Innovative Activity #6: Hooping

   
 Hooping is a new form of exercise and therapy that uses one simple tool found in any elementary school gym class and many childhood garages. Hooping is now starting to take off as a form of therapy most often found in clinical settings and settings where clients are working an increasing their self-esteem. The participant group can range from children in a pediatric unit receiving cancer treatment, to elderly patients in long-term care, to people in incarceration. Hooping provides low intensity exercise, but classes are offered that can burn a significant amount of calories. Hooping can prove therapeutic to people with low self-esteem because a hoop is something participants can control yet they can also learn from the hoop's changing ways. The rhythmic motion can be soothing to participants with sensory disorders. The exercise will help some participants gain self confidence because exercise physically improves bodies as well as raising endorphin levels making participants feel good about themselves afterward. This activity can be adapted to a number of populations because even if participants are unable to use the hoop around their waist, they may still be able to twirl it around an arm or wrist. Watching hoop dancers could also be a means of therapy in itself because watching them could be relaxing. I can't think of any populations that hooping would not be fit for.
    Hooping at its most basic involves revolving a hoop around your hips in a rhythmic pattern. Hoops can be twirled around arms and legs as well. Classes are offered in which hooping is done to music. Here is an example of what looks to be a beginner hoop fitness class: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijNWiqr9tHc&feature=related. Participants gradually become better at hooping and start to hone their techniques. Here is an example of a young woman on Ellen, proving how popular this activity is becoming for exercise: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkaskuVeHos&feature=related. This is an activity that can be done alone or in a group session. Classes are becoming more popular as more teachers become certified. Classes are more commonly offered in larger cities, but soon there may be classes offered in the La Crosse area.
    The only resource someone needs to participate is a hula-hoop. These can be quite inexpensive, but prices go up as hoops become more decorative or heavier for more intense exercise. A participant can choose to take classes, purchase workout DVDs, or purchase books on the subject. These would be an extra cost, but they are not necessary because there are many informational videos on youtube.com.
   I learned about hooping from a guest speaker in our class. Much more information can be found online. Some resources I found helpful include the following: http://www.hoopgirl.com/index.php, http://www.hoopcity.ca/forum/topics/hooping-as-therapy-for-state-hospital-residents?xg_source=activity, and http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/news/20110210/hula-hoop-workouts-burn-calories.