Harbin Hoop Jam October 08

This year’s inaugural Harbin Hoop Jam was a life changing, even cell-shifting, experience. Located in the lush forests of Northern California, just beyond the Napa Valley, it was held at one of the most beautiful natural hot springs retreats in America. After Hoop Camp I was craving Harbin for a variety of reasons. Mostly I was looking for a decent amount of time and space to practice all that I had learnt at Hoop Camp, all that I was working on personally and to go beyond anything that I had experienced or expected in a blank canvas environment. Naturally I wanted to get Intergalactic in oh so many ways.



The beauty of this land exceeded all expectations. As Miss Rosie drove Deanne and I up to the retreat there were several moments where my breath was literally taken away… and then promptly returned with absolute wonder and awe. The land that the retreat sits on, and the retreat itself, is like a magical hideaway from the rest of the world. Add to that completely natural and extremely hot and cold spring pools to soak in, some warm water in between, a steam room or two, healing treatments such as Watsu, massage, yoga in the temple and sleep (!) … well, let’s just say it was hard to leave. We arrived on the Monday directly after Hoop Camp weekend and I left on the following Sunday so a week all up – long enough to get lost / found in the paradise that is Harbin, short enough to eject to complete the rest of the journey.



The Jam was held at the conference centre which had very little left to be desired for a hoop space / home base / disco dance land. Our training area was decked out with a split of floorboards and carpet, cushions everywhere, a DJ booth, ceiling to floor mirror, incredible skylight that bathed us in the sun's beams, hoop shrine, tea and water on tap, snacks, three delicious and healthy (predominantly vegetarian :)) meals a day, magic... hoops of all weights and sizes not to mention lights thanks to psi guru Merlin. I set my bedroom up on the outside decks allowing me to fall asleep to the sound of the flowing stream and dream under the stars in absolute comfort. With all those cushions that deck was like a palace. I woke up to the Harbin “peacocks” (funny looking bush turkeys) and deer wandering around, like everyone else, in an ultra relaxed fashion - a gait that was aptly coined by Lady Hoop Love as the Harbin Slide.

In such a setting it’s amazing that we managed to get anything done other than bask and eat grapes. But we had the vision of our hosts Merlin, Nayeli and Ourobous to fulfil, not to mention missions of our own, which involved a whole lot of hooping, some serious soaking and, an exploration into collective creativity and connectivity. It was the perfect mix – a blissful combination of good sleep, delish food, yogic warm-ups, group directed exercises, freestyle hooping, power dips in the pools, chillout space and party time at night. In a word, it was ideal.



As the first Harbin Hoop Jam the collective vibe was brimming with excitement, anticipation, ideas, a whole lot of energy, the desire to connect and a united and dominant intent to have as much fun as hoopily possible. We dove into the unknown co-creating spontaneously and continuously for the better part of five days. We numbered 18 so the group was large enough to encompass a broad diversity in perspective and style and yet small enough to hold an intimate energy in which we all got to know and enjoy each other’s company.

Having left Australia in super frectic rat mode, landed in San Francisco on a Summer of Love pre-Hoop Camp bling mission then Hoop Camped my little heart out while trying to shake the jetlag, something I really craved from Harbin was the time and space to majorly chillax. As in timeout! I feel like that didn’t fully arrive until the weekend after the Jam was officially over and most of my fellow hoopies had left, leaving a small crew of us to hang out, hoop super casually and play. This need was more a personal requirement than anything I sought from the Jam itself. And how fortunate I was because I can't think of a more chillaxed vibe or venue to watch it appear. It really was a most unique experience of fitting in as much hoop training and play as possible with a lot of space as well to jump onto one's own personal bandwagon if so desired. The chill zone was well and truly under way as the week progressed and the chance to hang at Harbin for a little longer was Divine!

I should not neglect to mention the blissful musical contribution of DJ Sophia. She kept the tunes rokn all the while with lots of eclectic, electric and gypsy style hoopdance tunes that kept our soul train well and truly fuelled. Sophia's beauitful presence as a ball of light human energy and DJ was the cherry on the pie. Much love, adoration and gratitude to Lady Sophia who I could dance to and with infinitely.



The highlights of Harbin for me are numerous. On a hooping level, just being given the opportunity to participate in such a space is an absolute gift. The benefits of working together with a group of like-minded hoopies within an aligned, elongated and intended process is immense. As worked out as I was by the end of the week, I could have happily continued the training for several more weeks. Do not underestimate the regenerating qualities of those hot and cold pools! It's like they reset your energy each and every time.

I also high five the process of blindfolded hooping. WOW! This was one area that I was fully able to access and go beyond the beyond. Like meditation, it frees the mind to just be, intuit, flow, know. The inspiration, and really specific details, for my New York show came from this practice. A story appeared as a standup and spin, using the voice and hoop with Love as the theme. Dee-Lite's Power of Love triggered and shaped then shifted it accordingly. More on that show later, but for now ... can't recommend blindfolded hooping enough and intend on introducing to the hoopies at home.



Tuesday and Thursday nights were Harbin party nights at the conference centre. Local Harbonites poured in and we turned it on hoopstar style. Deanne and I made light work of the Bling Machine and had a wild old time that's for sure :)



My life changed for so many reasons and in so many ways at Harbin. One of the main seeds of change was in giving myself the chance to play without work in my chosen field of work which is about play - an ongoing (if not THE ongoing) conundrum for every professional hoopi I'm sure. The development of my work and personal life requires this free time and space to allow me to grow. It was a major bonus that I was able to share this with fellow hoopies as it amplified the experience.

My cells shifted many times - in the pools, on the dance floor, behind the blindfold, walking the path... Harbin Hoop Jam was an affirmation of the need and desire for hoopies to gather in such a way - i.e for an extended length of time in a magickal paradise - to connect with and inspire our selves and each other. Hoop Camp ignited a flame that was fanned at Harbin. I look forward to the next Harbin Hoop Jam with much hoop love, respect and admiration for those who help create it. Bring it ON!



