Participant Bios Once you are enrolled: Please send 1 or 2 photos – definitely one fairly close up of your face so we can recognize ya, and perhaps one pic of you hooping, to share some style And send a short bio- you could mention what got you into hooping, what its given you, what the hoop means in your life, what your r-evolutionary challenges are right now…what you would like to get into and take from the Harbin Hoop Jam….. If you like, please include a list of a few of your favorite hoop tunes. It would be great to have your contact info if you want to share it (email, tribe, website etc) Love to hear any suggestions for what you would like at the jam, in general or in detail. Please send entries to: merlin@playahoop.com

the following are some feedback/comments/descriptions/acknowledgements/complaints/raves etc about the previous harbin hoop jams , to give you more of a feel of this event. The earlier comments/years are at the top.

I am so grateful for everyone who came and shared their energy and expertise and enthusiasm for the hoop. It was a wonderful group and I would love everyone to come back and be the core group for next year, so we can deepen further, and open even more. ……. Merlin

The Harbin Hoop Jam was phenomenal. We hooped, ate delicious food,  made new hoop friends, soaked in hot springs , hooped some more. I learned tons of new hoop techniques and tricks. My hooping has improved significantly. It was a magical experience. I can't wait for next years Harbin Hoop Jam

I would describe the classes as "informal (or casual) hoop classes".

Because we did have classes. As a matter of fact, your schedule flowed very nicely and we were busy the whole time. But when we first spoke about it at the Hoopcamp you said there were not classes, but whatever we felt like. So that sounded to me like there was not much planned. Which was the opposite.

Also, I would definitely say that "hoopers of all levels are welcome. You just have to have a desire to be immersed in the hooping world".. …….Choi :)

Thanks so much for everything...the Hoop Jam was absolutely awesome and I hope you have many of them in the future! ………….. Christian

the space:   beautiful.  the center and surroundings were inspiring and very conducive for hooping!

  i appreciated the contact improv inspired exercises/games and the acro yoga / partner yoga stuff.   i loved the flexibility and time to practice in such an inspiring space

....We could have more discussions around the physics/metaphysics of hooping...In such an intimate circle, it seems we could delve pretty deep...

  I had a wildly wonderful time in Harbin.  I was able to break through several walls during the free jam time and was so inspired by moving with everyone.  The natural environment was breathtaking and the hot tubs made it possible to hoop endlessly through out the day.  I remember laying on one of the decks looking at the glorious surroundings after soaking and wishing that this jam could be a yearly ritual.  The combination of the  water, psi-chedelic liquid light, groovy tunes, creative environment and sacred circle of hoopers was amazing, revelatory and healing for me.  Thanks for hosting and supporting the jam.  I look forward to next year….. Julia aka Jewels

Steve ( from 2 years ago)

– ideal on many levels. The conference room space was perfect for indoor hooping (high ceilings, wood floors, mirrors, sound system, etc). The onsite kitchen, bathing, sleeping and soaking facilities were perfect. And of course, you can't ask for a more gorgeous natural setting. The only improvement would have to be a space that provided an equally excellent outdoor hooping environment.

(note: we have the outdoor space in 2011 for the first three days…merlin)

. In terms of overall structure, I would like to see the morning sessions focus on stretching (whether traditional or yoga), one or two brief hoop activities, and prep for the afternoon session. I would like to see the afternoon sessions focus on technical / skill enhancement and sharing, and the evening sessions be open jams…..Steve

(note: seems like the jam last year in 2010 was getting to be more that way….merlin)

Harbin hoop jam for me was a grounding experience. It was all about the connections i made with beautiful people, the beauty and energy of the site, and the wonderful sessions we had. Leaving egos at the door, being free to come and go as we pleased, and the freedom to choose what we wanted to learn and do really mattered to me. One of the most amazing weeks of my life, thank you so much for the experience, one love xxx…………… Frenchy

If you're looking for an organically growing experience, come join in the juicy soup now called "Harbin Hoop Heaven." By no means limited to hoops or hoopers, all manner of flow object manipulation and somatic expression is introduced, practiced, taught or shown. If you want to teach something--teach it, if you want to learn something--learn it!

