Happy Hooping

Rachel Branson

Friday, January 1st, 2010

I don't know about you but I find that getting motivated to exercise can be quite a challenge. I love to feel fit and healthy and but working long hours, dark mornings and nights give me all the excuses under the sun not to get down the gym or go out for a run. I have been insearch of an exercise routine, something that excited and motivated me to get in shape.

Then one day a book arrived in the post for me to review and I was instantly inspired to try this new fitness programme. Hooping written by Christable Zamor, creator of the HoopGirl® Workout is a really fun book, packed full of easy to follow diagrams and instructions, I was instantly itching to have a go.

Hula-Hoop is leading a new wave of fitness that it catching on in health clubs across the country, but if you're unlucky enough to not have a local class her new book ‘Hooping' (Workman, £12.99, including 50 minute DVD) will put the fun and dance back into your exercise routine.

Her programme provides a multi-level workout to improve strength, balance, flexility and resilience.

Christable has an impressive list of 36 ways Hooping will improve the body, mind and spirit and as the last on the list is "promotes happiness and wellbeing" I feel certain I have found my new exercising motivation.

Hooping for PMS, depression and weakened immune system

Arturo Peal, an expert in Chinese Medicine, anatomy and kinesology, recommends hooping to his clients primarily for unblocking chi. The best cure for stagnation of chi is simply to get yourself, your blood and your lymph moving. Peal points out that "like acupressure treatments, the hoop stimulates many vital points, impacting the most important organs of the body".

Hooping for easing Back pain and Osteoporosis

Dr Michael Luan, a Chiropractor with a background in acupuncture and biomedical engineering uses hooping with patients suffering from Osteoporosis, he explains how this low impact activity can help strengthen the core and offers advice and sensible precautions for those with back problems and existing medical conditions.

Extract and images reproduced by kind permission of Workman Publishing www.workman.com Hooping By Christabel Zamor www.hoopgirl.com ISBN 978-0-7611-5241-5

Itching to have a go

Try out one her 50 exciting and original moves

Snake

1) Get the hoop around your waist and start turning. Extend one arm inside the hoop, keep that arm pressed against your body and continue to Pump the hoop around the body

2) Slip the other arm in and using the surface of your arms (ideally your biceps) nudge the hoop up incrementally to just above your breasts. To achieve this, some people visualise using their arms like spoons to "stir" the area inside the hoop. Try to relax your shoulders and elbows and remember to breathe.

3) Now shimmy your torso side to side (as opposed to forward and back) while still turning. Leading with your elbows and using the surface of your triceps (as if you were elbowing someone out of the way), push out and diagonally into the hoop whenever you feel it make contact. Bare arms make this easier.

4) As much as you can, exert pressure all the way around inside the hoop, using your upper arms, bringing your chest diagonally back with your upper back. Envision the spinal spiraling of a cobra. Keep turning and breathing!