My hoop story and why the heck I know a thing or two …

I began dancing at the age of three. I remember loving my first on-stage experience and continued to spend countless hours in the dance studio into my twenties. I did not, however, love the (self-induced, mostly) pressure of the dance studio. You see, as much as I loved dancing, I spent a great deal of my youth comparing my body to those of the other girls. It was inevitable; I would check the mirror for placement and alignment (as a good dancer should) and my negative self-talk would bombard my brain with bullcrap! This went on for many years...

Fast forward a few years: I got a case of the "conditioned adult." In other words, I was spending a lot of time doing what I was "supposed" to do...ya know, the grind. I grew up, got a big girl job with health insurance, and spent a lot of time working, a lot of time on the treadmill...(literally and figuratively!)... I. was. so. bored!! I choreographed and taught hip hop aerobics and occasionally dropped into a dance class, but I felt deeply that something was missing. I so badly wanted to ENJOY working out again *AND* EXPRESS myself with movement! I missed dance like the deserts miss the rain! I did a local search for dance classes and came across an amazing woman who was offering hoop classes where I lived at the time. I had seen hooping a few years prior, and couldn't believe that I could potentially learn how to hoop; I was beyond excited to give it a go!!

However, you can imagine my frustration when in the first class, even as someone with a dance background, I couldn't keep the hoop spinning around my waist!! Everyone else seemed to get it easily; but it wasn't happening for me. I left class feeling defeated, BUT, this sparked a deep desire in me to conquer waist hooping. So every day after work, I would get out my hoop and get to spinning! Eventually, I conquered that move and set my intentions on the next... and the next... and the next. I had developed a healthy addiction that was quickly enabling me to feel better, love harder and enjoy my life more fully! My spark was back and bigger than ever!

Yes, I still check the mirror... however, because I've been able to have fun again in the dance studio, when I look now, I see a vibrant, healthy, hooping body in the reflection! There are no serious dance teachers coming to whack me with a ruler if I am doing it "wrong," because there is no wrong!! Here's the beauty: There are no "rules" in hoop dance. It is pure self-expression! AND, trust me, ANY BODY CAN DO IT!! Hooping has given me a creative outlet, an easy way to connect with people, a strengthened sense of self, and a much healthier body image. I started on this healing journey and have never looked back. Nearly five years later, my life is truly magical! The best part is, this joy is contagious -- if I can pull that off, YOU can do it too!

What I learned transformed my life forever – now it can transform yours. Hoop dance has become a global wellness revolution that’s resonated with thousands of health, spiritual wealth, and happiness seekers. Women all over New York have flocked to my classes and workshops to learn how to look and feel better, lose weight, reduce stress and suffering, have more energy and nourish their spirits! Exercise is non-negotiable -- it's great for your heart, your head, and every other cell in your body! Why not make your workout FUN?!

Happy Hooping!
Amy