Though spinning a hoop around the waist looks easy, and is often mistaken as child’s play and a hippie game, it can also serve as a cool little workout. If done properly, it is not only fun but also a different way to move your body .
In Dubai, Flow Ground offers a six week course that explores the practice of Hula Hooping: channeling self-expression into creative play.
Their six week course will take you through hoop dance essentials including waist and hip hooping, recovery, lifts, passes, fancy footwork, and off-body tricks, while simultaneously developing your own style of hula hooping. While the classes are structured to teach certain moves and sequences, they are also very much self expressive. The music is cranked up and there are opportunities to ‘free-flow’ throughout the class, allowing you to switch off, practice your moves and have some fun.
But this isn’t the place to feel self-conscious; the atmosphere is incredibly relaxed and there are participants of various skills, from beginner to more advanced. The class, which had about 8 participants when we went along, starts by forming a circle and having a chat.
At the session we attended, the subject of our brief intro chat centered on the idea of “pursuing the yes”, a message from the book ‘The Secret’ about the law of attraction. This meditative exploration is a regular part of the sessions, which adds quite a holistic element to the classes. For the rest of the 90 minute class, our instructor demonstrated a number of different moves and sequences, which we then got to practice to music to music, not caring what we looked like.
Unless you’re quite skilled and working up a sweat during a hula session, hula hoop class is probably not a replacement for your regular fitness routine but it can improve your core control, balance and coordination and eventually, as you get better (or by the end of the six week course!), offers increased fitness benefits.
But for those looking for something new to try, hula hooping offers a rejuvenating workout that is also super fun. No previous hooping experience is required. Hoopers of all levels are welcome and hoops are available for use during the class and for purchase.
Flow Ground is located at The Fridge, #5 Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz 1, Dubai. Visit FlowGround.ae for more for more info and the course schedule.