More pix here

Intergalactic Space Babes in a Trans-Galactic Landing: Hoop Camp 08 - California

Its hard to know where to begin as the adventure has been just so full and incredibly mind blowing too. It took me 24 hours to reach San Francisco from Sydney (instead of 12) due to a cheap airfare that hit Tai Pei along the way. It wasn't until I found my new beautiful camera in SF that I could truly appreciate the saving as the leg to leg journey became rather trying. Zen bending techniques essential. Upon touchdown I felt that familiar feeling of coming home. It's an interesting sensation as I have felt it only in a few places in the world but always from the very first instant and beyond - Sydney > San Francisco(/Harbin) > New York all do it for me - a golden triangle perhaps. Europe is just gonna have to wait for this Intergalactic Space Babe's trans-galactic landing. Already I am re-plugged into the vibe that is the United States... West Coast style.

So Deanne of Tokyo's Hoop Lovers and I pretty much cruised the town over the few days we had before Hoop Camp started and soaked up a lot of the Summer of Love vibe that is The Haight and camped out at the Red Vic. Needless to say there was extensive bling expansion in already bulging luggage! If ever in need of a little going beyond the beyond of bling, this is definitely the strip of strips. God bless the Haight! I don't think I've ever talked so much as we did during that passage. Deanne had come from Tokyo and I from Sydney so were jetlagged and exhausted from our frectic lives back home but when we met it was immediate and infinite download upload reload of it all really - vegetarianism, love of the hoop, love addiction, love love love, past present future, visions and dreams, the style train, fashion, jetsetting and the all-essential bling-O-rama. In Deanne I have discovered my cosmic twin. Many others saw it too so it was without surprise that we faced an onslaught of questioning as we walked the streets, hooped the forests and flew through dreams - sisters we are! Much love to Deanne x





Time to tune into the local vibe as we were were picked up by JenaLuna, hooned down the 101 and off into the forest to arrive at Hoop Hot Spot #1 : Kennolyn Retreat near Santa Cruz.

It was non-stop from the moment we arrived. The Hoop Path crew were raring to go so after all 90 of us introduced ourselves one by one and filled the prayer hoop with goodness and love we settled in for a journey within - a blindfolded guided meditation through the legend of the Maidan. Baxter is a true master. What a present spirit! As we listened to the story of the orphans who were gathered by the female warriors known as the Maidan we explored the internal space of the hoop as we rocked it in our first and second currents. The hoop became a vortex and our minds shooting stars as we created visions of what it is to rise to the higher self in a space that I found blissful, confronting and Utopic. Ann and Beth co-taught the 90 minute workshop as around 90 of us flowed with the technique and the meditation of the Hoop Path. Together the Hoop Path team initiated a powerful level of intention and consciousness that kept spreading throughout the weekend and well into the Harbin Hoop Jam in the following week. Baxter's blog on the Hoop Camp weekend is worth a read. He is a wonderfully spirited writer and wraps the workshops up ever so eloquently, including a review of yours truly! Blessings to Baxter - such an inspiration and a definite magnet for my hoop journey... those martial art style paddles and breaks and the ethereal yet powerful philosophy of the Maidan really hit a deep spot within me. It literally brought me to tears.



So the next morning I was ON. 90 of us were organised into 3 groups of 30 that rotated around 3 sessions of 50 minute workshops. I taught Multiple Circus hoops so splitting, coiling, controlling and a few hand tricks with twins (two hoops). It was exciting to present this material as a definite shift has occurred in the US hoop scene in that the big mamma cadillac style hoop is no longer the only way. Pathways have diversified and hoops are becoming smaller and smaller right down to the super mini guys of which Christabel, Shakti and several others are embracing in a way that I can only describe as American Indian Hoop Disco. The days of one hoop wonderment have also passed and have been joined by an interest in adding hoops to the ever evolving groove. Put this all together and circus style hooping and hoops have definitely found their place on the American scene right now.

Like Baxter, I felt strangely very comfortable with the large groups of hoopies. I thought I would be more nervous, I don't know why but I guess the Hoop Camp had a pretty rokn line up of teachers so the benchmark was high. I entered the space with a feeling of deep gratitude that I had been invited to teach amongst the bad-ass hoopers in town. It was like (dare I say) my ego simply disappeared the moment I was on and as Hunter (Harbin astrologer) echoed yesterday - it was a case of the message being more important than the personal feeling so everything other than bright light, clear instruction and joyful energy just fell away. The classes were received really well. It's interesting because I didn't really pre-plan my lesson plan too much as I knew I had to actually be there to know what was needed. I had a very general idea of what material would work best for several months and kept letting that shape shift as the time drew nearer and into the now. This is pretty much how I like to prepare for performance as well - loosely and spontaneously allowing for flow in the moment. Given that twins are now a not so new part of the scene I kept hand-hooping as an added extra and focused on splits, particularly getting the downward split (butt and waist) on the hoopdance map. It's one thing to be able to split hoops, it's very much another to dance with it.

I feel grateful that the Australian hoop scene pushed me out of the small pond searching for more as it led me to these incredible people who have a real craving to share and learn as much as they possibly can from each other with positive intention. That's not to say there isn't politics or issues as there always is everywhere but the vibe about the Americans seems to be an acceptance that the more you give the more you receive and a knowing that if they shut down from each other it doesn't work for anyone. What comes out of that is a focus on unique essence - the defining element of my teacher training program and life. Let's complement each other not compete!

Back to the workshop - so as I have come from the more is more circus style of statuesque multiple hoop spinning and the Americans more from one hoop rock the rhythm hoopdance we merge in the middle. Let's get the multiples on and lets shake it and break it and reverse it and work it and funk it right out. Our missions are aligned. I have to admit, I was deeply humbled by the recurring positive feedback on my workshop as I am sure my fellow teachers are in the knowing and acceptance that each of us blew that camp away. We all taught such different styles and from different philosophies, both personally and transpersonally. As Baxter said in his opening words in reference to 'stealing' moves and grooves - "nobody can steal you." And to that I can simply say, WORD. It's about your unique essence - hooping, life, love... find it, work it, own it - its yours and nobody elses. LOVE IT!

