Halfway Through my UK Tour: The Gift of Breakthroughs

Giant's Causeway Hooping

I am not even halfway through my UK workshop tour adventure and I am already reeling! Soaking it all in. Feeling the inspiration and new environment do it's thing in my brain. My body is constantly sore, I am sleep deprived (insomnia is a bitch when life's exciting), I have been living out of a suitcase for months and spending LOTS of time in airports, buses, trains and taxis. But it's worth it. Sooo worth it.

This trip has allowed me to surrounded myself with people that truly inspire me. People that are artistically and creatively pushing the envelope. I look around and see absolute rockstars and marvel in any possibility that I could complain about my life. Ever. Again. 

This realization of sublime gratitude came when taking pictures and shooting a hooping video at the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland with such badasses as Gail O'Brien, Revolva, Tiana Zoumer and Catherine Simpson. 

Giant's Causeway Rocks

The Giant's Causeway is a beautiful and unique natural land formation on the Northern Irish coast. There is a story that is was created by an Irish giant who wanted to battle a Scottish giant so he started building a "causeway" or road to Scotland. It is actually created by a specific dance between the ocean, rock and moving tectonic plates. 

We hooped on the hexagon shaped rocks and I vowed to remember the moment with fondness forever. There really never should be a reason to feel disappointed with life after you've hooped with epic legends in such a beautiful, naturally dramatic place. Check out the video HERE! And HERE are all of the pictures from my whole 6 week trip.

Even the people working there were keen on the whole thing! We walked up with our hoops and they were instantly interested, asking us if we would perform on the Visitor Center stage for a tour group. For a modest fee of a free entrance into see the Causeway (only £8.50!) we rocked out for the tourists and the staff. They loved it. That kind of thing would never happen at home! America is too afraid of law suits.

My Hoop Burlesque Workshop at SWHoop!

Before venturing to Ireland, I was fortunate enough to teach and perform at SWHoop in Bristol. That event and it's organizer, Kenna Hoops of Hooping Mad, is one of the main reasons I came out to tour the UK! SWHoop was pivotal for me on many different levels. I learned SO much! Friday's highlights include nailing an epic new double foot hooping move thanks to Karin de Wit who was featured on "Holland's Got Talent." I also taught a Hoop Burlesque workshop and some of the ladies (including Tiana Zoumer!) from the class joined me on stage later that night for the informal open stage show. It was the first time some of them had ever performed! Saturday night was the teacher showcase and might have been the best Hoop-based show I have ever been in. The variety and level of talent was mind blowing! HERE is the video of my Belly Hoop Fusion piece. After the show, the Bristol Samba Band brought dozens of drummers and intense, amazing beats for LED hoopers and dancers to get down to! It was the best after-show party I have ever experienced. There was so much energy realized from the show and sometimes it can be hard to channel that after-show energy. The samba band harnessed it wonderfully and everyone at SWHoop danced and hooped like crazy! I danced my ass off!

This is not my first group wedding! 

That night it became clear that I need to create my own Southern California Hoop Gathering. It's something I've wanted to do for a while now. It's on my "Long Term Goals List" and I think it's now going to shift onto the "Short Term Goals List". I'm going to make it happen with the next year or so! The community that Emma created is inspiring and the way she leads it is selfless and admirable. I can't wait to bring that project into fruition. There are surely important challenges and satisfaction the experience will bring.

Sunday morning at SWHoop, I taught a Belly Dance workshop and then landed myself in a 6 way all-woman marriage including Gail, Revolva, Zoe, Beth, Catherine and myself :) Emma married us and Bags gave us away. If that doesn't scream dysfunctional family, I don't know what does! Something I really cherish about the UK Hoopers is their lack of seriousness. They are not afraid to try new things or be absolutely silly. Sometimes it seems like they have less holding them back than we do at home... 

I am not sure I have ever laughed so hard! So much laughter-medicine on this trip :) 

4 Hoop Split after Revolva's workshop in Dublin

I have also had some truly amazing hooping breakthroughs on this trip. I have unlocked moves that I have wanted to get for years and some I didn't even know were possible! For weeks, every time I picked up a hoop I nailed something new and absolutely epic...hooping headstand, the 4 hoop split, the fountain, juggling...the list goes on! 

I owe it all to the change of scenery, the amazingly inspiring and talented company I have been keeping and the ability to spend time honing my craft. At home it is easy to focus on other aspects of my career - the business end. Organizing, promoting, producing events, teaching, making hoops. It has been awhile since I have given myself time to just practice. Practice for the sake of practicing. I am going to give myself time to continue training at home. I want to re-focus and allow myself to really level up :) If you ever find a plateau in your hooping practice, I suggest traveling. Just putting yourself in a completely new environment is enough to open new passageways in your brain and your body. 

There is so much more to share about this trip that another blog post is on the way!

