the World of GroovinMeGzz

GroovinMegzz comes to RVA Hoop Circle! 12.27.11

2011-12-25T21:43:00.000-08:00

The Hooping Body workshop with GroovinMeGzz Tues Dec 27th

PRICING

HOOP CIRCLE Card Holders - $20 + Card Punch (get your cards before the 27th, if you don't have one already.)

Non-HOOP CIRCLE Card Holders - $40

DURATION 8-9:30 PM

Click here for event on Meet up!

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION

"The Hooping Body" is about embracing the fact that we are athletes of the circle. It's a practice that requires time and dedication to our bodies! Her goal is to inspire all Hoop Dancers to work on their physical conditioning outside of the hoop by strengthening and focusing on flexibility and in turn feel the benefits of this inside the hoop.

This workshop is open to all levels of hoopers. We will be exercising (low impact) and dancing with our hoops. We will cover flexibility routines for warming up & cooling down. Proper strength training exercises for particular movement patterns depending on your "flow" with the hoop. We will go through conceptual exercises incorporating elements of basic contemporary dance, Yoga and Qi Gong to create an extremely unique, centering, and fun style of dance.

Please visit The Hooping Body website and read students' testimonials from over the years
http://www.thehoopingbody.com/#!teachers

Things to bring: yoga mat, water bottle, pen and paper, your smile
What to wear: Comfortable & secure clothing, dance shoes, socks your choice

Zumba Class Schedule for Sept 2011

2011-09-01T08:18:00.000-07:00

Tues. 9:00-10:00am United Studios-Sherwood Begins 9/6

Thurs. 9:00-10:00am United Studios-Sherwood Begins 9/9

Thurs. 12:00-1:00pm Hardcore Training Studio-Aloha starting 9/1

I will be out of town from Wed 9/21-Mon 9/26. Stay tuned for a SUB posting!

Locations:

Hardcore Training Studio

18960 SW Shaw St.

Aloha OR, 97007

(503) 608-7194

$20 for 5 classes! $5 drop in fee

$50 for 10 classes

United Studios of Self-Defense

20673 SW Roy Rogers Rd # 206

Sherwood, OR 97140-9222

(503) 925-1860

Drop in $12

5 classes for $45

10 classes for $60

MORE LOCATIONS & CLASSES coming SOON!

Stay posted!

Please share this with friends and family!!! Let's build these classes!

Come join the Zumba party!

*Zumba Girls at our 4th July Party!!*

Introducing one of my new favorite therapeutic tools: The Stick!

2011-07-03T21:46:00.000-07:00

Hello followers, friends and fellow athletes! I am writing you to share yet another life changing tool I've begun incorporating into my recovery/flexibility/preventative routine.

What is the stick?
The Stick is a revolutionary device used to segmentally compress and stretch muscle. It is highly effective in the treatment of muscle pain and trigger points.

It's been featured in numerous publications with raving reviews.

The Stick helps release non compliant muscles by performing what Dr. Travell calls stripping massage. In fact, this noted medical physician relates that, "deep stripping massage of the tender spot in the muscle was generally the treatment of choice for muscular rheumatism (myofascial trigger points) long before the turn of this century, and for fibrositis afterwards." The Stick allows people to self-perform general as well as segmental therapeutic procedures with a high degree of precision. These procedures remove the barriers to peak physical performance. It is the unassisted rolling, stretching, twisting and compressing of the muscle that diffuses barrier trigger points and converts non-compliant muscle to compliant muscle.

I use it to roll out my shins, calves, all my insertion points around my knee (helps tremendously with tendinitis) IT band, forearms...its pretty much amazing. I love my stick as much as I love my foam roller!!

General Tips for Use

Keep muscles relaxed during rollout
Use on skin or through light clothing.
The Stick is waterproof and designed to bend without fear of breaking.
It is not necessary to hurt the muscle in order to help the muscle.
Most effective when used before, during and after periods of activity.
For pin-point rollout, slide hands onto spindles.
Excessive use may caue muscle soreness.

General Instructions

A typical warm-up for healthy muscle tissue is about 20 progressively deeper passes over each muscle group (about 30 seconds per area).
Discomfort or pain is experienced when the spindles locate a bump or tender knot in the muscle - this is known as a trigger point.
Muscles containing trigger points are often weak, stiff and sore. They are frequently tight, easily tire and often hurt.
Muscles containing chronic trigger points need 20 additional passes over the involved area, and may require attention several times daily.

Check out The Stick's website to learn MORE and to order your own!

Nutritional Requirements for Fitness and Sport

2011-06-05T22:09:00.000-07:00

We all know that adequate nutrition is extremely important for optimal performance in any activity, but there seems to be a lot of confusion on what is best to eat before and after exercise. FIRST OFF, It is extremely important to consume food before you exercise! There is nothing worse than watching my clients suffer through a workout, struggling to perform due to inadequate pre-workout nutrition. I'm writing this entry in hopes to educate & motivate my clients and my followers. I openly welcome any other ideas, thoughts, and criticism from my peers! :)

What to eat before exercise:

This snack should be relatively high in carbohydrate to maximize blood glucose availability, relatively low in fat and fiber to minimize gastrointestinal distress and facilitate gastric emptying, moderate in protein and well-tolerated by the individual. Ex. Rice cakes, oatmeal, bagel, granola bar

During extended exercise training sessions:

Aim to replace fluid losses and consume 30-60g of carbohydrate per hour of training to maintain blood glucose levels. This is especially important for training sessions lasting longer than on hour, exercise in extreme heat, cold or high altitude. Try Cliff bar shot blocks, dried fruit, or sports drinks.

30-60 min after exercise:

Try to focus on carbohydrates and protein. Studies show that the best meals for post-workout refueling include an abundance of carbohydrates accompanied by protein. The carbs replenish the used-up energy that is normally glucose stored in your muscle and liver. the protein helps rebuild the muscle tissue that were fatigued with exercise. Ex. Milk, honey, peanut butter, protein powders, banana

About 75-90g of carbohydrate (approximately five to six servings of grain, root, fruit or vegetable) per hour for optimal refueling. Keep in mind the amount of refueling necessary depends on the intensity and duration of the training session.

HYDRATION

To maximize your pre-event hydration USATF recommends consuming 17-20 oz of water or sports drink two to three hours before exercise and 10-12 oz of water or sports drink within 10 min of exercise. Following exercise the athlete should aim to correct any fluid imbalances that occurred during the session, especially focusing on replenishing sodium.

Reference ACE Lifestyle and Weight Management Consultant Manual 2nd edition

New TIME for Hoop Class at Hardcore Training Studio

2011-06-04T16:03:00.000-07:00

I am honored to say I am now teaching at Shauna Stelzer's new Zumba Studio! It's a beautiful studio that has tons of dancing space for 20 hoopers and a BuMpIn' sound system!

I'm happy to be teaching again, it truly brings me joy to inspire others to dance and be creative with the hoop!

10:30am-11:30am Saturdays at Hardcore Training Studio
18960 SW SHAW, ALOHA, OR 97007

Cost: $20 for 5 classes

Come check us out!!! HOOP to see you!

Performing at the Grand Opening Celebration at the studio

The Story of Lost PSI hoops...

2011-01-08T19:27:00.000-08:00

Oh my dear sweet hoopers, I hope by sharing my story with the community I love, several of you can learn from it like I have.

Flying with my beloved PSI hoops has always been a chore, but this trip was a little different. It was 3:30am on Dec. 21st 2010 and my fiance and I were about to head out to the airport. W were grabbing the last of our things, and I glanced at my PSIhoops thought about it and decided, YES I'll bring those. (In hopes of shooting a bad ass 5 year hoopiversary video over break) so I coiled & taped them up and put them by the door, ready to go. The Portland airport wasn't as busy as we had expected, we got through security without any problems and had an hour and half to kill before our 6am flight. Kenny and I shared some breakfast and some caffeine while we waited for our flight to board.

