Uncategorized Archives - Caroleeena's Circles Of Joy

My September Journey Into Splits

By Caroleeena September 18, 2017health, Hooping, splits, Uncategorized, Yogacaroleeena, splits, yin yoga

This month, I set a goal of trying to get better at forward splits. I've made a lot of progress very fast and I want to share how. I can tell you some things about splits. Most people who teach them teach them in ways that are painful and not very…

Tips For Beginner Hoopers

By Caroleeena December 9, 2015hoopdance, Hooping, Tutorial, Uncategorizedbeginner, beginner hoop

Picking Your Hoop: Start with a Big Groove Hoop. One that stands up to your nipples when it is on its side is ideal. It is slow and wonderful for grooving in. The bigger around the hoop is, the slower it moves, meaning it hits your belly less frequently and you…

Creating Mood In Hoopdance

By Caroleeena December 2, 2015hoopdance, hoopdance, Hooping, Performance, UncategorizedCreating mood, Creating Mood in Hoopdance

A mood is a temporary emotional state. Our mood affects how we process information and experiences. Setting the scene to create a certain mood affects how receptive the listener or viewer will be to the story we have to tell. Ideally the mood we create in dance aligns with the music,…

Leaving for the German Hoop Convention – A Travelogue after the fact

By Caroleeena August 2, 2015German Hoop Convention, hoopdance, Hooping, travelogue, UncategorizedGerman Hoop Convention2 Comments

Europe was amazing. The German Hoop Convention was amazing. The whole experience was amazing. I have been trying to start this blog for a week. How to summarize something so life-changing in words, especially when I know I haven't even begun to process all of the experience? I definitely feel changed…

Making Shapes in Hoopdance – Circles

By Caroleeena June 15, 2015hoopdance, Hooping, Uncategorizedarm work, circles, footwork, shapes in hoopdance2 Comments

Circular shapes and movements are perfect for hoopdance. A bent arm is easier to take in and out of the hoop, moving a single hand in a circle from a still arm is a beautiful semi-resting piece of armwork that doesn't take much effort and is a wonderful use of the…

How to Rock Flowers in your Hair

By Caroleeena June 10, 2015Costuming, Hoopdance, Uncategorizedcaroleeena, costume, flowers, hair, how to rock flowers in your hair2 Comments

Yesterday I saw two young girls walking down the street in my neighborhood. One had on a red dress with a red flower behind her ear. It was like a breath of fresh air. So pretty and sweet. I love wearing flowers. Flowers are fun! Real flowers, fake flowers, all the…

The Value of Sharing: Growing Flow Arts Together

By Caroleeena June 3, 2015Uncategorized

The influence of social media on the development of flow arts can be hard to quantify but I know for a fact that the more we share freely, the more we grow hooping itself. This story is an example of that. Hoopers and hoopdancers are budding rhythmic gymnasts without coaches. Rhythmic…

Embellishing Hoop Moves

By Caroleeena May 26, 2015Dance, hoopdance, Hooping, Uncategorizedembellish, embellishing hoop moves1 Comment

Any hoop move can be improved by adding a decorative detail. The detail can be as simple as adjusting the posture, holding the head a certain way, directing the gaze, a turn of the hand, articulating the fingers, positioning a foot or a leg, or it can be as complicated and…

Circles of Joy International Hoopdance Awards

By Caroleeena May 3, 2015Dance, hoopdance, UncategorizedCircles of Joy Hoopdance Award, Hoopdance Award, Top Hat Award, Top Hat Awards11 Comments

Celebrating Hoopdancers Telling Stories Through Movement! I love the Hoopie Awards. Every year I am exposed to new hoopers and hoop videos via Hooping.org’s annual awards: http://www.hooping.org/hoopie-awards/ Thank you Philo for making them! I know they are a ton of work. This past January I was sad to see that there…

Pointing the Toe and Dragging the Toe in Hoopdance

By Caroleeena April 27, 2015Dance, hoopdance, Hooping, Uncategorizedpointed toes, rond de jambe, tendu, toes1 Comment

Our focus this week is Toes! Pointing our toes, connecting with the ground at the point of the toe, dragging the toe while traveling in lines and circles and dragging the toe up the leg so it stays connected to the body at the ankle, knee or thigh. When the toe…