The Light Emerging from the Dark

The light that I find within the dark.
The reason I face myself and my demons.
My imperfections that I accept and embrace.
The fresh scars on my body representing my flaws.
Forgiving myself and moving on.

I am not Wonder Woman. I can't do it all.
I need to understand my limits and true abilities.
Don't take on too much.

Humility is key.
Selflessness and surrender.
I am a shooting Star but I vow to be a humble one. 

Think before you speak.
Speak your mind with compassion.
Choose words carefully
And deliver them with kindness.

Emerging from the darkness into light.
As a new and improved soul.
Within duality I find myself.
Shadow and light.

(Pics from Eve Olution's FB)

The Teachings of Thailand

The BLISS of Tonsai on my face 

I am processing a whirlwind of adventure. An opening of the heart and the mind. A reintroduction to myself and the world. A reintroduction to life. A new outlook and fresh mindset. A renewed sense of faith in myself, humanity and mother nature.

Sounds like Burning Man, right? Well, this year my Burning Man was Thailand. All of Thailand was unforgettable but Tonsai (a unique place in the South where dramatic limestone cliffs meet the calm, flat, light blue ocean water) especially struck a cord in my heart and will forever leave an imprint on my soul. I will always be a burner. The playa goes with me everywhere I go. I mean, I'm a hula hooper for a living! If that doesn't scream Burning Man I don't know what does! I am glad, however, that I have opened myself up to other types of adventures. I have made San Diego my home, the playa is definitely my home and now so is Tonsai. I plan to actually make it my home at some point. I am already devising plans to live there :)

Sunset in Pai

I learned a lot in Thailand. Some lessons I learned were not new. But they obviously deserved rediscovery. About a week into the trip I fell while driving a motorbike in the rain. The roads were wet, the bike was in poor condition and I was having too much fun, clearly! A very nice Thai man drove me to the hospital where I was cleaned up and bandaged, given antibiotics and pain meds for about $11. Wow! That was part impressive. The rest was traumatic, painful and scary. I'm almost healed now! Just more battle-wounds for this temporary vessel we call our bodies. It occurred to me how everything can change in an instant. One second you're riding through life having a blast and the next you're a bloody, crying mess. Then you have to slow down. Slow way down. That's what I did. I was forced into a vacation from my vacation. I rested a lot. I slept. Read. Made friends. Hung out in hammocks and enjoyed staring at the Pai landscape.

Coconuts everyday!

I am humbled. 

I had an interesting epiphany about my life in San Diego. Traveling so far from home gave me a different perspective and new appreciation for my daily life. In San Diego, I am surrounded by support, love and admiration. It was hard at times (especially while I was healing from my motorbike accident) to be constantly meeting new people. I really missed my tribe! Luckily I had Leeloo with me :) When you're traveling (just like at Burning Man), no one knows who you are at home. You can be anyone you want to be! You can make up a new name for yourself, a whole new identity even! This anonymity made me appreciate everything that I have in San Diego in a whole new way. All of the friends, family, love, supportive community and inspiration that I have in my everyday life. Wow! I am truly blessed! It's funny how leaving home makes you realize what you love about home so much.  

I also realized that it is possible for me to have more than one home on this beautiful planet. It's ok to feel like you belong or you came from more than one place on Earth. Oh Tonsai!  Tonsai gave me some of the most potent natural highs I have ever felt. They came from the intense natural beauty, the rock climbing endorphines and the people. All of it made me write my version of poetry...

Hello Paradise!

I am a mermaid
I am a lion
I am One
I am one with the universe
Every one of my cells is connected to every cell in the entire universe
Every plant, animal, water, rock, grain of sand, insect
Intoxicated with Love
High on Nature
Blissfully Happy

The first day I discovered Pra Nang beach (next to Tonsai) I had what felt like a psychedelic experience while I was completely sober. I was high on nature! I kayaked to the beach with some new traveler friends. We climbed to the top of an epic cave that looked back onto the almost deserted beach. It was low tide so I was able to walk around a rock that jutted into the ocean and find a tiny little private patch of sand. Completely untouched and hidden. The little beach was at a perfect natural slant for reclining. I laid down in the sand and looked up at the limestone stalactites hanging down over my head. I rolled around in the sand as the waves lapped over my body. I couldn't stop saying, "I am One. I am One with the Universe" over and over in my head. I swam out into the extremely salty, warm, clear blue turquoise water and floated on my back looking up. The large, colorful stalactites hung over me as I lay in the ocean and let the water drops falling from the stalactites land on my face. This was one of the most beautiful moments of my life. I will never forget it!

