Name: Tarnya Gillies

Years hooping: I have had a hoop in my possession for a long time but have been more connected to the hoop for the last few years !!

How did you get into hooping? ? Just love the sensation and the sense of play it brings, the fun element and that it is great for the body and a form of exercise that doesn’t feel like a work out.

How does hooping enhance your life? It is a release for me, I go to another level and can switch off from my world, and I also love the fact it is something I can share ,I love sharing the hoop joy with my kids, friends and anyone who wishes to jump into the hoop circle…

Name: Trish

Years hooping: Two years

How did you get into hooping? ? Watching buskers & circus performers at the Tassie circus festival. It looked like fun, challenging & good exercise.

How does hooping enhance your life? Laughter, fun, a challenge, play, exercise, joy when I achieve a new move. Hooping is like a meditation, it helps me tune into my inner rhythm & child.


First hooping memory: A busker at the Taste of Tasmania.

Favourite hoop moves: There are many & it changes these are my favs at present vertical jump through, foot hooping, kick up/kick start, cork screw jump through.

Name: Marie HoopStar

Years hooping:­­­­­ One

How did you get into hooping? I saw my friend doing it so I gave it a go.

How does hooping enhance your life? It’s good exercise which is good for your health, Plus it’s great fun.

First hooping memory: Me and my Mum Hooping together And me beating her.

Favourite hoop moves:Monkey arms and 5 hoops on my waist together.

Signature moves: Monkey arms

Hoop heroes: Gemma

Name: Deanne

Years hooping:­­­­­ Since June 2007 this lifetime but definitely a hooper in the past.

How did you get into hooping? Instantly entranced by a hoop video I watched on youtube, I knew that it was inside a hoop that I wanted to be. Gathering inspiration from all over the world via the internet I was so ready but could not find a hoop in Tokyo. My mum surprised me with one when she came in the summer. Have not stopped spinning it since. I had no idea what a powerful force and global community existed when I saw my first video, I am glad I acted on my instincts to give it a whirl.

Name: Daisy

Years hooping: three years- this year into it.

How did you get into hooping? Why did you start hooping? I think it was because of, the Taste of Tasmania. Which is a festival with buskers, and one was a hula-hooper. I have always been into circus stuff.


What do you get out of hooping? How does hooping enhance your life? It is a fun exercise that keeps you fit. I love getting new moves, and making new routines.

First hooping memory: Watching a busker at the Taste of Tasmania hoop with fire, at night. It looks magical.

Photo by nick coppins

As seen on hooping.org

Recently I traveled to Shanghai on the tail end of an annual trip to Hong Kong. I love Hong Kong - it’s buzzing with a cosmopolitan and international neon-lit energy, although it’s surprising that there isn’t more entertainment in their clubs given how happening the city is. Ultimately it’s a matter of space, of which there is not a lot. It’s big staged shows or your own intimate dance land in clubs more suited in size to a tightly kept shimmy than any flamboyant explosions of movement, least of all hooping! Despite being on a mission to rectify this clearly unjust situation, I had for the moment surrendered myself to the fact that I would have to hit the mainland if I wanted to hoop China. My only knowledge of Shanghai was that it is famously known as the hippest part of China - ‘Paris of the East’ - having considerably larger clubs, and that they were expecting a hoop show or two from yours truly.

Hoop Empire brings you Hoop Disco! A sound and light stage dedicated to the art of hoops and spinning toys. Workshops, hoopjams and chill space throughout the day. Performances at dusk hosted by Glace Chase. Then hoop / dance the night away with amazing light shows and funky electro tunes.