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PLEASE DONT COPY THESE BIOS ELSEWHERE ON THE WEB WITHOUT FIRST ASKING THE PERSON OR PEOPLE INVOLVED ...
NOTE... we will update these as you enrol and send in your bios and pics.
so here is me .....or how i wish to present me...intentions...well..to evolve by exposing myself to diversity within and around the hoop.
"The hula hoop became a sensation shortly after I was born – coincidence? Perhaps – one will never know. Proud to say that I owned one of the original candy striped "shoop shoop hoops" Joyful with waist hooping , I can even remember sleeping with my hoop as a kid. Ha! So long ago….but as circles will do…turning..days into months into years and years…I have come back to the hoop..or the hoop has come back to me.
I am an ecstatic groover. I am a dancing dj..i am known to leave the turntables and get on the dance floor. I am a resident DJ at The Groove Garden and other conscious dances like the Berkeley Dance Jam/ Earthdance Festival. I am a booty-shaken, Sufi swirling, hoopin, dancing prancing lady. I love to weave the sounds of the world to create a unified field of consciousness.
Jo Mondy (aka Jojomo aka the Wicked Whirler) is a hoopdancer based in Sydney.
As a teacher and performer, she is a firm believer in the health benefits of hooping – how it can build core strength and cardio fitness in the body while calming and focusing the mind. She was introduced to the beauty of the circle almost 3 years ago by her good friend and mentor Bunny Hoop Star and has recently launched her own online space www.livelovehoop.com . The name Live:Love:Hoop encompasses her hooping philosophy – to live in the moment, to love what you do and to maintain an attitude of gratitude at all times.
Karina
I'm a hooper from Sydney Australia, a 'hoopaholic', one of Bunny's students. By the time harbin rolls around I will have been hooping for two years and I'm addicted! I've performed in two Sydney Mardi Gras parades and I love a good hoop jam but I'm yet to really break into the 'performance' circuit. I heard about the jam through my fellow Sydney siders who attended last year and loved it. I want to meet people who are passionate about all things circular and circus, I want to learn new moves, I want to practice my flow and performance, be inspired and challenged and generally just have a great time and be myself! I'm a psi hoop devotee and currently rock two psi rainbow hoops ... :-)
Regan
a teenage cast member of the TV show “Fame” and a “Solid Gold” dancer for two years, has a string of film and TV dancing credits, including “Forrest Gump” “Sister Act II” “Star Trek: Nemesis” the “Academy Awards” and a half dozen appearances on the “Tonight Show”.
Julia
Julia is a personal fitness trainer with a master's degree in psychology, brings years of gymnastics, dance and yoga training to her craft. Honored by Shape magazine as a fitness model of the year, she was also a national qualifier for Miss Fitness U.S.A
Together as the Tweaksters, they are Regan Patno and Julia Snyder , performing artists whose quirky take on the world blends balletic feats, precision juggling, acrobatics, and creative choreography with odd objects. Their zany sense of humor is designed to tweak and delight audiences of all ages. It's fresh, funny, and all without words.
I'm a Berkeley CA artist, writing a book that is an overview of contemporary hooping. I've been to Movement Play Camp and Hoop Camp Santa Cruz... have taken other classes with, or interviewed, more than 30 hoop-world luminaries... and chose Harbin Hoop Jam as my one event for this year, otherwise keeping my focus on writing. Looking forward to the community there! If aging is the 24-hour party we're all going to, whether we want to or not, I suggest we bring hoops.
SaFire is the owner of SaFire Dance Inc. Circus and Fire Entertainment as well as the creator and moderator of Hoop City™.
Her journey here began in the summer of 2006 when she saw fire poi and immediately became interested in the fire arts and in prop manipulation. When exposed to hooping while at Shambhala she quickly became obsessed with all things hooping. After completing six years of post-secondary education at theUniversity of Lethbridge, SaFire decided to focus her attention on performance and fire dancing. Graduating with a Bachelor of Education and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in December 2007, SaFire relocated to Edmonton, Alberta where she began working as a performer, hoop dance instructor and motivational speaker.
Colleen My name is Colleen, or China Cat, or China.. i'll answer to either!
