The Springfield News-Leader reports, "'Whirling meditation,' 'blissful' and 'performing art' are among the words Heather Hughes uses to describe her hula-hooping hobby. Hughes, 24, of Dresden, Missouri, can spin a large hoop around her waist, chest, arms and fingers for stretches of time without stopping. She can toss the ring in the air, catch it and begin spinning it again. Hughes is able to step in and out of the hoop, and roll it across her outstretched arms and back in a position like she is taking a bow. Adults are often focused on activities for the purpose of work, exercise or other duties. Hughes said hooping gives her a break from those tasks of life and reminds her to play. 'Hoops are so associated with that sense of childhood, with that sense of play, it's almost like you can sidestep all those mental barriers and just play and that's amazing to me,' she said." Full story: Springfield News-Leader