Stalactites over the ocean

Not only did Tonsai show me a whole new understanding of the concept Unity (universal connectedness), a concept that I obviously feel strongly about, it also showed me how many other amazing skills there are to master in this life! I love to challenge myself. Especially physically. I have attempted pretty much every circus and dance skill that is somewhat accessible to me. Never have I tried rock climbing and I had no idea I was going to love it so much. Man, is it a rush! A huge challenge too. On so many levels...physically and mentally. I was lucky enough to meet some pretty fabulous people in Tonsai who introduced me to this new hobby. All I want to do it get better at it! Part of me is overwhelmed by all of the "things" I have already set out to master but part of me is telling myself there is time. There is time for everything that I make important. So this is a new important obsession. Yay! The other one is slack lining. The locals in Tonsai are some of the most epic slack liners and rock climbers I have ever witnessed. These people grew up walking on tightropes and rocks, like it ain't no thang. It's so cool. They spin fire poi, staff and juggle fire on the slack line! I was beyond impressed! I didn't see anyone fire hoop on the slack line so that's another new challenge I have set for myself. Create a slack line-burlesque routine as well as master slack line-fire hooping! Woot! I can do it! I can do anything I set my sights on! And so you can YOU!

Rock climbing w/ Laura's help!

There was a crazy rainstorm for a couple days while we were in Tonsai. It reminded me of the dust storms at Burning Man because it made you run for shelter no matter where you were or who you were with. It forced you to make new friends and get drunk in the middle of the afternoon, for lack of anything else to do :) More poetry...

Everything is wet
Breathing in the beauty
Absorbing and reflecting it
Breathing in the green
Lush and drippy
Giant leaves
Jungle love

I am in love with all of the new friends I made in Thailand. Interesting, open-minded people who I hope to see again someday. I had intellectually stimulating conversations about modern gender roles with a mixed group of people from Iran, Austria, Germany and America. I got to know some of the nicest Canadians ever (of course!) and lots of Australians who were way too much fun :) Connecting, laughing, playing, learning, admiring and sharing with each other. Leela and I hooped everywhere we went! We hooped in the hostels, the bars, the beaches and even at the temples. We taught locals and travelers alike how to hoop :) There will be a Thailand Hooping Video coming your way soon! Singapore performance pictures can be found HERE and our travel pictures are HERE.

Amazing new friends!

More highlights from Thaiand include: street food (all of the food!), tropical fruit shakes, Oh wait...just the tropical fruit in general! fresh coconuts to drink everyday, Thai massages that cost $7, tuk-tuks, the Sunday market in Chiang Mai, Thai cooking school, riding motorbikes (on the left side of the road) up to the Doi Suthep in Chiang Mai, thunder and lightning storms, rainbows everyday, ocean sunsets, waterfalls, the Pai canyon, fireflies, monkeys, SpicyPai and Kit, Julie's Guesthouse, Mama's Chicken, painting each other with neon paint because it was the full moon, Chang beer, lots of spliffs, beautiful seashells, Toffee & his band, Maxi...all the Tonsai locals actually...Bao and Lai and Zero and Yoni and Dee...the Sunset Pirate Bar, the Sawadee Bar, the owners and family at Pasook, holding Leela's hand hanging in hammocks in Pai and getting closer with her than ever before, laughing with her and going through a lot together, OMB (Oh My Buddha!), Boom!, "Shake, Shake...Shake Everyday", "Why not?", Same Same but Different, kayaking, hooping with the ocean as my partner, Ben and his infectious enthusiasm :) Thai reggae, and the kitties everywhere!  

LED Hooping at the Singapore Grand Prix

We left our bungalow made out of palm trees on the beach and went to Singapore to perform at the Grand Prix. We were put up in a fancy 5 star hotel and the woman at the front desk actually asked me if I wanted someone to carry our backpacks to the room! I had to laugh. Coming from hippie-land and ending up there was quite the change. What a gig! The most amazing one I have ever done. There is no question about that! People carrying all of my props for me and my own private dressing room?! Yes please! So spoiled! The event was HUGE! Thousands of people, bands, DJs, art, other entertainers, stages and of course the races zipping through the streets of Singapore constantly. I performed 3-5 sets a day so pretty much one Fire/LED set per hour for 5 hours. It was hard work because it was super humid and extremely hot! Lots of fun though! People loved it, I loved it :) It was win-win. Jovi was our assistant/helper the whole time and we loved him! So sweet and really on it. On the last day we had a longer break and walked around the event for an hour or so. What a bizzare experience! The races were so loud we had to wear ear plugs just to walk around. Then we couldn't really communicate with each other so we just gave each other weird faces and laughed a lot. Damn it was sweaty there!

Fire Hooping at the Singapore Grand Prix

Now I am looking forward to producing a Day of the Dead themed show on Nov 3rd, teaching and performing in San Francisco Oct 19th weekend and then touring England & Ireland in Nov-Dec. More soon. Thank you. Thank you for reading this, being in my life and inspiring me to continue to do what I do. Thank you universe. Gratitude!

