The Adventure has led me here to St. Petersburg as I pursue my passion for the hoop and all it has to offer me, as well as the world. I have been assisting Abby in many Hoola Monster endeavors, such as Saturday morning markets, classes, workshops, and my favorite things so far, charity based events. Out of all of the events I have participated in, there is one that is calling me to share with all of you.
There is a home for girls called Brookwood. These girls are 12-18 in age, and are in this home for various reasons. Perhaps they have been schlepped from foster home to foster home, with no success for adoption. Maybe they were taken away from their families due to abuse, neglect, or legal causes. I do not know why any of these girls at such a vulnerable age are living at Brookwood, as opposed to living in warm, nurturing, loving households. All the same, I am blessed to have been able to be able to be a part of a an hour long workshop that facilitated smiles on faces that most likely are turned downward daily, looking at the ground, feeling like there is no reason to look up.
When we arrived the girls who greeted us looked at us like we were slightly crazy. I’m used to this, actually. For me, having hoops on my shoulder is totally natural, like a fifth appendage. I don’t even think about what it might look like to someone else. So when these girls saw us coming with 45 brightly colored hoops wearing tanks sporting the Hoola Monsters logo and smiles from ear to ear, they were basically wondering “What the F*#@?!” They helped us carry our things inside, but under their breath were mumbling about how they were certainly not going to participate in something as stupid and silly as this, they were not about to exercise, and certainly didn’t want to do anything fun. One girl, when I mentioned Hoop Dance being super-fun, said ‘I don’t have fun. And I definitely don’t dance’. I just smiled on the outside, but my heart was breaking.
Most of the girls were still asleep when were ready to start. A couple of the girls, one named Tori in particular, were seriously excited. She went to go wake up the other girls, enthusiastic about the pink hoop she had already claimed as hers for the day. Abby and I turned on some music and danced away while more girls trickled in. I could tell they were impressed and intrigued. It showed they wanted to be a part of this. I could also tell by the expressions on their faces that they had not had this kind of fun before. I could tell that our appearance (fit, smiley, skilled attractive females) intimidated them. These girls seemed rough and tough, so for something that was on the opposite end of the spectrum of rough and tough to intimidate them had to be uncomfortable. There were a handful of girls that picked up hoops and started hooping and smiling right away. Thank goodness that joy is contagious! More and more girls started picking up hoops and giving it a try. There were a few who didn’t get it right away and left. Hopefully they will find time to pick up the hoop we left behind and try it again. A few of the girls, who in the beginning were just observing and refused to participate, finally got up and let loose. They were having such a good time. I could tell it had been a long while since they shared laughter and love like that with anyone.
As Abby was instructing, I was walking around helping each girl if she had any questions or needed help. I came to Tori, who had tears and frustration in her eyes. She wasn’t getting it. She was feeling like a failure. After a little while of doing my best to communicate the tricks and moves in different ways, she still was having trouble. She sat out for a while. I said a silent prayer, sending her love and encouragement.
After a while it was time for the jam circle. The jam circle is a staple of every hoop class Abby teaches. It is a time for all the participates to gather in a circle, each one getting time to be in the middle of the circle and jam out, while the outside of the circle cheers and claps, supportive of the dancer in the middle. I could see fear on Tori’s face. She wanted to participate, but she was afraid she wouldn’t be able to do the things we had learned. I told her to do whatever she wanted in the middle of that circle. I told her there we no rules to hoop dancing, and she could express herself any way she wanted with the hoop. ‘How long can I stay in the middle and dance?’ she asked. “As long as you want”, I said encouragingly, and with a smile. Tori was the first one to dance in the circle, eager and excited. She did some super cool, amazing moves that we hadn’t gone over, and everyone loved it. She stepped out of the middle with a smile so big it brought tears to my eyes. Tori had a powerful affect on me. She affirmed for me that when all else fails, do it your way. Be you! Thank you to Tori, wise in her 16 years of existence.