As I walked onto the plane, the flight attendant suggested I placed my psi hoops in the coat closet at the front of the plane by first class. Since it was an extremely full flight, she assured me they were less likely to be damaged in the closet. I obliged and left them with her. and as I walked off the plane, at the Dallas airport, I LEFT my psi hoops in that closet and carried about my way. :heart sinks:

My dear hoop friends, I do not know what to tell you. All I can say, is when it finally hit me, about 2 hours later, on my next flight, there was an overwhelming pain in my gut. I paged the flight attendant and let her know immediately. She said I could do nothing about it until I landed. The last two hours on the flight were tough, so many thoughts were running through my mind. I was so upset with myself, words will never be able to describe the feeling I felt inside. I just let the tears begin to fall. Why had I decided to bring them so last minute? What was I thinking, just leaving them?! Where was my brain?! The saddest part of all of this, I'm in school full time and barely surviving financially as it is, purchasing another set is not even realistic anymore.

I hurried off the plane and as quickly as I could to the baggage service office. There was a jolly man working with a white beard & wearing a Santa hat. When I saw him, I felt hopeful. I told him my story and together we wrote an email that went out to all the lost and founds of each airport that plane would visit for the remainder of that day. I left the Richmond Airport feeling somewhat positive, thinking there was a chance I would get them back. Throughout the holiday I called all the airports on a daily basis, leaving message after message. Days and days went by with no word at all....

Not hearing anything left the entire situation so open ended. Inside I was crushed at the idea I would not get them back, on the other hand my heart said stay positive, don't loose hope! The inner turmoil was eating at me. I just wanted to accept the harsh reality, they are gone.

A friend from facebook gave me the name of someone with connection to the industry. This propelled my case forward, and this past Tuesday Jan 4th I received a call from an american airlines representative. I felt relief hearing a human voice responding to my calls and emails. She assured me everything possible was being done to return my valuable hoops home to me, but after 15 days most cases are closed, but my case will be extended for a few more days. It has now been 20 days since I left my hoops on that plane and I suppose its official to say, I will not be getting them back. :(

Several words became clear in my head after having time to think: Find True Value. Even though psi hoops are one of the most expensive bad ass LED hoops around, they are just hoops. Just a possession, nothing that defines me. I learned not to attach so much joy and pleasure to them. Not to attach my self worth as a hooper or as a performer to these hoops. This may sound silly, but I realized I am just as amazing with or without my psi hoops. ;) I found peace in the reality that I LEFT THEM BEHIND. I forgave myself. But what I found was a higher value in my health, value in the fact we had such a safe trip to Virginia, value in time with my family and friends. The bottom line I found gratitude.

"You must understand how to live through the worst parts of life, so you never take the best parts for granted."

The saga continues!
Today (1/10/11) on my way to work, I swung by the front office to see what in the world FedEx had dropped off and... TA DA!!!!!!! THERE WERE MY HOOPS!!! Just as I remembered them!!!! Coiled down with the sky blue vinyl tape.

I couldn't even believe it! I still can't! This story is a TRUE LESSON of Surrendering...LETTING GO and.... RECEIVING! I am tickled fancy with joy, over the moon with glee! Thanks again for the constant support from my community, I honestly don't know where I'd be with out each and everyone of you.

Sticking with your New Year Fitness Goals

2011-01-01T21:06:00.001-08:00

'Tis the season for setting new goals and I'm writing this to hopefully help you follow THROUGH with them! Remember the main aspect of reaching your goals is CONSISTENCY! Stick with your plan and you will reach the finish line!

Some strategies for Overcoming Barriers to Exercise:

Barrier: Lack of Time
Strategy: Take the time to plan and organize your weeks, making exercise a top priority, you will find a way to fit it into your routine. Try signing up at a gym that has access for its members 24 hours a day.

Barrier: Lack of Motivation
Strategy: Try new and different exercise options. Find ways to make the workout more enjoyable, such as playing your favorite music when training. Find new workout material by reading books, magazines or browsing articles on the internet. Or you can always hire a personal trainer. :)

Barrier: Poor body image
Strategy: Focus on your personal accomplishments and do not compare yourself to others! When you find someone at the gym that distracts you with negative thoughts, remind yourself that they are here working hard on their body too! Do not judge them, they are not judging you! Focus on the many health and lifestyle benefits of exercise. Understand it is a PROCESS!

Barrier: Need for support
Strategy: Arrange to have a partner or exercise with a small group of colleagues. Communicate to your friends/family that this is extremely important to you and you need their support to follow through to your goals.

Barrier: Guilt
Strategy: Find how to seek support of your family and/or friends so that you can remove the feeling of guilt about the time spent exercising. For example, explain to them the healthier you are, the more energy and vitality you will have to spend with family and friends.

Make sure to log your physical activity and try adding some variety into your cardiovascular routine!

How often to you plan on getting in some cardio during the week? 4 days a week? 5 days a week? Do you pay attention to your heart rate while you are training? It's a great way to monitor how hard your body is working. Make sure to key in your weight and age, so it's as accurate as possible! Here is an example of a 6 week cardio program.

To determine your maximum heart rate: 220- your age. Ex. For me its 220-25 = 195 MHR

Week 1: 3 days/week at 35 min 50-65% max heart rate

Week 2: 4 days/week at 40 min 50-65% MHR

Week 3: 4 days/week- 2 sessions at 85% MHR other 2 sessions 50-65% heart rate

Week 4: 5 days/week-30 min total, 10 min on treadmill, 10 min on stair master, 10 min on elliptical 50-65% MHR

Week 5: 3 days/week-all sessions at 75-85% MHR High intensity training

Week 6: 4 days/week 45 min 50-65% MHR

Try adding Hoop Dance to your cardiovascular exercise routine!

You burn ~210 calories in 30 min. of hooping according to recent research.

http://www.hooping.org/2010/12/ace-hooping-fitness-study-finds-it-r...

There are 3,500 calories in 1 lb of fat, so if you do the math to loose one pound of fat a week you have to hoop for about 8 hours every week. :)

Good Luck! and as always, I'm here for any questions you have! :)

The Hooping Body Workshop with GroovinMeGzz in Richmond, Va

2010-11-14T18:32:00.000-08:00

Hey Lovely Hoopers! I've got great news! This year the RVA HoOp LOvers are hosting The Hooping Body over the holiday season! I'm thrilled to be teaching this workshop, and offering all I've got to give to the Richmond Hoop Community!

Look at this beautiful space! :)
Workshop Description:
We will begin by going through The Hooping Body concepts, which teaches hoopers how to effectively warm up the muscles and prevent any injuries from hoop practice. Next we will flow through FUN conceptual exercises involving the hoop and dance. Incorporating plane changes, grace, flow and beat punctuation. I'll be urging creativity and pushing your boundaries as a dancer! This workshop is designed for mixed level of hoopers! So come one, come all!

Important Details:
When: Monday Dec. 27th
Where: Dogtown Dance Theatre 109 West 15th Street Richmond, Virginia 23224
Time: 7:00-8:30pm
Cost:$35

You can register and pay online through paypal!
Just send the money to thehoopingbody@gmail.com or groovinmegzz@gmail.com

THANK YOU VERY MUCH! Looking forward to hooping with you!

GroovinMeGzz LED Hoop Dance Promo Video

2010-10-11T20:20:00.000-07:00

I am SO GRATEFUL for the incredible editing by Adam Webber contact him here: www.webberfilm.com,

GroovinMeGzz has been professionally performing Hoop Dance for over 3 years. She uses Fire, and LED hoops. Great for weddings, parties, Corporate Events, Bar-B-Qs, you name it!
MeGzz has the ability to WOW any audience!

Footage shot Oct. 8th 2010 at Diva Den Studio's Grand Opening Celebration

www.thehoopingbody.com

www.divadenstudios.com

Double Hoop Workshop w. GroovinMeGzz on Nov. 13th!

