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Pixie Vision Photography

I just LOVE Pixie at Pixie Vision Photography. I was so ultra fortunate to book the last photo shoot appointment with Pixie this passed Winter on a tour stop in Atlanta at Tribal Con. What a thrill to finally be able to work with such a talented, patient and giving photographer. She really works her charm to bring out the best in each and every one of her photo subjects. Check out Pixie’s talented works on her website, like this entire amazing portfolio of just hoopers or this red-hot fire album. You can also “like” her on Facebook where she shares some pretty amazing shoots and tidbits of her travels.

On a side note, I think next year if I am not in Bali I will try to hit up Tribal Con for some workshops and fun. Perhaps I can teach hooping at Tribal Con next year, what a dream come true! After all, it IS my birthday weekend. What a way to celebrate 34 years of life!

I was her last shoot on her last day and she totally rocked it out with me! She suggested before hand that I create a playlist to listen to during the shoot. How awesome! I wish I had thought of that in the passed, it totally helped me rock it out and feel great for my shoot. Pixie does a great job at keeping you sane and relaxed during your shoot. She is a stellar director, too. With her direction we came out with hundreds of photos during my hour long shoot. I had such a hard time picking my favorites at the end. I have picked 4 for her to edit but am already checking out which ones I can purchase next. Check out Pixie Vision Photography out of L.A. and be sure to keep an eye out for her in your area. I will be adding the gorgeous shots we created together to my website soon. Keep an eye on the newsletter for more info!

Special thanks to my friend Molly who loaned me her fire-y boots for the shoot and my friend Caity at Salon Modello for hair and makeup help.

Have a great Monday!
XX,

Rebecca

Sneak Peak

Free Hoop Dance Advice from HOOPLOVERS

Hooping is HOT in Atlanta! I am so excited about the upwards moment of hooping in Atlanta. I love facilitating such a huge movement and seeing others take the hooping love and pass it along to others by gifting adult hoops and teaching hula hooping to their friends. I want to share with you someone who inspires me beyond measure. I’ve  shared with you many of Deanne Love’s tutorials on this blog and by word of mouth in class. You may sign up to receive email alerts for when each new lesson is uploaded.

Who is Deanne Love?

“Deanne’s desire to connect people through dance, music and fun fueled the creation of HOOPLOVERS in 2007. Deanne’s mission is to inspire global beings to find their true potential through movement and self-expression via the all encompassing benefits of hoop dance.

Since 2011, Deanne has lived in Melbourne, Australia and currently teaches weekly Hoop Dance classes in Melbourne, including active and creative lessons for adults and children. She has taught in schools and dance studios both in Australia and Japan and brings her passion for international education and life long learning to every class she is engaged in. Deanne regularly performs Hoop Dance shows for corporate and private parties as well as kid’s events and a variety of celebrations. She has traveled the world sharing her individual style of hoop love and performed on stages in Sydney, Thailand and Tokyo.”

HoopLovers is home to Deanne Love. Check it out: “Hoop your way to health, happiness and hotness guided by Deanne Love.

Enjoy the numerous benefits of hula hoop dance and fitness. Sign up for FREE weekly video tutorials and tips.”

 

Watch one of my favorite videos of Deanne Love here on her YouTube page.

I will be utilizing some of Deanne’s teaching methods and sequences in my Intermediate Hula Hoop Dance 6 wks series classes beginning tomorrow, April 30 at Studio Burlesque here in Atlanta. I can’t wait to see you there!

XO,
Rebecca


Hoopie Awards: Hoop the VOTE!

Hey guys! Thanks for reading. I wanted to be sure you knew about the 2012 Hoopie Awards from Hooping.org
Check out the amazing hula hoop dancer talent in our global community and cast your votes. From fire and glow hoop dance performances to TED Talks on hooping and hoop trick tutorials. This honors our global hooping community, shedding light on some fresh new hooper faces that have recently made hoop waves in our community online or in the press.

