Today was our first week of hoop. My predictions were right about how painful it is. We started with a typical warm up on the floor, then we did shoulder shrugs and straight arm pull ups on the hoop.
For the first class we first learned several different knee hangs, how to mount and dismount the hoop and how to climb up to the different levels of the hoop (hang under, sit on the hoop, stand on the hoop, sit on top of the hoop, and stand on top of the hoop).
For the remainder of the class we learned a couple of different beginner moves to start us off, such as: Toe on Split, Horse, Man in Moon, Delilah, and Dragonfly.
Reflecting back on the class I can not begin to describe how sore my hands are from hanging and gripping onto the hoop. The backs of my knees are so sore and it feels like someone has punched me with all their might in my hips and thighs. I give huge props to people who not only choose to do hoop but make it look effortless and graceful. I could personally never see myself doing hoop myself but for the sake of doing silks it is a required part of ABC’s Aerial, which is a prerequisite for any high level aerial classes.