And if that doesn't entice you enough(!), the entire time, enjoy not only the natural setting and amenities Harbin offers, but two private pools, conscious DJ goddess and meals prepared by our own catering staff. Bliss out in Harbin Hoop Heaven, learn something about you and your fellow humans too! ……………….. Briana

Some of my favorite Harbin memories:

swinging around on the Lyra - I didn't know how to get up on it but it was so fun to just swing around!

trying to do cartwheels & somersalts with the hoop - flailing away as I tried to do new things!!!

talent night with the tiny hoop 

adelaide &  sam's beautiful duet

freedom to be with the group or go soak in hot/cold x 7!

Meeting such colourful interesting varied individual hoopers.   Writers, jugglers, capoieristas, moms,  make up artists, sign language interpreter, accountant, etc!

The Aussies!

Thank-you again for organizing this fabulous time. …….Joanie

(The following is an excerpt from a book being written by Jam on hooping)

Merlin describes Nayeli as an “evolutionary 
revolutionary.” She has a degree from UCSD in Ecology and Evolution, 
is adept in the arts of yoga, dance, and earth-based spirituality, 
and comes to Harbin Hoop Jam to connect with people through playful 
and sacred experience, and to help them to connect with themselves, 
each other, and the beauty of the world. She leads collective 
circles, in which members of the group interact through exercises and 
play. She is one of the unobtrusive guiding factors that make this 
event such a success. A lifelong dancer, brainy in the math and 
geometric realms, she is perfectly made for hooping, and a font of 
information for bodywork technique.

It is fitting that Patrick, also known as Merlin because of the 
visual magic he brings to Hoop World, would organize the idyllic 
chill session at Harbin Hot Springs. It's a unique setting for 
personal growth events, movement workshops, and spiritual retreats. 
It combines healing waters, pure air, and wild lands with miles of 
hiking trails, comfortable hotel rooms, and the opportunity to be in 
nature without the need for clothing. For centuries, before Harbin 
became a hot-springs resort in the late 1800's, the American Indians 
of the area considered the land and waters to be sacred.

The Hoop Jam has its own private pools at the conference center. 
Nudity is not required, but it feels natural in the water. The main 
hall is a cathedral-like space, with a high arched ceiling to allow 
full range of hoop motion, and can accommodate 150 participants. 
Forty hoopers jamming in the room have plenty of space. The beautiful 
wood floor with sectional carpeting is ideal for dancing, hooping, 
and other creative movement activities. At the jam, because it is 
creativity unboxed, I learn to play badminton with hoops and a beach 
ball, but no net. Exercise-ball surfing is also new to me. That's 
where you line up three or more balls, the type that you can also use 
as a chair, stand back and fling yourself onto them, surfing across 
the room. Patrick can hoop standing on one of these balls, and they 
can be used in threes as a kind of roller cart for lounging around.

I have never seen such sharing of tips and technique. In a small 
group like ours, over five days, the practice became pointed and 
refined, so that a new twist of the wrist had time to develop into a 
different way to weave twin hoops. Tammy Firefly shares her aerial 
fabric and lyra ring with the group, and performs on them for us. 
Zach Fischer, aka #9 in the Vegetable Circus, hoops upside down while 
hanging from the lyra ring and his partner in movement, MARria Grace 
of the Boston Hoop Troupe, gives a comic performance using a hoop and 
a parasol—as twins. Adelaide shows us what real belly dancing is all 
about, blending aspects of yoga, theater, and dance—partner style 
with Sam, who also shows me how to walk a slackline. Nick and Tiana 
astonish with hoops, mime, and isolations. Mich provides an abundance 
of chocolate, and Kelie clears group and individual psychic spaces. 
Briana paints faces, as well as Heather's abdomen, and gossip has it 
that Choi Lil Grasshooper, may take over next year's Harbin event. If 
so I want to help.

I had a comfy, 1920s style, work/sleep room with shared bathroom in 
the Harbin hotel—across the stream, through the parking lots, past 
the smoking area, office, and shops from the conference center. But 
most people stayed in camping areas surrounding our play area, or in 
the carpeted room next to the main hall that is perfect for bedding 
or an inflatable mattress. The conference center has its own kitchen, 
used to prepare what was unanimously agreed to be “shockingly good” 
and healthy meals. Its lighting and sound options are flexible, like 
Sophia, the DJ Spin Sister providing beats and melodies to lead and 
followed the mood of a crowd……. Jan

THANK YOU SO SO MUCH for facilitating a wonderful, enriching experience at Harbin Hoop Heaven.  Here are some words to describe my experience and you may feel free to share them as you wish.

