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Of Hula Hooping and the Dreaded Self-Care Thing

September 17, 2015 by Tracy Walton 25 Comments

Last month I celebrated my 14-month Hoopiversary. It marks the time I first picked up a hula hoop and began hooping in earnest.

In the hooping community, the rules of serious hooping require one to record (and preferably post) a video documenting each major hoopiversary. I dragged my feet on this, worried it would be a most public display of ridiculousness and self-indulgence, so I missed the one-year mark.

Eventually, moved and encouraged by othersโ€™ videos and vulnerability, I went ahead and filmed myself. Below is the unedited, unchoreographed result. I breathed like Darth Vader on that sweltering day, but itโ€™s done.

Itโ€™s a triumph of sorts. I managed not to drop the hoop. Thanks to the Dixie Chicks and Fleetwood Mac, the music is great. And if you watch all the way to 1:49, I hoop on my face. Miraculously, no injuries were incurred during the making of this film.

An Injury Inspired It, Though

A massage therapistโ€™s bad dream happened to me in April of 2014, when I met a pothole on the sidewalk in front of the library. I fell fast and hard, clipping a couple of ankle bones. They werenโ€™t bad breaks, but they sidelined me in a boot. I couldnโ€™t do massage. I went to physical therapy instead.

I loved my PTs. They helped me so much that I had to un-help them somehow. Twice when I began to heal, I got so excited I stepped up my bicycling and walking a little too quickly and hit a setback. In June 2014, my PT lectured me sternly, saying I had to calm down and find an activity that didnโ€™t involve going anywhere.

Returning home from that lecture, I felt lost and discouraged.

What Do I Do Now?

As I let myself in the back door, something on the porch caught my attention.

I eyed the adult-size hula hoop that had hung there listlessly since my 50th birthday.

It eyed me back, a large, unblinking round eye.

We stared at each other.

I picked it up and flung it around my waist.

Then dropped it.

Then picked it up again.

That moment began the one of the most fun and sustainable self-care practices I have ever begun. I stood in place for weeks, running it around my hips and waist. It started to stay up. I even beganโ€”tentativelyโ€”to do my PT exercises while hooping. My ankle continued to heal.

I fell again, this time in love, and hard.

That love surprised me. So did the ease of keeping the practice going. It sparked some reflection on self-care.

Self-Care Gets a Bad Rap

Most of us tune out when we hear about the importance of self-care.

I do, too, even though my massage school admonished 25 years ago that caring for ourselves was a prerequisite for caring for clients. (June also marked my silver massage therapy anniversary. It’s been quite an anniversary year.)

Perhaps we tune out self-care because it calls up images of flossing, treadmills, and vegetables without butter. Of todayโ€™s austerity and discipline, in service of tomorrowโ€™s health.

Compare that to self-comfort, which calls up the opposites: candy apples, curling up on the couch with a movie, and mashed potatoes with butter. I know which one Iโ€™d pick.

Hooping Provides Both

Self-care and comfort come in the same package. The rewards are immediate, not sometime in the misty future. Thanks to my teachers, hooping has become a movement practice and a meditation. A glorious mashup of rhythm and tranquility.

If this sounds familiar, itโ€™s because of common elements in hooping and massage therapy: Care and comfort in the receiving, rhythm and tranquility in the giving. Movement and flow. Although I initiate movement and guide it to through the session, I am only a part of it. Ultimately a meditative flow moves in, and it is larger and more fun than anything I could ever create with my brain alone.

I love it for some of the same reasons I love massage therapy.

Just Play

As much fun as it is, massage is a little more work-y than hooping. With that first spin of the hoop, something else was set in motion. A mesmerizing, meditative, mistake-making exercise in play.

When I finally could keep the hoop up and start to manipulate it, it became joyful and goofy. It got even goofier as I tried more difficult moves, dropping it every minute or so and chasing it into the street. I am throwing around a plastic toy in middle age. I must be PLAYING! Self-consciousness fell away as I told myself, Donโ€™t think about it! Just catch it and keep it going!

For me, play is not a natural impulse.

Mistakes Arenโ€™t, Either

In hula hooping, mistakes dominate successes. The clatter of a hoop hitting the ground is not my favorite thing, but fighting it is useless. Like me, my hoop is especially gravity-prone.

Never a natural athlete, Iโ€™m a bit too clumsy to get really good at anything. I have no formal dance, movement, or martial arts training, and no real aptitude for them, so I come to the hoop with humility. Iโ€™m not the snappiest, flowiest hooper.

Turns out, these weaknesses serve me. Humility is good medicine for someone who is always trying to make things seamless, write the perfect handout or create the flawless presentation. In hooping, I am not even in the flawless league.

Instead, each time I learn a new hooping skill, it requires enormous effort and focus. Thatโ€™s where the real self-care lies. I become my beginnerโ€™s mind. There’s healing in that mind.