Shedding Skin

Dancing with Manasa

The last month or two has brought on LOTS of changes in my life. As I have been going through these changes, one of my dance partners, my ball python Manasa (pronounced Menesha, named after the Hindu Snake Goddess) shed her skin again. It was like she knew I was doing the same thing! I felt closer to her than ever and understood her cyclical life on a whole new level. I realized that we are all constantly changing. This quote from the book I am currently reading really hit home: 

"He seemed to see time shimmering and moving up above him and through the leaves and down around his feet and through his middle. Nothing was like anything else, including himself, and everything was changing all of the time. He knew he couldn't perceive the change because he was changing too, along with everything else. There was no still point." - Jim Harrison, "Legends of the Fall"

Sometimes you have to shed your skin. Get rid of the old and make room for the new. Grow out of your current situation into the next one. The process might be painful but the outcome is always shiny, new and fresh.

I have taken most of the comforts out of my life and have already learned a lot about myself. Moved out of my apartment, got rid of most of my possessions, put the rest of them in storage and am currently living in my friend's RV. I have entered into the "nomadic" phase of my life. My mom says "nomadic" is just a romantic word for homeless, ha! I feel like I am actually living the traveling circus, gypsy, nomad lifestyle that I represent on stage so often. Instead of just performing it on stage, I am living it! It has been an interesting journey so far and it promises to get even more interesting!

I have struggled with the concept of being a nomad AND being a performer at the same time. Not only a performer, but a hoop making performer! All you hoop makers out there know what I mean! Making hoops takes space! Rolls of 100' tubing, dozens and dozens of tapes and not to mention all of the tools involved in making them! Space is one of the biggest commodities for a nomad. You don't have much of it. Being a performer requires that you have lots of stuff...costumes, stage props, more costumes, jewelry, makeup, fire tools, more costumes, fabric, crafting supplies, you get the point! You have to be ready at any moment to fill the whim of a prospective client. Oh you want me to be a fire spinning hula girl at your beach party? A retro vintage hula hooper at your corporate event? A belly dancer at your birthday? A burlesque performer in your stage show? Suuurrrre. Let me just run to my storage unit. Again.

All in all I have figured it out. It has taken some organization, planning and forethought but so far so good. It can be done! The worst thing that's happened is I've lost a couple material possessions along the way. But who cares? It's just stuff! I'm liking this whole non-attachment to material possessions thing!

In about 3 weeks I leave for my first trip to Asia. I was hired to perform fire dancing for 3 days at the Singapore Grand Prix! I used our flight money to go to Bangkok and then 4 weeks later down to Singapore. That's right. 4 weeks in Thailand! Wow! I am so excited and nervous at the same time I can hardly stand it. It will be a grand adventure! I feel like I will learn a lot about myself and about the world at the same time. After getting back from Southeast Asia I will be going to Santa Cruz to perform at Hoop Camp's Movements Arts Festival. Could life get better than that??

Day of the Dead Burlesque Inspiration

I am already planning my next big production, The Dia de los Muertos Cabaret to be held in San Diego the first weekend of November (2nd & 3rd). More details on the way. Just know now it's going to be EPIC! Then only 3 days later I am off to my 7 week UK tour! Whew! And Weeeee!!!!!

I will be teaching at SWhoop (South West Hoop Convergence) in Bristol, then in Dublin for a Flow Fest, then the Brighton Flow Fest, then I'm off to teach workshops in Plymouth, Oxford and finally London for the Fantasia Belly Dance Festival. This will be the longest I have traveled alone, ever! I'm going to the land of amazing music and amazing hooping! I can't even fathom the inspiration about to be bestowed upon me! When I saw the Bristol Hoop Massive Video for the first time, I was blown away. It might still be my favorite hoop video of all time. The comment I posted when I first saw it was, "I want to come hoop with you all in Bristol one day!" And look, it's happening! Thanks to Emma (Kenna Hoops)! My favorite musicians have ALL come from England! Pink Floyd, Radiohead, Cinematic Orchestra, Mr. Scruff...just to name a few! I hope to see Cinematic live while I'm there. I'm already planning to see Caravan Palace while I'm in Brighton. They are another one of my all time favorite bands but they're from France, close enough!

When I'm back from England I will actually be finding a real address like most of the rest of the world. But not too long after I will be joining about 100 hoopers on the Hoop Ship! Woot!  It's a cruise for hoopers to the BAHAMAS! WOOHOOO! Ever wanted to go a cruise? Ever wanted to go to a Hoop Retreat? Ever wanted to go to the BAHAMAS?? Here's your chance ALL IN ONE AMAZING EVENT! And it's SUPER affordable if you think about all of the amazingness you get! Epic instructor line up and Hoop classes on the beaches of the BAHAMAS! Did I mention the BAHAMAS? Ha! Come play! February 2013!

Tweedle Dee & Tweedle Dum :)

There is talk of a potential trip to India after that and then in summer of 2013 I plan to tour the United States with The Hoop Unit in a painted bus. Hey, a girl can dream, can't she? Look out for the Kickstarter campaign to fund the first ever cross country UNITY Tour!

