Hoopaholic of the Month - July

Name: Mel Lindenthal

Time hooping: About 1 + 1/2

How did you get into hooping? My partner gave me a workshop voucher for an intro to hoopdance thing in Berlin to recuperate after a big exam, which got me hooked (the hooping that is, not the exam). Then watched gazillions of hooping clips on Youtube and tried to figure out the tricks that I saw, training a lot to maintain my sanity during the rest of my exams and ever since.

How does hooping enhance your life? Well, other than hoop happiness and sanity, I really like the flow of the movements and the grounding quality of hooping, and the excitement of experimentation and getting the hang of new moves (the magic when suddenly the hoop doesn't bash me up but miraculously floats up in the air or whatever); the acrobatic skill and coordination that grows from it; that there's always more to explore. And the bodywork aspect of hooping, that it's opening up my spine more, and brings consciousness to all the parts of my body I hoop with. Also the community feel of it, how it can bring people together (if you want to get conversations going with people in the street just carry some hoops, works better than having a dog...)

First hooping memory: When I was a kid and the 80s hoop craze even reached the hills of Southern Germany, felt mesmerized just waist hooping (no fancy tricks around in those days).

Favourite hoop moves: Seems to be whatever I've just figured out, but generally leg and shoulder hooping, and vertical stuff (slides rock!).

Signature moves: I'm not aware of having any set moves, just do a lot of what I enjoy doing at the time (cf. Favourite hoop moves...)

Hoop heroes: Spiral, Baxter and all the other inspiring Carrboro hoopers, Anah Hoopalicious, sharnarose from the UK for her uninhibited creativity and willingness to share, and countless other wonderful hoopers generously sharing their skill and style and tutorials on the net. And now, since I've moved to Sydney and have found a non-digital teacher at last, Bunny, for expanding my hoop world to multiple hoops and fire and whatever else she has in store!

Hoop dreams and ambitions: In my personal practice: at the moment getting the hang of multiple hoops, and, after I had a go at fire hooping for the first time a few days ago, really going into fire hooping (yay!). Dreams - blending other forms of movement that I'm familiar with (contact improvisation dance, aikido, bodywork, etc.) with hoopdance, and teaching these experimental forms. Develop more varied ways of expression and theatrical characters with hooping, beyond the almost stereotypical 'sexy, sensual hooper in skimpy outfit' that seems to dominate the scene.