Sunday, July 27, 2008

New Lows....

I have had a really rough week. I discovered that I needed to go into the hospital for a same- day, unexpected "procedure". It was tough on my family, tough on my diet, and tough on my hooping, to say the least. I should be back in action by next week sometime, and really can't wait to be back in my hoop. 

I do have some really kick a$$ announcements about this amazing little company that we have built, though, so I'd like to steal a minute of your day to brag. Hoopnotica, and the Ladies who started this all together, have come such a very long way.

I remember my first hoop class ever- Rayna wouldn't stop talking about Hoop dance, and the benefits of it, etc. I mean the girl went on and on. I, who had never really even seen hoop dance performed before and had dragged all of my friends to the class (its how I roll), was worried that it was going to turn out lame. At the time, Rayna didn't have any videos on her site, so I didn't really know what I was about to get myself (and my whole crew) into. I was only praying that my friends didn't kill me for involving them in this fiasco. 

I had talked my friends into taking the class because it was a "prerequisite" to Rayna's fire hooping class, and I thought that it would be an exciting, out of the ordinary adventure for us girls to enjoy together. Our lives had sort of pulled us in opposite directions, and we didn't get to see much of each other anymore. I had just given birth to my baby girl, and was feeling a little rough around the edges; I had gained weight, my hair was falling out, I was covered in spit up, and felt far from sexy. I thought a good fire hooping course was just what I needed to get my groove back. 

I couldn't imagine what Rayna needed to teach me about "hula hooping" that I didn't already know. Let alone a 6 week course on hula hooping; I mean come on, really? I figured that I would "get it down" in the first week, and then spend the rest of the course trying to "skip ahead" to the fire part. 

When she finally did the demonstration, we were all in awe. And that is where it all began.

Its now about 4 years later, and Hoopnotica has really been a labor of love to every one involved. I am so proud of us, really. I can't say enough about the ladies I work with. I don't get sometimes enough time to really brag about them, or the work that we do together. So thanks for letting me have this self-indulgent moment about what we have brilliantly created:

A New Partnership
The Hoopnotica beginning level one DVD is about to be seen everywhere you go, quite literally. HoopMamma probably shouldn't be releasing this information to the public yet, but I own the damn company, so I figure that there are perks! We joined forces with a brand called Acacia. They produce and distribute alternative fitness programming from acclaimed artists such as Shiva Rea, Hemalayaa, Michael Franti, and Andrew Weil. You have probably seen their endcaps at Natural Food Stores, Target, and Barnes and Noble. We are also now available on NetFlix, which wouldn't have been possible without their involvelement. Well, its been a long time in the making, but the Hoopnotica DVD series is about to take on a whole new look and join the Acacia family.
Power to the Peaceful YogaShiva Rea: Radiant Heart Yoga

I have to say, that especially for a large corporate entity, the people at Acacia have been really wonderful to work with every step of the way. We could have really signed ourselves up for a disaster, but the whole process has been really great. The new version of the DVD itself is the same as you know it, but with an extra "work out" at the end. The work out is challenging, even for intermediate hoopers. I would say it could be an incredibly effective weight loss tool if used appropriately, but have so much to say about this topic that I am seething and will save it for my next post.

In any event, we are grateful and blessed to be working together with such a conscious, pleasant, and reputable company to bring Hoopdance to the far reaches of the world. Thank You to Acacia, Rayna, Keaton, David and Jagatjoti-- HoopMamma sends you a BIG kiss!

On a personal note... I have reached new lows, my friends. HoopMamma just watched a one hour and twenty minute special on Hannah Montana. I never thought I would say that out loud! The worst part, is that I kinda like her. Don't tell anyone. She's the biggest KID backstage, all dorky and stuff. And then she gets out in front of a crowd and you'd think she was one of the Beatles, or Elvis. I mean she drives the little ladies WILD! 

I watched and thought, this girl is such a hooper. Maybe we have more in common with Hannah Montana than we think....

