It’s that time of year when we make promises to ourselves– “this year I’m going to…” Perhaps hooping is on your list of resolutions under the category of getting in shape, feeling better about yourself, or trying something new. If so, you’re already on the right track. While by the end of January many good intentions have fallen by the wayside, hooping can be different.
One reason resolutions fail is because they feel burdensome. For me, my hooping practice is just the opposite: challenging, rewarding and constantly new. To keep it challenging, I work on a new move, the opposite direction, a transition, or smoothing out an old move each time I practice. I feel a sense of accomplishment as I master a new skill or come back to my favorite moves. Keeping it new for me means improvising, creating sequences and letting the music move me. I like to experiment with new music, different size and weight hoops, and new visualizations. I attend hoop events, touch base with the hooping community and watch YouTube for inspiration.
Another resolution problem is a vague idea like “getting in shape,” “eating better,” or even “hooping more.” How do you even know if you’re meeting your own challenge? Give yourself a concrete goal like hooping for 30 minutes 4 times a week or 20 minutes every day. You pick a goal that feels right to you. Then keep track. When you fall off the wagon, pick yourself up and get back on. For me, I promised myself that every day that I’m not outside doing some other kind of exercise, I will hoop for an hour. I have been keeping up a hooping practice 6-7 days a week now since September.
The most important motivation for me is enjoying my practice and looking forward to it. Sure, I get frustrated (why isn’t my isolation smooth?) and certainly I get busy and end up not leaving myself time to hoop on some days. But I forgive myself, pick a new song, and get going again.
I wish you all a happy and healthy new year and strength and support in your promises to yourselves. If you’d like, leave a comment here about your own hooping practice.