Enough about what's coming up. What's been happening? Here is where I catch you up on all of the past highlights from the last month or so....

• I was fortunate enough to see the Pretty Things Peep Show when they were in town. That might have been the best show I have EVER seen! If you ever get a chance, jump on it! 

• I taught 14 children how to make hoops, do  impressive hoop dance tricks and perform them for their parents at the New Children's Museum Summer Camp. Watch the video here. There is still one week left at Cuyamaca College. Sign up here!

Me as a Twi'lek!

• I got to be apart of Hell on Heel's Carnival Burlesque show! That was fun!

• I had my first paid Lyra gig that was not at one of my own events! It was with Aerial Revolution for the 4th of July at the Escondido celebration.

• I walked on stilts for the first time! Thanks to Mango!!!

• I got to be a Twi'lek for the Keyhole Cabaret Comic Con show, "Nerd-tastic Burlesque" It was the first time I painted my whole body. What an adventure! There are snippets of the show here. You can see me eating fire as a Twi'lek at the end of the clip.

• Oh yeah and I turned 27 :) My birthday was everything I could have asked for. Relaxing, yummy and full of amazing friends. BRING IT 27!!!

Everyone Just Wants You to be YOU

Caterpillar: Whooo...arrrre...youuuu? 

Alice: Why, I hardly know, sir. I've changed so much since this morning, you see... 

Caterpillar: No, I do not C, explain yourself. 

Alice: I'm afraid I can't explain myself, you see, because I'm not myself, you know. 

Caterpillar: I do not know. 

Alice: I can't put it any more clearly, sir, because it isn't clear to me. 

Who are you? Figuring out who you are is what life is all about. For some of us it comes earlier than others. It can be painful, enlightening and confusing as we are figuring out our true path in life. At The Spin Summit in Colorado I found myself telling people over and over, "Everyone just wants you to be YOU!" I constantly tell myself that! Remind yourself regularly that the most important thing about life is to be truly yourself and no one else. But who are you? That's where it gets tough. At events like the Spin Summit, just like at many other prop manipulation retreats, it can be unnerving to be around so many other hoopers, fire spinners, performers and circus freaks. It's scary to get up in front of people who already know every trick you're about to pull out of your hat. Scary, yes but also makes us push ourselves and makes us better at what we do. It raises the bar. Not to mention being around so many talented people gives us inspiration and much needed outside influence. Giving us new ideas, new skills, new friends and new opportunities for collaboration. Even though in our own mind it might be scary, everyone around you just wants you to be you. And not only be yourself but to SHINE! Own it! There is nothing as amazing as watching someone else be themselves to their fullest potential. I think Marianne Williamson says it best in this quote:

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others" - Marianne Williamson

Yoga on the grass with Tina Porter

Hoop Burlesque Class at Spin Summit

Spin Summit was profound. It came at this time in which I am changing and feeling much transformation. I was highly sensitive to all of the amazingness around me :) I was fortunate enough to take emPOWERment Yoga with Tina Porter outside on the grass. She was an excellent teacher. Breathing in the Colorado air, smelling the grass, hearing the birds, feeling the wind and the sun on my skin. It was exactly what I needed in that moment. Walking away from it reset and restored, I felt a type of elation that I am not sure I have felt before. Going from that into Emma's (Kenna Hoops) workshop allowed for some pretty epic hoop revelations. She is amazing. Hopefully I will host her in Southern California one day so she can share her epicness with my local hoop community. I was also given the opportunity to help her students in the back who weren't catching on right away. She was teaching some pretty complicated moves and I was there to help :) That afternoon made me want to write poetry. I was full of words that were bursting out of me. This is what I wrote: "Movement, play, yoga, dance, hoop (LOADS of new moves!) outdoors, grass, wind, trees, birds, breathe, sun, smile, connecting, sharing, learning, playing, teaching, laughing and my mind, my body, my heart is SINGING! Blisssss." 

Hoop Burlesque Class Performing & Rocking It!!!

Both my workshops were great! I taught Hoop Burlesque and Belly Hoop Fusion to some truly fabulous women. The hoopers in my burlesque class were so excited by the routine I taught that they had the idea to perform it in the showcase. I thought that was a lovely idea and we made it happen! Only one day after spending one hour trying something as challenging as hoop/clothing manipulation, these brave women joined me on stage in front of about 100 of our peers. These women rocked it and their bravery inspires me! It has become very clear to me that I have taken on the role as someone who gives people performance opportunities. I do it at home in San Diego with students and troupe members and I also do it nationally at conventions like these!