After finishing my workshops on the first morning I felt ready to relax into the weekend and play. The afternoon started with Spiral - of whom I could definitely be tempted to remain speechless. Precise and concise description required as this journal could quite well be overtaken by a Neptune style poetic dance of awe and wonder about the incredibly AMAZING beautiful, talented, otherworldly Spiral. One need only utter the name to watch the collective breath be sucked up into the cosmos then exhaled right out in gratitude for the presence of Spiral on this planet and in this community. When she knocked out a demo at the end of the class there wasn't a single person who was not awe-struck and completely captivated. Spiral has an awareness of movement and flow like no other - her workshop was called Rhythm Form and Flow. She drew awareness to rhythm of the body, the hoop and the music; form of the hoop's shape and movement using the hoop as a dance partner; and flow incorporating it all using the masterful energy that comes through when we are completely engaged in blissful presence and awareness. Thank you to the Universe for bringing us Spiral. For those of you who have not seen her dance get your booty over to YouTube right now and be prepared to be amazed

Sharna Rose from England was next with her workshop that focused on Intuition and Play. Such a high vibe! Sharna demanded the inner child in us all to come out and play. Her choice of diverse music, insistence on high energy playfulness and her own ability as a hooper all totally hit the spot. Stop start, jumping around, happy accidents in the hoop, all of it I just loved. I don't think I have ever been worked so hard in a workshop - she is unrelenting and really understands the energy requirements of the child: to be exhausted through wild bursts of exhilirating movement, play and frequently changing diverse mental stimulation. Not only did she inform me on how to get my little hooplings in more of a spin but also the bigger kids too, including myself. Thank you Sharna!

To finish the day was Shredder. What an inspiration she is in so many ways! Another 20/12-oid. My collection is really expanding. Shredder embodies an energy which I have identified in American woman as the full Shakti warrior goddess. On the first night at Hoop Camp there was a performance zone for those who wished to take the stage in a log style auditorium under the stars. Most people who got up on that stage did not hoop - they spoke. Poetry, song, stories. Shredder shredded the stage with her acrobatic super flexi hoop routine in a style like no other and the fairies of the night got their tiny twin hoop akshun on but mostly it was voice. What struck me was how powerful the American female voice is - its strong, direct, clear and often deep. I'm into it. Shredder is no exception. Deanne describes her 'tood perfectly as "get it on bitches". Yes ma'am! Her workshop was on acrobatics and getting flexi with the hoop with some added funky helicopter passes as well. Shredder inspires me with her strength and agility. She also has a presence as a performer and a presenter that is soul-splitting - it's a no shit sherlock here I am love me for who I am because I am HOT! Again - word ya'll.



The night was filled with more bliss. Its worth highlighting that this trip from beginning to end has been anchored in presence and flow inspired by the intense amazingness of each and every experience. It's also been filled with awesome costumes... the heavy slog from portal to portal has been well worth it! So on this night of nights, who came to the party but Bunny Bardot... inspired by the secret rokn disco that Anah got going on in the schoolroom above my cabin and a Barbarella siting amidst the play. She was pretty well behaved I must say that Bunny Bardot, but she did want to dance and dance she did! I have felt that throughout the journey it has been essential to put down my hoop... if only occasionally to let my body express outside of the circle. Some fire hooping went down of which I did not partake as my jetlag had really kicked in and my hair was just too damn big. So I gladly watched my boundaries and floated down to Merlin's PSI hoop heaven and joined the fireflies in their frolicking. Unfortunately I didn't last too long as I had worked it that day on four hours sleep, the tail end of the lag and an early morning yoga class so by the time I reached Ground Zero I was well past my limit. Nonetheless I enjoyed watching and grooving it sans hoop with camera. There is life outside the hoop too!





The next day was spent with Christabel, Anah and Shakti. Christabel aka Hoopgirl honed us right in with some core groovin sexy style. That girl is such an inspiration and wonderful to observe in her teaching essence as she has definitely got it down. What an instructor! Just full of beaming light, juiciness, energy, intention, detail and real connection with each and everyone of her students. Those eyes! And again, what a voice. Hoop Sexy was the name of her workshop and let it be known, no one could have facilitated this better. What a sexy lady! The word "mastress" crossed my reality a few days ago... I think Christabel can try that title on. She is both ferocious and delicate all in one. Hunts like a tiger and plays like a kitten.



Anah aka Hoopalicious - just WoW. Yet again. What always strikes me about Anah is her pixie like features and yet her hard driving dance style. I adore her androgyny and her power, her gift at moving within her hoop with full control and rhythm. Anah is known for initiating much of the hoopdance on the West Coast hoop scene. Much respect and kudos to her for inspiring and birthing such a community! As the hoop size trend is now to go down, Anah has remained in her chunky Cadillac style hoop. It suits her. Watching her rock it is like standing on the side of the road seeing a timeless (yet of a distinct time) piece of beauty glide along the road in all its stylised glory. By this I mean I can see that she is driving it from the 90s and yet there is solid 70s disco there too and a dance of no time as she is so unique in her groove with a range of flexibility and funk that is just 100% nOWness. Awareness was drawn yet again to the core as we learnt to put the dance back into the hoopdance. I identify with Anah's core foundational focus as this is where I also drive from and have been anchored in for a very long time in my own hoop journey - rokn it from the centre. Circling the upper body while locked in the core - now there's a practice I'm gonna be working on. Thank you Anah! Check out this hot video of her rokn it at Hoop Camp.



Finally we collapsed with the beautiful women of Kaivalya Hoops - Shakti SunFire and Ali Cat. We talked business. I was deeply grateful for this discussion as it has been a back burned discussion for many years now. We talked about group dynamics, how to mix hoop biz with friendship, leadership and delegation, ownership and opportunity. To be honest we could have spent a whole day or even weekend nutting out the nuts and bolts of what we do as professional hoopers and I don't think it will be long before we do. We need to. Forum to discuss is essential and when we are working in such bliss states it is no exception. It is essential that we protect our passion and our joy that we find in hoop biz otherwise the downward spiral can be tempting. Having left Australia literally spent and with very little energy left I think it is safe to say that I often over-work myself into a state of complete exhaustion which detracts from the experience of being a hoopi. A yogi wouldn't do it that why so why would a hoopi. This is my greatest lesson and the forum really allowed me to explore this and the wide range of issues that we confront when working in such an unconventional industry. Delegation and acknowledgement of limitation are essential.