When Abby and I concluded the workshop, girls were begging us to stay longer, to come back, to leave all of the hoops, and telling us how much fun they had. These were the same girls who despised the very idea of hoop dancing only an hour earlier. It was a transformation incomparable to anything I’ve ever seen. There were girls who were teary-eyed asking us to please come do birthday parties for their little siblings and parents who they hadn’t seen in a long time. They wanted to spread the hoop love to the people that they loved. This expanded my heart on a profound level. By being who I am, I am changing lives and making a difference, making someone’s day brighter and replacing frowns with smiles. One beautiful girl, named Leah, even asked for my autograph. She asked me to sign a business card I gave her. That took my breath away. It is amazing the effect one can have by sharing a passion. As humans, we are who we are, and it may never be revealed to us in our human form the effect we have on those around us. Our actions and words are so powerful, and the girls at Brookwood reminded me of this important Truth. It was so rewarding for me to watch these girls dance and smile, engage with each other, encourage each other, play with each other, and thrive despite their destitute and discouraging situations. I am so blessed. So, so, so blessed to have the awareness I have and it is my duty that I lovingly take on to share it with everyone, even those that have fallen through the cracks of society’s broken foundation. I realized how much light I have to spread and share, and the hoop has been a tool that has enabled me to do that. This experience, The Brookwood Blessing, allowed me to remember that Spirit has given me many gifts and talents to share with others, and I vow not to waste this. I am of service to my fellow sisters and brothers, and so happy to be! Thank you, wonderful young women of Brookwood, for mirroring for me how love looks in all forms.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Wild, Wonderful West Virginia
I have not written in some time. I had so many profound experiences during my time in West Virginia, one right after the other, that I needed time to process and analyze. I am still sifting through each moment, realizing each day what a magical adventure I was gifted in the lush land of mountains and rivers.
My intention is still the same, though my path has led to me wonders unexpected. I went to this place to seek truth and embrace the unknown. I had such a rapid spiritual growth spurt. Each day I was challenged to truly be myself and connect with the unfamiliar. As I connected to the unfamiliar, it became very familiar, and I unveiled one little bit of my authenticity at a time. I grew up in suburbia, eating processed food and watching TV. I have since altered my diet to be far more conscious and haven’t own a TV or a microwave in three years. Kudos to me, but living the way these locals did opened my eyes and my mind to a truly conscious way of living.
I ate meals prepared almost entirely out of organic produce from backyards and local farms. I shared meals with families and friends. The consumption of this delicious food was always accompanied with delightful company and jovial conversation. Everyone was family. This community of people is so special and connected to the very source that brings us together; Love. A lot of people I stayed with ran there homes with no electricity, just a generator, primarily used for use of wood working shops or other crafts. Oil lamps at night ☺ Out-houses, self-composting toilets, and the good ole’ woods became my bathroom. It impacted me. I realize how many gallons of water I’ve wasted by just flushing a little pee and a measly few squares of Charmin down the toilet. I prefer the woods to be honest. I like peeing outside. I’ll do it for me, and for my Momma Earth! Watching how blissful these people were in the self-sustainable environments they cultivated was truly inspiring and has moved me into action. This is a blessing.
One morning I woke up and picked fresh blackberries right off the bush and cooked them in oatmeal on a wood-burning stove. It was the most delicious breakfast I have ever tasted. I look at food differently now. I will do my best to support local farmer’s markets and continue to learn about self-sustenance. I admire so much the way these people share everything with each other. I was so blessed to be a part of the Lewisburg Farmer’s Market every Saturday morning. I danced away with my hoops, played with the children, proved to ladies my senior that they can still hula hoop, sold some hoops, and found myself totally in awe of the beautiful connectedness I was witnessing. The baker sold bread; the farmers sold their meats, produce, and eggs. There were homemade herb tinctures and teas, flowers, fruits, soaps, salves, and spices. They accepted and embraced me, and I them. We all shared our selves and our offerings. I will hold this in my heart forever. They were so grateful that I brought such colorful hues and vitality to the market. I was equally grateful that I could just show up and be a part of something so magical. Support Local Farms! Seriously. No farm, No food. I realize this more and more each day as I eat food that is not grown locally that it makes a difference in my body and my consciousness. Local Famer’s Markets are not everywhere, so that means that we need to be our own farmer’s, grow our own food, and sustain ourselves, so that we no longer need to relay on corporate super markets to supply us with food. Not only is food fresh from the land better for you and far tastier, it is the ‘green’ solution both environmentally and financially.
