How to Start Your Hoop Whirling

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Monday, January 19, 2009

Hope to hoop? It's not hard to get started, even in your own home. Hoopnotica (http://www.hoopnotica.com) and HoopGirl (http://www.hoopgirl.com) both hawk instructional DVDs along with wider, heavier hoops meant for adult bodies, in regular and collapsible, travel-friendly models.

Expecting? You may want to go a bit wider and lighter; hence, the new Hoopnotica Preg-O Pregnancy Hoop. Snag a free one if you take part in the product test Sunday in Georgetown. (See http://www.meetup.com/hoopdancedc for details.)

And if you're looking for in-person guidance, you're in luck: The D.C. area is home to several instructors.

· Arlington's Jocelyn Gordon (http://www.lovemovementhealingarts.com), who offers private lessons and workshops, will offer a free beginner session Feb. 9 at the National Institutes of Health (3-4 p.m. in the Natcher Building on the main campus).

· Noelle Powers (http://www.hoopingpowers.com) will show off her moves free Feb. 15 at the Strathmore arts center (http://www.strathmore.org) in Bethesda, or you can take one of her classes: Her Baltimore series (2640 St. Paul St.) starts Monday at 7 p.m., and in Mount Rainer, she offers instruction at Joe's Movement Emporium (http://www.joesmovement.org) Saturdays at 11:15 a.m.

· Tina Bauch's (http://www.hoopurr.com) newest class starts Sunday at the World Gym (http://www.worldgymva.com) in Gainesville.

· Martine Koissy is mid-session at FemFit (http://www.femfitclub.com) in Rockville, but you can set up private lessons or workshops (e-mailmeanimaus@gmail.com).