I chose this as I think it is a fitting title, which relates to what has been happening in my life recently.
When I started my journey as a hula hoop instructor I never dreamed it would have taken me to so many fantastic places and meeting so many wonderful people.
I was originally never one for travelling or someone who would be implusive to a certain degree, but I think for me anyway, the passing of my dear father some 5 years this September has been a real turning point in my life.
One of my favourite quotes is Life is too short and that is why I now live it to the fullest and try to enjoy every moment of it and grab whatever opportunities come my way.
I am no keep fit fanatic, in fact I don't do exercise period. I think I must own every form of exercise equipment that was created. My house has so many different machines, benches, balls etc, etc it's not even funny. I knew it got bad when my son told me not to buy anymore because I was just wasting my money.
I'm sure some of you will be able to relate to this? When the box comes and you open it with excitement, promise yourself your going to use it everyday because it is the best thing that has ever been invented. Two weeks later, your hat and coat are hanging up on it.
Well, after having 3 children and not being sucessful at the gym, I decided enough was enough and I needed to shift the flab around my stomach. As I hate situps what else could I do that would tone my abs?
So there I was some three years plus ago surfing the net looking again for that quick fix solution and there it was the Hula Hoop. Yes the Hula Hoop. Well that put me out the picture because I did not know how to hoop as a child and knew for certain I wouldn't be able to do it now.
I read all the info I could find. Learnt that Beyonce hooped to keep her trim and other celebrities were at it too. Well if it was good enough for Beyonce, it's gonna be good enough for me.
I found a health exhibition in London, which I dragged my daughter along to. She must have been about 11 at the time. We were given the opportunity to try various hoops and there was also a demo class which we took part in. By the time we left we were definately hooked.
Surely, there must be more to hooping than just spinning it around your waist? So off I went to hoop classes in North London every Tuesday with daughter in tow. We both enjoyed it so much, learnt a few tricks that I decided I wanted to teach and spread the love of hooping in my area of South London. Again I got on the net and started looking for teacher training classes. As the UK was still relatively new to hooping we had to rely on trainers from the States to come over. I took the Body Hoops teacher training Level 1 & 2 and my daughter along with me took the Hoopgirl training Level 1 & 2. She was the youngest ever person at that time to qualify as a Hoopgirl instructor. We now run 3 classes a week, which are being sponsored by our Local Government and last year we recieved funding for a year from our Local Health Authority. Hula Hooping is a brilliant way of getting fit, you can burn up to 100 calories in 10 minutes. It is a low impact aerobic activity, which uses all of your body therefore giving you an all over body workout. If your someone like me who hates going to the gym or convential methods of exercising you should try it. It's one of the only exercises I know where you can have a good laugh and release your stresses of the day. It makes you youthful and you actually enjoy yourself and have fun whilst exploring the hoop. I have learnt new skills, which I never knew I possessed. I am teaching people of all ages and abilities and the greatest thing of all I am keeping fit and active.
Michelle
Check out my site for more info on Hula Hooping
Part 2 of this blog to follow
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