Having 5 strong years under my hooping belt is both a blessing and a curse. It is a blessing because I have learned how to access the flow pretty easily, but it is a curse because finding new excitement and motivation is often a challenge. Harbin Hoop Heaven provided liquid inspiration that replenished my hooping cup.

On day 1 and day 2 I wondered what I would get out of the Harbin experience. I wasn't sure that I would learn anything without structured classes and workshops. By day 3 I was so at ease with the people around me and comfortable in my own skin, that I started to adventure to new realms with the hoop. The format of Harbin allowed me to let go of my notions of hooping dance, flow and beauty and directed me to a place of organic exploration. I have never stumbled on so many new movements, tricks and concepts in my hooping history as I have at Harbin. I feel like a new, freer, movement artist. Going back to Harbin Hoop Heaven is not an option for me, it is a requirement for my continued growth as a hooper.
Harbin was food for our hooping souls!   :)………………..Marria

It's taken me a few weeks to be able to fully absorb my experience at Harbin.  

For me, Harbin Hoop Heaven was a true retreat, an immersion into all things hoop and hoop-related, a time to play, to share and to learn.  The loose structure allowed for connection with others beyond the hoop and to explore whatever emerged during the day.  From Patrick's loving guidance to the delicious food to the music with DJ Sophia to the grounds to the beautiful collection of hoopers with endless energy and laughter, it was a hoopers paradise.  I feel I grew in both my hooping skills and my connection with myself and others in the hoop.  A delicious week! …………. Kaye

I returned to Harbin hoop heaven this year with such anticipation. The previous year really helped me open up as a hoop dancer and as a playful, silly and open person and I was looking forward to experiencing that joy again. And I did.

The hoop jam space allows for all forms of expression, be it constant spinning, individual flow development, skill sharing or the chance to physically and mentally release the body through relaxation and play.

I dipped in and out of these modes while at Harbin this year. Coming straight from Hoop Camp I had pages of notes (yes I'm a hoop nerd) to work through, in an attempt to solidify the concepts taught or at least help my body remember what the workshops covered, before the details slipped away. I spent a good few hours with two other friends going through our perspectives on the camp and working through tricks, ideas and flow that came up during our time there.

In the many free forming hoop jams (to amazing tunes), I was able to integrate these new tricks by both consciously drilling them as well as unconsciously finding them in my flow. The openess of these jams and the friendliness of everyone involved allowed me to express myself in a non-judgmental way and really helped silence my inner critic. I wasn't worried to try new things, fail, drop the hoop and generally look stupid, because even if people were watching what I was doing, they were on the same wavelength. Learning is a process, and great things can come out of chaos and mess if they aren't limited by judgement and embarrassment.

Skill sharing is another vital part of Harbin for me. Both the structured workshops (where one of the group offers up their unique perspective and teaches a particular skill) and the informal sharing ('can you show me what you just did?') is an amazing way to get a new take on your hoop dance. Whether it be a new way to move (adding  capoeira  or yoga moves to your dance), a new toy to play with (poi, slack line) or just a new awesome trick, Harbin really facilitates 1-on-1 skill development, both for the person teaching and learning. 

Finally, the relaxation. As an international traveller, I rarely relax while on holidays, always wanting to see things, do things, meet people! But at Harbin I really discovered the benefit that relaxation and rest had on my hoop dance and life in general. The amazing hot and cold springs, massages and yoga that we all partook in at our leisure had such a calming effect on my thoughts as well as my body. And from a chilled out mind, creativity flows. Harbin is great medicine for my FOMO (fear of missing out!) - it taught me to enjoy each moment as it comes, to embrace the time spent away from my hoop and even from other people, because on my return I could interact and play in a whole new head space.

I would highly recommend Harbin Hoop Heaven to anyone who is looking for a more unstructured and relaxed hoop retreat. The small number of participants in this jam (40 this year) and the longer time scale (compared to most hoop gatherings), allows for deep group bonding and lots of creativity. Our facilitators Patrick and Nayeli create a welcoming and playful environment where you can release your inner child, get your joy on and rock out! 

Hope to see you there next year. Love and hoopiness....................Jo

P.S. How could I forget the food! Oh my god, the food. 3 meals a day of gourmet vegetarian amazingness to fuel your active body, unlimited tea, coffee, fruit and snacks and lovely serving staff. Go just for the food, I say!