2010-09-13T22:11:00.000-07:00

Picture & Video footage from my performance with Rena Jones at Lightening in a Bottle Music & Arts festival May 2010 in LA

GroovinMeGzz is hosting her first ever Double Hooping workshop in Portland!

Currently I'm not teaching any classes focused on doubles, so I've been itchin' to teach all the new material I've been working on all summer, plus even NEWeR material from attending Hoop Camp 2010 in late Sept/Early Oct. :) :)

~*~Workshop Details~*~
If you've ever wanted to try it hooping with twins, here is your chance! This workshop is geared for all those ready to work with the idea of two hoops! Beginner to Advanced!
For the first hour we will spend our time getting comfortable with two hoops, understanding the rhythm of two and moving within them, for the second hour we will work on advancing flow, dynamic movements, smooth plane transitions & fluidity between moves/tricks. Our main focus will be surface switching (with thumbs & hands) plus tons of tricks, concepts & ideas to work with.
The two sections of the workshop will flow into each other, and its encouraged you take both! :)

Feel free to bring your own hoops, PLUS several sets of double hoops will be provided for use & available for purchase! :)

**Mark your calenders NOW for this awesome learning opportunity in November!**

~*~ IMPORTANT DETAILS ~*~
When: Saturday Nov 13th
Where: Bamboo Grove Salon 134 SE Taylor St Portland, OR (Green building)
Time: 2 hours 1:00-3:00pm
Cost: $55 for full workshop- Full 2 hours

**Option A:
If you want attend the first hour of basic double hooping you can just pay $30.

**Option B:
For those who are more advanced and want to challenge their skill level currently, you can pay $30 for the latter half of the workshop and skip the basic stuff. :)

Email groovinmegzz@gmail.com with questions or concerns! :)

<3

NeW Hoop Classes in SE PORTLAND!

2010-08-19T15:59:00.000-07:00

Hello lovelies!

NEW CLASSES IN SOUTH EAST PORTLAND!!!!

Having such great success with the August Hoop Series at Bamboo Grove Salon, I am moving to a much larger location!

NOW OFFERING HOOP FUSION W. GROOVINMEGZZ TUESDAY nights at REFUGE! Oct 5th-26th! :)

So excited to be a part of this amazing community arts center!

Please send to mabernath@radford.edu :)

Beginner/early intermediate 4 week series-

$45 for series $12 drop-in 7:15-8:15pm

Intermediate/advanced 4 week series

$45 for series $12 drop-in 8:15-9:15pm

Refuge PDX
116 Se Yamhill, Portland Or

To view beautiful photos of our new location

http://www.refugepdx.com/gallery.html

SOUTH EAST PORTLAND HOOP CLASS!

2010-07-22T09:00:00.001-07:00

WHooOHOoOO!! You asked for it and NOW here it is!!

Intermediate/Advanced Hoop Fusion Class
In this series we will be going over dynamic movement with the hoop, conceptual exercises to help you find your flow, beat punctuation, and small bits of choreography.

When:
Thursdays 7:15-8:15pm
Series begins Thursday August 5th-August 26th

Price:
$45 for the 4 week series
$12 drop-in rate

Where: Bamboo Grove 134 SE 2nd Ave. Portland, OR 97214 (between Taylor & Salmon)

SPACE IS LIMITED! SO SIGN UP ASAP!!!

PAY ONLINE THROUGH PAYPAL HERE! :)

Fire Hooping Workshop in SE Portland !!

2010-06-10T21:39:00.000-07:00

You've asked for it and here it is! :)

GroovinMeGzz is hosting her first fire hooping workshop! This will be a mixed level workshop, and all are welcome to attend!

We will be going over new fire regulations, what fuel & containers to use, clothing to wear, past experiences and general safety, how to preserve your wicks, PLUS tons of fun new tricks and how to build your very own routine!!
Come spin the evening away!

BRING YOUR OWN or fire hoops will be available for use and to purchase! Supplies are limited! Sign up ASAP!

Date: Monday July 12th 2010
Where: Sewallcrest Park SE 31st Ave & Market St (block south of Hawthorne)
Time: 8:00-9:00pm
Cost $15

Thank you to Haven who is HAND making the fire hoops provided! If you want to pre-order or purchase one day of, please let us know! haven33081@yahoo.com or groovinmegzz@gmail.com

..Vibing a new Frequency..

2010-06-08T10:20:00.000-07:00

Lightning in a Bottle music festival really brought a lot of things to the surface for me....

Over the last two summers, I've been staying sober at music festivals. Its been an interesting experience. I struggle staying up to the wee hours in the morning, I struggle to continue dancing all day and all night and by day 3, I really feel my body suffering.

Dealing with my hip injury has also been hard. I have been tempted to consume some sort of drug to ease the pain and distract my mind, so I can enjoy myself...but I still resist and do not give in.

As I'm surrounded by those who are there to "party" which to them means consuming numerous kinds of drugs, along with alcohol and staying up allllll night, I just cannot resonate with them. I do not want to judge these people, they are here to have a good time and connect...but...destroying

their bodies for 3-4 days in a row? ouch.

I learned that I love taking good care of my body and I love my routine. I LOVE BEING SOBER!!!
I love waking up at the same time every day, I love doing my stretches and eating a proper breakfast, I LOVE TO WORKOUT! I realized that I am happier after having a great workout than I am at a music festival. whoa-wait-WHAT? I am happier living my normal routine of working as a personal trainer and teaching Hoop Classes?? How blessed am I? My real life is so incredible, i don't need to run away for 4-5 days, indulge in drug consumption to feel happy?! wow.

How can this be? I've lived and breathed for music festival season since 2004. I loved partying hard and raging life to the MAX!
But I feel a slow disconnect forming. Its soo hard on my body. Not to mention, I cannot put my hoops down, they are like crack! So submitting myself to hours and hours of hooping=extreme hip pain, to the point I cannot even walk without pain :/

I know I can still engage in my awesome routine at festivals, I know I can still take great care of myself, fueling appropriately, and even working out- regardless of others and their intentions for their bodies...

but Am I alone in these discoveries? Is anyone else realizing they love their bodies so much and want to take care of them??? at all times?! At EmrgNsee & Hornings I hope to set up camp with folks that are there to celebrate life and live to the fullest but also respect and take care of their temples!
I want surround myself with folks who vibe on my frequency, so I don't feel so lonely this time.

.: Reflections on my trip to FL :.

2010-05-05T08:52:00.000-07:00

Ahhh, my dear sweet hoopers!! My 25th birthday trip to Florida was as amazing as I could have ever imagined! I wanted to post a blog reflecting on my adventures at the Sarasota Film Festival for The Hooping Life movie premier!

The first big event was the Wednesday April 14th Hoop Jam and first screening of the movie The Hooping Life! Being a part of The Hooping Life street team with the lovely Hoola Monsters was hard work! ;) We were setting up the vending tent, getting the music squared away and providing all the hoops need for an amazing jam! We had so much fun! Hooping our hearts out and spreading the magic of hula hooping! There were many hoopers outside of the theater getting excited for the film!

I'll never forget the energy inside the movie theater! Or all the hoops piled up against the wall. :) Everyone was antsy and full of excitement! This was it! After watching the movie trailer for YEARS, here we all are, about to view the documentary that shows us the personal stories of our hoop heros!

When the movie began, the crowd went up in a cheer!! So much support for the film was expressed. The entire documentary is incredible, I'm not the best at movie reviews, so I'll leave that to the critics. But the stories of the hoopers are inspirational and I am honored to have seen it at the World Premier.
I was sitting near Baxter and I couldn't help but to look over and watch him as he watched himself in the movie for the first time. Part of me wanted to tear up, I was so proud of him for being so open, not holding back from how he really felt through the process of his healing. And how the hoop really did save his life. You are one special guy Jonathon Livingston Baxter!