My journey within the hoop began in the spring of 2009 in the parking lot outside a Dead show in California. I was immediately mesmerized watching the joy on the faces of those who were spinning in circles. Ever since I was a child I could never hula-hoop, but I still walked right on over and purchased my very first hoop! Many failed attempts at just keeping the hoop going around my waist only resulted in frustration. A few weeks later, while camping out in Washington, I GOT IT! I felt amazing, and I knew that once I could do that, my journey with the hoop would only go farther. Traveling from the west back home to the east, I attended various music and art festivals where I walked up to anyone with a hoop and said "teach me something, please!". At the end of the summer I was back home in New York and I couldn't put the hoop down, and have been hooping ever since. Hooping for me has transformed my life in so many ways. It has completely centered my mind, my body, and my soul. It has introduced me to so many beautiful people. It has transformed me from a depressed, lazy and lost soul into a confident, healthy, focused, life loving goddess. Most importantly, the hoop has given me an overwhelming passion for life and so, so, so much happiness! The hoop has pulled me out of the past and future and forever keeps me present in this life, in this moment, everyday. Harbin Hoop Jam brings me back to California, where my journey started. I'm excited to further connect with my hoop dancing on every level possible. Im excited for hooping all day long, for days! I can't wait to meet others who love this sacred circle as much as i do.
Contact me! Facebook- Colleen Chrisville Email- LotusDevi@aim.com
Danielle and Paul Gallant
Paul and I are so excited about Harbin this year. I went to Hoop Camp last year and found it to be an invaluable experience, but an intense one. This year I have chosen to opt out out Hoop Camp because I would like to have an experience that not only continues my life long growth with hooping but also an experience I can share with my husband. I have been hooping for a little over a year now. Satise is the one who ignited my passion and we have now started Honey Hoops together. I have been hosting the Wednesday night Honey Hoop Jam in Brisbane for the past year. Paul and I will begin teaching hooping classes through Brisbane Park and Rec starting in Spring in hopes to bring hooping into our community. I have had the great opportunity to perform at several fundraisers, but am looking forward to my first paid performance as I feel that it will be a great challenge to promote growth as a hooper.
My husband, Paul Gallant, has been a huge supporter of hooping for at least 5 years. Paul is good friends with Satise and her husband. When Satise got into to hooping, Paul and Satise worked together and learned how to make hoops. Paul has been hooping on and off since then. He has the title "Hooping Husband" because although he's not as into hooping as the rest of us, he shows is support by coming to the Wednesday night hoop jams every week, gives me constructive criticism, helps with choreographing, and has welcomed the hooping community into our lives with open arms. Both Paul and I are looking to come away from Harbin with a greater appreciation and understanding of the diversity that personalities have on technique and style that is unique to each hooper and to use that to expand and grow ourselves as hoopers and as people. Each time we a part of this amazing community we walk away with the gift of friendship and a comforting since of belonging.
Mitch
Some of my interests are dance, food, music, art, photography, and travel. I'm retired, but enjoy supporting new ventures and helping people manifest their visions and dreams. Most of the "work" I still do is supporting non-profits that run workshops, festivals, and conferences - dance, music, communication, coaching, and spirituality. Been on-the-road as a "nomad" for 8 years now, but considering buying a house in Las Vegas, as I love the music, gambling, nightlife, and abundance there. Some of my interests are dance, food, music, art, photography, and travel. I'm retired, but enjoy supporting new ventures and helping people manifest their visions and dreams. Most of the "work" I still do is supporting non-profits that run workshops, festivals, and conferences - dance, music, communication, coaching, and spirituality. Been on-the-road as a "nomad" for 8 years now, but considering buying a house in Las Vegas, as I love the music, gambling, nightlife, and abundance there. Here's the Harbin Hoop Jam blog I started in 2008: http://harbinhoopjam.blogspot.com but I haven't posted most of the pics from 2008 & 2009 yet... Gives me a new appreciation for hard-working photographers. I bought my first camera a few years ago, and already have a backlog of 200,000 pics to edit, process, and share.
Nick Matyas
Joanie Vigil
I Love moving inside & outside the hoop!! Circles, Spirals, Colours, Fire. Love Movement to Music. Love the mystery of this ancient art form.
Melanie Pleasure has been hooping for almost 3 years now.
I was introduced to hooping at a Fitness Convention I attended in 2007. Growing up outside of the United States, I never hooped as a child. I was on the dance floor at my convention and heard the folks around me gasp. I turned around to see what everyone was gawking at and saw four women with hula hoops. They proceeded to blast off and in so doing, completely changed the course of my life. I was mesmerized. Something happened in that instant, I felt this surge of joy in my heart and had no other chouice but to begin my hooping journey. Now my goal is to share my joy with anyone who would like to experience bliss.
