How a trick FEELS vs. How it LOOKS
Friday night I did a little hoop performance with Kara at a party here in Seattle. As I've written about before, I have somewhat conflicted feelings about hoop performances, and I was thinking a lot about some of my issues while I was preparing for the performance Friday.
Here's the thing: when I'm playing with my hoop, part of the fun is trying new things. Can I catch it on my foot and toss it over my shoulder? Can I throw the hoop up, and then step through it? Chances are that the answer is usually, "No, I can't quite do that, but it's fun to try!" If I'm dropping the hoop and falling all over the place, that means I'm stretching and playing and trying new ways of moving.
But in a performance, you don't want to drop the hoop. You want to show people the best that you can do, and for me, that all too often means playing it safe. Who wants to drop the hoop when people are watching? (Side note: I started my hoop performance by dropping my hoop before I'd even gotten started, so clearly I jinxed myeslf.)
So during performances, I tend to find myself playing it pretty conservative. Which is nearly as much fun.
I also find that some of the things that LOOK the coolest don't feel like much of anything from inside the hoop. For example, on Friday I tried laying my hands on my hips, palms in, as I was hooping around my waist. It was so simple that I'm not even sure it qualifies as a trick. Basically, the hoop was rolling over the outside of my hands while I just hooped normally around my waist — but according to friends who watched the performance, the effect was somehow super booty-shaking, and it got the biggest response from the crowd...despite the fact that I'd already done step-outs, foot-carries, and other more complicated tricks.
The moral of the story? When I'm performing, I'm focused on what LOOKS cool. And for me, the funnest aspect of hooping is that it FEELS cool.
I know there are a lot of hoop performers out there — I'd be curious to hear other's thoughts on this.
Comments
When I'm hooping for an audience I often narrate as I go. I usually get a better responce for the tricks that have the best stories to go with them, not necessarily what I consider my hardest or most impresive tricks. I have one trick that I elude to, and try to get my audience chanting for it before I will do it. That's my biggest crowd pleaser.
Posted by: Malia | April 20, 2004 1:14 PM
We (groovehoops) find that the tricks that illicit the greatest response from the crowd are the ones that incorporate dance moves with the trick. It is the straddling of those two capabilities that really make a performance. And yes, no one wants to drop a hoop but the next time it happens, make it part of the act. Show them how you start the hoop from the floor!
Posted by: Stefan | April 20, 2004 2:00 PM
I agree with Stefan, Dance is key. I like to watch hoopers who's hooping is connected with there body and movement. Its easy to get stuck in your head when your performing, and get blocked with what looks cool. Hey, if your strong enough to be performing in front of people, than trust yourself, have fun and focus on what feels good with your body.
If your out of your head, and really "feeling" the hoop, that will resonate much stronger than any particular trick.
Posted by: Loren | April 21, 2004 6:54 PM
In 4 years of hooping, I have learned quite a bit about performances and the difference bewteen how something LOOKS and FEELS.
The first lesson I learned is to, as Loren says, get out of my head.
Once I focused on how my hooping FELT to me, rather than how it LOOKED to others, everything changed. I stopped dropping the hoop during performances when I stopped 'showing off'.
Another lesson came when I closed my eyes during a performance (note: there was enough space to do this safely). Once I blocked out the crowd's watchful eyes, it suddenly became just me and my hoop. Only then did true organic trance dance within the hoop happen. I was only focusing on how it FELT, rather than how it LOOKED.
The next lesson dealt with my body's reaction to closing my eyes. I knew exactly where the hoop was on my body and just allowed the hoop to move me, rather than me moving it. The symbiotic relationship formed between me and my hoop suddenly got stronger, and i FELT more comfortable within it.
When I performed this past weekend at the Art Walk in LA, I began my 5-minute show sitting lotus, burning sage, and bringing myself into the present moment. Then, with my eyes closed, I slowly rose and began to dance, oraganically moving within the hoop vortex. Afterwards, several people commented that it looked like I was in a trance, and I responded that I was.
My suggestion, just do what you are comfortable with and allow yourself to freeflow within your hoop, because most likely what FEELS good to you will LOOK good as well. Happy Hooping!
Posted by: Kandice Bishop | April 22, 2004 4:07 PM
I'm no hoop performer (I'm barely even a hooper), but I perform with fire poi (twirling) and the same thing is true, when I spin for myself, I find myself doing different moves than when I'm performing. I also hit myself far more often while its just for me, because I'm more adventurous. "Can I wrap one around my leg while the other wraps around my arm?" Maybe not, but its fun to try! Same idea. :D
As I perform, I stick to moves I know more comfortably, and things that please the crowd even if they aren't as pleasing to me. Their reaction makes it worth it. Then, as a night goes on, I might get a bit more adventurous in the performance and try to insert some more wild abandon.
The other benefit of fire is that when you are performing on a dark night, the light and sound of the fire drowns everything else out, and it is easy to go into a moving meditation trance. Just the heat, the light, the roar of the flames, and one little soul wrapped up in it all. I do my best performance when I'm in that state, as Kandice and others have noted...
Next step, get better at hooping, and make a fire hoop. :D
Posted by: sam | May 1, 2004 11:37 AM
Great discussion! Yes, this is something I think every hoop performer (or performer, period!) encounters at some point! For me I discovered that the most magic happened when I shifted my focus from concern over how radical my moves where to really enjoying the music and DANCING!
Ariel, this is probably why your 'hands on the hips' move got such a great reaction! It probably had a little attitude and personality than just a trick alone.
It is interesting how the most crowd pleasing movements seem to be the ones requiring minimal real effort! Maybe a lesson in surrender for elsewhere in our lives?
Love you hoop family!!
Anah
Posted by: Anah | May 15, 2004 11:24 PM