Caroleeena's Circles Of Joy

Integrating Armwork into Hoopdance

By Caroleeena January 2, 2015Dance, Gif Story, hoopdance, Uncategorizedarms and hands, armwork, dance, hoopdance, using arms in hoopdance1 Comment

Hoopdance is made up of more than just a hoop moving around the waist. It also includes armwork, footwork, directed gaze, gestures, traveling steps, turns and spins, characterization, beat punctuation, musicality, and, of course, hoop moves. For many hoopers, though, the first question is usually, "What do I do with my…

Dance Hands – My Goal For January

By Caroleeena January 1, 2015Dance, Gif Story, Uncategorized2 Comments

What I thought my hands looked like when I danced: What it turns out my hands really looked like: So I turned to the internet. I mean, apparently it worked for Justin Bieber. Double Dream Hands! I decided to watch videos and look for more creative ways to use my hands.…

Caroleeena’s Interview on HulaHoopla Podcast

By Caroleeena December 30, 2014interview, podcastcaroleeena, Hoopanista, hula hoopla, interview, podcast

While I was at Hoop Camp, I was fortunate to be interviewed by the beautiful Hoopanista, Paige Tashner, of the Hula Hoopla podcast. This is a link to that interview: Caroleeena: Putting The Dance Into Hoopdance

Building Strength for Pirouettes … Safely

By Caroleeena December 18, 2014Dance, hoopdance, Movementbalance, demi pointe, half demi pointe, hoopdance, pirouette, training, yoga toes2 Comments

Demi Pointe is a ballet term that means to support the body's weight by balancing on the balls of one or both feet with heels off the floor. Being able to lift the heel or heels is essential for pirouettes because you literally spin on the ball of the foot. Having…

Baby Doll Hands – the Fingerwork of T-Rex Arms

By Caroleeena December 5, 2014Dance, hoopdance, Movement, Performancebaby doll hands, caroleeena, dance hands, doll hands, fingerwork, handwork2 Comments

Baby Doll Hands are the fingerwork of T-Rex Arms and Chicken Wings. They are common among both new and experienced hoopers. This is the hand pose of baby dolls that are made to hold bottles. Baby Doll Hands are slightly rounded with the thumb almost touching, or touching, the thumb.…

Exciting News!

By Caroleeena November 30, 2014Gif StoryGerman Hoop Convention

Usually when I open my email it's either or but today I got something that made me go I got a letter from Ina Hoopina inviting me to teach hoopdance at the German Hoop Convention next summer! At first I was like then I was like I thought After all, all…

Creating A Character In Dance

By Caroleeena October 30, 2014Dance, hoopdance, hoopdance, Hoopdance, PerformanceCharacterization, create character in dance, dance, dance character1 Comment

Characterization is a writing concept that can also be applied to creating a character in dance. It refers to the little details an author uses to convey information about a character's personality, mood, and/or story. In writing, these details can be described. ("Sarah was grumpy.") but in dance, they must be…

“I Like Big Hoops!” – A “Baby Got Back” Parody

By Caroleeena July 24, 2014Hoopdance, Hooping, Poetryhoop parody song, I like big hoops, poem

[Intro] Oh, my, god. Becky, look at her hoop. It is so big. [scoff] It looks like, one of those exercise hula hoops. But, you know, who understands those exercise hoops? *scoff* They only use them, because, they're like, totally easy, 'kay? I mean, her hoop, is just so big. I…

How To Create A Video Hoop Tutorial

By Caroleeena April 9, 2014Hooping, Movement, Poi, Tutorial, Uncategorized, Videohoop tutorials, make tutorials, make videos, video tutorials3 Comments

More and more helpful hoopers are generously making hoop tutorials. This blog is for you. I hope it will help you make more effective, organized video tutorials that make you proud while helping others learn and retain what you have to teach. This blog is based on my own trials and…

Caroleeena’s Journey to Health and Wellness

By Caroleeena March 4, 2014Gif Story2 Comments

I was never the most athletic person but I tried to psych myself up to play some sports, you know, to be healthy. In high school, I briefly tried my hand at basketball then at softball then volleyball It didn't take long to figure out team sports were not my thing…