After the movie, The Hoola Monsters and I hurried to the Sarasota Yacht Club to get ready for our performance at the Sarasota Film Festival after party! Oh boy! We were excited! I felt truly honored and full of gratitude to be a part of this event! The Hoola Monsters started their performance with this awesome choreographed routine that wowed everyone!

After their routine, we had a large group freestyle jam and then solo performances, it was so fun to watch each one of the Hoola Monsters rock out in their own style. I love you guys! <3>

The people at the Yacht club had no idea what hit them! They were blown away, and that reminded us that there are still plenty of people who need to be exposed to the magic of hoop dance! We were honored to have been the ones to do it at this event. :)

The next day was my 25th BIRTHDAY!!!! We woke up, sore from the night before but ready for VIP brunch with the directors of the film, Amy Goldstein and Anouchka Van Riel, Philo Hagen of hooping.org, two Hoop Stars from the movie, Anah Reichenbach aka Hoopalicious and Karis Wilde, & the Hoola Monsters + Bonnie Brown. What an AMAZING birthday brunch!!!

Once we had finished our yummy food, it was time to head to Payne Park to get ready for Anah's workshop! I felt so honored to be able to attend her workshop ON MY BIRTHDAY! WOW, what a great day this was! Not only did everyone have fun in the workshop, but I got 5 or 6 new moves out of it!!! Including the one shoulder DUCK OUT move which I had been fearful of doing my whole hoop career due to a neck injury in the past. I felt empowered and grateful.

Directly after the hoop workshop, it was time for The Hooping Life movie screening! We stopped off at Whole Foods to fuel up on organic yumminess AND score some Yerba Mate which I had been craving all week!!!:) There were MORE HOOPERS THAN EVER at the Thursday evening Hoop Jam prior to the screening. As we pulled up, there is Baxter, Anah and Karis just hooping it up with everyone!! AHHH!!! Hooper excitement!! Seeing the movie for the second time, was just as incredible! The theater was sold out, the energy was HIGH and everyone loved the movie! What a great birthday!!

Friday was a little more slow paced, thank goodness! Abby from the Hoola Monsters was hosting a beginner workshop, where people inspired from the film could come and learn Hoop Dance! It turned out to be a very intimate class, with a few students and they got the best attention and mastered so much! Abby had invited Anah and Baxter to come critique her as an instructor, so there we were, participating in her class and enjoying the beautiful Florida sun! I was tripping out honestly. Here I am with my two hoop heros, hanging out, in a beautiful park...ahh it was so surreal. I am so grateful for this day!!

Friday evening I teamed up with Casandra Tanenbaum to host the hoop jam before the New College movie screening! We brought Abby's Block Rocker and of course, a ton of hoops :) This was an outdoor screening so several people were hooping during the movie. The college students seemed to enjoy it and we had fun hooping it up until late in the evening :)

Saturday April 17th was the day of my Hoop Workshop! I was so excited and honored to be bringing my teaching techniques and energy to the lovely FL hoopers! We had a lot of fun, incorporating plane transitions, trick combos, Hoop Yoga and creative conceptual exercises! I am grateful to ALL OF YOU who attended! Pictured below are some of the ladies getting "swooshy" with it. ;)

Here is a photo of the awesome group of hoopers that attended with a few students missing!

After the workshop, the lovely Shellie White took us to this magical faery tree. The hoopers climbed the tree and found themselves feeling like hoop faeries! :) We spent quite a bit of time here, amongst the pink fluffy awesomeness of this magical tree! What a great way to end the trip!

On the flight home I wrote the gushiest journal entry ever. I was reflecting on what was happening back at home in Portland, the lessons learned in FL and how it all made sense...

"I feel so honored to be given the opportunities I've had and the ones coming to me in the future. I AM A LIGHT WORKER. I AM A BLESSED BEING! I cherish those in my life, I acknowledge the light workers I am blessed to be surrounded by. I have a lot of work and rewiring to do. I wish to not act with immaturity. I wish to be fully present in my HEART not in my mind when speaking to others. communicating effectively is my ultimate desire. I do not wish to upset any of those around me, I hope to carry this sense of bliss on going and forever. "

GroovinMeGzz is headed to Florida!!

2010-04-05T09:33:00.000-07:00

So excited! I am part of the Street team for The Hooping Life Movie & performing with the HOOLA MONSTERS at the premier!!! EEEE!!! I feel like I am truly living my dream :) SO BLESSED! and living in constant gratitude!!!
AAAAAAAAAND I'm teaching a workshop!

GroovinMeGzz has come to Florida! In this unique workshop she will get your heart rate up, and lead you through exercises that are soothing to your soul! We will begin with Hoop Yoga, basic postures engaging in stretching, warming up the muscles and tuning movements to your breath. Next we will flow through FUN conceptual exercises. Incorporating plane changes, grace, flow and beat punctuation. I'll be urging creativity and pushing your boundaries as a dancer! This workshop is designed for mixed level of hoopers! So come one, come all!

Crescent Lake Park on Saturday, April 17 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Address is:
1320 5th Street North, Saint Petersburg, FL 33701
Cost is $20

<:Teaching Hoop Fitness at PCC:>

2010-03-27T19:34:00.000-07:00

Hula Hooping for Fitness

Get in shape and have fun using heavier adult sized hula
hoops! Learn tricks and moves to tone your waist, arms, back,
and buns. No previous experience necessary. Hoops provided.
Optional hula hoops available for purchase at class.

Greetings my lovelies! Its true! I am teaching at Portland Community College!!! Its exciting!

.: CLASS SCHEDULE :.

Starting Monday April 5th-May 10th

Where: 26800 SE Center TABOR 102
Time: 1:15pm-2:15pm

How to Help Heal and Prevent Hooper Hip Pain!

2010-03-05T17:20:00.001-08:00

What is Hoopers Hip you ask?

It is an over-use injury seems to be sweeping over our Hoop Community. It comes from numerous habits we form as hoopers, such as putting too much weight on one leg while hooping, using the same foot stance constantly, only hooping in one direction...or I've even chatted with hoopers who have it in both hip joints.
The more hoopers I speak with, the more I hear about this pain. I can relate, over the last two years I have been struggling with incredible pain, to the point where I wasn't hooping at all. Now I am inspired to spread the knowledge to help ALL OF US prevent such pain!

Here is a brief summary of my story with Hoopers Hip:
January 2008 was a major wake-up call. My hip pain hit me like a bag of bricks... throbbing, stinging, jabbing, grinding pain in my right hip joint. I hadn't felt anything like this before. I knew I had to do something FAST! I was unemployed and uninsured and felt like my options were limited. I started seeing a chiropractor friend which slightly helped the pain. After having x-rays taken, I learned I have several posture issues in my upper and lower body. I tried Yoga, exercise and lots of stretching but I was in so much pain nothing was tolerable. Nothing helped the pain. Over the next year, I tried various massage therapists and chiropractors, but no one could tell me exactly what was wrong or why I was in so much pain. I felt helpless and depressed. At this point, I had to severely limit my hooping, no longer able to hoop for pleasure, I could only manage to hoop for classes or performances. My heart was breaking. I had to sit and watch my friends hoop while, my hoops leaned against the wall collecting dust.

In May 2009, some co-workers recommended a physical therapist who had worked wonders for them, named Tony Rocklin. I had a really good feeling when I met with him and hoped I had finally found the right healer for me! I brought my hoop to my first visit so I could show him how hard we work inside our hoops and explain my thoughts on my problems. After he examined me and performed some assessments, he looked at me and says, "Oh, you are an easy fix!" My heart SKIPPED a BEAT! Really? Really!? Could this be true? I worked closely with Tony over the next few months, visiting his office twice a week. He used several innovative techniques which relieved the pressure in my hip joint and taught me many basic exercises to strengthen my glutes and core. My pain was reducing, my hip was healing, and I was getting stronger! Summer 2009 was not totally pain-free, but I was feeling a lot better and could hoop much more often, even though sometimes it would still haunt me for days afterward.