Blaze…
It started with meeting hoop teacher and mentor, Christabel, at a
Nicole
When I began hooping in 2008, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. :) It started as a whim: a friend told me that there were such things as hooping classes, and I signed myself up, thinking that it would be a fun, one-time activity. That first class led to a dozen more classes and countless hours on YouTube. I was hooked!
Danielle
Danielle is a movement explorer, traveling to Harbin from Colorado. Her space exploration dance partner is the hoop. Sometimes it becomes a tool, such as a paintbrush for creating light art in space or as a stretching guide. Other times it becomes a portal for music, geometric play, and dance expression. She teaches and performs, engaging others to step into the hoop and find their flow. Hoop dance helped her regain balance, strength, grace, coordination, and confidence after a knee surgery. The healing, strengthening, and growing a simple circle has provided brings significant joy and gratitude. Harbin will be a time to reconnect with her dance partner for deep exploration and bliss.” Contact her: danielle.odette (at) (gmail dot com)
Kelie
Whether its through opening my senses, expanding my consciousness, or allowing a greater flow in my body, I find the hoop supports and nourishes my experience. I look forward to learning new moves and connecting with y'all.
Gloria
I've been hooping for 18 months now, ever since I moved to Sydney from London and discovered the delightful teachings of Bunny Hoop Star. I love the freedom that hooping gives me; the feeling that nothing else matters when you fall in tune with your own body.
I can't wait for Harbin! It's so exciting to be involved with a group that is passionate about dance and movement and I am looking forward to meeting lots of inspirational people and discovering new flow and groovy moves. See you all there!
Briana Briana Shean has been coaxed along at just about every stage in her hooping life by men(!)--from the boy she lost a hula hoop contest to in sixth grade, to the man dancing with two hoops at a club to her favorite band, the cute performer with a hoop on his shoulder that led to learning her first tricks nearly five(!) years later, and now, some major innovators in modern hooping.
Von
My name is Von Maffei of Hella Hoops. I have invited hooping as major part of my life and passion for over three years now. I had run a weekly hoop jam at Harbin Hot Springs from April to October of last year. I was also teaching basic hoop moves at Muscle Matrix Gym from October to February of this year! I am the Sound Technician at Harbin Hot Springs for the Tuesday and Thursday night dances. This is my venue to Hoop dance and sell my hoops as well! Wherever I go I have hoops, usually many of them. I am also for the most part self taught!
I can not wait to see you guys on the hoop floor and rip it up!!! Bye for now...Von
Wendy
I am an environmental scientist, children's book author but first and foremost …a hula hooper. I have been playing with poi and staff for as long as I can remember but was introduced to the world of hooping about four years ago, and I have never looked back. For me, there is no better escape than a session with my hoops. I love the cross over between poi and hoop, and my most recent challenge has been mastering the five beat weave with hoops. I love to hoop anywhere, anytime and my hooping highlight to date has been hooping with my mate Tammy at Everest Base Camp! We trekked 12 days with our hoops to have the ultimate “Happy High Hooping” experience. Hooping at 5,557 m with air oxygen content reduced to 50%, totally challenging…but totally exhilarating.
I can't wait to meet you all, learn some new tricks and share the joy of the hoop.
Marjorie
of years. I love to dance with the hoop. My spirit stays happy and joyful. To feel the energy and love from the community of hoopers has been inspiring. I look forward to continuing that spirit at Harbin.
I was introduced to the hoop by Patrick aka Merlin in San Diego about three years ago. At first I was highly intimidated and concerned that I might drop the hoop. So, Patrick helped me overcome that fear by telling me to stand on him and hoop and to not let the hoop drop on him. I have been hooping ever since. I was then fortunate enough to attend some of Hoopnectars classes led by Nayeli Michelle to get the basics and beyond. Last year hoopcamp opened up new ways to move within the hoop and what could be better than being able to hoop and share all day with amazing hoopers.?
Don
Growing up I hadn't tried a hoop but a couple times and never got it, then, one day a few years ago my friend Eti instructed me on the basics of hooping and I was hooked, or more appropriately, hooped!. It has been a fabulous journey learning about myself and moving within and without the hoop, and learning to play with life more. As it was a friend who showed me the basics, I've had the joy of doing the same with many others who thought they couldn't hoop - and then to see them smile and laugh as they played within has brought me much joy. I look forward to learning, playing and sharing with all of you.
