What is Hula-Hooping? Have you ever hula hooped? Maybe you grew up in the 1950’s and you were a kid during the big craze. Or, maybe you never even heard of it until recently – or ever. Either way, there’s a good chance that you will be seeing a great deal of this fun recreational activity on the beach, at concerts, and even in your neighborhood this summer.
Hoop dance, or tricks using this amazing prop, can be fun for people of all ages. No matter what kind of shape you are in and your size, you can pick up a plastic circle and spin it around your body and manipulate it in so many ways. It looks beautiful and you can express all of your emotions through it.
Hooping is often done to music. Some people like to put on metal, some are more into reggae, or folk, classical, hip-hop, country… well, you get the picture. It really is a universal prop that anyone can use for self-expression, fun, and even weight loss. In fact, there are whole communities that revolve around a common love of hooping. If you are someone who loves to be social and be a part of a community, then you are sure to enjoy it for that reason.
What is Hula-Hooping? Fitness and Fun!
When did Hula Hooping start?
Hoops have been used for centuries in various cultures. One of the earliest people to do so were the Native Americans in the 1400’s. They used them to conduct story-telling and to symbolize certain animals, such as eagles and coyotes. The rings also symbolized the never-ending circle of life for them. However, the earliest record of hoops made out of things like willow and rattan in around 500 BCE. When you think about it, it’s really amazing that it has stood the test of time when it comes to use and popularity.
A big part of why hooping has experienced a comeback is that more people are open to creative expression and sharing that with other people. You can hoop by yourself, with your child, a group of friends, or with a crowd at a flow festival or concert. There is an added perk now of having the technology to not only take excellent video footage of yourself or someone else hooping, but you also can upload it on the Internet and have thousands if not millions of people view it.