I am Present

I cannot learn this thing and obsess about anything else. I cannot be anywhere else but here. I cannot plan, or fret, or rehearse a difficult conversation for later, or flog myself for past mistakes. I can only hoop.

So I hoop.

Time Moves in Circles

An hour passes, unnoticed. My earbuds fall out. The city wakes up, and so does my kid. She pokes her head out the window:

Mama, what are you doing?

Hooping.

Pooping? [Cackle.]

Hooping.

I thought you said, โ€˜pooping!โ€™

You know what I said.

We repeat this script verbatim most mornings. I smile every time. Then I stack up my hoops for the day and fix her breakfast.

Yet All Day, the Hoop Beckons

It beckons as it did that first day, 14 months ago. I canโ€™t wait to play again, a few minutesโ€™ break during the day. A stolen moment after dinner.

Far from my dread of the treadmill, far from the tired refrain of some self-care activities Iโ€™ve tried, hooping calls me out to play again. If weโ€™re still reclaiming our inner children, mine is the one who plays outside past dark.

Like that child, I play as though my life depends on it. I move as though my sanity depends on it. I fumble for its promise of joy. It never disappoints.

Great peace lies in the middle of that circle. The round, unblinking eye offers a steady refuge.

I am there.

 

What about You?

Iโ€™ve been wondering about how other therapists, teachers, and health care providers practice self-care. Iโ€™m curious about how all humans care for themselves. Any quirky practices or habits? Have any taken hold and surprised you, as this surprised me?

What kind of fun, silly anniversaries do you celebrate?

*******

Wanna Try It?

There are many hula hooping resources online, but here are some of my favorites:

Hooping as a movement practice, with Jonathan Livingston Baxter. GREAT videos. Study with him in person if you ever get the chance.

My first online teacher, Jess Wagstrom, has great video tutorials for beginners and advanced hoopers. She really breaks things down. She also sells hoops and helps customers choose the right one for their size/height.

Hooping.org is a clearinghouse of resources, how to get started, and bunches of videos.

My first hoop, a large, heavy adult beginner hoop. Bigger is typically better, but I can’t advise on size. Ask Canyon Hoops to help select the right size.

The smaller, lighter hoop I used in the video. Again, I can’t advise on purchasing, but I love this hoop. Trinity Starr is super helpful, and will help select the best one.

Filed Under: Art and Soul of Massage Therapy, My Little Life, Uncategorized

Comments

  1. Carole Osborne says

    September 17, 2015 at 5:22 pm

    Oh, girl, give you a little more space than that back porch and wow! You echo my sentiments exactly about playful self-care that is attractive not obligatory. For me that is dancing, including NIA movement classes, and tai chi. I just WANT to do it! And I know it’s part of what has me still healthily doing massage therapy for 41 years.

    Reply
    • Tracy Walton says

      September 18, 2015 at 8:49 am

      I love love LOVE watching you do tai chi on my back porch. And I believe all that movement has kept you and your work healthy and vital. Thanks!

      Reply
    • Ananda Lowe says

      September 27, 2015 at 12:13 pm

      Carole and Tracy, you are both amazing!! Thank you for your lifetime contributions! Tracy, you look beautiful — I can’t believe you learned that in 14 months. I have danced for decades, but when I took hooping classes they were so hard! Thanks for that delightful video — watching it was part of my self-care today ๐Ÿ™‚

      (I was Tracy’s prenatal massage student about 10 years ago.)

      Reply
      • Tracy Walton says

        September 27, 2015 at 3:26 pm

        Ananda, thank you for your kind words! I remember you! Congrats on your book! A great contribution.

        Reply
  2. Yvonne R Clapper says

    September 17, 2015 at 7:21 pm

    Atta girl! I fell in love with yoga last year as part of my self care regimen , but I think I have room for another love! Thank you for your courage in posting this.

    Reply
    • Tracy Walton says

      September 18, 2015 at 8:48 am

      Thanks, Yvonne! Yes, yoga! Yes, hooping! There’s a class in both coming up in our area. I’ll report in. ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
      • Christine Lambrects says

        September 21, 2015 at 7:57 pm

        Hooping yoga? Yogic hooping? Now THAT sounds intriguing!! Keep us posted

        Reply
        • Tracy Walton says

          September 23, 2015 at 7:56 pm

          Will do, CL!

          Reply
  3. Natalie Gould says

    September 18, 2015 at 7:11 am

    Tracy,

    What a wonderful story of healing and hooping….You have inspired me and thank you so
    much for sharing this…YOU ARE AMAZING!! IT is GREAT TO SEE YOU HOOPING!!

    Reply
    • Tracy Walton says

      September 18, 2015 at 8:48 am

      Oh, Natalie! I miss you! Reunion time? Thank you for your words.