I really want to explore this journey in a literary sense to historically document this exciting time in the hoop world. It feels like we are birthing an incredible community of fully embodied light working entities who know how to play and have fun. I think we all are aware of how we elevate the collective and personal vibration in what we do creating an upward spiral of higher consciousness. We aim to inspire and share and gift the world our talents and we are joining forces to spread the joy. It is needed right now, particularly in the USA at this time of intense financial strain. It is needed on this planet as we have gone beyond the collective limit and are exhausting our own resources on a massive scale. I also want to explore this personally and hopefully beam out some insight to others so that we can inspire each other to become more in tune with our inner realities and connect as conscious sentient beings. It will take another entry to follow this latter path and it will be the story of Harbinia - the Goddess of Harbin.

In case it hasn't become apparent already I am totally inlove with my hoopi family. Every single one of them. The presence and high vibrational clarity and light that each of us have found in the hoop sits within the essence of our practice. I felt so many of my Australian friends' spirits come through me throughout this retreat particularly in Harbin. But one particular transmission sits with me - a message from the beautiful Darinka:

"I am inlove with Love and Love is inlove with me. My body is inlove with my soul and my soul is inlove with the body. I open my arms to Love and it embraced me like a Lover." Rumi

This poem instantly filled my breath - it was love at first sight. It blew out into the sky one stunning morning in Harbin after the tempest the night before in the form of a luminous rainbow that arched over the valley. The cellular vibration was intensely blissful and I knew in that moment that all love that ever was is and will be, is so completely universal transpersonal and cosmic that the transferal to the third dimension of human personal reality is but a piece or two or three or more of the holographic way in which we can live life through our own individual perception. The mer-ka-bah comes back into view: mer - meaning spinning light, bidirectional, an energetic force that surrounds our bodies and planet; ka - the unique essence of each individual; bah - the interpretation of our own reality and a space to shift dimensions.



Through hooping we can truly and fully embrace this notion of cosmic movement and flow. We can shift our bodies and our multi-dimensional selves from space to space while sprinkling the cosmic bling that comes with the hoop. We can connect with ourselves, each other and the universe. We can love like never before - infinitely and unconditionally. The hoop represents our integration and completeness as spiritual beings having a human experience.



More HOOP CAMP pix

The Talking Stick

Carol Locust, Ph.D.
Native American Research and Training Center
Tucson, Arizona
(Tribal affiliation -- Eastern Band Cherokee)

"The talking stick has been used for centuries by many American Indian tribes as a means of just and impartial hearing. The talking stick was commonly used in council circles to designate who had the right to speak. When matters of great concern came before the council, the leading elder would hold the talking stick and begin the discussion. When he finished what he had to say he would hold out the talking stick, and whoever wished to speak after him would take it. In this manner the stick was passed from one individual to another until all who wished to speak had done so. The stick was then passed back to the leading elder for safe keeping.

Some tribes used a talking feather instead of a talking stick. Other tribes might have a peace pipe, a wampum belt, a sacred shell, or some other object by which they designate the right to speak. Whatever the object, it carries respect for free speech and assures the speaker he has the freedom and power to say what is in his heart without fear of reprisal or humiliation.

Whoever holds the talking stick has within his hands the sacred power of words. Only he can speak while he holds the stick; the other council members must remain silent. The eagle feather tied to the talking stick gives him the courage and wisdom to speak truthfully and wisely. The rabbit fur on the end of the stick reminds him that his words must come from his heart and that they must be soft and warm. The blue stone will remind him that the Great Spirit hears the message of his heart as well as the words he speaks. The shell, iridescent and ever changing, reminds him that all creation changes -- the days, the seasons, the years -- and people and situations change, too. The four colors of beads -- yellow for the sunrise (east), red for the sunset (west), white for the snow (north) and green for the earth (south) -- are symbolic of the powers of the universe he has in his hands at the moment to speak what is in his heart. Attached to the stick are strands of hair from the great buffalo. He who speaks may do so with the power and strength of this great animal.

The speaker should not forget that he carries within himself a sacred spark of the Great Spirit, and therefore he is also sacred. If he feels he cannot honor the talking stick with his words, he should refrain from speaking so he will not dishonor himself. When he is again in control of his words, the stick will be returned to him."

http://www.acaciart.com/stories/archive6.html

Unification within the Cosmic Hoop

"Today there is a movement toward rediscovering the uses of astrology and the importance of the shamanastic viewpoint of the world. There is by some a turning away from the scientist-preists as the purveyors of all knowledge and wisdom. What we are beginning to realize is that left brain knowledge alone is sterile and incomplete. We cannot comprehend the bigger picture until right brain knowledge is also incorporated into the greater worldview. As a result, we have seen an explosion of right brain paths of consciousness exploration over the past three decades. A deeply buried need to experience mystical ways of knowing and perceiving the world is reawakening. In this search for greater self knowledge, many have sought to learn the shaman's path of inner knowing... A new form of whole-brain learning and perceiving the world around us is developing."

Richard Gerber MD, author of "Vibrational Medicine: the #1 Handbook of Subtle Energy Therapies" in Introduction to
Barbara Hand Clow "Liquid Light of Sex"

Recent hoop phenomena: right handers gravitating toward left handed hooping for right brain turbo boost; lasso to waist with turn > "go with the movement of the hoop" (mondo)

Hoop Meditation

Find a space by yourself to hoop in. choose a place in which you will feel comfortable to close your eyes and move around in. this space is either dark or dimly lit with candles and incense. choose a selection of songs that you know will take you on a journey. i usually go for tribal beats, chunky and funky, and/or something eclectic, slow and melodic. It's important to choose music that you personally connect with.

Start by centring your body inside the hoop as you hold it with hands down either side. Close your eyes and breathe as you start to visualise your chakras in full colour detail one by one ascending upward - red at the base root chakra; orange at the 2nd; sun yellow at your core 3rd; green at the heart; blue at the throat; violet at the third eye; white open lotus at the crown. See a stream of light pouring into your head and engulfing all of these colours as it floods down your spinal column into your root chakra weaving and circling the spinning mandala type chakras along the way until it reaches the ground, takes a 180 to return back in an egg shape upward direction until it reaches your crown passing through all chakras along the way weaving and circling as it did coming down until it reaches way beyond the crown chakra and completes the oval. Watch that oval in its fullness and see it expand beyond your hoop's perimetre as far as the mind can see. Then watch it pulsate a vibrant white light as it radiates out into the galaxy then back in again. Hold the vision of the light and notice a space of total stillness. Music is optional for this part of the meditation but I find it often useful to listen to the sounds around you, preferably in nature, and start to hear the hum of existence as your meditation music.