There was so much country to discover there. The Greenbrier River was magical. I hooped with women and children of all ages at a righteous swimming hole known as Blue Bend. I bathed bare skinned in the sun with my Sister Susan at Cat’s Eye, my personal spiritual spot on the River. I found many spots on the river where I was completely alone with the earth and let her embrace me wholly. Many tears and fears were release into the river rocks of the Greenbrier. I swam with no suit. I sung to the trees. I pretended I was a cat and tried to catch brook trout with my hands. It is amazing what freedom one can experience with the combination of the natural world and imagination. This is why I honor the children.
I white-water rafted down the New River, known for its Class 5 rapids. That was an intense experience. Not only were the rapids demanding of respect and focus, but the visual intake itself was life changing. The sunlight danced across the water and through the leaves of the trees. I charged the rapids with the same intensity they charged in me. Susan was with me as well, and we found ourselves immersed in the magnificence of the river. Together, we shared some intense breakthroughs. As we acknowledged the healing that was taking place the earth spoke to us through the animal kingdom. A bright yellow and black butterfly with the most unique markings made its presence well known to the two of us. I instinctively knew it was dying. We connected with this butterfly on the bank of the New River gorge, honoring its message that this was a time of transformative, cyclical change. The beautiful insect did die, in our presence, gifting us with the most glorious part of its three-phase life; it’s conscious death. It allowed me to remember that all that is, even the beauty, passes on and changes form. Be like the river, the butterfly said. Cut your own path; meander your way down the mountain and to The Source. Flow. Flow. Flow.
I took many hikes and spent time on peaks and in valleys. The view is just as awesome from the bottom as it is at the top. The mountains were great teachers, as I learned that it is perfectly all right to spend time in the womb of the valley, as well as the accomplished glory of reaching the mountains peak. This is a metaphor for life, as we all wind our way around the world.
I thought I was going to travel westward from the Appalachians to the Pacific and regal Redwoods. This is still my goal, and after some blatant signs from Spirit I realized it would require some patience. Noah and I realized it would be best to entertain a friendship as opposed to a partnership, and went our separate ways. I decided to leave WV and travel back down the east coast to reconnect with loved ones and pursue my passion to be a performance artist. I am now living in St. Petersburg, FL with my radiant sunbeam of a Soul Sister, Abby. She is the founder and president of The Hoola Monsters, my new hoop troupe family. I am so stoked to be here doing exactly what it is that I love, with people I love, who love doing the same thing I love to do; hoop! I am also exploring other Flow Tools such as poi and rekindling my relationship with belly dance. I am so grateful! Abby and I have such an open and honest connection and I am learning and growing by leaps and bounds with her as a teacher, mentor, and fellow artist. Her passion for Hoop Dance has catalyzed me into wanting to be the best I can be, not just inside the hoop, but also in all areas of life. She understands, respects, and supports my goals to travel to California, Maui, and The World. She teaches me the ins and outs of how to ask for what I am worthy of receiving. We encourage and motivate each other in so many amazing ways. It will be a partnership filled with opportunities to learn and grow and I could not ask for anything else <3
This is totally different from the plan I had when I left Florida almost five months ago and, wow! I am so grateful that I followed my heart and it led me to this amazing opportunity to be the Artist I have always dreamed of being. West Virginia sparked something inside of me that I can only describe as Wild and Wonderful, just like the state itself. Wild and Wonderful isn’t just the state of West Virginia, it is now my state of mind. There will never be enough words to express my gratitude for the people and places of this place. I honor every single second spent in the humble home of my very dear friend and Soul Sister Serah Morningstar, as well as the homes and company of her sensational siblings: Mary, Faith, Anastasia, Zeke, Jeremiah, and of course Noah, who helped me feel at home in every situation. Also, it was a pleasure to share my writing, wine, and dinners with the father of all of the wonderful children, Larry, who bestowed much wisdom and insight. Serah’s children were also amazing teacher and friends. Kiah (10) and Suzanna (15) grew so dear to my heart and there is where they will always remain.