      Reply
  4. liz smull says

    September 19, 2015 at 7:18 am

    For me, as a Pre-natal Massage Therapist of 15 years I have to get my Pilates and Yoga in on a weekly basis since my clients are side lying with a body pillow. Love the mind-body connection.

    Reply
    • Tracy Walton says

      September 20, 2015 at 7:23 am

      Yes to Pilates and Yoga! Thank you, Liz.

      Reply
  5. Pam Fitch says

    September 23, 2015 at 8:18 am

    Hi Tracey,
    What an inspiring video. It landed in my inbox right before a class in self-care and all the students watched it with me. Love the hula-hoop idea although I have been dismal at it all of my life. After seeing this video – I think I might try it again!
    Thanks and congratulations on your hoopiversary!
    P.

    Reply
    • Tracy Walton says

      September 23, 2015 at 7:56 pm

      Pam, thank you for sharing it. I hope you give it a try and get a nice big adult sized one. So much easier. Have fun!

      Reply
  6. Tania says

    September 23, 2015 at 8:20 am

    Tracy! What a beautiful and inspiring piece! I recently bought a new hula hoop companion and had similar thoughts when chasing it around the living room (yes I live on the edge … No backyard at my apartment so many knocked over books and things!) What calms the critical voice is The child energy that it nourishes !! I look forward to more presence, play and practice and less self-critique with patience! Much love

    Reply
    • Tracy Walton says

      September 23, 2015 at 7:55 pm

      I’m smiling at the image of the hoop running around inside. Me, too, in the winter.

      Reply
  7. Marie-Christine Lochot says

    September 23, 2015 at 8:22 am

    Dear Tracy,

    What a wonderful article and I loved the video. I had no idea that Hula Hooping could be so therapeutic , that makes me want to try.
    I do Qigong as a daily practice (or try to) if I do it in the morning my day is so much productive and harmonious. If I do it at night I sleep much better. And the Lumosity brain games make me more focused, 10 minutes a day is enough.
    Thanks for posting and sharing, I really love reading anything you write. I will see you at the summit.

    Reply
    • Tracy Walton says

      September 23, 2015 at 7:54 pm

      Thank you for the lumosity reminder, Marie-Christine.

      Reply
  8. Rachel A. Pinard says

    September 23, 2015 at 9:53 am

    Bless You Tracy!
    Always inspiring are you ๐Ÿ™‚ You seem to float on your feet effortlessly and gracefully with a genuine smile reflecting your inner joy as you dance around with your hoop in the playful exuberance of a happy child. Truly a fine fun filled example of self care at it’s very best! Congrats on your Silver Anniversary and all of your accomplishments along the way! Looking forward to OM Healing Summit ๐Ÿ™‚
    Here’s to your continued Highest Hooping & Healing!
    Thanks for sharing!
    With Gratitude for all the ways you continue lift, empower & educate,
    Namaste & Be Well!

    Rachel ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • Tracy Walton says

      September 23, 2015 at 7:54 pm

      Thank you, Rachel…

      Reply
  9. Gayle MacDonald says

    September 23, 2015 at 9:56 am

    I smiled the entire 3:47 watching that. You’re a dancer! It inspired me…..later today, am going to go shoot “hoops” with the basketball I got for my recent birthday.
    xxGayle

    Reply
    • Tracy Walton says

      September 23, 2015 at 7:53 pm

      C has elaborate games with hoops and balls. Maybe we’ll play sometime.

      Reply
  10. Rebecca says

    September 23, 2015 at 1:36 pm

    Wonderful! I’ve built my own hoop and helped nieces and nephews build theirs too. Mine has hung on the wall looking beautifully forlorn in my massage studio for years now. I’ve no space indoors (at home or office) and haven’t taken it to the streets. I love hooping tho i can’t do anything other than spin it around my waist. I love that I feel younger than i am and sexy and playful in my body when i use it. Yoga keeps me feeling powerful and healthy. Tango dancing is something I’ve discovered and practiced these last four years and hope to practice for as long as i live. It requires pure focus, body awareness, deliberate movement, connection with partner, music and floor. It’s meditative. I LOVE it! Thanks for sharing your story and inspiring me to step inside the hoop again. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • Tracy Walton says

      September 23, 2015 at 7:52 pm

      Step inside again! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  11. Heidi Siegenthaler says

    September 23, 2015 at 2:03 pm

    “IMPRESSIVE,! MOST IMPRESSIVE!”

    Tracy,

    I have been a fan of yours since I took your workshop a few years ago in Austin. Your playfulness delights me!

    I actually built myself a couple of hoops two years ago, and they have gone mostly unspun. I do believe they and I will now explore the hooping world from the beginning!!

    I also have taken up classical guitar and tap dancing. My brain and body have never been so challenged!

    Thank you for your childlike passion and inspiration!!

    Reply

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