Hula Hooping Tips

Many people believe that if you couldn't Hula Hoop as a child, then you won't be able to as an adult, but this is NOT true. Like all other dance classes, it can sometimes just take time. Our fabulous London Hula Hoop teacher Tracey has come up with some great tips for all beginners to make sure that you don't give up at the first hurdle!

• Accept that you will most likely drop the hoop when you start - a lot! But that's fine. Even after 2 years, I still drop the hoop! Hooping teaches you to laugh at yourself and feel less self-conscious.
• Not everyone hoops in the same direction, so if it doesn't feel quite ring, try switching direction!
• Start slowly: most people don't realise that it can take a whole session just to feel comfortable with getting used to the hoop going around your waist. It took me the best part of 2 weeks to teach myself how to waist-hoop.
• The bigger the hoop, the slower it will rotate, so will be easier to get started. Don't be tempted to go straight to the smaller hoops until you're actually ready to.
• Experiment with different hoop sizes to find one that works best for you: on-body moves (waist, hips, chest, leg hooping) are easier to learn with bigger hoops, but smaller, thinner hoops work better with off-body moves (hands, elbows).
  The key to successful (and quicker) learning is to find music you can REALLY get into, as this will help you forget about the frustration of learning a new move and learn to let yourself just have fun!
• Hooping is perfect whatever your age, size or 'dance-ability'. And no, it has nothing to do with having the right 'hips'!
• Hoops stick best to bare skin, so vests and shorts would be ideal. However, most people wear comfortable, non-slip and non-baggy clothing which works just as well.
• Like pole-dancing, bruising can be a common occurance. Arnica cream will help speed up the healing and in the mean-time you can hoop on a different part of the body!
• People often underestimate how much space they need when hooping. A studio or outside is often the best place to practice as you'll be free to really get into it!
• Don't overthink things. Take a break, breathe and THEN come back to it. You'll usually find you can get moves quicker when you least expect it!