"Harbin Hoop Heaven is more than a retreat, jam, or learning space.  It is all of these and more.  Patrick and Nayeli, our Harbin father and mother, brother and sister, have created the unique and sacred opportunity to flow, play and explore in a judgement free zone.   Further, the Harbin Hoopers are without a doubt the most generous of heart and spirit that I have ever had the privilege to share space with.  Each day begun with the coming together of the group, a familial ritual that created synergy throughout the week and allowed for the group to share what they have gained, hoped to gain, or would like to experience.   The collective willingness to share and the natural energetic flow allowed for immediate creative experiences that evolved with each minute, hour, and day passed.  All levels of experience flourished in this space and the great wealth of talent from aerial arts, juggling, capoeira, to acroyoga kept a cross-pollinating of inspiration.  I could not describe Harbin or its participants without mentioning the great abundance of laughter, which made me question which was more sore by weeks end, my body or my smile.  A joyful debate to have indeed.  Lastly, Harbin Hot Springs, could not have been more beautiful, serene or welcoming of a space, as evidenced by the many deer and fawn greeting you each day.  Staying in a place of complete serenity, with unbelievable hoop space, live DJs every day and night, incredible food (I could've written only of the food…it's that good), Harbin Hoop Heaven earns its name and forever holds a place in my heart."…… Tiana

When I arrived at Harbin, I heard this voice say, "Let there be time !" And that, to me, is the most tantalizing part of the Harbin experience. You get time to play in the hoop, commune with your brethen, observe and interract with other badass hoopers and really hone your skills. I actually remembered what I learned at Harbin and have been able to integrate those skills (new moves, jumps, et al) into my practice and hooping regimen. And my students really benefitted form the fact that I was able to remember so much!!! Oh, and the pools of Harbin are truly the icing on the best cake ever!!! ......Melanie from 2010

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. These ones below are also from the 2010 jam, and I will update with the 2011 bios periodically.

Nanda

I'm a lover of all sensorial things and an explorer of expression through movement. Yoga and dance are the vehicles trough which I can get out of my head and into my body.
My biggest passion has been Contact Improv (a partner improvisational dance form) where I dive into the nuances of relationship through the exploration of non-verbal communication and trust.
Hooping is a more recent discovery and my journey with the hoop has inevitably been one of using it as a dance partner and a tool for asana practice.
By attending the Harbin Hoop Jam I hope to learn and practice new tricks, connect with community and play, play, play!

JADE

I started Hooping last year at the East Coast WildFire event in August. Spin Jams with the Boston circus arts community have been wonderful for social interactions, combining something active to do with terrific vibrant people.

I am transitioning from waist-hooping and basic off-body tricks with a large heavy hoop, to isolations, double hoops and more complicated on and off body moves on a smaller, lighter hoop. LED hoops are my favorites – so shiny! I have some experience fire hooping, but no fire hoop of my own yet. I am looking to add more choreographed dance to my hooping.

My partner, Janna and I are about to start on a cross country trip, landing us in California with Harbin Hoop Jam and Santa Cruz Hoopcamp as treats for completing that part of the Journey. We are looking to meet future friends and get a feel for west coast communities, while figuring out what to do next. Options include freelance computer web stuff, life-coaching, volunteering and looking for schools for counseling, or finding some other way to contribute in a positive way to the universe.

Sophia

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.
I play a wide range of sounds from East to west including: Funk, Latin,
Brazilian grooves, Balkan Beats, Bhangra, trance, euro lounge...whatever gets you moving and groovin'
see you on the dance floor! ....Sophia

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.

Their show combines acrobatic dance and artistic juggling with zanny lighting effects. It ohhs and ahhs audiences of all ages, all over the globe. They use over 18 different props in the show, with the hoop being one of them.

  Whether launching a ping-pong air raid, deftly manipulating flower pots, or making percussive music with plumbing pipes, the Tweaksters love to play. They have been having a great time together for over a decade.

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
juggling convention in Santa Barbara, trading for my first hoop, and
getting a 15 minute Hoopgirl instructional hit. After that, amazingly,
my new hoop hung on the wall for a year until, when heading out on a
trip to Thailand, I brought the makings for a sectional hoop. I taught
myself there on the beach, sharing with absolutely anyone who would
hoop with me, learning all I could, and returned home hungry for more.
I did classes, hooped at Burningman, did Christabel's teacher training
(meeting some amazing hoopers there), and worked out skills on my own.

