Hoopn Dentata

Tonight I walked into my local Quicki-Mart rounding up a few choklat treats for dessert when somebody said from behind - "You're the hulahoop girl aren't you?" It was an interesting moment and there was a pregnant pause for sure. Part of me wanted to really disappear right then and there or at the very least be able to deny it and simply be some anonymous chick buying choklat on a Sunday night looking perhaps a tad wrecked from a hyperactive weekend of no particular description. There was no defense within me, I admitted the truth with a smile, humility and eternal gratitude for this role that I have conjured but which seems to have overtaken my life... and I got out of that Quicki-Mart back to my clifftop cave as quickly as possible! Why? Because the gaps are too few, hooping has fully consumed my all and has taken me to some pretty challenging spaces recently. You wouldn't imagine it with all the love and the light that is THE HOOP. It's fun yeh, always has been always will be. What I find most fascinating in this particular story is the formation of a pattern - this was not the not the first time I have noted the overdose factor and it seems to spin into my awareness around about the time of the teacher training weekends, which at this stage are a biannual occurrence. Is it a seasonal crescendo in the hoop schedule or is it that this is the perfect opportunity to step back and observe? A little bit of this and a whole lotta that... Bring on the witness.

Is a name change of the name change the first step?

Tonight I considered putting on weight. For the shape more than anything.

My paradigms are shifting I can feel it on a cellular level.

On the weekend I ate olives. I will admit it now. And I enjoyed them (kinda). Don't tell The Scorpion!

Change. A self confessed Transformer / Shape Shifter.

Some reflections on the Hoop Teacher Journey:

We questioned - what's with this addiction to the hoop anyway?

It's circular and so reflects life. It's versatile - you can take it anywhere. It's fun and childlike what's not to love about that. It's ability to facilitate movement - physical, emotional and energetic - and release is second to none. Well maybe dancing... but hoopdancing takes dance to another level. It's about circular and spiral dynamics.

Spinning into a four hoop split. Naming it, activating it, feeling it, knowing it as nothing else but microcosmic bliss. Watching Jo, Asha and Julez all go there on the 4 too... just WOW. It's magickal. It's really difficult to describe the feeling of a 4 in spin. It's different to a 4 circus style. Circus hooping is beautiful, it's elegant and graceful and very controlled... but it doesn't take me to the zone I crave to be in which is about full movement, powerful propelling, a wild energy that is both explosive and contained and that allows you to just SPIN in a vortex that seems so connected to all that is. 4 splits are my new favourite. I have had my eye on them to take to the States at the end of September. Consider them packed. Now for the acquisition. WILD Kickups (thank you Blaze for putting me onto those cowboy style lifts!) or bust.

Did I just change my tune?

This is the problem. What happened is this - Deanne dreams I am in a prison and yes I see it and feel it. I am IN THE HOOP. Locked in Love with The Hoop. There is no escape. So, the planning for this year's desert trip started around May. There was very little else but planning for the instructional video, training for the video (which thankfully included a whole lot of yoga - i.e significant respite), a bunch of hoop classes along the way, some gigs, traveling to Central Australia to shoot the video in the desert (my choice), busting some balls to make it happen, returning for a short breath before diving into editing the video ... I guess I'm up to at least 4 months of intense focus and then the final shoot this past Friday night at a seaside clifftop. The final daze were upon us but so were technical difficulties and hormonal interception, burnout, fadeout, wipeout. There was simply no energy left in me. NONE. But wait, there was no time for that because the very next day I had to get up at 5.30am to pack for the teacher training weekend down at the stunning Govinda Valley Spiritual Retreat in the National Park south of Sydney. Hm... putting the pieces together. Add to that the decision to kick a newly acquired coffee addiction (discovered in the epic mission that was the desert) and an oncoming Lady in Red moon cycle... time to download and reboot the system.

This time there were 8 of us. The Power of 8:

"8 is the number of POWER. It teaches us that power, in any form, cannot be maintained without BALANCE, and that balance cannot hold without ACCURATE UNDERSTANDING. 8 is associated with money, business, competition, and the incorporation of anything that is useful to it. It is widely believed that those are the principle means of gaining personal power in the world. The belief that ‘money is power’ sprang from this rather shortsighted point of view." Creative Numerology

Juie, Jo, Lisa, Mark, Satya, Danie, Asha and Me.

It was DIVINE.

As the firestorm that was the end of last week hurtled and hit I kept reminding myself, this weekend is going to be fun. It's going to be relaxing and amazing and beautiful and exactly what we all need. And it was.

