Enter the Short Story Contest
Who would have thought Americas favorite past time could be so healing. Maybe that is why. People of all ages seem to have a story about the hula hoop. There are people who have memories of being the best hooper on their block, winning a company contest, hooping for hours with their friends and then there is always the challenged one who could never quite master the hoop.
The hoops appeal is that it is plain, round and simple. It rolls on its own, generates momentum with little force and makes one feel youthful. It is easy to see why the resurgence of this 1960 recreational activity is now popular again. Maybe we are all looking for something to bring back our youth. After all, in this society, youth is power.
Walking down any street in any city is easy for me to make friends; if I have a hoop or two over my shoulder. Kids are always polite and ask if they can try my hoop. It’s the adults that I need to watch out for. Sometimes I will feel a tug pulling me back. When I turn around, on the other end of my hoop is an excited adult trying to pull it off my shoulder. I don’t really get offended because I know that some of these strangers will become my friends.
Fitness clubs are always trying to find new ways to inspire members. The stationary bike and treadmill alone will not entice someone to pay $80 a month. It has to come from the GroupX classes. Members want a deeper sense of social connection and a space to feel supported, sexy and liberated. Fitness clubs are adding Bellydance, Hip Hop and Stripper fit classes to their schedules. They work because dance is a total body workout. They work because it is easy to challenge yourself when you are having fun.
My time teaching at Bally Total Fitness was a blast. I had the opportunity to teach in 5 different locations around NYC. Since then, many aerobics instructors and some GroupX instructors have started incorporating the adult hoop into their routine. This is great although I wish these teachers had more education in unilateral rotating movements. One could also get hurt is they use a hoop over 3 pounds.
I am looking for short stories about your hoop memories. Please send them to yogabetty@hotmail.com. They will be read with much excitement. The winner’s stories and pictures will be in a book that I am writing about the hoop. All generations and all hoop experiences are welcome.
The hoops appeal is that it is plain, round and simple. It rolls on its own, generates momentum with little force and makes one feel youthful. It is easy to see why the resurgence of this 1960 recreational activity is now popular again. Maybe we are all looking for something to bring back our youth. After all, in this society, youth is power.
Walking down any street in any city is easy for me to make friends; if I have a hoop or two over my shoulder. Kids are always polite and ask if they can try my hoop. It’s the adults that I need to watch out for. Sometimes I will feel a tug pulling me back. When I turn around, on the other end of my hoop is an excited adult trying to pull it off my shoulder. I don’t really get offended because I know that some of these strangers will become my friends.
Fitness clubs are always trying to find new ways to inspire members. The stationary bike and treadmill alone will not entice someone to pay $80 a month. It has to come from the GroupX classes. Members want a deeper sense of social connection and a space to feel supported, sexy and liberated. Fitness clubs are adding Bellydance, Hip Hop and Stripper fit classes to their schedules. They work because dance is a total body workout. They work because it is easy to challenge yourself when you are having fun.
My time teaching at Bally Total Fitness was a blast. I had the opportunity to teach in 5 different locations around NYC. Since then, many aerobics instructors and some GroupX instructors have started incorporating the adult hoop into their routine. This is great although I wish these teachers had more education in unilateral rotating movements. One could also get hurt is they use a hoop over 3 pounds.
I am looking for short stories about your hoop memories. Please send them to yogabetty@hotmail.com. They will be read with much excitement. The winner’s stories and pictures will be in a book that I am writing about the hoop. All generations and all hoop experiences are welcome.
posted by Betty Hoops @ 9:15 PM
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