Time to groove it. Bring yourself back into the physical space that you are standing in and start spinning the hoop. We are looking for a free flow dance. Close your eyes as much as possible. Feel your body move and start to observe. Notice how your physical form engages with the hoop and how other parts of the body react to certain movements. Flow is important so rather than thinking about moves you are going to automatically just move and let your body decide how. Turning is key as we begin to discover the rhythm as your body communes with the hoop and music. Keep spinning and moving until you find a place of complete calm and harmonic resonance. As you move deeper into the movement meditation you can start to visualise the chakras again with the powerful white light as your spotlight. You can move the hoop to any part of your body during this time while exploring spontaneous movement and flow.

Don't time any of this. Just pick a playlist of songs that will last anywhere between 5 minutes and 5 hours! It's up to you how long each part will take.

When you are finished drop your hoop and stand in Tadasana. Feel the energy moving around the body. Then lie down on the ground for Sivasana Corpse pose final relaxation. Make sure you are warm and comfortable. Reflect on your movement meditation to find any key insights. Then just let your body and mind relax entirely with meditation and focus on the breath. Try not to force the breath just watch it. Sivasana is recommended for at least 5 minutes preferably 10.

When you have completed Sivasana record any significant revelations.

Elemental meditation to come...

Rainbow Bliss

i sat inside my rainbow hoop at the beach contemplating meditating threw my rainbow at a little girl who was prancing and posing full acrobatic style - she loved it of course - then i journeyed to the clifftop (enroute... random callout: i thought they should have given you 10!) and so i sat on the edge of the cliff and gazed upon the ocean. the colours constantly changed as sunlight beamed in and out. a sea plane buzzed past calling me to look up and see the rainbow in the sky. breathtaking moment. there was so much love and light going on in that little bubble of mine and i thought: how can i hold onto this bliss? when i realised... this too will pass.

dreamscape: lots of travel and peeps - london bronwyn camping nick packing bags riding a mule enroute... cut to > walking into a room to find a man sitting on a chair. we both realise we are on the astral plane and are both lucidly dreaming. i wonder if we should engage and then we both realise that we don't know each other so it would be futile. fadeout

top 5 dancefloor experience on saturday night @ phoenix - when tim mentioned it i was tempted to ask who would be spinning and thought better to leave it as a surprise. yay! johnny. WOW. couldn't really have asked for anything more. he just does it every time. blissful tunes a mix of the deep dark dirty and the crankn electro kookified lushness that is the signature of this man's supreme style. oh and the incense! bring it ON. mental note - when doing out in catwoman stileto boots... take backup! good for curfews, challenging for hooping, broke through on the dance land front but... such pain! in a pain is beauty, beauty is pain kinda way but REALLY! who is responsible for this kind of footwear? actually. cut to conversation on friday night with jann about Chinese foot binding - the link was made. post-feminist feminist discussion to come... its lengthy.

night spent making rainbows in the land of bliss

"In Astrology We See the State of the Cosmic Mind"

The Vertex and Anti-Vertex



"The vertex appears as a sensitive point linked to fateful encounters with others, seemingly sudden epiphanies, turning points in life and a destiny over which we have no control. Activated, it can synchronize with an experience of another whose effect registers as some degree of profound or extraordinary.

Meetings with significant people, as seen through synastry and composite charts, may also link strongly to the vertex. (Think of people as constant transits.) When one person's inner planets or asteroids (Sun through to Jupiter), angles, nodes, vertex or certain Arabic parts conjunct the vertex, there can be a feeling of fate, destiny, rightness or wrongness about the encounter. Something in the contact with that person may have the ability to create profound change in the native, over a long or short period of time.

Our location on the planet can awaken the vertex as seen through relocation charts and astro-carto-graphy. When we relocate, the vertex may become more prominent by changing house or aspect to an angle. The relocation vertex can signify places where meaningful encounters of a particular nature seem to happen more consistently."

Sourced from Falcon Astrology

HOROSCOPE ANGLES
"The Ascendant is formed by the intersection of the eastern section of the (rational) horizon with the ecliptic. The Descendant is the intersection of the horizon and ecliptic in the west. The visible intersection of the ecliptic with the Meridian (above the horizon) forms the Midheaven. The IC is the ecliptic-Meridian intersection below the horizon. The intersection of the ecliptic with the Prime Vertical in the east forms the Antivertex; in the west that intersection marks the Vertex. The East Point is the intersection of the ecliptic with the unnamed great circle passing through the east and west points of the horizon and the north and south poles of Earth, and the West Point is its western opposition. The East Point has also been called the Equatorial Ascendant because it is the Ascendant on the Equator at the sidereal time of birth.

Both the East Point and Antivertex can be interpreted as auxiliary Ascendants. That is, they function as additional keys to one’s basic identity, action, energy, drive and self-expression.
They do not seem to be AS important as the actual Ascendant, but do offer useful clues to major themes in the nature of the individual. Either angle requires more attention when a planet falls closely conjunct it. This is almost as significant as having that planet conjunct the Ascendant. The planet(s) involved denote major, keynote principles of that individual’s sense of self, identity, assertion and being in the world...

This potential of “giving away” a part of who we are and unconsciously attracting other people to manifest that missing side contributes to what has been called the “fated” quality of the Vertex. Where other people are involved, we have less control and less power than where we are concerned only with our actions and attitudes as an individual. People who externalize responsibility for their own lives call such interactions “fated.” I prefer to operate within the world view that life is a mirror; we attract people we can learn from. Everyone in our lives is teaching us about a part of our own nature and potentials.

