lifestyle

Hooping joins the fitness revolution

20 Comments
By Melissa Feineman

Looking to add some serious fun to your life? If you’re clueless about how to slim down, tone up and have a blast in the process, chances are you have yet to discover hooping, a fitness trend that’s become the next big thing Tokyo.

This athletic recreational activity is basically a new and improved version of hula hooping. If you remember the candy cane-striped toy from your childhood, the basic idea is the same: you sway your hips slightly and send a large ring rotating around your body. The major difference is the size of the hoop and the types of tricks you can do.

In recent years, this movement has taken off internationally, with classes and “hoop dance” troupes in cities as far-flung as San Francisco and Sydney. You can even do it virtually on the Wii Fit video game system. Burning Man, an annual festival held in the Nevada desert, has long been a hotbed of creative expression and a safe haven for emerging subcultures, and hooping is no exception. Several of the world’s most famous practitioners — including “HoopGirl” and “Bunny Hoop Star” — have met and done their thing at Burning Man.

If you’re not quite ready to head to Nevada to get your fix, don’t despair. The Japan movement, though still in its early stages, is steadily growing, thanks to the tireless efforts of people like “Mario” Sawazaki and “Justin” Hirakawa of Tokyo Hoop Store, and Deanne Tonking of the group Hoop Lovers. And in this digital age, there’s no shortage of resources available on the internet. In fact, newbies can learn all they need to know through online demonstrations and inspiring performances on YouTube (search “SaFire Hoop Dancing Tutorials”).

Why is this childhood pastime gaining traction as an athletic activity for later in life? Well, it’s a fun way to slim down and tone up, and the hoopers we spoke with also mentioned the addictive and uplifting effect of giving it a whirl. As Tonking says, “Hooping is about self-discovery, joy, body awareness, fun and fitness. I think all of these elements lead to a happier and healthier life and this is really what I am promoting in Tokyo.”

As former students of Christabel Zamor (aka “HoopGirl”), Sawazaki, 52, and Hirakawa, 48, are proud to say they’re the only Japanese men who are licensed teachers of their mentor’s workout. The full-time hooping enthusiasts hold several 90-minute classes a week in the Shinjuku area, usually in evenings and on weekends. Class sizes can be from four to 20, and participants range from absolute beginners to those who started shaking their hips as kids—and never stopped. Seasoned veterans are able to perform complex tricks and routines.

The atmosphere is fun and lighthearted, but don’t be tricked into thinking hooping is easy. Hirakawa explains that in his class, you can expect to burn about 300 calories per hour, and the more new tricks you learn, the more intense your workout will be. Classes are held mainly in Japanese, but Hirakawa is always around to offer encouragement and explanations in English. The enthusiasm is infectious, and it’s hard to leave without a smile on your face.

Tonking of Hoop Lovers is a relative newcomer on the scene, having just started a year ago—but what a year it’s been. The 31-year-old Australia native has quickly risen from pupil to teacher, establishing her own company and website here in her adopted home of Tokyo. She recently tended her resignation from her day job at a school to focus her attention on Hoop Lovers.

Tonking explains that immediately after she picked up a hoop, she knew she wanted to spread the love. “Hooping has created so much positive change in my life that I really wanted to share the benefits with others. I felt a very strong need to do so right from the beginning of my hoop journey.” She goes on to say that within a short time, she has transformed not only her body, but her outlook on life, getting inspired to turn to raw food and ditch her day job in favor of becoming a full-time hooping instructor and performer.

Since March, her weekly happenings in Yoyogi Park (held most sunny Sunday afternoons) have been drawing in dynamic crowds. These events are free and open to anyone, and plenty of bystanders have decided to have a go. Join her to celebrate World Hoop Day Tokyo from 5 p.m. on Friday, August 8.

Tonking also holds several classes at Meguro hotel Claska (www.claska.com) and Ogikubo event space Museum Tokyo (www.museumtokyo.com), ranging from two-day beginner workshops to free-flowing jams to dance classes that focus on fluid movements, tricks and transitions.

Regardless of whether or not you grew up with a pink and white ring in your hand, hooping is a surefire way to kick-start your fitness regime in time for summer. And as Tonking says, “You can’t be unhappy inside a hoop.”

For more information about Hoop Store Tokyo, see the website (http://hoopstore.at-ninja.jp) or blog (http://hooperjustin1000.blogspot.com), or send an email to hoopstoretokyo@yahoo.co.jp. See www.hooplovers.com or email Deanne Tonking at hooplovers@gmail.com for more information about Hoop Lovers. This story originally appeared in Metropolis magazine (www.metropolis.co.jp).

© Japan Today

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.


20 Comments
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I did not understand what hooping is from this article. Pictures would be helpful.

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I was hooping for some more information but there was just a big hole in the middle. artcile had me going in circles and made my head spin. dont see what all the hooplah is about really

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This sounds like some retarded thing people would do in California

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“Hooping is about self-discovery"

Isn't it a little bit exaggerated?

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Lately I am getting much thicker in the waist, so maybe That's the secret to reduce weight and be in a good shape....but It's embarrassingfor me to play alone...maybe,it's so natural for me to play with my son together....

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yes, please post photos to show people how it is done.

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I believe this is just a Hula Hoop which they have shorten the name to Hoop. It is a toy that was reinvented in the 50's in the United States. Next someone will create a sport called roping (formerly known as jump rope).

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And as Tonking says, “You can’t be unhappy inside a hoop

Uh, I beg to differ. An ex (korean) gave me a 'special' hoop once as a gift. it was "good for health" on the inside were a bunch of raised magnetic marbles, so when you spun the hoop around, the magnetic marbles worked your mid-section, giving you magnetic fat erase magic. it was painful and retarded as hell.

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I am still pondering on “Hooping is about self-discovery". For me hooping is the most senseless thing...

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Prince, maybe the angle is that hooping helps you 'self-discover' that hooping is senseless? :-)

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Princess - Looks like you got your photo.

So, the Hula-Hoop is making yet another comeback. Guess the Yo-Yo can't be far behind. And maybe the Klackers!

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***It is a toy that was reinvented in the 50's in the United States.

I think that existed in Europe before the invention of the USA. Greeks ? Romans ? It is not good for your back to do it too much. So that activity tends to be in one or two seasons, then people forget it.

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Klackers did a comeback in Japan about 2~3yrs ago. The Yo-Yo is still going strong but not as popular as a few years ago.

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For those unclear on what "hooping" is, the article mentions where to see videos about it:

In fact, newbies can learn all they need to know through online demonstrations and inspiring performances on YouTube (search “SaFire Hoop Dancing Tutorials”).

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I've never gotten rid of my 'klackers' - the ladies wouldn't be so interested if I did. ;)

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"Self-discovery"?

Do they really think we're that stupid, or is this for the Japanese market?

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There's a fitness revolution going on? Funny, I thought most were porking out. Any of you internet addicts able to do 20 pushups (press-ups)?

http://www.exrx.net/Calculators/PushUps.html

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Hey! I've been e-mailing back and forth with Deanne. It just so happens that I will be in Tokyo in November staying at Claska where she gives these classes. I thought it would be fun, something different.

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Regardless of whether or not you grew up with a pink and white ring in your hand, hooping is a surefire way to kick-start your fitness regime in time for summer

Polishing-up our pink and white rings ready to experience a hoop journey of self-discovery. Is she talking about what I think she's taklking about?

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I have gone to classes at Hooplovers. They are great! Have lost weight and now go hooping every day in a park near my house. If you don't know what it is all about, take a look at youtube (just search Hoop Dance). If you're looking for something fun that gives you excercise, try hooping!

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