"By day, SuperMomma: she changes diapers, does the eensie-weensie spider, loves the ABC's, and watches Hannah Montana (sometimes all at the same time). But give her a hoop around evening time and she transforms into a whole new being. She's the sexiest "Mom-Next-Door on the block". Ladies, keep your man OUT of your front yards, or he might get caught drooling over a glimpse of (in the corner of only open space she can find close enough to still hear the baby monitor), your neighbor's alter ego, HoopMamma."

I tried to introduce my daughter to the Hannah Montana's of my generation: Madonna, Cyndi Lauper... She looked at me the way I used to look at my Mom, when she used to make me listen to Dylan. Sigh. I am telling you; new lows.

I can't believe how bad I wanna hoop right now. That in and of its self (the thought of exercise) is really awesome. I have never had a relationship to any other form of physical exercise that has had me miss it when I can't do it, and challenges me when I am in it. Awesome. Can't wait to feel better (doc says a couple days).

Lastly, it looks like Rayna posted a HoopMamma fire performance from last summer (I am the one with the fire hoop), on the right hand side of this screen. You might enjoy checking that out, or it might be the breaking point in our relationship where you begin to think I am nuts, who knows? And yes, I really am licking and "eating" the fire at the end of my wicks to extinguish the flame (what can I say, I am a woman of many talents!). 

My daughter just informed me that her new name was "Rosie Montana", and that everyone is going to go to her shows, and not Hannah Montana's. "Cause I am gonna shoot out balloons at them, and toys! People will want toys more than just balloons, right?"

If you want to contact me directly, I have a BRAND NEW direct HoopMamma address. Write to me and tell me your woes, share your secrets, and suggest hooping topics you would like to hear me write about in my blog: 
hoopmamma@hoopnotica.com!

I know I promised to do floorwork and high speed hooping last week. Please forgive me, as it will have to wait until next week (Thats the last time HoopMamma promises anything and documents it on the internet!)

Hoop one in for me,

HoopMamma/SuperMomma

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

You're kidding, I get to comment on HoopMamma's blog? Freakin' awesome, as they say!

I noticed the Acacia releases on Amazon, and was confused about it until now - thank you for the tip!

I have a funny story for you...laughter as medicine, let's call it:

I am extremely new to hooping. This will make you laugh until you cramp up, so be careful: I am so new, I have not hooped yet at all. Not one single turn. The reason is kind of complicated...I live in Arizona, but am on vacation in France for the summer. I discovered hooping while surfing the Internets. My daughter and I were so fascinated by it, and so sure that we'd completely love it, that I ordered the Mommy and Me Starter Kit. (She's 9...and way into Hannah Montana.)

The thing is, there's not time to get the kit here in France, so I had it delivered to Phoenix. Think for a moment how tortured we feel right now! We border on obsessed, without ever having touched a hoop. (There are no modern-style hoops to be found here.) I'm serious, neither one of us can stop talking about it. Is that weird?

So I hope that I might be considered part of your "hooping family"...although, I'm kind of, well, uninitiated.

But I am so with you on the hooping journey once I get my hands on that hoop! Just a couple more weeks. I'm not even going to wait until I get over the jetlag (which I completely agree is harsh). Glad I found your blog!

~ g said...

look for emails from me...I promise not to be a bother, but I had some things to say today...and alert you to some local Hoopnotica press...

hope YOU are feeling better each day...nothing too serious, I hope...positive vibes your way...

and to nenuphar above...welcome and YES, isn't this blog the best??! you are gonna LOVE, love getting inside your hoop!! I started like you...ordered my hoop last year then traveled...had it delivered & waiting here upon my return...I tried it out before I even UNPACKED!!

KTMiller said...

Ok, so do both beginner level 1 & 2 have new material from the ones I bought directly from Hoopnotica? I want the latest & greatest. Thanks for blogging, HoopMamma & hope you feel better soon! Also, when will the intermediate DVDs be coming out? Love you guys & your products!!!