Both axes then (East Point/West Point and Antivertex/Vertex) point to a basic self/other polarity in the life that must be faced. In any opposition, the goal is integration. There is a natural complementarity. Both ends need each other to be fully effective. There are two major dangers with any opposition (polarity) in the horoscope. One danger is swinging from one extreme to the other. It is not uncommon for people to overdo one end of a polarity, then—in reaction—go to the opposite extreme. Some people spend their lives flip-flopping from one end of the seesaw to the other. The second danger is projection. In that case, the individual identifies with one end of the polarity and denies its opposite. So, unconsciously, that individual attracts other people who are expressing that opposite quality. The problem is, they are usually carrying it to an extreme. So, when we see exaggerated behavior, it is a good idea to look into our own psyches at what we may be denying."

Sourced from and interpretation of house positions: CCRS Dodona

Last Night's Dreamscape

In a crossworld between the Lost Buddhas and Demon Leather - am perusing outfit (flashback to the Fashion Buddha and frilly leather shirt). I'm putting costumes into my car and realise I can't find a new expensive costume. Am wondering where it is when all of a sudden I realise I have a baby... a very small baby. I'm holding it and notice how fragile it is - can't support it's neck, can barely sit in my arms without flopping about. I almost drop it! Because I am so busy I ask a young girl to look after the baby. She takes it away for a bath and I continue packing the car. The young girl appears again without the baby. I run to the bathroom and see the baby sunken beneath the water with its eyes closed. It has stopped breathing and looks dead although not blue so I pull it out of the water and start to rescucitate it by massaging its heart. I call out for someone to help and then find myself in a chemist. I hand over the baby and ask the woman behind the counter to bring the baby back to life. She starts massaging its heart as then and listens closely for breath. She tells me the baby is alive and that it said to her, "Death is boring, I'm not dead." Much to my relief! Fadeout...

TroupEclectico - Aug 22 + 23

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Hoop Disco Desert Dreaming Part 2

Again it has happened - LIFE! Not much time for the extra-curricular these daze. Last Friday was my first day off in 19 days... hmmm somebody build me a tetrahedron to fit out my brain! In an attempt to return to blogland to complete the desert review it seems all that has needed to happen in the meantime, has in fact occurred. So where to begin?

A conversation with a man at an art show last week about the desert - we were talking about how wonderful it is to find the opportunity to sit in a beautiful space for a length of time and just BE. To watch the sky, to notice the daily pattern of birds' flight, to check out your own bio-rhythms and to contemplate. We were standing in a gallery in the middle of Sydney that was so jampacked peeps had to hit the walls with their beers and wine just to make room for all the shuffling and perusing and shmoozing that is Sydney... this city is so dense (and yet when compared to other big cities around the world not at all) but it's interesting in its own diverse and eclectic way. I found it fascinating how old friends from way back kept popping out of the time closet almost like a dream - some had changed in appearance, others looked the same but spoke a different story, one had even changed sex. I saw a stunt double of a friend I hadn't seen for a very long time, I could have sworn it was him. It was all very holographic the way we dotted the room randomly and yet, we all still connected through that underlying knowing of who we are and what we are about - creatures intent on harmonically creating bliss states and connecting through art and each other. Epiphany had, I ejected rather quickly and headed to the beach!

When I reflect on our time in the desert, with more than a month having passed in a turbo tail wind of the fast lane variety, an involuntary sigh escapes each and every time. Pining for the past, I know... never a good thing. BUT! When I look up at the sky in the city I feel deprived. Where are all the stars and galactic spiral highway?? When I race from point A>Z filling in each and every hoopy letter several times over with some extended yogic breaths in between I end up feeling exhausted barely remembering what just happened. It feels different to the predictable post holiday come down... I'm not quite sure you would even call what we experienced a "holiday" - the dust storms, the hauling of steel and wood and bling, the organisation, the drama... although... crafternoon on the sandunes, sitting around the fire at night, gazing at the sky, photoshoots and glamour - i think ADVENTURE is a better word to describe the experience. And in every adventure is a mission, with every mission is focused intent - we weren't faffing yo, we were actualising a vision that started with a drawing in the desert of Nevada (i.e Burning Man 06) and just grew with the additional vision and sweat of Nick, Falcon, Gemma and everyone who contributed to making that Mothership Hoop Disco land in the third dimension.



What struck me the most was in the mission to make that big heap of steel and wood and gas and light into the fire breathing, light shifting blingtastic thing that it was... having traveled several days across Australia with I think it's safe to say a pretty precarious transport situation going on and a bus full of people (some with WAY too much blingage but ultimately not)... all this 3Dness seemed to merge with an energetic forcefield of collective consciousness. I would even go as far to say that at times the 3Dness submerged completely beneath a grid of awareness that just kept on expanding and contracting then expanding again - it was amazing to witness and be part of. The massive amount of effort that was put into the project was delivered right back in that wonder twin kinda way - shape of some pretty wicked sacred geometry... form of personal fulfilment, creative realisastion and, in the context of the droll world we live in, an illicit amount of FUN! I don't think a single one of us left the desert without feeling that somehow life had changed. It's a pretty spacious art gallery out there in the middle of Australia.

For me, a shift has occurred at a cellular level that has tuned me in with my truth. It just gets stronger and I feel like I am changing every moment of every day. The information and people and energy that flows toward me, around me and back out again is super charged with cosmic intelligence. At times I feel like (apart from the obvious mundane ratting around) I don't really need to DO anything except watch it ebb and flow and shape it accordingly. And lots of yoga - yum yoga! It leads me to believe, beyond the wanderlust, that everything is absolutely perfect exactly how it is... even the chaotic rat race, especially the chaotic rat race. There is much to be done in a small amount of time with a lot of people... hence the city living. Sometimes it's a little too easy to deflect responsibility in accepting our karmic requests and choices in life. Ultimately it's about perception and so a lot of the DOING is in fact the mind racing. Meditation anyone?

(To watch high quality versions click on video to teleport you to YouTube and then click on said option)



It's odd how so many Australians spend so much of their travel time abroad. I know I have and am about to yet again. I guess my next trip to the forests of California and then onto New York feels almost like a bit of a last hurrah for a while. It's more a feeling than a thought. Burning Man gripped me and blew me away in all the right ways but Earth Dream wrapped me up and sent messages that I don't think I've ever experienced before. The difference between an um and an om perhaps. Anyway, it's all just words at the end of the day... or is it? I'm a bit of a fan of the saying, wherever you go there you are... but then, sometimes being in the right place at the right time really does help - follow your dreams and you can't go wrong.