There is so much I could say, and so many more blogs to be written of this place. To be continued… ☺ Ciao for now! Gratitude & Blessings <3
My intention is still the same, though my path has led to me wonders unexpected. I went to this place to seek truth and embrace the unknown. I had such a rapid spiritual growth spurt. Each day I was challenged to truly be myself and connect with the unfamiliar. As I connected to the unfamiliar, it became very familiar, and I unveiled one little bit of my authenticity at a time. I grew up in suburbia, eating processed food and watching TV. I have since altered my diet to be far more conscious and haven’t own a TV or a microwave in three years. Kudos to me, but living the way these locals did opened my eyes and my mind to a truly conscious way of living.
I ate meals prepared almost entirely out of organic produce from backyards and local farms. I shared meals with families and friends. The consumption of this delicious food was always accompanied with delightful company and jovial conversation. Everyone was family. This community of people is so special and connected to the very source that brings us together; Love. A lot of people I stayed with ran there homes with no electricity, just a generator, primarily used for use of wood working shops or other crafts. Oil lamps at night ☺ Out-houses, self-composting toilets, and the good ole’ woods became my bathroom. It impacted me. I realize how many gallons of water I’ve wasted by just flushing a little pee and a measly few squares of Charmin down the toilet. I prefer the woods to be honest. I like peeing outside. I’ll do it for me, and for my Momma Earth! Watching how blissful these people were in the self-sustainable environments they cultivated was truly inspiring and has moved me into action. This is a blessing.
One morning I woke up and picked fresh blackberries right off the bush and cooked them in oatmeal on a wood-burning stove. It was the most delicious breakfast I have ever tasted. I look at food differently now. I will do my best to support local farmer’s markets and continue to learn about self-sustenance. I admire so much the way these people share everything with each other. I was so blessed to be a part of the Lewisburg Farmer’s Market every Saturday morning. I danced away with my hoops, played with the children, proved to ladies my senior that they can still hula hoop, sold some hoops, and found myself totally in awe of the beautiful connectedness I was witnessing. The baker sold bread; the farmers sold their meats, produce, and eggs. There were homemade herb tinctures and teas, flowers, fruits, soaps, salves, and spices. They accepted and embraced me, and I them. We all shared our selves and our offerings. I will hold this in my heart forever. They were so grateful that I brought such colorful hues and vitality to the market. I was equally grateful that I could just show up and be a part of something so magical. Support Local Farms! Seriously. No farm, No food. I realize this more and more each day as I eat food that is not grown locally that it makes a difference in my body and my consciousness. Local Famer’s Markets are not everywhere, so that means that we need to be our own farmer’s, grow our own food, and sustain ourselves, so that we no longer need to relay on corporate super markets to supply us with food. Not only is food fresh from the land better for you and far tastier, it is the ‘green’ solution both environmentally and financially.
There was so much country to discover there. The Greenbrier River was magical. I hooped with women and children of all ages at a righteous swimming hole known as Blue Bend. I bathed bare skinned in the sun with my Sister Susan at Cat’s Eye, my personal spiritual spot on the River. I found many spots on the river where I was completely alone with the earth and let her embrace me wholly. Many tears and fears were release into the river rocks of the Greenbrier. I swam with no suit. I sung to the trees. I pretended I was a cat and tried to catch brook trout with my hands. It is amazing what freedom one can experience with the combination of the natural world and imagination. This is why I honor the children.