Hoop Burlesque at "Knickers for Knockers"
Photo by Albertine Feurer-Young

I had fun doing a Hoop Burlesque solo in the show and shocking everyone, just a little bit :) I felt like I was representing the Burlesque community at that event so I truly brought it. If that was these people's first or only experience with Burlesque I wanted it to be something truly memorable. I feel good about it! HERE is a new video from a Hoop Burlesque performance I did in April for the Bourbon Dames Burlesque Breast Cancer Fundraiser "Knickers for Knockers." 

Baxter's Workshop

On the last night of Spin Summit, in the middle of a thunder, lightning, rain and HAIL storm (!!!) Baxter of The HoopPath led us in a blindfolded dance/movement/flow journey. His workshops are always mind opening and this one was no different. If you ever have a chance to experience his magic, please do. I was moving in ways that I never do and it was refreshing. It was weird. Sometimes weird is good. It was a unique experience because everyone at the retreat was there. The poi spinners, contact jugglers, everyone. We were all led on a journey through movement, music and Baxter's philosophy. So much amazing energy! We connected and shared something in that room that can not be described unless you were there. I will now be referring to that night as the "download of the century." We cosmically downloaded straight from the source. It was pure magic.  

Dixon

Right after Baxter was Dixon's violin. Whew! I am not sure if I have ever hooped like that before. There was a safe, supportive container created that was perfect for spontaneous creation. Despite my body's fatigue from traveling, hooping, performing and moving for about 6 days straight (I vended and performed at Cairo Caravan right before I went to Colorado), I hooped my heart out for two full hours! First with Baxter's lead and then to Dixon's amazing music. WOW! He is beautiful. He used a loop peddle and some other electronic devices to make some truly psychedelic, trippy beautiful sounds. So perfect to move to. I was drenched with sweat and feeling amazing by the end of it. I was reduced to tears more than once. 

Hooping on the World of Wonders stage
 in the boiler room!

Cairo Caravan on the Queen Mary went great! I had my hoop booth with Melodia Designs and it was lovely to reconnect with my belly dance family. I performed 5 times that weekend! Wowza! I was on the main stage, outside on the grass with both Danyavaad and Frank Lazzaro as well as on the World of Wonders stage inside the haunted bolier room of the ship. It was a really cool space to perform in and it felt like I was supposed to be there! HERE is a video of me with Frank Lazzaro and Cairo Beats. 

My next big adventure will be in Southeast Asia. I will be exploring Thailand and Singapore because of my fire gig at the Singapore Grand Prix before going to Hoop Camp in Santa Cruz. I will be gone for 6 weeks. Then I will be home for a month or so before I head to the UK to teach and perform at SWHoop and Fantasia. I have tentative plans to teach at the Maui Hoop Fest in February. 

LIFE IS GRAND! I AM SO GRATEFUL and I LOVE YOU!

Belly Hoop Dance at Cairo Caravan on the Queen Mary

Basking in the Afterglow

May has been one FULL month and June promises to be very packed as well! As I reflect on the last couple of weeks, I cannot help but fully bask in the afterglow of success and meaningful experience. I am sunbathing in that glow, rolling around in the grass full of recent memories and relaxing into a blanket of gratitude...

Electric Poncho was amazing! We rocked our show on Friday night and literally blew everyone away. People were talking to me for weeks afterward about how much they loved it. Tim DeMartin even wrote about it in his blog, BurnandPeel: "Among the noteworthy, was a special performance led by a tantalizing group of hoola-hoopers and fire-eaters known as The Hoop Unit. With almost supernatural abilities, they wove incandescent rainbows of color and fire through the night, while acrobats dangled like a chandelier above the fire dancers. On the first night of Electric Poncho, their performance uncorked the entire festival and was a highlight for many of the attendees." You can watch our show here and here. Apologies for the low quality. My favorite part of EP was probably the renegade waterfall set on Saturday afternoon. Cinnamon tore it up!

Hoop Unit Photo Shoot with Ciara Cusseaux

Very soon after Electric Poncho, came The Psychedelic Mirage Sideshow, the biggest event I have produced to date. As promised, it sold out completely before the day of the show. I want to send out a big THANK YOU to everyone who was able to attend. It was hugely successful, thanks to you! I am grateful that you are supporting and enjoying local art, performance and expression. Before that show was even over I was already planning the next one in my head, so make sure to keep an eye out for that! It wont be for awhile, as I don't think it would be physically possible to do more than two a year. I learned a lot from the experience. Big ones are: follow your instincts (from the start!) and get everything in writing! Everything! Since I am an honest person, I assume everyone is the same, but I have been proven otherwise. Even the smallest things that you would think a verbal agreement would be sufficient for sometimes isn't, so every little thing needs to be written down. ALL OF IT!!! 

Bringing Sexy Back w/ Kristina Nekyia

I am so grateful for my supportive troupe members, amazing stage crew, professional performers and rockin' DJs who made producing that show a delight. Everyone rocked it! Here is Ringo's blog response to the show. There will be plenty of pictures and video available soon. For all of the stress that was associated with the prep, the show itself made up for it by being smooth as butter :) And the after party was awesome! The next day, Kristina Nekyia taught her "Bringing Sexy Back" workshop to a full room of sexy women! We had a blast! 

