<![CDATA[hooperNATURAL™ - Blog]]>Sun, 29 Jan 2012 17:03:38 -0800Weebly<![CDATA[Abdominal Bracing and Back Pain]]>Wed, 23 Jun 2010 21:00:39 -0800http://www.hoopernatural.com/1/post/2010/06/abdominal-bracing-and-back-pain.html
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I just finished reading an article entitled "Medicine and Fitness: CARE OF THE BACK," in my professional journal American Fitness (March/April 2009).  This article discusses how doctors, physical therapists and fitness professionals can work together to help a client with back pain.  As a licensed massage therapist and AFAA and Hoopnotica certified instructor, I have come into contact with a lot of people with back pain.  I have found that hooping has benefited my lower back.  


Hooping students often asked me, "Should I tighten my abs when hooping?" And according to this article, you should do this ABDOMINAL BRACING all the time to help reduce back pain.  ABDOMINAL BRACING is a deep contraction of the abdominal and oblique muscles that occurs when you take a deep breath, let it out and press the abdominal muscles toward the spine.  Focusing on bracing, since reading the article has helped me improve my posture and made my back feel great!
]]><![CDATA[Summertime is Hot, Hot, Hot in DC]]>Tue, 22 Jun 2010 21:03:04 -0800http://www.hoopernatural.com/1/post/2010/06/summertime-is-hot-hot-hot-in-dc.htmlToday, it was sizzling in DC with temperatures in the 90s.  That's why I was determined to get my hooping in before the heat of the day.  My intension was to start hooping at 7am but I ended up starting at 8:30am. And although it was hot, it was not too warm to get in about 40 minutes of FUN.  I worked on alot of waist hooping and trying to dance and get into my music.  Today, I choose Rap music - but tomorrow I will pick something else to keep it fresh.  I found that I was able to bring quite a bit of musicality to my movements.]]><![CDATA[BRINGIN' the FUN!!]]>Sat, 22 May 2010 16:46:26 -0800http://www.hoopernatural.com/1/post/2010/05/bringin-the-fun.htmlPicture
I feel like I'm bringing the fun these days.  Since I have had numerous events, including a Corporate HOOPBREAK, where I have been packing a bunch of hoops in the car and getting large groups spinning.
]]><![CDATA[SPRING WISH LIST...]]>Fri, 23 Apr 2010 18:39:49 -0800http://www.hoopernatural.com/1/post/2010/04/spring-wish-list.htmlWOW.  Spring is upon us and i've been hooping more than posting.  Two things I want to master this Spring are ducking my head out of shoulder hooping using either shoulder and either direction.  Can you say, "practice, practice, practice?"  The other move I want to do is be able to thigh hoop in both directions changing direction with a pinch break.  Am I speaking a foreign language or can you picture it?  Hope to see you soon.  Perhaps at my May 1st FREE INTRO TO HOOPING CLASS :)]]><![CDATA[Classes, Classes and More Classes]]>Sat, 27 Feb 2010 06:31:16 -0800http://www.hoopernatural.com/1/post/2010/02/classes-classes-and-more-classes.htmlI am teaching hooping classes three days in a row.  Friday night was Hooping Workout Workshop (90 minutes) at Results the Gym.  I got 8 ladies from their 20's to their 60s spinning and doing some cool tricks.  Today is the third week of my Beginner Workshop Series - today we learn floating and corkscrews.  And tomorrow I have a free intro class at Lululemon Georgetown.  I am having a blast bring the joy of hooping to others!!
]]><![CDATA[Hooping: A Revolutionary Fitness Program]]>Thu, 18 Feb 2010 07:37:26 -0800http://www.hoopernatural.com/1/post/2010/02/hooping-a-revolutionary-fitness-program.html
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I spent part of my snow isolation reading this book.  I found it to be well written and a great compilation of moves.  I have yet to watch the included DVD, but I already got a lot out of this text.  Thanks Hoop Girl!
]]><![CDATA[SNOW BLIND. . .]]>Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:52:08 -0800http://www.hoopernatural.com/1/post/2010/02/snow-blind.htmlPicture
SNOWZILLA arrived last week dumping 20+ inches on the DC area.  Luckily my small house is large enough to hoop in.  We are expecting more snow today and tonight and it is falling as I type.  I took it to the root today in my hoop practice and did some blindfolded hooping.  I vow to incorporate this into my daily hoop routine, because I think it will unlock more freedom of movement in my hooping.
]]><![CDATA[Inspiration]]>Tue, 26 Jan 2010 09:56:25 -0800http://www.hoopernatural.com/1/post/2010/01/inspiration.htmlWhen I am practicing hooping and start to feel frustrated because I cannot get a move, I think of this video and know that anything is achievable!!
]]><![CDATA[Now Offering More Hoop Colors]]>Fri, 15 Jan 2010 06:53:30 -0800http://www.hoopernatural.com/1/post/2010/01/now-offering-more-hoop-colors.htmlCheck out the shop for more cool hoop colors!!  Now we offer hoops in yellow, orange, light and dark green, red, blue, purple, and pink.  You can also get them with some bling in gold or silver!!
]]><![CDATA[Hoopnotica Training Level 2]]>Fri, 08 Jan 2010 15:33:50 -0800http://www.hoopernatural.com/1/post/2010/01/hoopnotica-training-level-2.htmlToday, I attended the Hoopnotica Level 2 teacher training and got some great instruction on teaching alot of cool moves.  These included several variations on the corkscrew, chest and shoulder hooping, thigh hooping and hooping at an angle.  Stay tuned for my video demonstrating these moves . . .
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