COMMUNITY
Exercise and me:
hoop dance
Ailsa Barr
WEST COAST REVIEW | 33
Ailsa Barr took up
‘hooping’ after stumbling
across a video
on YouTube. Now she’s introducing
this exhilarating
dance style to fellow Mid Argyll
residents.
What is hoop dancing?
Moving to music while using
your hoop to perform tricks
and transitional moves. Your
hoop is almost like a dance
partner, which can be reassuring
if, like me, you’re not a
dancer. I started waist hooping
in January 2015 as a way
to strengthen my core. I had
no idea hoop dance existed
until I stumbled upon it on You-
Tube, and I was instantly mesmerised.
Soon I was hooping
every day and totally hooked!
Three years later, I still am.
What is your fi tness story?
I’ve always been physically
fi t, and in the past I’ve done
aerobics, spin, yoga, running
and swimming. I used to be
a regular gym-goer, but as a
part-time carer for my elderly
mum I no longer have as
much free time as I once did.
Hooping easily fi ts in around
my other commitments and
is a great way to de-stress.
What has been the
highlight so far?
I started teaching hoop dance
just over a year ago, and this
has defi nitely been a highlight.
Hooping has given me so
much, and I feel passionate
about sharing that with others.
It has been so much fun starting
people on their hooping
journey, and having friends to
hoop with! There are hooping
events all over the world and
I’ve been to retreats in Holland
and Germany. This year I’m
staying in the UK and attending
workshops and events in
London, Bristol and Edinburgh,
and I am hoping to meet old
friends and make new ones!
What’s special about this
type of exercise?
Hooping doesn’t just get your
body moving, it’s a workout for
the brain too. Every time you
pick up your hoop to practice,
you will be creating muscle
memories so that, over time,
your movements will become
effortless, allowing you to perform
tricks and moves without
conscious thought. You don’t
need to have a dance background,
or be sporty, or be a
certain size or shape. Everyone
can hoop, with a little bit of
practice, and as you progress
you get such a sense of satisfaction
and empowerment
from your new-found skills.
What does a beginner need?
Hooping is a lovely, low impact
exercise which is suitable for
all ages and levels of fi tness.
All you need is music, the right
hoop and enough room to give
it a spin. You can buy a beginner’s
hoop for around £25.
Once you have your hoop you
can either look for classes, or
do what I did and learn from
online tutorials.
How can readers get
involved?
I run a weekly class for beginners
and improving beginners
in Lochgilphead Community
Centre between September
and May, and run beginners'
workshops on request. I also
make and sell beginners'
hoops. If you want to know
more, check out my Instagram
account @tara_winky or email
me at ailsabarr@me.com.