Only a week after filling the World Beat Center with over 350 audience members, I was off to the East Coast to teach and perform at Hoop Convergence in North Carolina. I went last year and had a life changing experience. My biggest realization last year was "...the profound uniqueness of each individual hooper at HoopCon. The variety of style and approach towards hooping was vast. And the support of everyone to be their own true selves was inspiring! To see an audience that equally cheered on such different people as KaytiBunny and Poki (just an example of two polar opposite, equally fabulous hoopers) was something I had not experienced before." 

Hoop Convergence 2012

Of course I felt the same thing again this year, but I think more than anything what struck me this time was the deep connections made. Over the last year I had been able to keep up with distant hoopers' lives and they had kept up with mine too. We got to see each other again after a long time but were able to catch right up. I felt like I strengthened old bonds and was able to make new ones! Something very exciting about connecting with people all over the country and all over the world, is the idea of touring Unity Hoops & The Hoop Unit across the country next summer. I want to go on a road trip teaching and performing, sharing and playing! Here's to BIG dreams!

Teaching Group Choreography at Hoop Con 2012

I taught a group choreography class and was able to really enjoy the process of preparing for it. I went through three years of old Hoop Unit videos and picked out the sections of choreography that worked the best. This allowed me to feel a lot of pride about my past accomplishments and so much gratitude for the experiences I've had. I am happy to have been given this opportunity of reflection! Thank you Julia Harstell Crews and Scott Crews of HoopDrum and Synergy Fire Hoops along with everyone who helped to make Hoop Convergence happen! Jessica Katharsys said: "It was really great to take your workshop and watch you perform this weekend at Hoop Convergence. What you do is inspiring and beautiful to watch. I really jived with the way you organized and structured your class, and you explained the way you choreograph in a really concise and clear way. The hard work and thought really show and come through in your dance."

Besides teaching my workshop, some highlights include: watching Julia spin double fire hoop to the live jam, performing my Belly Hoop Dance piece to "Familiar Ground" by Cinematic Orchestra in the showcase, watching Ninja Hoops from Oakland perform in the showcase, playing in the FlowJo afterward, becoming friends with Ariel, eating veggie burritos from the Mexican food bus parked on the street, painting Emma's eyes blue for her performance, drinking vanilla vodka/champagne/ginger echinacea cocktails (YUM) before the renegade, performing Hoop Burlesque with one of my all time loves Lolli Hoops in the renegade ("Wasssupppp!!!" and "Hello Boys!" - all taken from Bags' Poop Workshop) while wearing Hoop Convergence stickers as pasties, covering Lolli up with a blanket since she passed out in the living room, jamming out and listening to Scott drum as VJJMa and AliCat sang on the front porch and dancing with Julia, learning TONS of new hoop moves, Reverend Vulva and VJJMa's skit in the renegade, Rainbow Michael's dooping...oh wait, just Rainbow Michael in general, Snackrobatics (Tom Thumb and Zach) and so much more! 

With all of that amazingness it is easy to just focus on it, wallow in it if you will. Giving myself time to process is important and now I am ready, excited even, for what lies ahead! Being at this amazing retreat of hoopers made me super excited to go to Spin Summit in Colorado the first week of June! Woohoo! More time to share and absorb knowledge. More time to connect and play with a world of object manipulators. This one I haven't been to before so it should be a completely new experience with lots to learn. There is an EPIC line up of instructors so if you're even slightly inclined to such a thing, consider going! Buy your very reasonably priced tickets HERE.

  

Before Spin Summit, I will be vending hoops with Melodia Designs at Cairo Caravan on the Queen Mary as well as performing on the Luxur stage. Then after Spin Summit is the Keyhole Cabaret 2 year anniversary show "Prohibition Inhibitions" at Stout Pub on June 16th...flapper hooping anyone? I will be leading a week long Hula Hoop Summer Camp in both June and July for 1-3 graders and 4-6 graders at the New Children's Museum. I am also doing the same thing in July and August with Cuyamaca College. Do you have a kid that wants to learn Hoop Dance? Know someone with a family that might be interested? Spread the word! Thank you! 


The Hoop Unit will also be bringing our newest show "The Sultan's 10 Wives" to Elysium AND Unity Hoops will have a booth at the OB Chili Cook Off Street Fair the weekend of June 22-23. Don't miss me performing with Hell on Heels Burlesque Revue at Brick By Brick on June 30th for their Grind Show - A Carnival Burlesque Extravaganza. Speaking of Burlesque, I am starting a new Burlesque series on June 12th which is inspired by my trip to Paris earlier this year. The Can-Can Moulin Rouge Showgirl! Come play!