I'm a founding partner at Renegade Juggling, www.renegadejuggling.com
which provides equipment for jugglers and spinners worldwide. Using my
manufacturing talents, I went on to make perhaps the first
semi-flexible, wire-cable type fire hoop (sharing my prototypes at
Burning Man in 2006). It's a killer design that I've improved upon and
I delight when performers spin with my creations. Currently I'm making
a standard fire hoop, smaller fire twins and hand hoops in various
configurations and custom fire hoops.

I'm just an avid a hooper as I was learning the first moves in Asia and
am currently renting and sharing a studio two days a week in Santa
Cruz. As Hoop Camp participant, I've helped out as workshop timekeeper
the last two years, and consider it a must do event for anyone that
loves hooping. Following Hoopcamp 2008, I heard about and attended
Harbin Hoop Jam.  After that, I couldn't wait for the next year, signed
up early, and was rewarded with making more great friends in an ever
expanding community of hoopers. If you think you might like the idea of
hanging in an awesome hot springs retreat, cementing friendships and
sharing skills with incredible people from around the globe, having the
time of your life, then you just might want to join us! I look forward
to seeing you there...

Ali

I have always been drawn to hooping.   Year after year (...after year, after year) & festival after festival (... after festival, after festival), I'd approach a hooper and ask to borrow their hoop.  The answer was always "Yes" and I would feel happy and content spinning the hoop around my waist.  Then, I'd give my thanks for the experience and be on my way.  Then one day, I met an angel.  I approached her in the same way as I had approached the others.  However, instead of simply being kind and allowing me to use her hoop... she took it much further.   She and her partner took the time to teach me a handful of simple tricks, gave me a hoop, and told me about Bay Area Hoopers.  Before her, I assumed that any creative hooping move I ever saw was created by that individual performing. I had no idea that there was actually some avenue for connecting with hoopers or learning hooping skills.  This angel opened the door to the hooping world- opened the door, when I didn't even know that a door existed.  I will always be grateful for this.  And, since then, I have been hooked!

I am so excited to be a part of Harbin Hoop Jam!  My intention (both specifically as a hooper and in general) is simply to learn, to create, to evolve, to have fun, and to just see what happens.  I am sure that I will be the (or at least one of the) most novice hoopers, but I am quite alright with that.  I am honored and privileged to be part of such a talented and dedicated group.  In addition to skill, it is also obvious how much passion and joy is shared for movement and the flow arts.  I am looking forward to diving into this beautiful energy and sharing boundless love with all of you!
Ali
(on facebook as Alicia Caldwell)

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.

As a certified hoop dance instructor, Briana's mission is to bring adults who have been less than active and possibly reluctant to exercise, to play again, to move and rediscover themselves.  "The bloom in their faces" the first time a hoop does not simply fall to the ground but continue in flight around them "is what I live for!" creating an unusual specialty--teaching flat-out beginners, especially those who have *never* been able to hoop.

Forever seeking An Elegant Solution (.com), Briana has "a foot in every puddle," wearing many hats (some quite fabulous, and a wig or two too!)--a working artist, calligrapher, "picture maker," foster mom deep in holistic feline health, nutrition & healing, costumer, Fabulous Face Painter (.com), and Artisan Hoop (.com) crafter.  Whew! =^..^=
-----------------
AnElegantSolution.com

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.

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

My name is Clarissa and I am a new hooping enthusiast from Oakland, Ca. After a period of disability hooping has become a therapeutic as well as spiritual practice for mind and body. I love the laughter and community hooping brings, and look forward to hooping for years to come.

Kara

When I began my hooping journey two years ago, I was shy, just out of
college, and still recovering from a relationship that had left me
isolated and insecure. The first time I picked up a hoop something
spoke from deep within me. Layers of body-consciousness melted away,
and its rhythmic presence allowed a part of me to come out that had
been hidden for a long time. Although I knew few tricks at the time, I
spent hours just feeling the music and basking in a new found freedom
of expressive movement. Within weeks I begin hooping at festivals in
San Francisco, participating in things and meeting interesting people
I would never have imagined just one month prior. I think I can safely
say that hooping has changed my life.

At this point in my journey I've been to plenty of workshops, but
really my favorite aspect of hooping is tapping into that
expressiveness and sharing it with a community of like-minded people.
I can't wait to explore, dance, and skill-share with all of you.

Hello Fellow Hoopers. My name is Ron.