This brings us to the present, Winter 2010, my hip pain is barely present and I am in the best shape of my life. I've been using a foam roller twice a day for over six months and I strongly suggest every hooper incorporates this into their flexibility routine! What is a foam roller you ask?

Ah yes! There is one in all its glory!

~Self-Myofascial Release through the foam roller~ It's magical!

Please view this video on how to roll out properly! :)

This simple piece of foam, can reduce injury, improve flexibility, function, and your performance. Using your own body weight to roll on the round foam roll, massaging away restrictions to normal soft-tissue extensibility.

To roll out the Piriforimis- (Hoopers Hip)
Sit in the middle, one foot crossed over the opposite knee. Begin to roll the posterior hip area.

To roll out the hamstrings-
Sit in the middle, pressure is on the back of your legs, hips supported by your upper body. Ankles may be crossed for more leverage.

Hold each position 1-2 minutes for each side (when applicable)

Where you feel pain, stop rolling and REST on the painful areas for 30-45 seconds.

§ Continuing to roll when pain is present activates the muscle spindles, causing increased tightness and pain.

§ Resting 30-45 seconds on painful areas will stimulate the GTO and autogenically inhibit the muscle spindles; reducing muscular tension.

How does it work? Here comes the SCIENCE behind it :)

The external pressure stimulates receptors located throughout the muscle and connective tissues to override the dysfunctional, yet protective, mechanism caused by the cumulative injury cycle. It has been shown that static tension placed on the unit activates the inhibitory response to the muscle spindle and decrease gamma loop activity.
The practical significance is that by holding pressure on the tender areas of tissue (trigger point) for a sustained period of time, trigger point activity can be diminished! This will then allow the application of stretching(lengthening) to increase muscle extensibility of the shortened, tight muscles and reset the lengths to provide optimal length-tension relationships. aka a HAPPY Human Movement System!

Using a foam roller before and after hooping will help reduce and prevent any pain from over-use during your hoop practice!

The roller come in different densities. Be aware that if you are sensitive to pain, you should start with the white ones and eventually work up to the blue or black foam rollers which are a thicker density and are much harder!

Check your local physical therapy clinic or sporting good store to purchase yours!
Or purchase online below:

http://www.foamerica.com/

*** These are only recommendations, please roll at your own risk! ***

Other suggested websites:
www.nasm.org
http://www.therapeuticassociates.com/

.:Inspiration behind The Hooping Body:.

2010-03-05T08:12:00.000-08:00

Ahh yes, my dear sweet hoopers we all know how hot and sweaty we get during our hoop practice. Hearts are pounding, sweat is dripping, WE ARE athletes of the Hula-Hoop. Getting caught up in the music, losing ourselves and feeling the beat. We are not really thinking about the stresses we are placing on our bodies... this is why I am so dedicated to teaching proper hooping technique to the Hoop Community! We are not aware of the potential injuries awaiting us from our vigorous practice.

January 2008 was a major wake-up call. My hip pain hit me like a bag of bricks... throbbing, stinging, jabbing, grinding pain in my right hip joint. I hadn't felt anything like this before. I knew I had to do something FAST! I was unemployed and uninsured and felt like my options were limited. I started seeing a chiropractor friend which slightly helped the pain. After having x-rays taken, I learned I have several posture issues in my upper and lower body. I tried Yoga, exercise and lots of stretching but I was in so much pain nothing was tolerable. Nothing helped the pain. Over the next year, I tried various massage therapists and chiropractors, but no one could tell me exactly what was wrong or why I was in so much pain. I felt helpless and depressed. At this point, I had to severely limit my hooping, no longer able to hoop for pleasure, I could only manage to hoop for classes or performances. My heart was breaking. I had to sit and watch my friends hoop while, my hoops leaned against the wall collecting dust.

Naturally, I was deconditioned after more than a year of minimal physical activity. But, I knew if I gained strength my posture would improve and my pain would ease. Luckily, I was hired as a personal trainer at Bally Total Fitness in early 2009 which meant I had full access to the gym. I began exercising six days a week, targeting my glutes and upper back muscles, and worked on my flexibility. To make things worse, I developed tendinitis in my knees in March 2009, which was really painful. I was conscious of the fact that I was training my lower body really hard, but I didn't consider how exercising with static malalignments (poor posture) would affect my body. My pelvis was out of alignment, one leg was longer than the other, my shoulders were rounded, head forward... these issues severely affected my body's performance while exercising, even though I wasn't fully aware at the time. This was my first major realization. My second realization came in April while I was at FLOW-The Northwest Hoop Gathering in Bend, OR. It was my birthday and I had been looking forward to this weekend for months, but I couldn't even enjoy the workshops to their fullest extent due to my pain. This is where I first heard the phrase "Hooper's Hip," which really struck a chord with me. For my first two years hooping, I only spun in ONE DIRECTION for two full years which caused my entire right side to be seriously overtrained. I realized this was the cause of all my pain!

In May 2009, some co-workers recommended a physical therapist who had worked wonders for them, named Tony Rocklin. I had a really good feeling when I met with him and hoped I had finally found the right healer for me! I brought my hoop to my first visit so I could show him how hard we work inside our hoops and explain my thoughts on my problems. After he examined me and performed some assessments, he looked at me and says, "Oh, you are an easy fix!" My heart SKIPPED a BEAT! Really? Really!? Could this be true? I worked closely with Tony over the next few months, visiting his office twice a week. He used several innovative techniques which relieved the pressure in my hip joint and taught me many basic exercises to strengthen my glutes and core. My pain was reducing, my hip was healing, and I was getting stronger! Summer 2009 was not totally pain-free, but I was feeling a lot better and could hoop much more often, even though sometimes it would still haunt me for days afterward.

This brings us to the present, Winter 2010, my hip pain is barely present and I am in the best shape of my life. I've been using a foam roller twice a day for over six months and I strongly suggest every hooper incorporates this into their flexibility routines as well. I will post more details about the foam roller and other strategies very soon!

Overcoming my injuries was a long and painful struggle and illuminated my desire to educate hoopers about the effects of their practice on their bodies and how they can PROTECT themselves against overuse injuries.

WE ARE ATHLETES OF THE HOOP!

NEW INFO about Hoop Fusion Classes

2010-02-28T15:42:00.000-08:00

Greetings my lovelies! :)

I've got tons of GREAT NEWS!

FIRST OFF!!

Saturday's Hoop Fusion class from 2-3pm is OFFICIALLY INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED ONLY!
Still Drop-in, but experience with hooping is required :) WHEEE!!!!!

Drop-in MIXED LEVEL classes are still ongoing! Attendance is at an all time high!
Tues 8:15-9:15pm
Wed 8:00-9:00pm

PLEASE sign up ONLINE:
www.pdxpoledivas.com
CLASS SPACE IS LIMITED.

Diva Den Studios
9220 SW Barbur Blvd Ste 110 (in back corner)
(in Barbur Place Shopping Center)
Portland, OR 97219

Words from My Hoop Students:

"I loved your class tonight! You are so down to earth and easy to learn from, thanks for bringing the hoop LOVE! "

"I just want to tell you how happy I am to have met you. I can't believe how much I have already learned in just 3 classes! I look forward to seeing you every week for class and always leave inspired and even more motivated. I thank you and thought you should know that."

"I have taken hoop classes before but never succeeded so quickly until I came to Megzz class! There is so much one-on-one attention and positive encouragement from the other students! Its the most fun I have all week!"

"Hooping is my favorite form of exercise! Megzz is an amazing teacher and inspiration for All!! I recommend her to all people who want to get introduced into hooping & the community!"

"I've never had so much fun in an exercise class! Megzz vibrant energy and positive attitude makes class the best night of my week!"

"I've been working on some new moves for WEEKS and coming into her class just once and I get them all within a few minutes! Her trouble-shooting is remarkable!"

