Shara Miller (Lucas Arts Project Manager), Oakland, CA. Hooping since July 2008.
"Working one on one with Rosie has both made me stronger and lightened
me up - not just in body, but also in mind. The physical benefits of
hooping have felt great: my clothes are much looser, people who haven't
seen me in a while tell me how good I look, my body carries far less
pain around than it used to, I have more energy, and I'm much more
aware of my posture. But the mental benefits have been unexpected and
wonderful too: I laugh more, my resistance to openness and trying new
things has diminished significantly, and Rosie has given me plenty of
"lightbulb" experiences that have helped me get un-stuck and make
meaningful change in my life. Sounds like more than just weight loss
and exercise, huh? It has been for me! Rosie is an amazing role
model, a great teacher, and a super-genuine human being. Oh yeah, and
the hooping is pretty dang fun too - as someone who has been
chronically exercise-phobic over the past 5 years, this was definitely
the best way I can imagine to get back into it."
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Rich Porter (Architect), San Francisco, CA. Hooping since Spring 2007.
"One year ago, I never would have imagined how much hooping would change my life. I never intended to start hooping. I didn't see myself as a potential "hooper". At the time I was 26, a designer at an architecture firm, and about 215 lbs. My wife became interested and dragged me along to a hoop jam at a park. At first I sat on the sidelines watching, then finally I picked up the hoop out of social obligation and maybe for a laugh. It was a little awkward letting all those people see how un-coordinated I was but I enjoyed myself. Shortly after this experience I went to a beginner drop-in class with Miss Rosie. After years of inactivity, I had a difficult time keeping up even in a beginner class. Still, I could see the seeds of the first moves. After the class I was challenged and motivated. I spent weeks trying to achieve two or three moves. Pretty soon my wife and I were stopping by the park to hoop for half an hour to an hour several times a week. We would go to blow off steam and practice moves. For me, accomplishing those moves became a goal. It all just grew on me. Pretty soon I noticed I was losing weight. I didn't change my diet and losing weight was hardly even a goal. It happened anyway. After one year of hooping, I love it more than ever. I've lost 30 lbs by doing something I enjoy. I hoop several times a week now because it makes me feel good and there are so many things that I'm excited to learn. Without ever realizing it, exercise became part of my daily practice."
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Nicole Wong (Montesori School Teacher, Hoopdance Teacher, Grad. Student) East Bay, CA. Hooping since early 2008.
Rosie,
Thank you very much for an amazing experience! I really enjoyed the training, and I learned so much. I really appreciate all of the time and care that you took in creating this program and helping us feel supported during the training. Fitness and dance are very, very new for me, but I'm no stranger to teacher professional development, and this was an EXCELLENT program. (As part of my graduate school research, I study teacher professional development for science education.) You have a wonderful presence in the classroom, your observations and feedback were on target and given at a level of specificity that was extremely helpful, and you are very inspiring.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
Nicole
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Mai Takahashi (Architecture Student), Berkeley, CA. Hooping since February, 2008.
"How I found hoop dance seemed almost like fate."
"In early February, I was looking for a non-intensive workout to tone my stomach and I randomly thought about hula hooping. At the point, however, I was thinking about my childhood white, feather-weight hoop. When I told my friend about my exercise idea, she told me that I actually needed a heavy, fitness hoop to get the effect of working out. So I Google-ed for countless hours looking for a fitness hoop. Instead, I stumbled upon hoopdance. At that moment, I knew this was it.
I eagerly searched for someone who sold or taught hoop dance in Berkeley. This is when I heard about Miss Rosie and the Hooliehoop Company. I went to the Multi-Level drop-in class on a Sunday and I found exactly what I was looking for, a form of exercise that combines fitness and dance. When I got home that day, I couldn’t wait to pick up a hoop again. I knew that I needed my own hoop, so I quickly called Miss Rosie to order a hoop and she was kind enough to deliver it. Since then, my practice time has increased every day from 10 minutes to 2 hours and I quickly saw myself
improving.
I didn’t realize, however, that hoop dance had both physical and mental benefits. I found hoop dance at a time when I was exhausted from recent hardships and lacked the motivation to work. I was not confident about myself or my abilities.
Once I started hooping, I released a lot of the frustration and stress that had been bottled up. With the inspiration and support from Miss Rosie, I started regaining my confidence and I felt more at peace.
And thus, I highly suggest hoop dance to those like me, people looking to get in shape and find peace but with a fun, sexy twist!"
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Kerrin Lanahan (Hair Stylist) San Francisco, CA. Hooping since the summer of 2007.
"Hooping has done wonders for my entire self, on so many levels. Physically, spiritually, mentally, and socially. It has always been important for my fitness routine to be fun and fresh, and hooping is just that.
Not only is my back becoming defined, but more importantly my back is stronger and my posture is straighter. Another exciting result is how in-tune I have become with my body. I've started using muscles that I had never consciously worked before. I am now aware of my body in ways that I never was. With hooping, I can totally clear my mind of negative thoughts and I can then focus on being centered and positive."
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Kasra Kamooneh (Design/Build Contractor) San Francisco, CA. Hooping since November, 2007.
"I never thought that a hula hoop would generate so much enthusiasm. I am so happy to practice and improve just about every time I pick up the hoop. The turning of the hoop communicates with my body and allows energy to flow vibrantly into finer and finer areas within me. Hooping appears to create some type of cleansing; I don't know if I look better but I definitely feel better. My fitness has improved through the cardio aspect of hooping. When I keep the hoop going, my respiratory system receives the benefits of a consistent and well paced workout. This exercise definitely creates an excitement. The learning portion, the turning portion, the expression, and the sharing of knowledge and fun. The people who are more advanced than I, they are the friendliest and most helpful bunch around. It seems that they are happy with their own practices and that they have also developed more joy and patience."
