Friday, May 11, 2007
Life

05/13/07 LIFE LEAD: Become a Superhooper hero

Become a Superhooper hero By Larissa Erin Greer Why: Treadmills, elliptical machines and free weights don’t exactly spark thoughts of a fun and entertaining exercise session. But what if you coul...

Become a Superhooper hero
By Larissa Erin Greer

Why: Treadmills, elliptical machines and free weights don’t exactly spark thoughts of a fun and entertaining exercise session. But what if you could find an enjoyable workout that was as easy as picking up a childhood toy and putting on your favorite tunes?

That’s the idea behind Atlanta-based superhooper.org, where founders Lara Eastburn and Barry Clement encourage you to find joy in your every day exercise routine—by tossing a hula-hoop over your head and swiveling your hips into submission.

The concept is simple yet effective. Hula-hooping increases flexibility and stamina while providing a heart-pumping cardio blast to your entire body. “I find the practice to be meditative and athletic at the same time,” says Clement.

Perhaps this is why the Superhoopers have linked up with the local Jai Shanti Yoga studio for bimonthly classes, in addition to a full roundup of specialized hooping classes offered throughout the year.

Eastburn espouses the many benefits of hooping, citing it as a tool for building up her own confidence while shedding pounds. “[The hoops] have awakened me to a playful and loving sensuality that I once hid beneath 230 pounds,” she says. “Hooping teaches me about my body: how it moves, how it rejoices and how it celebrates.”

The circle-twirling duo invites others to jump into the hoop and rediscover the pleasure of being active. It’s a unique fitness alternative to a gym membership, where a sense of play and motivation can be lacking (especially if your New Year’s resolution has become a distant memory).

Interested in picking up your very own professional-grade hoop? Superhoopers sells a variety of colorful plastic hoops, including plain vinyl, sparkling, multicolored LED and the recently added Supermorph hoop. Prices range from $20 to $175, depending upon how high-tech you choose to go with your hoop.
If springing for a sparkling circle is a bit out of this month’s budget, loaner hoops are available at each class session.

Where: Classes take place at Jai Shanti Yoga, 1630-D DeKalb Ave., Atlanta, 30307.
When: Classes are from 8 to 9:30 p.m. on the first and third Mondays of the month.
How much: Class fee is $15 ($5 goes toward Trees Atlanta). For more information, visit www.superhooper.org.

Talking in circles
Superhooper Lara Eastburn shares her hula-hoop knowledge

Why hula-hooping?
I never considered myself a dancer until I picked up a hoop at a festival about four years ago. Hooping resonates with so many people because it recalls the magic of childhood (whether you played with a kid’s hoop or just spun around in the backyard until you fell down). Dancing with custom-made adult size hoops has that wonderful sense of play—all grown-up. The slower orbit of the large hoop allows us to express ourselves in a truly sensual and creative dance that is instinctive to us all—and it’s a ridiculous amount of fun. You can pick up your hoop anywhere, anytime, and instantly improve your waistline and your mood—try to hoop without smiling.

Superhooper Lara Eastburn is an artist with the hula-hoop. CREDIT: Courtesy of Superhooper.org

More information Become a Superhooper: www.superhooper.org Class location information at Jai Shanti Yoga: www.jaishantiyoga.com/hooping.html World Hoop Day, July 7, 2007: worldhoopday.tribe.net/ Make your own hoop: www.jasonunbound.com/hoops.html Learn more about the hooping community: www.hooping.org

Which of the Superhooper classes is your favorite?
I can’t help but prefer the first (“It's a Cinch: Waist Hooping”) and last (“Full Circle: Putting it All Together”) classes in our series. The excitement from those just discovering hooping is infectious and reinspires us every time. Similarly, the feeling of accomplishment and confidence hoopers feel in the last class is special to us because they have truly gone from just “keeping it [the hoop] up” to “hoop dancing.” By the last class, the hoop has become the perfect dance partner—it naturally follows your every move and becomes a freeing and unique expression of your body’s movements.

Any upcoming appearances?
We will next appear at the Bonnaroo music and arts festival in Tennessee in June with the “Art of Such n’ Such,” organized by local artist Charlie Smith (howhowhow.com). In town, we’ll be representing and organizing Atlanta’s participation in the very first World Hoop Day.

How can newcomers get started?
First, get a hoop—or make one yourself. Oversize dance hoops are handmade with irrigation tubing. They can be bought on our Web site or locally at High Country Outfitters in Buckhead.

Next, hoop! Participate in and learn from the growing hooping community here in Atlanta. Take a class with us at Jai Shanti Yoga or subscribe to our e-mail list for announcements on HoopJams in the Park. (We get hoopers together throughout the summer at local music festivals to have fun and spread the love of the hoop.) Or join the active hooping community online: get tips, join the discussion and watch hooping videos.