VOTING ENDS AT 11:59 PST TODAY, Saturday January 26th.

CLICK HERE TO CAST YOUR VOTE!

Neil Gaiman inspiration

Hey everyone,

WOW! I habe been absent here for a bit but I’m back. How are you doing? Happy 2013! More blog time is on my long list of to-do’s for the coming year of improvements and growth.  I am going to keep it short and get into the good stuff. My good friend in California, fellow hooper and super Mom Tiffani Michelle posted this incredible speech by Neil Gaiman today and I just had to share it with you. Such an inspiration for life, especially all types of artists and anyone who craves success.

Please check it out here on YouTube in a video provided by Peter Sevecenco.

“The one thing you have that nobody else has, is YOU.” ~Neil Gaiman

 

XOXO,

Rebeccatumblr_lx5yp3EHGS1r9rx79o1_400

 

 

Hoopy Holidays

Happy Holidays from my home to yours. XO, Rebecca

hoopy-holidays

Squashing Bugs (virtually)

As many of you know we uploaded a spanking-new design here on HoopEssence about a month ago. Overall, the new design and code has been a big improvement over the previous system. We really appreciate all of your feedback as we’ve worked to make the website a great place to visit.

One of the last sticking points we were having on the new system was the events system. Well, I’m happy to announce that the last of the bugs have been squashed (no actual insects were harmed in the creation of this website). This means it will be faster and easier for you to find our events and get tickets & info. It also means it will be easier for us to manage these events and hopefully start offering even more to you. Continue reading →

Where can I get a hula hoop?

Gallery

Get a hoop! Share a smile
This gallery contains 4 photos.

Wondering where you can get your hands on an adult weighted hula hoop? You have found yourself in the right spot. HoopEssence hand crafts weighted dance hoops for fitness and fun, right here in Atlanta, GA. We ship our hoops all across the United States or you can schedule free local pick up. Check out… Read more »

Beginners Hula Hooping Dance Class

Beginners Hula Hoop Dance PLAYshop
Saturday Dec 1, 2012

Ladies Workout Express
1:30-4:30pm
(Sorry gentleman,This class is being taught at a Women’s only facility)

In one fun filled afternoon we will cover the fundamentals of hula hooping on our core and hands including choosing the correct hoop for your unique body/goals. We will explore hooping on different places of the core body including waist, hips, chest, shoulders for a fun dance workout. We will also begin to explore hooping on the hands in vertical and horizontal planes then twirl into corkscrews.

Come in as a bare bones beginner, to learn in your opposite current, whether you just want to perfect your own beautiful self-taught skills or as a great refresher course, all skill levels welcome. Leave with a whole lotta hoop love under your belt (and soon to be dropping from your waist line, if ya know what I mean). We will smile & laugh and yes, there will be sweating! Come find that inner child and bring them out to play! Bring a friend, co-worker or family member with you to play along to take advantage of our bring a friend special!

$35 to pre-register for this fun filled 3 hour workshop BEFORE Nov 30. Class goes up to $40/day of class.

Pre-register with a friend by Nov 30 and get class for you both for just $70, save 10! Class goes up to $40 each day of class.
New to hooping? No worries! Hoops for our beginners workshops (and plenty of giggles) are provided!
What to wear: Comfortable, breathable clothes that fit are recommended. Natural fibers are best for grip! Don’t forget your water bottle!
Call REBECCA directly with questions: 404-431-8876

Within the hula hoop, relief from anxiety and depression

We all find ourselves down in the dumps from time to time.  The world is complex and things don’t always go our way.  When these feelings are compounded over a long period, they can result in anxiety and depression.

Hula hooping calms the mind and relaxes the body, which can help relieve the symptoms of anxiety.  Releasing some of the tension of everyday stress, hula hooping allows you to practice self-expression and artistically work your way through difficult times.  The meditative back-and-forth motion of the hula hoop elicits peaceful feelings.  When you’re hula hooping, the rest of the world falls away and it becomes just you and the hoop.