I white-water rafted down the New River, known for its Class 5 rapids. That was an intense experience. Not only were the rapids demanding of respect and focus, but the visual intake itself was life changing. The sunlight danced across the water and through the leaves of the trees. I charged the rapids with the same intensity they charged in me. Susan was with me as well, and we found ourselves immersed in the magnificence of the river. Together, we shared some intense breakthroughs. As we acknowledged the healing that was taking place the earth spoke to us through the animal kingdom. A bright yellow and black butterfly with the most unique markings made its presence well known to the two of us. I instinctively knew it was dying. We connected with this butterfly on the bank of the New River gorge, honoring its message that this was a time of transformative, cyclical change. The beautiful insect did die, in our presence, gifting us with the most glorious part of its three-phase life; it’s conscious death. It allowed me to remember that all that is, even the beauty, passes on and changes form. Be like the river, the butterfly said. Cut your own path; meander your way down the mountain and to The Source. Flow. Flow. Flow.
I took many hikes and spent time on peaks and in valleys. The view is just as awesome from the bottom as it is at the top. The mountains were great teachers, as I learned that it is perfectly all right to spend time in the womb of the valley, as well as the accomplished glory of reaching the mountains peak. This is a metaphor for life, as we all wind our way around the world.
I thought I was going to travel westward from the Appalachians to the Pacific and regal Redwoods. This is still my goal, and after some blatant signs from Spirit I realized it would require some patience. Noah and I realized it would be best to entertain a friendship as opposed to a partnership, and went our separate ways. I decided to leave WV and travel back down the east coast to reconnect with loved ones and pursue my passion to be a performance artist. I am now living in St. Petersburg, FL with my radiant sunbeam of a Soul Sister, Abby. She is the founder and president of The Hoola Monsters, my new hoop troupe family. I am so stoked to be here doing exactly what it is that I love, with people I love, who love doing the same thing I love to do; hoop! I am also exploring other Flow Tools such as poi and rekindling my relationship with belly dance. I am so grateful! Abby and I have such an open and honest connection and I am learning and growing by leaps and bounds with her as a teacher, mentor, and fellow artist. Her passion for Hoop Dance has catalyzed me into wanting to be the best I can be, not just inside the hoop, but also in all areas of life. She understands, respects, and supports my goals to travel to California, Maui, and The World. She teaches me the ins and outs of how to ask for what I am worthy of receiving. We encourage and motivate each other in so many amazing ways. It will be a partnership filled with opportunities to learn and grow and I could not ask for anything else <3
This is totally different from the plan I had when I left Florida almost five months ago and, wow! I am so grateful that I followed my heart and it led me to this amazing opportunity to be the Artist I have always dreamed of being. West Virginia sparked something inside of me that I can only describe as Wild and Wonderful, just like the state itself. Wild and Wonderful isn’t just the state of West Virginia, it is now my state of mind. There will never be enough words to express my gratitude for the people and places of this place. I honor every single second spent in the humble home of my very dear friend and Soul Sister Serah Morningstar, as well as the homes and company of her sensational siblings: Mary, Faith, Anastasia, Zeke, Jeremiah, and of course Noah, who helped me feel at home in every situation. Also, it was a pleasure to share my writing, wine, and dinners with the father of all of the wonderful children, Larry, who bestowed much wisdom and insight. Serah’s children were also amazing teacher and friends. Kiah (10) and Suzanna (15) grew so dear to my heart and there is where they will always remain.
There is so much I could say, and so many more blogs to be written of this place. To be continued… ☺ Ciao for now! Gratitude & Blessings <3
Full Circle: Reflections From The Third Ring
Note To Reader: I wrote this in June. I found it recently and realized the importance of posting it. Forgive the delay, and enjoy the day!
