Hey all,

Hey all,

It's been a while and I figured I would write something in regards to all that has been happening in the world of Soolah Hoops!  I just returned from Sturgis out in South Dakota and had a super fun time performing!  Lots and lots of fire play for me and was able to do some things that I had never done before.  It's been a kind of pushing the boundaries time for me and that included fire dance tools.  My poor flamebrella fell apart while I was performing on stage...:(  We tried to create another but modern day umbrella's are really not that sturdy at all!  It started to fall apart right away.  Hopefully, I can have another created that is sturdier because I really loved the beauty of that fire toy! 

In it's place came a fire staff which I had never really played with before.  Still recouping from an injury to my thumb during the Frederick Fire works (yeah a cartwheel uphill with a flaming hoop snapped something!) it made it a little difficult to twirl around but I figured out how to do so without too much aggravation to that thumb.  I also found that I could balance the thing on my head pretty effectively.  Then I got to balancing my hoop on my head as well when the fire wicks got down to 3 or 4 lit wicks.  I snagged out some belly dance moves I had seen and learned and I had another technique to my dance.   

I have also begun to dabble with poi which was something I was hoping to do years ago but was intimidated by.  Having a ball of fire possibly hit you in the face was never something I was up for but since I have hoop moves that incorporate poi moves I found I was able to do it.  Seems my fire abilities will be broadening now with a few more types of toys so that is really good.  Now to just continue to practice them all.

I recently stopped working at my day job after finding my exhaustion levels high.  If some of you have followed me you will know my schedule was a bit insane.  When you hear a million times over "HOW are you DOING all of this?!?!"  You know there may be a problem.  You kind of find that you can't see life half the time because it is passing you by so quickly.  I can say I think I see it now more than ever.  I have realized my exhaustion levels too and know that it could have gotten way more detrimental if I had continued the way I had. I have new ideas rolling around for my personal future with hoops and hope to get that rolling out at least by 2012 if not before then.  Stay tuned for more! 
I am booking festivals, shows and workshops for myself and for Pyrophoric right now which is pretty exciting.  I am facilitating my Adult Hoop Dance Workshop at FCC this year which is very exciting to me.  I am working on finishing my teacher training as well so that is coming in the next few weeks.  I am also doing a music video shoot with my amazing friends Frenchy and the Punk in September!  I am really looking forward to this!    
I have more coming down the pike  as I said but wanted to get something out there to those reading this blog that was a little more up to date...:)  Hope everyone is doing well and Happy Hooping!Soolah

Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.
Harriet Tubman

Today was a big website revamp!  There are still more things to add, especially in the links section, but I created a new header, added in my summer workshops & classes and added some new photos to the photo stream.  I also updated the front page content of the site, the events page and moved information to the About page.  Managing the website can be a lot but it is worth it...:)  I think it just feels better to have taken the time to get a bit a fresh new look to it.  Hope you like it!

Lots of cool things around the corner including the latest news!  I have recently signed a contract with Boomtown Hoops to join the Astral Rhythm Dancers in becoming The Legendary Buffalo Chip Hula Girls!  It's an honor to be working with such talented hoopers and fire dancers!  We will be the opening act for many bands at Sturgis!  A list of bands includes the likes of Styx, Poison, Alice Cooper,Toby Keith, Edgar Winter, Gregg Allman, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Jeff Bridges, Def Leppard, George Thorogood, Bachman Tuner, Tesla and more!  We will be performing throughout the event at any given turn so be on the lookout for us if you are headed to Sturgis this year!

I've been practicing different kinds of hoop tricks lately and actually working on using multiple hoops.  So far I am up to 2 hoops at a time.  It takes a lot of practice and body coordination working with multiple hoops.  I am hoping to work in fire with this new stuff...:)

Until next time!  Happy hooping!

Soolah

Whew!  I have been super busy in all different arenas of hooping.  Whether it's been creating my marketing, studying for my training or setting up workshops and events I have had to find time just to unwind and hoop.  I find  Ihave to make time between working basically two full time jobs, taking care of my daughter and home and focusing on hoop stuff.  It can be tough to juggle it all at once.  I love that I have moments to slow down and unwind when I can get them.  As busy as I am I am living in the best way.  I find joy in what I do here and am happy to spread it to those who are interested.  Tonight was focusing on just updating my website and creating my monthly newsletter.  A couple of days late on the newsletter but it's ok.  I am still in early enough in April that the major events are advertised and still able to be scheduled into your life as well.  When I hoop with everyone I get to unwind as well.  It sharing that love of hooping that keeps me going and your smiling faces are the reward more than anything!  I am keeping this entry short but wanted to reach out and connect.  Hopefully you can make it to some of the scheduled events or workshops!  The weather is warming up and that brings lots of hooping opportunities coming your way! 

Happy hooping and see you soon!

Soolah

Hi everyone! 

Lots of amazing things are happening in the world of Soolah Hoops and I am looking forward to bringing new hoop fun to the community!  I will be working with the City of Frederick Parks and Recreation to bring hoop workshops and classes to people of all ages.  I have been fleshing out a new programs for younger kids and parents to exercise and play with hoops!  It's such a great way for families to connect after a busy week of work, school and other distractions.  It's time to bring families together in fun!  Be on the lookout for more details in the Workshops page.  I will also be doing many events with The CIty of Frederick as well and can't wait to get started!