Like anxiety, depression can make it hard to enjoy life, but hula hooping can help bring some of that joy back.  Sadness and anger fade away as the hula hoop’s trance-like movements take your mind off everyday problems.  Hula hooping gives you time to tend to yourself and focus on the beauty of your own existence.  Jonathan Baxter, founder of the introspective hula hooping school HoopPath, said in a video interview, “When I’m within a practice space, I am not there for anyone’s enjoyment except my own.”  His own experiences with depression were alleviated when he started hula hooping on a daily basis.  Hula hooping is often referred to as a “transformative dance” because of its ability to change the mindset of the participant.

In no way is hula hooping a substitute for medical treatment.  If you are experiencing anxiety or depression, seek help from a professional.  However, hula hooping is a powerful supplement that works in tandem with other treatments.  It’s an amazing way to feel good about yourself, relax, find your focus, and have some laughs.  You may find that it’s hard not to be happy when you’re hula hooping!

Hula hoop for fun and fitness

An intense hula hooping session makes you feel the burn and drip the sweat.  Just a few minutes of that will get your pores pouring!  You may think that you’re burning a few calories here and there, but not enough to shed any pounds.  And that may be true if you’re just picking up the hoop for a few moments.  Hula hooping can in fact result in dramatic weight loss results, and like any other form of exercise, requires commitment and time spent.

Power couple Jen and Keith Moore brought the fitness magic of hula hooping to national attention with their epic story of losing a total of 300 pounds put together with help from the hoop.  A tragic loss of their second child, who was stillborn, led them into a downward spiral of bad eating habits to comfort their pain.  After feeling the social stigma of their resulting obesity and needing a change, they sought out a way to manage their weight issues and discovered hula hooping through Hoopnotica.  In an interview with WHAM Channel 13 in Rochester, NY, Jen Moore said, “Anytime I’d feel like I wanted to turn to food again, and overeat, and be stressed out, I would grab my hoop.”  They’re now passing on the wisdom by empowering others as hula hooping instructors.  Earlier this year, the couple was featured on the ABC show The Revolution.

Science backs up the anecdotes about the positive physical impact of hula hooping.  A study conducted by the University of Wisconsin La Crosse and published in the American Council on Exercise found that 30 minutes of hula hooping via an instructional video is equivalent to the same amount of time spent doing workouts like boot camp and cardio kickboxing classes.  In just one session, participants burned an average of 210 calories, or 7 calories per minute!  That’s enough to earn hula hooping the seal of approval from the American College of Sports Medicine as a form of exercise that is useful for weight management.

Hula ooping moves can work the abs, shoulders, arms, legs, and essentially all major “problem areas” of the body.  You may find that just like fun hula hooping moments can elicit a spontaneous smile, you may also lose inches, gain strength, and improve overall fitness without even realizing it.

Atlanta’s one and only hula-hoop dance troupe debuts at the Goat Farm

Hoop Troupe at the Goat Farm

12 hoops, all at once!

Hoop star sighting!  The debut performance of the HoopEssence Hoop Troupe on Friday, August 10 was a smashing success.  Never before has anyone brought an act like this to the Atlanta community, and we are proud to be the first.  As part of the Summer Sounds fundraiser for 7 Stages Theater, the troupe delivered a picture-perfect choreography at the Goat Farm Arts Center using hoops in complex group formations.

Dressed in summery Hawaiian attire edged with lace, the 12 lovely ladies of the troupe were all smiles at the special luau-themed party.  Set to the electro-swing beats of Caravan Palace, we brought a modern take on a classic tradition to the stage as we used our sparkling hoops to spin, sass, and dance for the crowd.  In an unexpected deviation from the choreography’s clear-cut organization, each dancer broke out of their lines in turn to show off some of their individual talents.  We had a blast!

