makes my heart tremendously happy–knowing that I can help others laugh, learn and always…always try something new!
P.S. To that young lady, and everyone else…If I can’t personally help you, I’ll bet I know of, or can get you in touch with someone who can!
♥ Where ever you are on your path, I wish you love, light and educational goodness ♥
~Che’ Rippinger is the business owner, instructor, performer, hoop maker, motivational life & business coach, personal trainer, speaker and CHO (Chief Hooping Officer) of Hip The Hoopla in Denver, Colorado, USA. She is a trained hooper, dancer, belly dancer, fire spinner, 4th degree black belt martial artist (Jeet Kune Do), Laughter Yoga Leader, professionally published magazine cartoonist & national newspaper columnist, social media marketing consultant, jewelry & costume maker. And although she holds degrees, certifications, training, and various honors…there is always room to get personally and professionally better each day!
Book something now with Che’ of Hip The Hoopla. Best way: Call 303-980-6295/303-919-9280 cell, email Che@HipTheHoopla.com or visit www.HipTheHoopla.com
She’s also on many social media platforms: Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Google+, Yelp, etc.
☻Do It! Connect–You could be very happy you did ♥
Link for my video proof-trying a completely new combination of sword and hoop dance on World Hoop Day 2014, as promised:
http://youtu.be/0uGHTNQq8X4
3 Reasons Why Happiness Rules…and 3 Ways To Get There
by Ché Rippinger of Hip The Hoopla
We all know we should be as happy as much of the time as possible, but do you know WHY? Here’s 3 BIG convincing reasons & 3 EASY ways to get happy…
1. Happiness affects the rest of what you do.
Think productivity, energy and efficiency. If there is something you are dreading (for example paying your bills or cleaning out an overstuffed closet) think of how excited you are to do it. Think of how exciting anything else might be in comparison, and it’s easy to see where procrastination comes from. If there is something you are happy about doing like going on vacation, notice that even though it takes work and planning time, you WANT to do it, because the outcome is going to be fun.
Any given situation has a mindset that gets locked in, almost instantaneously. Something “good” has “good” thoughts that magnetize towards it. And same with a perceived “bad” situation. You can choose to change up your thoughts, in each moment, to see what all you can think of that’s good during the harder parts of life. Maybe being diagnosed with something doesn’t seem like fun, but if you think of the positive lifestyle choices that you can make to help deal with the “problem,” and know that the results will change things for the better…what a great way to change things up!
2. Happiness affects your body chemistry.
This one’s easy, especially when we look at the detriment that stress has on our bodies. Stress overtaxes our adrenal function, heart, blood circulation, digestion, brain waves and even creates wrinkles! With all that, why not get happy to have better functioning organs and body systems? Endorphins reduce stress, improve the immune system and help heal the body. Happiness is even a pain reducer. The famous case of Norman Cousins using humor to get off of the pain meds and heal the condition that his doctors diagnosed, is one of the many examples of this.
3. Happiness is contagious.
Luckily the vagus nerve* isn’t just for sharing tears and yawns when others do. When someone smiles at you, your own system is triggered, and joy can quietly erupt. When you see a giggling baby, or almost anyone engaged in a hearty laugh, it’s really hard not to smile and also start laughing. That’s a good thing. Think of how many boring company meetings get livened up when humor is used, or something really silly happens. It’s definitely more memorable and we also bond positively in the process. Positive associations are things we generally WANT to gravitate to.
So how can you get happy in more moments of your precious lifetime?
1. Laugh. Giggle. Smile.
It could be with others, reading something funny, or watching YouTube videos. Try what I call “Microwave Minutes.” For the time your food is in a microwave (or heating something on the stove, or waiting in line, etc.), just start laughing. It may be weird at first, but with practice, it will come easier and you will find more and more little opportunity moments to consciously smile and laugh. Bonus points if you try the laughter minute exercise in an elevator, with others!
2. Try Laughter Yoga.
It’s more about the breathing state and not about telling jokes. There are Laughter Yoga variations for all kinds of people, from kids to elderly; businesses to prisons. It’s a combination of the “Four Elements of Joy”: singing, dancing, playing and laughing. Exercises that encourage movement, interaction with others and joy, are prevalent in Laughter Yoga. And more breathing equals more oxygen. Oxygenation to the body’s cells is a huge healthy benefit of deep laughter (which requires big breathing from the diaphragm–easily done with big belly laughing). FYI: disease cannot live in well oxygenated cells.
3. Surround yourself with the positive.
Seek out positive stories, information, people (and unconditionally loving pets). If you have friends who are a joy to be around, you naturally want to spend more time with them (especially over constant “crisis mode” doom people). Conversely, you can BE that person others like to hang out with. More bringing up the “good” stuff in life, or seeing the positive points in any situation, will help you do this for yourself too, so you don’t always have to rely on others.
Whatever works for you to get happy, try it. Even one great session of prolonged laughter could melt away stress and reduce damaging hormones like excessive cortisol. The other happiness upsides: it can be totally free and no fancy equipment is needed. People may just think you got plastic surgery from all that smiling, especially if a positive attitude and brighter life outlook ensues!
*Check out the movie “Happy” on more info on the positive effects of happiness and the vagus nerve response.
~Ché Rippinger runs Hip The Hoopla, teaching humorous hoop dance with Laughter Yoga, dance-adapted yoga and belly dance. She’s taught, trained, and choreographed in a variety of dance styles for well over 20 years. She teaches group classes, private instruction, consults, performs and also creates custom professional hoops. She is available for consultation on hooping, healing and happiness improvement with positivity, encouragement (and a little butt-kicking) to help you live your happiest and healthiest life. Please visit www.HipTheHoopla.com to register for class and get further info on all Hip The Hoopla has to offer! Great “Hoopspiration,” videos and information is also available at www.facebook.com/HipTheHoopla (please “like”), and via e-mail Che@HipTheHoopla.com and phone 303-980-6295.
Preventing Ouch! Tips for Workout Recovery
Pain Prevention: Help Alleviate Soreness & And Get Back to It Sooner
by Ché Rippinger
Sometimes we hurt, even after we thought we did something beneficial. Ever experience pain or soreness after a good ‘workout’ (hooping, dance, or anything)? Here’s some advice I gave within a belly dance group that you may find helpful when you need it. <3 🙂
I like to personally take and recommend natural remedies if possible, before hitting any ibuprofen. Massaging your working areas and taking some Calcium with magnesium and vitamin C are excellent after any strenuous (or ‘new to those muscles’) workouts for helping prevent lactic acid buildup (the painful part).
I’m also a fan of Ohco Motion, which I came to from my martial arts days. Excellent for getting blood flow and faster healing to injured/strained areas. (We know the people and the local Colorado company–excellent natural Chinese herbal combinations–and they make Cold Snap, too!).
For joint pain, essential oils (omegas) are great to take on a regular basis.
Of course, do warm up well (get blood flow going before deeper stretches) and give some thoughtful attention to your cool down as well (better time for bigger/deeper stretches).
I personally enjoy a nice hot bath with either natural dead sea or epsom salts–and “Bath Therapy” brand, available at health food stores is excellent! And any physical therapist would have you ice an injured area to help decrease inflammation.
If you try to start out with slow, shorter, and easier movements then build up your time, layers and difficulty levels, you should make happy progress with lots of practice!
I like laughter along the way, too. It not only helps with cell oxygenation and toxin release, it keeps your attitude positive while your brain and body wrap around new concepts.
Also, please know your body and make adjustments if some movement doesn’t feel right or gives you pain. A good teacher can help you alter a movement if you need, or give you something else to do.