More beauty:



More dreams. It's what it's about this life - living the dream.

So as August jetted past, wow my dreams - more flying and incredible ethereal experiences... the lucidity is so strong right now. Some highlights of the month gone by...


WORLD HOOP DAY 080808 - Taylors Square, Darlinghurst


AFI AWARDS SCREENING NIGHT - PHOTO: BELINDA ROLLAND © 2008

Blessings to one and all from the Intergalactic Space Babe HQ!

Hoop Disco Desert Dreaming Part 1

It's hard to believe that more than two months has flown by since last I blogged! Time is flying... and so am I at an incredible speed. The months of June and early July were spent teaching the Autumnal term, performing about town, making hoops for the new Hoop Empire Winter range, Hoop Lovers Tokyo Summer range and preparing for our Hoop Disco Dreaming in the Desert.



The Hoop Disco Desert Dreaming was an incredible experience. A week of creating life on a blank canvas offered the space to go full BLING amidst the flying sparks of the Fire Breathing Falcon's birth onto the planet and the rising of the Hoop Disco mothership. With a fellowship of 9 we drove for 3 days until we reached the Oodnadatta Track near Lake Eyre and threw ourselves into the dunes of South Australia with some pretty serious hoopage. Dust storms and all, we discovered the bliss that is this red land and the possibilities that can be realised by tapping into your dreams. Those skies! A special thanks to all celestial beings who guided and protected us on our first flight of fancy into the extreme wilderness of the Australian outback. Also, thanks to each and every one of our team for contributing uniquely and amazingly with your individual and magical talents. Kudos to Robin Cook for birthing EarthDream and Mutonia Sculpture Park way back when with his mission of elevating consciousness along side his massive sculptures made of recycled materials. A BIG thank you to the Arabunna People and Rainbow Serpents for welcoming us onto their land. And of course, a huge cosmic HIGH 5 to our photographer, Nick and videographer, Gordon. Photos can be found on Flickr and video to come.



On a personal level, I found the desert to be an amazing space for identifying the internal clutter and void. When you place yourself in a zone of emptiness it becomes easier to see what fills the gaps of one's own silence. Each morning I woke to a pastel pink dome signaling the rising sun. I have to admit I did wake freezing cold (despite being wrapped in 40 or more rabbits! two sleeping bags, a doona, blanket and at times the contents of my bling trunk). But there was a sense of urgency that I simply had to be up to greet the sun. Each day was a gift to be embraced. As it peaked over the horizon and then rose to its fullness, it was like the Sun spoke - messages of creative instruction, power, intensity, reassurance, guidance, healing and absolute bliss in the knowing that this is what it is to reach out and realise, to actualise, the highest potential. WOW.

I took so few photos out there, although posed for lots! and am still gathering collections from both Nick and Gemma. I was reminded yet again how much I miss my camera. At times it feels like a limb is missing but the renunciation of such a device is useful too as a lens can be quite distracting when trying to absorb the bigger picture. I found moments of slipping between both sides of the photographic coin through styling and directing the fabulous GemStar, who excelled with each and every Desert Bling shoot. Without complaint she bared the chilling sunsets and shone like the star she is. By the final night that girl had her makeup so down she was truly breathtaking.



Robin spoke at length to me about the Power of 9 with reference to our group. Just now, in writing this, I am taken on a cyber tangent... I can feel some serious hyperlinkia about to begin! If your mind doesn't expand to Esoterica then skip this paragraph as the Spiral Highway might suck you in and steal your logic. WoW ok check out Wikepedia - its one for Dungeons and Dragons Wizard freaks out there. How good is the internet! Blows my mind every time. The Symbolism and Spiritual Significance of the Number 9 is a intense read and packed with a mass of historical information on the number. Of note - a piece on the Sacred Hoop:

"As for the circle, let us hear Black Elk, the celebrated native sage, direct heir of the tradition of the North American plains: I noticed that my people's sacred hoop was one of the many hoops in the form of a circle, wide as the light of day and the shining of the stars. And in the center was a mighty Flowering Tree, which covered all of the children of father and mother. And I observed that it was holy. . . .The power of the universe acts ever by way of circles, and all things tend ever to be round. In ancient days, when we were a happy, strong people, we received our power from the hoop of the nation, which was holy, and while the circle remained complete, the people flourished. . . . The Flowering Tree was the living center of the circle, and it was nourished by the life of the cycle of the four directions. . . . Whatever is done by the power of the universe, it is done in the form of a circle."

Back to the mainframe - rewind to the clifftop for our final meeting before hitting the road - Falcon talks of the tetrahedron design of the Falconator... the sturdiest shape for any structure to be built. Then after Nick and I discuss the logistics of carrying more than a tonne behind our bus which exceeded our towing limit, we returned to the shape of the first Hoop Disco logo, added some extra platforms in cascade and came up with a shape not too dissimilar to the Sri Chakra as identified by JW, which of course was already well embedded in HD mapping unbeknownst to us all. Ultimately we kept returning to the spiral...



To be continued...

A NEW SPIN ON AN OLD TOY – HULAHOOPLA! By Bunny Star

Hooping is not only a revolution, it’s a way of life. When asked what one word best describes their view of hooping, students most often reply - fun, childhood and circus. Hooping brings a smile to people’s faces. At times it provokes contorted expressions of focus and frustration, not to mention the occasional whack in the head grimace, but predominantly, when it comes to hooping you’ve arrived in play town.

In essence, hooping brings joy to people’s lives. This is by far the best reason I can give as to why it has made a return from its 1950s hey day and why it has been adopted as a lifestyle for many people across the world.

Then there’s the fitness factor. Hoops are no longer lightweight rings that spin and drop. We’ve wizened up in the global hoop community and instead of leaving it to kids toy companies, hoops are now hand-crafted by hoopers themselves at a size and weight that can accommodate anyone who has the urge to give it a whirl and keep it going for as long as desired. Because we can now maintain the spin as adults we are able to access that full body workout that is so craved in this age of physical preservation… and we can laugh while we do it. How many forms of exercise fit that bill? Hooping slips ever so nicely into that funky new buzz phrase of the millennium – ‘pleasure driven fitness’.