"I wholeheartedly endorse Megan Abernathy as an instructor and trainer. Megan worked with me individually to teach me techniques in hoop dancing. Megan explained each move, breaking it down into components, and had me executing moves that I couldn’t do before despite prior instruction. Besides her in-depth knowledge of the kinetics of the movements, she is undoubtedly warm and enthusiastic. Megan acts responsibly and honors her schedule. Megan is a wonderful teacher!"

Have any words you'd like to share about your experiences in Hoop Class?
Please share them with us!

WheeEE!!
So excited!
Feel Free to Help spread the word! :o)

10.3.09 Hoop Performances w. EOTO

2009-10-11T21:23:00.000-07:00

These were by far the best performances I've had in my life! I felt so inspired from the amazing summer! I was full of energy and feeling grateful to spend time on stage with the boys again! Thanks to mattD for the footage!

2 New Hoop Classes @ DivaDen beginning Aug 25th &26th!!

2009-08-21T22:19:00.000-07:00

Greetings my lovies!!!

I have 2 new classes beginning Aug 25 & 26th

Beginners Hoop Dance Tues. 8:15-9pm
Intermediate/Advanced Wed 8-9pm

Beginner HoopDance w. GroovinMeGzz-
Tues 8:15-9pm ($10)

MeGzz is a Certified and Licensed Hoopnotica Instructor and will cover the basics of Hoopdance-how to keep the hoop spinning on your waist, hips and above your head, and how to take the hoop on and off your body in a beautiful spiral! Plus tons of other fun and exciting moves!
There are many benefits of Hoop Dancing!

Intermediate/Adv Hoop Dance with GroovinMeGzz
Wed 8-9pm (Special introductory Price) $80 for 8 week series

This class is geared towards hoopers who have been inside the circle regularly for at least 3 months. We will be working on a choreographed routine to a specially selected song. Combining on body movements and off body isolated movement, flips and tosses, this routine will be fun to learn and to perform! At the end of the series, we will dress up in costume and perform the routine and put the clip on YouTube to share with the hoop community! I am delighted to share this opportunity with you! Please sign up soon, class is filling up!
Please email groovinmegzz@gmail.com for any questions and for the music track we are working with.

Class space is LIMITED! So please sign up online TODAY!

www.pdxpoledivas.com

ahhh yes... Reflection on this year so far..

2009-05-14T23:03:00.000-07:00

I got a package from my mom today and inside was a magnet with my favorite quote:
"Life is not about finding yourself, but creating yourself."
Wow, and then it hit me. I wanted to take a moment to jot down my thoughts on life right now at this moment! Things are getting better and I am basking in abundance!!

Its funny to think where I was mentally a year ago, I had just moved out to Portland, barely knew anyone in the Hoop Community... I was unemployed & stressing about it, unsure of what was to come...I didn't even know what direction I wanted to go towards...
so many friends gave me positive words and hopefully thinking, I tried hard not to roll my eyes! But finally...things are coming together !

My personal training clientele is finally building! I actually got productivity bonus this pay term which increased my $ per session a great deal!! finally!!!!! Several of my clients are loosing inches, dropping the pounds and getting closer to their goals! I am leading 2 group training programs, one has 8 people the other has 5 and its a real blast! I love turning up crappy workout beats and working people HARD!! What's even better- my boss believes in me & respects my work! It is an incredible feeling!!

My HOOP life!
WHOOHOO finally broke through my plateau. I felt in a HUGE RUT-my hip and neck pain have really been holding me back, especially working with doubles on the body... I was watching everyones videos and seeing all the new moves and feeling ENVY! argh! she has that move! and that one!!! haha, you know the feeling. Anyways I got the 3-beat weave...FINALLY jeez. that is a boost and a couple other concepts from Rich's diagrammatic hoop workshops..feels good to anti-spin indeed :)

Teaching- wow wow wow. My Diva Den studio classes were going okay.. the attendance was low but the students I did have were GREAT! but it brought down my confidence! Why wasn't anyone attending my classes? Who knows sometimes.... but
Since my Hoopnotica certification I have learned SO much!! and my class is now FULL and I'm looking for a new studio to begin more classes! Things are really taking off,I have ever growing opportunities and tremendous respect for the company and honored to be a part of Hoonpotica! I have more confidence than EVER in my teaching technique and how I can really impact the world in the most positive way possible.

Loving life, thick and thin, its all gravy baby.

Love to all you hoopers!!!

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
2009 is our year to SHINE!!!!
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

New HoopDance Class begins Tues 4.28.09 :)

2009-04-26T23:00:00.000-07:00

Greetings lovelies!

I am excited to announce-I AM OFFICIALLY a CERTIFIED & licensed Hoopnotica Instructor! wheee

Therefore, I will be beginning a brand new style of class beginning Tuesday April 28th 8:00-8:45pm @ Diva Den Studios!

Introducing Hoopdance for Beginners w. GroovinMeGzz!

We will cover the basics of Hoopdance-how to keep the hoop spinning on your waist, hips and above your head, and how to take the hoop on and off your body in a beautiful spiral! Plus other fun and exciting moves!

Physical benefits of hoop dancing:
-Build Core Strength
-provides incredible cardiovascular workout
-strengthens and tones your entire body
-develops balance and coordination
-reduces stress and increases vitality

Emotional Benefits:
-improves self confidence
-elevates your mood
-opens up creative self expression
-generates joy and laughter
-clears and quiets your mind

GO HERE to SigN UP!
http://pdxpoledivas.com/Classes.html

(THIS CLASS IS NOW FULL!!!!)
LOOKING TO BEGIN A NEW ONE SOON!!!!

Free for Diva Princess & Queen members

$10 per class
punchcards and memberships are available!
Duration: 45 minutes

This is no longer a SET series, we will always welcome new students!

***PLEASE you HAVE to sign up ONLINE before you come--class size is LIMITED! & It's filling up QUICKLY! ***

For more Hoopnotica information go here:

http://www.hoopnotica.com/

SAVE 10% on your order of Hoopnotica gear by using this code! APMA0415!!!!!!

Hoopnotica Level 1 Teacher Training in PDX!

2009-03-26T09:30:00.000-07:00

Things have been spiraling up up &up for me! My heart has been open to many new experiences and new paths have shown themselves!
Recently, I've had a calling to pursue a Hoop Teacher certification and began browsing my options. I was loving all I had to choose from! Then, fate showed me my path! I became in touch with a lovely representative of Hoopnotica and have some great opportunities coming my way! Looking forward to joining the team and was tickled to know Rayna actually knew who I was! heh :)

Hoopnotica is very excited to be hosting a teacher training in PORTLAND!!!!! Have you had the desire inside to share your hoop love? Want to start teaching classes and inspiring others? Come join us!
Sunday April 19th @ 24 Hr Fitness!

Right now for the rest of March- There is a special offer!! $50 off the price of Teacher Training which means you can attend for only $349! It's a sweet deal!!!

Contact me-Groovinmegzz@gmail.com or renee@hoopnotica.com FOR MORE DETAILS!!!

2 New HoopFusion Series start Feb. 14!!!

2009-02-07T10:53:00.001-08:00

Diva Den Studios
9220 SW Barbur Blvd Ste 110
(ON LEFT in Barbur Place Shopping Center)
Portland, OR 97219

**NOTE**
SATURDAY Feb 28th classes will NOT be held. Stay tuned for details on when it will be made up. :):)

<:January Hoop News:>

2008-12-23T15:07:00.001-08:00

Great things are already coming together for me in 2009!

FIRST OFF: I feel TRULY Honored to have WON a Hoopie Award for Female Hooper of the Year!!!

I feel VERY blessed to have even been nominated in that list of amazing hoopers, all are my idols!!!

*My New Class is well on its way! We are approaching week 3 of the 4 week series at the largest Pole dancing studio in the North West! Feel free to DROP IN! Class is at Saturday 9 am! TIME is going to be MOVED BACK TO LATER in the MORNING. (whew!)
GO HERE:: http://pdxpoledivas.com/Classes.html for more details!!!