It was an honor to perform alongside prominent Atlanta acts, including Blair Crimmins and the Hookers, Davina and the Harlots, Ghost Bikini, Jeffrey Butzer, and the Little 5 Points Rockstar Orchestra.  The fundraiser drew hundreds of people and raised a healthy sum for 7 Stages Theater, which is presenting Dracula: The Rock Opera from September 13 to October 14.  Stay tuned for information about upcoming Hoop Troupe productions this fall!

We are delighted to bring a unique blend of hoop dance and group choreography to the stage.  If you want to surprise your guests with something vibrant that will incite energy and fun, the HoopEssence Hoop Troupe will be that inspiring act.  Book a performance with us for your next event!

Hula Hoop Class

Book a private lesson with Rebecca DeShon, Atlanta’s Premier Hoop Dance Instructor. All private lessons are custom tailored to fit your personal goals, skill level and to fit in your busy schedule. Learn from Atlanta’s best hoop dance resource with over 4 years of experience in the industry. Rebecca DeShon has paved the way for the hoop dance revolution in Atlanta making her the most sought after instructor and performer in Georgia. Benefit from years of teaching hundreds of students of all ages.

Contact Rebecca today to get in the spin!

Free Hoop Jam!

Come play with us in the Downtown Decatur Square! The end of Summer is here and we are ready for some outdoor FUN. I don’t know about you but the cooler temps and breezy early morning air has me thinking about Fall. While I welcome a break from the humidity any chance I can get, I know time will fly by quickly and land right smack into Winter. Let’s get outside and play while we can enjoy the weather.

Bring a friend, your family – all ages and everyone is welcome. This is a free event. Come learn to hula hoop by playing with others. Bring any hoops you would like to share, I will provide a few hoops for use and we will hula hoop, dance, play and join in community. Can’t wait to see you! Come make new friends and learn to hoop dance. We welcome everyone to join the fun! Get a good workout while you smile and giggle, you won’t even notice the time.

Wednesday Aug 29, 2012 6-8pm

Wednesday Sept 12, 2012 6-8pm

Wednesday Sept 26, 2012 6-8pm

We will gather in the center of the square either by the gazebo around the law or at the top on the concrete by the “misting” sculpture. Call me if you have any questions! 404-431-8876 **These events will be cancelled in the event of severe weather in Downtown Decatur.

Check the calendar for updates! http://hoopessence.com/calendar/

XO! Rebecca

Beginners Hoop Dance Class

Beginners Hula Hoop Dance PLAYshop
Saturday Sept 8, 2012

Ladies Workout Express
(This class is being taught at a Women’s only facility)
1:30-4:30pm

In one fun filled afternoon we will cover the fundamentals of hula hooping on our core and hands including choosing the correct hoop for your unique body/goals. We will explore hooping on different places of the core body including waist, hips, chest, shoulders and neck. We will also begin to explore hooping on the hands in vertical and horizontal planes then twirl into corkscrews.

$35 to pre-register for this fun filled 3 hour workshop. SPACE IS LIMITED! Pre-registration is strongly recommended
REGISTER. 

Come in as a bare bones beginner, to learn in your opposite current, whether you just want to perfect your own beautiful self-taught skills or as a great refresher course, all skill levels welcome. Leave with a whole lotta hoop love under your belt (and soon to be dropping from your waist line, if ya know what I mean). We will smile & laugh and yes, there will be sweating! Come find that inner child and bring them out to play! Bring a friend, co-worker or family member with you to play along to take advantage of our bring a friend special!

New to hooping? No worries! Hoops (and plenty of giggles) are provided!

What to wear: Comfortable, breathable clothes that fit are recommended. Natural fibers are best for grip! Don’t forget your water bottle!
Ladies Workout Express is a Women’s only facility.
You will have fun and be at the minimin waist hooping by the end of the full class or your MONEY BACK y’all! Guaranteed! Restrictions apply.

**Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. This class Not suitable for children under 10.

SPACE IS LIMITED! Pre-registration is strongly recommended. Secure your space.