HPIII- My Creativity Comes Full Circle
I am simply spilling over with Love. As I write, my mind is struggling with my heart to express the appropriate words. “Love, enlightenment, perfection!", screams my psyche. “Cliché”, my heart responds. So this is my best effort to document the transcendence that I experienced with 140+ others at The HoopPath Retreat 2009. (Also known as HPIII!)
I am a part of the Third Ring. This is the third year that Bax and Ann have envisioned and delivered this amazing gathering. (The first year attendees are the First Ring, second year Second Ring, you get the idea...) It started with the tastiest Welcome I have ever experienced. The adventure began in a lovely spot in the wise hills of North Carolina called Snipe’s Farm. The grass was lush and green, the barbeque perfectly tangy, the tea sweet and southern, and the company incomparable. The Meet-Greet-N-Eat was full of life as hoopers from around the county converged and felt the energy of the coming days. The Flowcase was the most super-righteous performance I have every witnessed. Laurie graced us with the beauty of the Goddess, Ann and Beth with their Angelic voices, Cassandra with rhythmic rhymes, and of course, there were some of the most amazingly talented hoopers of our time performing their hearts out. Spiral made cameo appearance and blessed us with the Divinity that is her performance. Miss Rosie livened the crowd with a rockin’ Shamanic cheer. “If you want to be enlightened then you’ve got to lighten up! Relax, chill out, be here, NOW!” Christabel moved with authentic grace as she opened her heart and danced outside of her hoop for just as much of the performance as she did inside of her hoop. She actually kissed her hoop. It was a beautiful public display of affection for this tool that we all use to get higher. I loved her music. Tina Malia’s ‘Sound of the River’, was the song. It’s an amazing album that I also love to groove to. I could have left after the first night and been completely full, happy, and full of hoop love. Three more days of this? I am in heaven <3
Friday through Monday is all still swirling around in my head. During the orientation we were split up into Mini Tribes. The tribes were composed of the people you were staying with plus some others. My mini tribe rocked so hardcore. I stayed with a super cool guy named Vaughn. When I arrived at Vaughn’s house, a family of deer and the most charming mountain house I’ve ever seen greeted me. I walked inside and Vaughn was busy making ice cream. I’ll be blunt; his homemade butter pecan aroused me it was so friggin’ tasty! Anyway…
The house was amazing. Jess and Emily had already arrived and picked their sleeping spots. I was left with this cute and cozy loft that I shared with some hanging plants and a bamboo tree trunk. Perfect ☺ I had never met Vaughn or Emily or Jessica. Emily was from Richmond, VA and had a flight time (hoop experience) of 1.5 years. Jess was from Arlington, TX and has been hooping for 8 months. Both of these women were so beautiful in their own right, and are officially my sisters. Together, Me-Vaughn-Emily-and Jessica formed Camp Ice. And a lovely quadrangle we were!
At orientation we were paired up with the rest of our mini tribe. There was Gina from Columbia, SC (synchronicity!) Kelly from Winston-Salem, NC, & Kathleen from Maryland. Together, we formed the Sacred Seven. We shared our stories, some laughter and some tears. Each mini tribe was given the task of creating something to burn as a group at the Kava Fire Ceremony that would be held the following evening. We met up a couple more times and together created the most beautiful offering. Jess taught us how to make paper cranes. We wrote on the inside of the cranes all of the aspects and virtues we loved and accepted about ourselves, along with things we wanted to embrace but had not yet. On the outside of the cranes we wrote all that we wanted to release into the fire, for those aspects we felt did not serve us anymore. Then we made one big huge crane and as a group wrote on that one in the same style. On one side of the crane all that we embraced: our bodies, sharp minds, elevated consciousness, self-love, patience, acceptance, and trust to name a few. On the other side all that we burn in love: guilt, shame, attachment, image, false truths, distractive and abusive thoughts, and anger were definitely all on there. We attached the big momma crane to a stick and hung all of our baby cranes underneath her. Gina started a piece of writing, and asked me to finish it. I was honored. She is a beautiful writer and inspired me to take mine to the next level. Together we wrote a magnificent piece of writing that conveyed the united purpose of each tribe member. We gathered our hoops, and headed to the Fire Ceremony, being held at Beth’s, on the Summer Solstice, exactly one year to the day that I picked up a hoop for the first time. It is amazing that at a Summer Solstice Fire Ceremony in 2008 I saw and honored the hoop for the first time, and one year later I am here, at the Hoop Path Retreat, inundated and overflowing with love an gratitude that I am in the presence of so many amazing, beautiful, connected individuals with this magical ring being the connecting link.