I fell in love with Hooping in May of 2010 when my wife Nessia brought me to the Santa Cruz Film Festival to see "The Hooping Life" We went to the Hoop Jam before the movie and the after party. I was overwhelmed and amazed by what everyone could do with those Hula Hoops. I could barely hoop on my waist at that but that day was definitely a turning point in my life. A turn for the better. I am very excited to spend a week at Harbin with a bunch of people who are also passionate about hooping. I can't wait to meet everyone. I'm sure that this week will be the beginning of many great friendships.

Thanks and much Hoop Love,

Ron Starr

Nessia.

My passion for hooping first emerged a little over a year and a half ago when I took a class at my local community center. Hooping has changed my life in so many positive ways. Providing me with an outlet of creative expression while brining passion and energy into my life. I am very grateful and blessed!

I am super excited about the Harbin Hoop Jam and for the opportunity to learn from others and to make new friends.

See you all there!

Janna

I got in to hooping watching Jade practice with her LED, then later at Wildfire, a spinning event in Connecticut. I'm coming to Harbin to meet hoopers, learn, share, and hopefully realize and smooth out some moves I have down only roughly, (or only in my head ; ). Between Harbin and Hoop Camp, I'd like to move from really concentrating on everything I do with the hoop to a more fluid, meditative practice. I'm changing a lot of things in my life right now; how much "stuff" I keep with me, who I spend time with and how, maybe even which coast I live on.

Alan

I spend the summers sailing in the Mediterranean with Steve
Drew, aka Hoop Daddy. We loved spinning poi and hooping on the docks of Greece and Turkey
last summer.
I first got interested in spinning poi over 30 years ago when I lived in New Zealand for a
couple of years. Those basic Maori moves have evolved into a world wide sport since then.
My professional background is in Advertising and Design. I also do glass wall pieces for
galleries and hope to do more this winter while I am here.

Karen

"Karen Shelar, based out of San Francisco, CA, first picked up a hula hoop in kindergarten. Out of everyone in her class, she could keep it up the longest and was acclaimed by her classmates and teachers. At that time she was using a peppermint scented hoop manufactured by Hasbro.

With her sights set on "growing up," Karen took a hiatus from hooping for the next 27 years. However, as she worked her way through primary and secondary schools, UC Davis, USF law school and life as a corporate lawyer, Karen longed for those simple days hooping with her peppermint scented hoop.

At long last, Karen was reunited with the hoop during her first journey to Burning Man in 2007. She was also reunited with her love of dance, movement, and art. The rest is history...

Today, Karen is a certified hoop instructor and a member of fire dancing collectives: Solar Flare, FIRISH and Dreamtime Circus. She recently traveled through Peru with Dreamtime Circus as an artist, performer and teacher bringing the joy of hula hoop and circus arts to children in underserved communities. Karen performs with fire hoop, l.e.d. light hoop and fire fans.

Vowing never to be "grown up" again, in her free time Karen does yoga, climbing, meditation and as much hooping as possible."

Hoopin love,

Karen

Steve Drew (Hoop Daddy)

rediscovered his childhood love of the hoop at Burning Man several years ago but it wasn't until he retired in 2006 that he started vigorously spinning. Steve went online, and found a guy named Philo (Hooping.org) in his San Francisco neighborhood making hoops, placed an order, picked up his hoop on Friday night and joined the Bay Area Hoopers in Dolores Park on Sunday.

“ I had no idea what I was doing or exactly why I wanted to do it but I knew I wanted to hoop and the rest, as the saying goes, is history. ”

Steve attended Patrick's inaugural Harbin Hoop Jam in 2008 and reveled in the energy, camaraderie and all-night hoop sessions. In early 2009, Steve attended Miss Rosie's (HeroHoops) teacher training and became a certified hoop instructor. His plan was to teach hooping to seniors as a form of fun, community and exercise but life took him in a different direction. In June 2009, Steve flew to Barcelona to go sailing for a month on a friend's boat. The month of June came and went and Steve continued sailing the Mediterranean until he reached Turkey in November, with only a brief visit home to attend Burning Man.

Steve has returned to the boat with his partner Alan to sail the Mediterranean each summer. The upside of living on a boat is certain. The downside is not having the space or opportunity to hoop as much as he'd prefer. This year, Steve decided to stay home after Burning Man rather than return to the boat so that he could take advantage of San Francisco's wonderful Fall weather and events -- including Harbin Hoop Jam -- he misses when sailing.

“ I'm really excited to be a part of the Patrick's event this year and look forward to meeting and dining, camping, dancing and spinning at Harbin once again.”