The level of information and energy that facilitating such a program requires is usually so overwhelming and exhausting that most times I leave with a headache. So given all previously said conditions it was not surprising that one did in fact threaten to surface for almost a full day or more but... for the first time in as long as I can remember I managed to subdue it without painkillers and simply by going to bed as early as possible, sleeping for as long as possible and waking up for some delicious yoga and meditation on the lawn in honour of the sun and my body that is my temple. Interestingly enough, half of us were also were on the moon and painkillers were being shared around. It was a weekend of movement and release. As I was stretching out my body and sitting in stillness in the morning I felt just how energetically powerful that space is. I intend on returning. There is a level of clarity and dynamism in that valley that must be soaked up and explored further. Not to mention the ampitheatre...

7 women and one man. He anchored us all...

Bless Mark! What an amazing spirit. His energy is just so electric and yet Zen at the same time. Capricorn / Aquarius mix. Wired for sound? Wired for ground control on the hoop. Mark interprets the circle with such a distinctly unique presence. Such a gentle spirit yet solid in his determination and focus. Awesome laugh and beautiful smile. I often find myself watching for the wonderful surprises that this hoopi has to offer. Keep us guessing Mark!

JoJoMo - the triple horned Goddess. So beautiful! Those eyes and another noteworthy smile. I found myself following her around somewhat unconsciously if only to be within her peripheral space. I don't know what it was! Energetic? Pheremonal? Was she doing the same? She harnesses an energy that I truly admire - grounded focus and clarity. Practical and daring. That raised eyebrow, sharp wit and sparkle in the eye. Born to be a star. Thrill seeking hoop moves.

Jewelz - meOW! WOW! Imagine your favourite cat just turned human and realised it could talk! The level of conversation often astounds me. This girl loves to engage and play and intrigue. Those random fiery curls and awesome short shorts. I always take time to admire her considered choice of rokn outfits. And that offering in our closing hoop jam! I don't think i've ever seen anything quite like it. Truly captivating. Possibly the most graceful and explorative hoopdance I have ever seen.

Lisa - one of the three Capricorns in the house. Solid. Hilarious. Powerful teacher. Strong woman. Beautiful energy. So open to it all and then some... she took it beyond my limits, which is something that both bamboozles and yet totally intrigues. Lisa has an incredible sense of innovation with her moves and draws you in with the complexity and the magic. There are some tricks that are best watched rather than learned as I discovered today (nobody mention the Bunny tantrum OK!)

Danie - what an awesome teacher! Total natural. Wit, style, confidence, cuteness, dramatic edge. She has got the full package. I love Danie's directness and her ability to take the challenge on if only to tick off on the elaborate to do list but oh so much more. Stand up comedy? If you are lucky. A fine example of how most Geminis are actually Taureans (sidereal note). But there's so much more beneath that surface. I am loving coming to know more of Danie. Is this a more is more situation? I think it might be.

Asha - the hulahoop slasher? Too sweet for that kinda nastiness... Or is she? Another Capricorn. That lady is stylish. I dig her vibe. Straight to the point, stunning visage, incredible moves (around the body foot pass!), a sprite-filled spirit, hint of Sagitarrian mystique, another stunning laugh and smile, instant rapport with that girl. The connection with the 80s and museums and academia and kids. People who love teaching children win a place in my heart. It says to me their inner child is alive and happy and their outer adult is happy to guide the inner children of children themselves with the power of the hoop. But don't step on her toes OK! Shhhh!!

Satya - another WOW. What an energy. Beautiful ink on her skin. Big heart. HOT dance moves. Lyrical body movements. Gypsy lady of the South. Aquarius / Pisces energy. Mystical. Poetic. Eyes as deep as the ocean. It's been a long time coming this connection I can feel it already but finally we have hit the page of pages in the Open Book of Opening Your Heart to the Hoop. Reveal what you care to with the knowledge that you will be heard and received with unconditional love and absolute awe of your beauty. A channelled message.

Bunny Star - I am graceful, spicy, juicy, vibrant, intense and multidimensional.

I am surrounded by so many incredible beings who share the same light filled passion and want to connect at that centre. In doing so we choose to overcome our sorrows and shift focus to feelings of joy. We love to dance, spin our hoops, transform energy and perception of life, dress in colourful costumes, add major sparkle to life and laugh a lot. We laughed a lot this weekend. We explored our feelings. We shared something really special that went beyond understanding how to teach and execute certain tricks or what makes a hoop business tick... we shared our unique essence and made a collective energetic shape that included circles, stars, triangles and a pear shaped fruit of the Goddess. It was and is an offering to the Greater Being that is Gaia's Harmonic Universe