Opening Our Eyes

I consider myself a happy person. I guard my happiness! I block people on Facebook with negative, depressing and sometimes even political posts. I, sadly, like many other Americans have taken a stance of non-involvement in our current political and governmental situation. All of it is so depressing and ignorance is bliss, right? Well, I have recently discovered that while ignorance is bliss, knowledge is power. I want to share with you some of the eye-opening documentaries I have watched recently. They are intense, depressing and at times even frightening. But I think it's better to know and have the choice to make change, as opposed to wallowing in self-indulgent ignorant bliss.

Vegan Mac n Cheese, Field Roast w/ Veggies & Asparagus

The first one I watched is "Forks Over Knives" which is available on Netflix as a "Watch Instantly" option if you have it. There is also a review of it on Plant Powered Living here. I have been vegetarian on and off since I was 12 years old. I used to go to Northern California once a year with my family to visit friends and family. Driving back on the 5, passing through Coalinga, there are miles and miles of cow farms packed full of innocent animals waiting for the slaughter. The smell is overwhelmingly nauseating and the sight is incomprehensible. This is what made me go vegetarian the first time. After years of being a vegetarian I went back to eating meat until I went to Burning Man the first time in 2007. That was the "Green Man." Burning Man changed my life forever! I came home and wrote down a list of all kinds of things I wanted to do with my life because of my experience. One was "learn to fire dance" and the other was "become a vegetarian." Well I definitely got the first one down :) The second one was also not hard to make happen again. It was for environmental reasons this time. I was trying to lessen my imprint on this earth. It is a proven fact that more fossil fuels are generated from cow farms than from cars. Again I went back to eating meat within a couple years and again I went back to being a vegetarian about a year ago or so. This time it was for health reasons. I wanted to slim down and felt like I was carrying extra unneeded weight with me.

Aerial Lyra at Burning Man 2011.

The transition to veganism came after lots of talks and inspiration from one of my best friends, Leela (Lady Leeloo). She is in my troupe, The Hoop Unit and works for Plant Powered Living, a vegan inspiration, recipe and success story company based out of Encinitas. I honestly never thought I would be a vegan! The amazing thing about my friendship with Leela is that we can inspire each other. I have taught her everything I know when it comes to hooping, burlesque, fire dancing, belly dancing and performing. She has taught me the importance of eating healthy and being true to yourself. She constantly surprises me on a daily basis with her talent and ability to do it all! There is nothing she can't do :) Being so much herself and no one else, in every way, helps me to remember how important it is! So this is my shout out to Plant Powered Living and all they have done to inspire me and many other people to choose a path of health, happiness and aliveness. The movie "Forks Over Knives" helped me understand exactly why I have chosen this path. I highly recommend it! It's only 90 minutes long and will forever change your view of the food we eat! I also want to mention that my vegan transition has been made exponentially easier and more delicious because of People's Food Co-Op. I live at this place! The people who work there know me by name and see me everyday :)

My favorite meal! Quinoa & salad :)

So what benefits have I experienced so far from becoming vegan? I have lost about 8 pounds. This is also due to my change in workout regime. I owe it not only to being Plant Powered but also to Aerial Revolution. I have taken on a new circus skill, the Aerial Lyra and man is it a work out! The most intense physical activity I have ever tried! It is not only a work out but also fun, beautiful and expressive. Aerial Revolution has lots of fun classes that make you sweat and make you smile. I even teach hoop there! I have also experienced lots of new energy from being vegan. My body is no longer wasting energy trying to digest animal products, so I can use that extra energy to do what I love! I don't have to sleep as much at night time, giving me more time to do what I love! (Notice a trend here). I haven't been sick in a long time, my skin is nicer and more radiant. Also, it is an exciting challenge. I love to cook and I love challenges. I get to figure out how to make delicious meals without using animal products, that are both satisfying and delicious. I can focus my meals around different types of food that I never used to focus my meals around. My boyfriend is not vegan so I have the added challenge of making food he will enjoy. I am pleasantly surprised to find out that the vegan meals I make, make him happy too :) I have recently started juicing and I love it! Fresh delicious fruits and veggies juiced together to make concoctions that are yummy and full of energy! I got my Champion Juicer second hand off Craigslist for a very affordable price.

The other documentary I watched recently is called "Thrive." This one talks about the energy crisis and touches on the Occupy movement all in one full swoop. It is incredible how much is related and how scary it is! This one has really opened my eyes in a big way. First thing I am doing after watching this film is switching banks from Bank of America to the local San Diego Credit Union. PLEASE watch this film! We are the 99%! This film is so informative on why and how we can change it.  It is available to be streamed on their website for only $5 and the link lasts for 72 hours.

The reason I am sharing this with you is because I have chosen a leadership role in my community. As a leader, I want to inspire people and help spread the knowledge and the love. I want the world to know what I know, and what has been beneficial to me in my life. So now you can share the love and spread the knowledge!