NOTE: below this are bios and pics from previous harbin jams and not coming 2011

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.

Karen

(foreground in pic)

 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

By the time we get to Harbin 2010 I'll have been hooping 3 years. I was first introduced to hooping in deepest Bolivia in 2007. In September that year I got my first hoop and having spent the last 5 years holding down 2 jobs while training to be a Physiotherapist I rediscovered the joy of just playing.

I crossed the ocean last year to attend Hoop Camp Retreat and was persuaded by the lovely Beth Lavinder and Bunny to go to Harbin Hoop Jam which ended up being the highlight of my year.

I have been crazy busy the last 12 months teaching and performing hoop through my company HoopSpin as well as working as a physio full time. This year I am taking some time out starting at Burning Man and passing through Hoop camp and Harbin then who knows!!!

I can't wait to see those who were there last year and meet everyone else

Huge hugs
Gail xxxx 

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 .

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....

Dawn

Hi Fellow Hoopaholics,

DiZzy here.

I came onto the hoop scene at hoop convergence by earning the distinguished honor of "Miss Congeniality" and winning an LED hoop!  I have been using it avidly as I play and practice with my multiple LED hoop flow. LED hoops and multiples are so much fun and my all time favorite hoop activity!

If I could have sent a video I would have sent a clip (that doesn't exist) of me hooping with my first hoop on my 38th birthday 3 years ago. A large hula hoop was all I  wanted for my birthday, as I had just discovered hooping a couple weeks before at Hunter Mountain festival while Spearhead was playing. Ahhh, good times. My husband, Andy, made me my first, way too thick, and narrow hoop which I loved. I picked it up shrieking and spinning so fast I looked more like an electrocution victim trying to avoid  hot coals. I was so happy and was making everyone laugh.  I thought I was a great hooper because I hooped so fast and non-stop for hours!

Here's what you would be seeing had I sent more photos....

This photo of me hooping on top of my graffiti painted car in the parking lot of a cheap motel makes me laugh. I didn't even know one "trick" for almost 2 years yet I would hoop in strange places and say I was a hoop performer. I didn't even know they really existed or what performers could do!

Yay Youtube! I randomly searched "best hula hoopers" or something and came upon the world that I inhabit now. Hours at a time (while at work) of watching hoop performers and hoop tutorials. I met so many of my on-line teachers and inspirations at hoop convergence I felt like a groupie because I "knew" them all and had to break the celebrity standing they had in my mind so I could talk to them.  Hoop convergence was so much fun and so uplifting that when I returned home I registered straight away for Hoop Camp and Harbin Hoop Jam.


There are many pictures like this one of me in a costume of some kind with one color leg furries or another performing at our monthly Variety show at the Flying Squirrel Community Space. This photo is classic while I am doing burlesque hooping at a Rocky Horror Show my teenage daughter averts her eyes!  I was involved in starting this  radical political/cultural space in Rochester NY where I currently live. We call Rochester the undiscovered Portland of the East! Come visit!

This new community space is a multi-purpose space of activists and artists and we also house the winter Whirly Wednesday,  a weekly drum and hoop session that happens outside in the park during the warm months.
We have a vibrant, growing community of hoopers and I love them and their enthusiasm for hooping so much. We are dreaming of  becoming a traveling performing hoop troop.  This is a photo of our hoop troop hooping at our first "paying gig"...a birthday party in the park outside the pavilion. Ok.... we were paid in potato salad and other edibles. Yum!


Here is a photo of me  filming at a Demonstration and interviewing an activist working on the Free Tibet campaign. I make political documentaries and do reporting on critical social justice issues. I do take my hooping very seriously at times. In the following photo I am hooping in front of a line of riot police, "the police state wont keep me from hooping!"

I am a sign language interpreter for the deaf and here is a photo me working, interpreting for Al Franken  while hula hooping. What...I didn't hoop during that. Maybe I will next time.

This photo of me hooping naked for my husband with candles was....wait, how did that photo get in here? I had better stop before I share too much. There is a fine line between congenial and inappropriate. Always trying to navigate that.

Well  I am looking forward to spinning and circling amongst you all!

Dawn Zuppelli
DZ
DiZzy
Thesquirrel.org
artemiswill@gmail.com

Kaye

Greetings Harbin Hoopers! My name is Kaye and I'm sooooo looking forward to a week with all of you: hooping, playing, dancing, laughing, learning, experiencing and relaxation! The first time I picked up a hoop was with Miss Rosie of HeroHoops in 2007.  I immediately fell in love with the hoop...and with the endless possibilities the hoop can bring to mine and others' lives. Last year I started Hoop Power, bringing hoop dance to youth in the East Bay and combining hooping with my 10+ years of clinical social work.  