Gail
Tammy I have been hooping for nearly four years and could not imagine my life without hula hooping. I was introduced to hooping by my friend, Wendy, where we did a beginner two hour class and since then, have never looked back.. As well as hooping for fun, fitness and relaxation, I am now a hula hoop teacher, teaching students at a local community college. I have been teaching for nearly two years and I thoroughly enjoy this part of my hooping life as the students realise how much fun hula hooping can be. Hooping is my meditation and integral to me being able to switch off from the day-to-day clutter. I find it hard to think about anything else when I'm working on a four hoop split. One of the highlights in my hooping life so far is trekking to and hooping at Everest Base Camp with my friend, Wendy, in Nepal in 2008. Hula hooping at 17,500 feet is much harder than at sea level but it makes a great story to tell. The sherpas even tried and some of them could hoop! I have also been part of the Sydney Lesbian and Gay Mardi Gras in the Hoopaholic float for the last two years and they have been fantastic experiences. I am constantly amazed at the number of tricks and moves that can be done with a hula hoop and am keen to learn as much as I can with all things hooping. My favourite moves at the moment are lower splits and any vertical two hoop sequences in the hands. I am very much looking forward to meeting hula hoopers from all parts of the world at harbin this year . Cheers, Tammy
Jim Hendrickson
I first stepped into the circle of a hoop about a year and a half ago and it felt like every pair of eyes were on me that afternoon in the park. Trying to avoid any eye contact or even give the slightest indication that I was feeling embarrassed... I hooped.... not very well mind you, but I tried and tried and tried and soon I was doing it... I was hooked and the hoop has not stopped spinning since... After many hours in my own backyard I finally joined the Bay Area Hoopers and opened my eyes to a wonderful community of people and events. The energy and flow of the hoop has entranced me and I love the way it will center me, remind me of my physical self and at times carry me away to another place. Taking part in the Harbin Hoop Jam will be another magical experience in my hooping repertoire. I am so looking forward to this experience of sharing, meeting new hoopers, and coming away with a new appreciation of how a simple round piece of tubing can transform a life....
Satise Dizon
I've been hooping for over six years now. Initially it started as love at first sight. I came across the Good Vibe Hoop Tribe performing at a wherehouse party one night in S.F. and I was spellbound, mesmerized, enraptured…by this magical hoop and seeing people move in such graceful and expressive ways. So, I decided to try it immediately. I searched out the Bay Area Hoopers group that same weekend and found a welcoming hoop community there. I've been hooping ever since. I've enjoyed immensely learning from Christabel, aka Hoopgirl and being a part of the Hoopgirl Allstars. It was a very enriching experience and I'm so grateful to have performed with the superb women in that group. I currently teach fire hoop classes at the Crucible in West Oakland . I also have started Honey Hoops jams and classes with my friend Danielle who will also be attending Harbin . I love teaching classes and sharing my love for hooping with others. Hooping means a great deal to me. It has been a meditation for me, a release, a practice, determination and commitment. Now it has become a relationship where I have to work at it, love it and nurture it. Sometimes I love it not enough and other times it feels really good. I signed up for the Harbin Hoop Jam because I wanted to have more of that nurturing. I've signed up for various workshops before and I love the learning and growth that comes from them. Really I want to foster a deep relationship with myself, my hoop practice and with others in the hoop community. I look forward to getting the opportunity to do this at Harbin .