**ALSO offering PRIVATE PERSONAL TRAINING sessions at Diva Den Studios!!!
Ready to commit to that New Years Resolution? Feel like you need a little more from your workouts?
Working together we will achieve your goals!
GO HERE TO MAKE AN APPT TODAY!
http://pdxpoledivas.com/personaltraining.html

*** Jason from LED HEADY HOOPS and myself are teaming up to create some super cool black light reactive LED hoops!! They ARE available to use during class and to be purchased!!! Stay tuned for photos and descriptive details...
http://www.ledheadyhoops.com/hoops.html

Is That a Hula-HoOp?? (A story of a hooper...)

2008-12-17T18:32:00.000-08:00

You know that phrase all too well don't you my hooper friends? walking around in public with your hoops, you'll hear it over and over..."is that a hula-hoop?? what do you do with that thing?" All you can do is just SmiLe! If they only knew or understood what the hoop has done for you...for me..for so many!

This week marks my 3 year anniversary within the circle. Christmas '05 my mom brought home some store bought hoops and at first I couldn't keep the darn thing going! It was very frustrating, but eventually I got it and I loved it! I had so much fun with my new toy, my hoop came back with me to college. My roomies would laugh at me while I hooped in the living room...if they only had known what was about to unfold! Not until that following summer at Smilfest 06 at Deerfields Music Venue in NC was my addiction truly embedded..when i picked up a REAL hoop from my friend Soul Sistah SPUNKY!!! That weekend I left with a HUGE hoop strapped to the roof and wicked bruises on each hip.

I came back to college Fall 06 after an amazing summer of traveling across the country following String Cheese Incident! Meeting so many amazing people and hoopers along the way. At this time, I began my obsession with youtube! I started an account, posted my very first hooping video and began obsessively watching Hoopalicious, Spiral, Hoopnotica ladies, and Christabe!! My jaw would DROP! I would call my roomies into the room! LOOK! LOOK! You have to watch this video--how does she do that?! and so it all began...
People started to call me "hula hoop girl" around campus, I found it totally amusing. Using my car radio and rocking out with an enormous hoop, those were the days. I remember where I was standing the first time I was able to "float up" aka move the hoop off my waist and above my head! At that point I knew it was all possible. I really could figure out those tricks...

My friends at Radford watching my passion grow, they also watched my fluffy furry costumes grow as well. =) For Halloween 06 I was a Super HOOPER and wore my costume to work and had my hoop leaning against the hostess stand all night.

It was at a Feb 2007 at an EOTO show in Asheville, NC where Jason and I had a conversation about me hooping on stage with them. I couldn't believe it! I didn't take him up on the offer for that show but we agreed that when EOTO played Sunday in Boulder, CO in March during the 5 night String Cheese Winter Carnival shows, I'd hoop there. I was so excited! I told all my friends! I'm hooping on stage! I get to hoop with JASON AND TRAVIS! I was so stoked!!!
But....I will NEVER EVER EVER forget the feeling in the pit of my stomach while I was waiting to go stage. It hit me. Holy shit, I'm really getting up there?! Jamie Janover actually gave me a pep talk I'll never forget. "Just go up there when you're feeling the groove and get off when you're done, its simple" and he was right!

What a moment it was!! It ended up being a large jam with other musicians including Aaron Holstien, Ooah, Jamie Janover, and Souleye.

I came home from that amazing week in CO and my life had changed. Not only was I in the hardest and most exciting semester of my nutrition degree but my hooping career was actually falling into place..
Later on that spring, Jason said I could hoop whenever there was room at the EOTO late nights during String Cheese Farewell Summer Tour!!!! What great news to look forward too!

For my 22nd birthday I got my first FIRE HOOP! My mom was so upset she had let herself order it, she was worried for my safety... I was nervous at first but soon I learned how to embrace the flame. I also saved up money and bought my first PSI hoop. (www.psihoops.com) by June 2007 and wow. A new love for hooping was born... I had told myself if I was going to get on stage ever again, I wanted one of the best LED hoops available!
Sure enough, before I knew it I had finished my summer microbiology class (with an A might I add) and it was time for STRING CHEESE SUMMER TOUR 2007!! First stop was a 4 night run in NYC.

This also included an EOTO late night show Friday night at BBKings!! I had SO MUCH ROOM on stage it was truly liberating!
There is so much more I could say about my experiences on the road with SCI, who I met, the cities we stayed in, but thats a whole 'nother blog. =)

After NYC I hopped on a plane and flew to PORTLAND, OR to stay with a friend-Matt (who then I had a huge crush on and later fell in love with) and experienced the city for the first time. I found home. I knew it, I felt it RIGHT when I walked off the plane at PDX airport. We spent a great week together and prepared for our journey down to California for the 2 night run in Berkeley. There was an EOTO late night there...but we got lost and ended up walking around (hoop in hand) the whole amazing town and getting there too late and couldn't get in. haha..During the days I had some amazing hoop times at these shows, met some great friends, and felt the beautiful california sun on my skin...yumz.

After the shows,We headed back up north and stayed in Portland until the next 3 shows that weekend at Hornings Hideout in North Plains, OR.

WHAT AN AMAZING WEEKEND OF MY LIFE. I got to hoop a ton with Stefan, Shakti Sunfire, meghan the kat and some other amazing hoopers that inspired me and furthered my hoop growth! ...Oh, and this is the weekend I truly fell for my lover, Matt D. =)

NEXT STOP ON STRING CHEESE TOUR>>Missouri..oh boy. What a long haul that was from Oregon! Took us 4 days and it was an amazing packed car ride with some amazing beautiful people. Camp Zoe was a super hot weekend but some of the best String Cheese shows of the summer! I got to share the stage again with EOTO and had so much room!! I couldn't get myself off the stage! This show there were exotic pole dancers on one side of the stage with me on the other! hotness!

Already I could tell a differences between the first time I hooped on staged with the boys and this performance. Traveling around and hooping every day was really a blessing. Summer 2007 was a very epic one indeed. From MO we got back in the car and drove out to Colorado for the last 4 nights of my favorite band. Oh how the week flew by! The last night with SCI Spiral and Shakti Sunfire hooped on stage with the boys!!! I was freaking out! It was a true epic moment to watch two of my strongest inspirations sharing the stage with my favorite band ever. (I hope to one day do that too) ;)

So Summer Tour was over...and homeward bound I was...back to Virginia, back to finish college. I had one more semester and I was moving to Portland! It was a long and hard one. Being across the country from my soul mate, but I had my hoops, my hoop soul sisters and my kitty to get me through it. Thanks goodness. Marilee, Natalie and Leslie you 3 really helped me manage thru it! November 2007 I drove to one of Spirals' workshops! It was my first interaction with her in this setting. IT was truly inspirational. What a blessing it was!
I also got a message from Shakti Sunfire asking how I felt about joining KAIVALYA HOOP DANCERS?!! I was so honored and giddy at the thought! Was this all really happening? This gave me the UMPH I needed and I chugged through the rest of my semester! Packed up as much as I could and Charlie kitty and I flew to Portland on Dec. 28th 2007. I brought in the New Year in a New City, my New Home.
The rainy season was good for me, I obsessively practiced REVERSING currents with my hoop. I was determined to be able to barrel rolls in both directions!

Feb 2008, EOTO came through town I fortunate enough to hoop with them in Eugene and Portland!
I was not yet comfortable doing reversals on stage yet, but so so close!

March 2008 I took my first Hoop Path workshops and had my mind blown! Truly an amazing weekend. It was a real honor to hoop with you Christabel, Ann, Baxter and everyone else!! Those new concepts really transformed me as a hooper and opened new creative outlets to try...