‘Hybrid hooping’ is a movement style that I launched in Sydney in 2005 – it combines traditional circus hula with contemporary hoop dance. Notably, it draws a great deal of inspiration from the American hoop dance scene. In Australia, hooping is historically about ‘hula’ – a circus term for hoops, not to be confused with Hawaiian hip swinging! Despite the name being rejected in the United States for the above-mentioned association, it is still very much in use in Australian circus circles. But with the incredible flow of information and instruction that is available through the internet along with some hot desert hoop jamming at the 2006 Burning Man Festival in the Nevada Desert I discovered hooping or hoopdance at its best. At the risk of being labelled a ‘feral hooper’ by my strictly Russian technique circus trainer, I decided to merge the two influences. Together they offer the ultimate hoop dream – multiple hoop extravaganzas all over the body as well as movement with and within the hoop. Circus… Dance… Exercise… Fun!

It always amazes me when sharing the gift of the hoop just how effective it is in breaking through to the inner child. The reference point is obvious and it’s probably the most commonly uttered response in raising the topic or giving someone a hoop – “I haven’t done this since I was a kid.” For some it is a time to bring back the joy, for others a confrontation with their own internal rhythm master that simply did not obey way back when, and then there are those who discover it as a brand new experience that needs to be explored.

Whichever camp you fall into, hooping is an opportunity to come face to face with your physical vehicle - the body - and your ability to take it on a journey through rhythmic and circular movement. Body, mind and spirit are invited to convene for the duration of the practice in conversation, meditation or simple child-like play.

Ultimately, what we are developing is body consciousness. As different parts of the body learn how to control the spinning hoops - the abs, butt, chest, shoulders, neck, legs, knees, back, hands, arms, even the forehead – we are drawn more and more into our physicality while the mind is given an opportunity to rest. Hooping with the eyes closed offers not only greater success for the novice who simply wants to keep it going but also heightens the experience and can take the more adventurous and well-practiced into a space of inner bliss. Connecting with the hoop is like tuning into your heart beat or breath – it seems simple enough but upon closer inspection it actually requires a concerted effort and stillness of mind so that you can feel the sensation and use it consciously to develop your awareness as well as your physical body.

Along with building fitness, core strength, coordination, rhythm and confidence, hooping raises the emotional and spiritual energy of both adults and children. Like drawing a mandala, it contains movement within a circle requiring a continuous and meditative-like repetition enticing the hooper into a state of inner peace and harmony. It also expands the movement beyond the circle as we take the hoop up, down and off the body, guiding it to flow in various patterns and planes through spiral transitions. We become microcosmic, some might even say intergalactic, as we allow the body and the spirit to explore the physical world and beyond. We are given many opportunities within the hoop to expand our own personal boundaries of awareness and self-development as we learn new tricks and moves while immersing ourselves in the discipline of practicing an acquired skill. Commitment is met with reward when initial gradual development transforms into a series of ongoing and rapid ‘hoop-throughs’ once the vastness of the journey is embraced – there is just so much to learn that there is never a dead-end… simply move on to another part of the play and discover the endless array of possibilities.

Having always been a highly active dreamer, I am a strong believer in listening to the subconscious mind, allowing the ‘higher’ self to guide and to listen to feelings rather than being dominated by thoughts. It’s amazing to see how the body and mind can direct the self with varied states of health and dis-ease. As a performer and teacher, this awareness has only become stronger and guides me in all that I do. As I move further into and through my work, I am continually inspired to keep eliminating what is not conducive to the health of my body, mind, emotions and spirit and to increase what is. A big part of that is being present in the current moment – embracing the now as life’s essence. To not judge, criticise or compare but to simply be. I find this space of inner peace when practicing yoga, meditation, dance and hooping. All of these disciplines are portals of self-discovery and growth in which to explore and play. I invite you to try these practices on like a piece of prized clothing, let’s say a bejewelled and magical cape, to value what you have been naturally given as a spiritual being having a human experience with a body that moves and is powered by the beat of your heart and the wind of your breath. If your beautiful magical cape gets dirty simply clean it and be more careful next time not to taint it with the pollution of this world. This is your birthright – to breathe, to feel peace, to move and to grow with joy. This is a blissful dream that can be obtained with intention.

Dedicate some time to the hoop and to dance, find your rhythm and natural beat, smile and acknowledge the breath, forget the elephant-like thoughts that rampage through your mind, allow your self to simply play as you did as a child and feel your body move.

Hooping is a path and an adventure. It is a means to no end as it will show you each and every time that there is always more to practice and learn. It is simple and complex. It is what you want it to be – play toy, exercise tool, dancing partner, professional doorway or ring of meditation. It is your own microcosmic sphere in which to explore who you are and how you wish to be in this world.

As we say in the global hoop circle – HOOP ON!

Article by Bunny Star May 2008 - Published @ www.purecalma.com

For more information visit:
www.hoopempire.com

An Imp's Tale

A deep sea volcano sat sleeping at the bottom of the Pacific as the imp’s tale started to unravel in ways unforseen yet ripe. The time was long ago and the air moist and warm. Unusually balmy days and nights in a way so consistent that one had to wonder if something was simmering down below. Life seemed so still in the endless void where change came with the wind and the sounds of the sea as a result. And in those days of nothing, those days of simple movement of the tides, warm murmurings of the air and the occasional sea bird that flew by, an urge arose to dive into the submerged if only to discover what gives. Warm water one would expect since everything else was but no, it was strange. The water was like ice. Cold cold water that froze time into space creating sharp memory. But wait, twas just the surface. Way down below far beneath it became warm again and all that could be seen as far as the eye could stretch were bubbles. And on one of those bubbles floated an imp – small in size, cute too. A rather shy imp but not afraid, a creature that knew its territory and knew its time. The imp lazed on the bubble enjoying the warm heat and felt thankful he was free.

A Dance Between Chakras

Phoenix Bar, Sydney - April 08. Photo by Sue-Ellen Rosenberg