The Western Maryland Hooping Society kicked off their new kids hoop troupe on March 6th! 18 kids registered for the Spring Session.  The kids named the troupe Shooting Diamond Hoopers and chose their troupe colors of Hot Pink, Neon Green, Purple and Silver!  We worked on basic hooping to start with and are slowly introducing tricks as we work toward our Hoop Dance routine.  We'll be working hard in the next few months on our routine and will keep you informed when we perform for our first event!

In March I took a fun AcroHoop class with Marria and Zach of Ninja Hoops and The Vegetable Circus!  What amazing instructors!  I learned a bunch of new tricks to incorporate into my hoop performance.  I learned to cartwheel and do hand stands with my hoop in motion along with several other tricks!  It was so much fun and trust me I had an amazing 3 hour workout that day.  Was I sore?  Indeed but it was a good soreness knowing that I can do many other fun things with my hoop when I play.  I have also been working on several other tricks that I hope to bring to my performing this year so be on the lookout for some of the new stuff I am doing.  It's always good to challenge yourself in the best way and Marria and Zach definitely did this!!

I have events beginning to book so my schedule will start to fill up soon!  I will be at Frederick's Earth Day Celebration this year.  Hoops invoke happiness about being able to just play on our precious planet.  Showing gratitude toward our planet is important.  Come on out and see all of the wonderful things that will be happening at this event!

Pyrophoric is busy scheduling events to perform at as well and you will see us at the Frederick Fireworks on July 4th!  We can't wait to bring you some firey fun this year with fire breathing, fire staff, fire hoop, poi, orb, fire fans and more!

On another note, I have begun my teacher training with Safire Dance and am enjoying my classes immensely!  Safire was one of my major inspirations as I began hooping so having her knowledge to improve my skills is a terrific benefit. I am grateful for this opportunity to learn more and hone my skils as a teacher and trainer.

Looking forward to seeing you at upcoming events! 

Happy hooping,

Soolah

This week was busy after having a few gigs, a workshop, personal hoop practice and filling hoop orders. I came back from a long  weekend in New Jersey visiting family and having a performance for a benefit for Juvenile Diabetes.  The theme was a freak show circus and I met some amazing performers including Sally the Cinch of Cheeky Monkey Sideshow!  It was a super fun time and I wanted to thank Sean O'Scanlon for inviting me to perform! 

Monday, I was at the Fredrick Cultural Arts Center in downtown Frederick to bring hoops to the Martin Luther King Jr. Event they had there.  Lots of fun hooping with everyone there and a precursor with the Frederick Drum Circle playing in the same room as well.  What an awesome crew!! The event was packed and consisted of several tables of specific stations that attendees could interact in.  Some involved creating pet rocks for children with cancer, making drums as well as educated lessons about the environment, African drumming and more.  If you can make it next year I highly suggest this educational forum for community building and education.  I wanted to thank Melissa Sines for inviting me to this amazing event!

Wednesday, during the day I spent my lunch hour with the folks of Daybreak Adult Day Services.  I gave a demonstration of hooping and explained my love for it.  Some of the people there got up and hooped as well!  I met a wonderful lady named Sally who had hula hooped as a kid on the farm that she live on.  She milked cows as her chores and then would hoop on the back of a horse mind you for fun!  She is an amazing and beautiful lady!  Everyone was enjoying even holding a hoop if they couldn't hoop.  I want to send a big thanks out to Jamie Cable for contacting me and to all the people at Daybreak for a wonderful afternoon!
 
Wednesday, night the Western Maryland Hooping Society hosted a 2 hour hoop workshop at the Frederick Cultural Arts Center!  We hooped, taught new tricks and connected with the flow of hooping!  Thank you Abby Casarella and Angel Rutsch, of Rock A Hoola Hoops for helping with this fun workshop.

I am now creating hoops and fulfilling orders.  I'll have to post some photos of the ones I am making soon!

I took a few hours and did some personal hoop practice as well woring onstalls, reversals, breaks and more with a smaller in diameter hoop.  It takes a bit more effort to work with a smaller hoop and I know the flow will come easier as I keep practicing.  I tried adding more spins into my hooping but found I get dizzy quickly so I need to take my time and practice keeping myself grounded within the spin.  I played with mini hoops as well and worked on flow, perfecting tricks and getting my wrists in shape for more sustained movement.  It's been good to do some basic indoor hoop practice on these cold, cold winter days. 


I hope everyone is enjoying their week and keep hooping!

Soolah

Well it is 1:30 am and I spent most of the day on hoop practice for next week's gig up in NJ.  I downloaded some music last night and plaed around with different tricks and combinations.  In the evening I spent my time working on my site after seeing my brother's education site.  You should check out his site if you are into the environment (http://stumpfysenvironmental.weebly.com/index.html).

I feel good about getting this going and feel more productive in moving myself forward in bringing hooping to the community.  I have had lots of people ask me if I had a website since some don't use Facebook.  This was perfect and a good invetment since I choose to pay for the domain.  Super easy and luckily I have experience in website creation - even if this is already coded at most levels. 

Monday I meet with a SCORE representative to talk business and to get some coaching on the ins and outs of creating a business.  I am looking forward to that.

Gotta go grab some firewood for the night and then head to bed.  I think this is enough for today!

Have a peaceful night everyone!

Soolah