DSHooper of August: Dionne
Mummy of two from Sandhurst. Hoop lover!
When did you start hoopdancing? & Why did you think it is a good idea? | I started in about April this year. My sister started in the winter before me and when I saw how good she was getting and how much fun she was having I went along to a trial session. I was hooked from then on. |
Did you find the beginning easy? Did you ever think you would get to hoopdance as well as you do now? | No, I found it really tough in the beginning partly because I hadn’t exercised for so long but as my muscles got stronger I found I picked things up more easily. I never thought I would be able to do half the moves I can, now each time I get a new one I’m astounded. |
Has hoopdance changed anything in your life? | I am so much fitter now. I can feel the muscles in my tummy for the first time in years and I’ve lost weight too. I can tell I am getting fitter as I’ve got more energy. It’s the only thing I’ve tried since the birth of my two children that has helped with my jelly belly! |
Do you often get frustrated when things do not work with the hoop? How do you get over that frustration? What motivates you to keep trying? | I can get really frustrated. I am impatient so I want to be able to do the moves as soon as I’m taught them. I just keep going and practicing and eventually things just fall into place. |
How much time do you spend hooping? | As much as possible. Some weeks I can hoop nearly every day then another only once. It really depends on how tired I am after I get the kids to bed! |
Have you achieved any of your goals that you had before signing up for the first class? Did you have any expectations? | I just wanted to be able to do it and not look like a total idiot. I think I’m on my way. |
Have you got any favourite moves or any that you particularly dislike? Any really really frustrating ones? | I love the vortex as it looks pretty. It’s taken me months and so many bruises but now I can bring my hoop from knee to waist which means I can keep going and not have to stop to pick up my hoop all the time. I love that too At the moment I’m struggling with vertical shoulder hooping but I know it will come eventually. |
Would you recommend hoopdance to others? What is your advice to those who are just at the beginning of their hoopdance experience? | I would and have. I’ve got quite a few friends going now and others, not in the area, desperate to start. I would say to others practice as much as you can. Get out in your garden, get the music on, freestyle and have fun. It’s the only way to really get to know your hoop and what you can do with it. Also to keep laughing it really helps! |
Dionne's comments | Bee is a real inspiration. I direct everyone who asks to her web site to see her in action. People think you’re mad when you say that you hulahoop then after they have seen Bee they all want to have a try. Thanks for making the classes a pleasure. Looking forward to the next instalment. |
My Comments: Dionne is a very inspirational hulahooper - during the class when we learn a new move it is her who can do it first! Then everyone else is convinced that it is not only me who can do it so they all keep trying & succeed. Even I look at her each time & think "BLIMEY, HOW IS SHE DOING IT???"
Indeed, her approach to hooping is second to none. She knows I would not teach anything that I do not think they will be able to do. So then she carefully watches me demonstrate the move, try it & in just a few seconds she is doing it perfectly. So her personality paired up with her excellent motor skills makes her really outstanding not only in her class but in my whole career of teachig. Troubleshooting is another one of her exceptional skills - if something does not work she is able to look at it objectively & try to find a reason. She is a perfect ambassador of hooping demonstrating how important it is to be prepared to get fitter physically & mentally, too.