It came in perfect timing because early 2008 I was suffering from extreme back pain. It was hard to prepare meals or do anything on my feet for longer than 20 min. Which included hooping. I was barely making enough money to afford a chiropractor and I knew something had to change. I was 23 yrs old and in extreme extreme pain. I was nervous of the summer ahead....how was I going to hoop all weekend at festivals anymore?! I barely remember how to dance! I need my hoop! ;)

I found myself doing much more breaks, pauses, reverses, tosses, new creative processes!! All new outlets of dance that weren't so hard on my back...
Before I knew it, it was May 2008 and festival season had begun! We made it down to Bobolink Music Festival in Beldon, CA where I was one of the few hoopers and had a real blast introducing the form of dance to new folks. Around this time I really felt a disconnect between my 2 psihoops and myself. They were TOO BIG. I found they were sitting against my wall longer than usual, not even want to perform with them...I conjured up the nerve to SELL THEM and part ways with them... I then ordered my pair of TWINS that are now my heart and soul. I got them JUST in time for High Sierra Music Festival where I was able to hoop with EOTO on July 4th! It was so much fun! Even though, I over-hooped myself. I was so sore I could barely walk/hoop/dance the rest of the weekend! ouch!

The next adventure was at EmergNsee Music Gathering in Salem, OR. BEST FESTIVAL I've ever been to!! BY FAR! Thats a whole nother blog in itself(which is on myspace)
I was able to host a HoopYoga/Hoop workshop Friday afternoon and it was a real honor! Meghan the Kat one of my HEROS and first inspirations from Cheese tour attended and I was able to teach her things! Its so beautiful how we all learn from each other, one hooper heart to the next...

Also it was another weekend of non-stop hooping with my rather new psi hoop twins! Matt and I had the chance to perform to Surrounded by Ninjas friday night main stage which was really fun for both of us to interact to live music with our glow toys.

This weekend I was truly blessed not to encounter much lower back pain, and I was able to hoop to my hearts content all weekend long, non-stop. mmMmm Just how I like it...

Now comes August 2008! First off WORLD HOOP DAY was a super fun event that Kristen and I really pushed for! Kristen put down the money for us to have a generator and real loud speakers! We got a sound permit and had the music BuMpiN' past 11pm! It was truly amazing and only the beginning of the World Hoop Day events we organize in the future! (Hopefully)

Aug 15-17th-Yarmony Grass Music Festival in Colorado! My first OFFICIAL performances with the whole troupe Kaivalya Hoop Dancers! Rindy my soul sister and I were able to perform on stage with RAILROAD EARTH during their song Head! WOW WOW WOW! One of my favorite live bands, what an honor!
Words can barely describe how powerful this moment was for me to share the stage with my soul sister. That wasn't all either!
WE then were able to perform on stage during Keller and the WMD's and surprised to have enough room for RINDY and MYSELF at the same time with EOTO!!! Which was OUR DREAM!
After Yarmony Grass we came back to Portland to recover from all the summers travels. A lot of our friends were heading out to Burning Man and I had such inner disappointment I was not going...another year I had wanted to go, but made the decision to go to HOOP CAMP RETREAT instead. (and um, I don't think it was a bad call :oP )

For my experiences at Hoop Camp Retreat...I don't think I could even begin to fathom putting them into a blog. I read all the blogs that were posted and they touched my heart so. It was such a special weekend for me in so many ways.
First off, It was UNREAL to meet all my online hooping buddies at once. (most of you) I couldn't stop referring to Beth-Lavinder5(her youtube name) in my head...most of all, I could not get over Sharna Rose. Truly amazing, truly humble, truly an alien. jk jk jk but really You are very special to me! Like a hoop mother goddess. Not only was I surrounded by my IDOLS (um is that really hoopalicious?!?!?) haha but::

Brittany, my best friend from Virginia, we grew up together, made the journey out, one of my best friends from college, Natalie came from CO AND my bestest soul sister soulmate RINDY made it out from Montana. I had never been together with these 4 goddesses and could barely handle myself throughout the weekend..
I was channeling true Unicorn energy this whole weekend, I was non-stop hooping, smiling, laughing, learning and no lower back pain what so ever! =) What I learned and felt at hoop camp will be with me forever. The smiles, the LED hoop jams at night, the food, the workshops, just everything!!!! djgalskdjgwioegksg!!!!!

On the eve of the Solstice, as I finish this blog...I want to share with you a more deeper story..
For this upcoming year... I plan on going inward, and really working on balance and patience-With myself, with my emotions, with my reactions, and with hoop practice. The hoop has taught me a lot of things about myself, its also given me strength and confidence that help me conquer what life throws at me. Its given me the opportunity to positively impact so many peoples lives by teaching classes, performing, and organizing community hoop events. I really believe that the hoop has help give me me a new, fun, positive direction in life.
Something else that really stuck with me from hoop camp:
was during the opening ceremony when we all spoke our prayer that we placed inside the prayer hoop... all of us have been changed by the hoop. its impacted our lives, brought us together, shown us ourselves, given us bliss, given us confidence, and given us the ability to HOOP and FEEL SEXY!

We really are part of the conscious revolution! We are the change we want to see. Keep on hooping, keep on sharing the art selflessly, keep on being amazing. I wouldn't be where I am today if it wasn't for this amazing community we have, so I THANK YOU for being YOU. and keep posting hoop videos! =) xoxoox

Feedback from Fall Hoop Workshops!

2008-12-16T20:59:00.000-08:00

I am very pleased to say both workshops-the one in Portland and the one in Mechanicsville, VA went VERY WELL! I got a lot of positive feedback about the new hoop aerobic moves, the intentional yoga postures and slow meditative exercises we did!!

Here are some direct quotes from students:
"Loved the workshop. Especially the music and how well it went with each section. My favorite was lazy bass stepping and the flute exercise. It was dance interpretation that was different from what I do all the time. Stepping, reversing, pausing. Doubles was fun too, not to mention the great workout I got. It seemed a little more intense this time. Much more sweat!"

"I don't think I was able to fully expressed how much fun I had at the class! It was awesome, I loved the hoop yoga aspect of it as well especially the move where you reach out for something you want or whatsomeone else wants on the inhale then on the exhale drawing your hand toward you. It really had meaning in my life right now. Very very fun class loved the doubles I got a lot of those tricks with doubles for the first time in your class! "

"Thank you for such an amazing workshop!! I learned SOO much and had a magical time sharing and creating with you and everyone. You are so beautiful and inspiring! Your future is bright keep spreading your love and bliss it is truly appreciated"

****I am hoping to be able to make a trip up to Seattle early 2009 and host another Hoop Fitness Fusion workshop!****

Bio

2008-12-16T20:53:00.000-08:00

MeGzz grew up in Virginia and always had a passion for artistic expression through music and dance. She always approached these practices with a bright personality and positive attitude. When she discovered her passion for the hoop during the winter of 2005, she immediately felt the connection and knew she belonged inside the circle.

as Megz grew as a hooper she also grew as a person, discovering much about herself and her life's path. After earning her Bachelor of Sciences degree in Foods and Nutrition, she moved to Portland, Oregon, where she embraced all the beauty, positivity, and inspiration that life has to offer.

Since arriving in Portland, she has expanded her hoop practices to incorporate elements of Yoga and aerobic rhythmic exercises to create an extremely unique, centering, and fun style of dance. She always focused on inspiring those around her and eventually felt the urge to share the bliss the hoop has brought her so she began teaching classes within the community.

GroovinMegzz has also been fortunate enough to perform around the country with EOTO (Michael Travis and Jason Hann from String Cheese Incident), Railroad Earth, Keller and the WMD's, Vibesquad, Surrounded by Ninjas, as well as at many private events. She is constantly pursuing performance opportunities where she can push the boundaries to create exciting new visual productions.

Aside from the hoop, Megz is extremely passionate about nutrition, fitness, and supporting local organic foods. Working as a personal trainer, group fitness instructor and doing nutritional seminars she always tries to incorporate hoopdance into her therapeutic methods. She is extremely thankful for all the happiness, love, grace, and euphoria that the Hoop has brought her, and she knows that she is exactly where she is meant to be – inside the Circle-