\ Dawn Hi Fellow Hoopaholics,
Kaye
It's an amazing new adventure for me; but mostly, I love to jam out in the hoop, connect with other hoopers, and have fun. Looking forward to an amazing week! Love, Kaye
Marria Grace
Marria Grace wears many hats and takes a leading role in most of the endeavors she is involved with. She is Marria Grace of the Boston Hoop Troop, Madame Sparks in the Grasshopper Fire Arts Collective and Madame Spinach in the Vegetable Circus. Marria began her hooping journey at the Firefly Festival ~ the regional Burning Man event for New England ~ in July of 2005. She has no recollection of life before this date. She is convinced there was some fencing, yoga, and graphic design in her past. And while she has had no professional dance training, there has always been expression through dance in her life. After teaming up with the early members of the Boston Hoop Troop, she helped the collective mature into a professional and widely known organization. Her devotion to spreading hoop culture to Boston, helped this pioneer bring acceptance and notoriety to all things hoop in this conservative New England culture. Quitting her job as a graphic designer in June of 2008 allowed Marria to become Boston 's first full time professional hooper. She made her living by making hoops, performing and teaching a plethora of classes for adults and children. At one point she was teaching 10 sold out classes a week and all the experience helped her to develop a unique style that combines hooping, yoga, tricks and fun into a class flow that was suitable for any skill level. She worked with Roberto Lim to develop a Hoop Yoga playshop that is touring the country. In March of 2009, Marria was celebrated as Hooping.org' s Hooper of the Week. http://www.hooping.org/archives/002241.html
Marria taught a Partner 's Hooping workshop with Ammon EP at the first Hoop Convergence in 2008, and a Group Hooping workshop with Lolli Hoops in 2009. In 2010, she was honored as a hooping elder at Hoop Convergence for her past contributions, and helped run the forum on Hooping with Kids. She has performed with the Boston Hoop Troop at a plethora of festivals, parties, parades & fairs including ~ The Rainbow Serpent Festival in Australia, Arcadia Festival in France, the Life is Good Festival, The Honk Parade, The Allston Street Fair, The Boston Burlesque Expo, Carny Knowledge & was featured on MTV's "Made," just to name a few. Fire performance became a large part of her expression and she collaborated to help create the Grasshopper Fire Arts Collective.
After 11 years in Boston, Marria decided it was time for a change of location and has moved to the California Bay Area. She hopes her hoop circle will continue to grow as her love of movement arts will evolve in this new culture. http://grasshoppercollective.org/
Heather
I have been hooping since the first Movement Play festival-- this summer marked my 2 year hoopversary! I am currently hooping at events, parties, festivals and doing private groups and classes. I like to use the hoop as a metaphor for many different areas in life, and have led retreats, faculty and corporate trainings using the hoop as a tool to see situations and processes in a different light.
Celia
the picture is me yesterday; with my first time keeping the hoop up; after several previous attempts.... :-)
Hello all!
Shaonie
Hello my name is shaonie and i am very excited to learn some new tricks and have lots
Nick Guzzardo
As much as Adelaide expresses her artistic enthusiasm through many diverse forms, she has come to see all of her creative endeavors as one.
Nicole Lenoir
Hello everyone. My name is Nicole. I'm from Melbourne, Australia but have recently moved to the top end, Darwin! I work in the media and have a background in dance music, radio and arts. My journey with the hoop began in late 2008. At first it was a fascination, a reconnection with my hooping childhood self and a foray into colour and craft in learning how to make hoops. In Melbourne then, there were no instructors to teach hoop "dance" so I did a couple of circus based short courses and self taught with some of Sa'fire's online help! Thanks Sa'fire. I loved being able to facilitate hooping, planting hoop seeds by bringing hoops to parties and starting up the hoop jam at Rainbow Serpent Festival. My personal practice was very casual though. This year of the Tiger, my hooping has become a personal journey and committed passion. A weekend intensive with Bunny Hoop Star in Sydney earlier this year lit a spark and I am now delving ever deeper into myself, my body and my relationship with the hoop. It's amazing and I am so grateful for it. I am so looking forward to coming to Hoop camp and Harbin hoop jam to absorb, connect, learn, reflect and enjoy. I can't wait to meet you all and spin with you. xxxx
Frenchy
Tiana
My name is Tiana Zoumer, Nickname: Wanton. I began hooping just over a year ago and have found this evolutionary revolution has helped me further my expansion in all directions. I discovered hooping at Burning Man and remember observing the beautiful, mesmerizing, and exceedingly joyous hoopers and was inspired on my own hoopy journey. What hooping brings to me is a partnership for flow, connection, and dance. Possessed by music like it's the beat of my own heart; as I spin, pop, and flow, my inner being spirals outward, taking over and dancing free. I feel like the hoop has the ability to act as meditative space that can be manipulated and energized. I transfer my energy, my self, into the hoop and find myself in a portal, spinning, bouncing, and flying. I feel centered, wild and powerful, master of my universe. As much as I feel I am connected to this community I am constantly aware that they are not a part of my daily interactions and explorations, which leaves much yearning. I hope to get out of my Harbin experience that I can be flowing in a room blessed by understanding and inspiration, filled with the creative energy that binds and fuels us all. I would like to give back my love, my flow and my gratitude. Can't wait to meet you all! Be my friend on Facebook or HoopCity: Tiana Zoumer Or Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/wantonamara Zach aka Number 9
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