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
www.hoop-power.com

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.

This group also allowed her to branch out into other spinning and movement arts, and now she can add acrobatics, juggling, poi, rope dart and staff to her repertoire. Teaming up with the youth enrichment and wellness program, Vegetable Circus, has allowed her to further develop some of these circus skills.

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.  

www.bostonhooptroop.com

http://grasshoppercollective.org/

http://vegetablecircus.com/

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.
  I so love the playful, joyful community and spirit that hooping builds and lends itself to...yay!!! Spreadin' hoop love and changin' the world "One Hoop at a Time!"

Nick Guzzardo

The first time I saw Hooping was in center camp at Burning Man last year. I couldn't take my eyes off a girl spinning in circles, her hoop hitting every beat of the drum. I was mesmerized into a trance watching her flow in front of me, only to snap out of it a minute later, focusing on something else. My brain was over stimulated,  and I didn't realize at the time how magical that moment had been. It was the moment I became inspired. Four months later I picked up a hoop from a friend and its been by my side every since. Hooping has healed and transformed my life. Its taught me to be more open to the things life hands you. To wake up everyday thankful, feeling more alive than ever with this sense of accomplishment. Im finding that hooping has become a daily ritual necessary to sustain my health and well being. Its brought many new vistas into perspective and I couldn't be more excited for life's experiences to unfold! Ill be attending hoop camp as well as the harbin hoop jam! By that time ill have been in the circle for about 9 months. I hope to take in as much as possible and run with it. I also wish to start teaching hoop classes in my area and put together a local jam. Its amazing how many people want to start hooping when they see it in action. Cant wait to meet you all soon! Feel free to contact me at Nicguzz@gmail.com


Adelaide

As much as Adelaide expresses her artistic enthusiasm through many diverse forms, she has come to see all of her creative endeavors as one.
She acknowledges the power of inspiration as the focal point of her art.  Whether conveyed live through her performance pieces or captured timelessly in her paintings,
Adelaide is expressing a self that is unbound. Her art is her lifestyle, her career, and her most prized creation.

www.ArtByAdelaide.com

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

Bonjour! I'm Frenchy (Claire French or Clairey Faerie) from the UK, i run a company called Dreads 'n' Hoops (www.dreadsnhoops.com) and have been hooping for 2 and a half years. I perform with fire and LED (the proud owner of a dragonfly PSI Hoop), teach adult classes, guide chakra meditations, run workshops, stilt walk, manipulate hoop, fire palms, staff and fire sticks and have a fire street show called 'More Danger!'

My US mission began when i was asked to perform in the conclave @ Burning man... how could i say no?? My first time in the US, my first time at burning man and my first time at Harbin im looking forward to pushing my limits and getting creative in an international setting! Exciting times! Cant wait to meet you all! MORE DANGER! DO IT NAKED! LIVE THE DREAM! :-)

XXX

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

Number 9 makes his triumphant return to the west coast this summer, after a prodigal absence of several years.  Trained in an ecclectic blend of dance forms and ancient martial arts, he's delighted to find new movement possibilities with non-lethal objects such as the hula-hoop.  Most recently, #9 hails from Boston, where he was a proud member of the Grasshopper Collective, as well as a lead circologist for the Vegetable Circus.   Be on the lookout for his upcoming performance of a Flaming Triathalon, a trick where he shoots flaming arrows while handstand fire hooping on the back of a flaming horse.

_______________________________________________________
Choi (aka Lil Grasshooper)

I've been hooping for 2 years now. And wow…the gifts keep on coming. Joy and gratitude in abundance. Hooping has brought community and experiences that has surpassed my expectations. I meet regularly with hoop friends…we play, laugh and bond. Besides my hoop friends the highlight of hooping so far has been performing with a circus in February 2010 in Measot Thailand. We went to refugee camps, orphanages and schools. We were able to spread hoop joy to so many children. Left behind  hundred + hoops, thousands of smiles and a huge chunk of my heart.

Another one of my favorite experiences has been the Harbin Hoop Jam. This will be my 3 rd year. And this time my favorite hoop friends are coming with me to share this amazing experience. Can life get better than this?