The Ceremony moved me beyond words. Each group individually, uniquely, and with gratitude presented their offerings to the fire. There was laughter and tears, poetry and song, dance and drums, and the eternal rhythm of Life was so strong in presence. Bax honored a former Hoop Path family member that had passed recently and suddenly. His name was Kevin. As we were holding silence for Kevin, a baby that had been nestled quietly against his mother’s bosom, started to coo and cry. It was the most beautiful sound, at the most beautiful moment. In remembrance of a life lost, we were so divinely reminded of the life that is here, now, new and blessed. Tears streamed from my eyes in immense gratitude for all of the Love I could feel flowing through every single cell of every single being in the circle, and in the World.
The Workshops. Wow, the workshops. It is hard to describe the teachings of Jonathan Baxter. Let me set the scene…
We sit in a circle. No hoops. Just us. Bax begins to speak about the idea of Image and Appearance. This set the tone for the rest of the Retreat. We must learn to drop the image, the ideas, the appearance of what we look like, Bax preaches. It is not about what we look like inside or outside of the hoop. It doesn’t matter what we look like, but what we feel like. After some deep philosophical teachings and references to Bax’s unique mythological Maidan, we reflect, and then begin our practice. We go blind. This means we hoop blindfolded. Like Bax says, no sight, just feeling. As we are in our own darkness, all you can hear is deep bass and rhythm from Paris (super-conscious hip-hop) and Bax guiding you through the movements. ‘It’s Ok. It’s Ok. It’s Ok. Unlock. Unlock. Unlock. You are loved. You are loved. You are loved.’ As Bax speaks his mantras in threes, the energy in the room is palpable. Though we can’t see each other or our tools, all of us ‘Hoopers’ certainly feel connected, conscious, and creative in these workshops. I was so excited to take Ann’s workshops. Ann is Bax’s long-term partner and hoop phenom. I have such an inclination for the technique that Ann has so gracefully practiced and wanted to share: Sustained Spinning. I resonated with all she said and at the end of the workshop when it was time to just spin away I found myself inside of the universe, all things physical faded away, and I was at one with myself and all creation. I had so many major, huge, life-changing, mind-elevating experiences at these workshops that I will remain grateful for the rest of my days.
Hoop Church. What? Yes, Hoop Church my friends. Bax, like myself, is a preacher’s kid. His father was a Methodist Minister and his mother, a Quaker. In a Quaker worship setting, there is silence until The Spirit moves someone to speak. This was the premise for Hoop Church. We walked into the gym in silence. This in itself was amazing to me, over a hundred people gathered without speaking. Bax held up signs he had hand written expressing his gratitude that we were there with him and how much he loved us. As we spun and hooped to amazing music, I cried inside my blindfold tears of gratitude and transformation. It was the most moving experience of the weekend for me. I have few words to truly describe the way I was broken down and rebuilt into a more supreme being in those short hours of Hoop Church.
The Hoopers Ball was the big Finale of the retreat. Everyone came dressed to the nines. If you aren’t familiar with the super-cool-awesome-Burner-style of dress, you should totally check out some pictures of this amazing experience. I had so much fun watching everyone hoop in such awesome get-ups! It was a blast. Then we all gathered for drinks and much appreciated social time together. SO MUCH FUN ☺!
My Experience at HPIII is one that I will hold in my heart forever more. I am so honored that within one year of picking up my hoop I was able to be in the presence of such conscious and connected Hoopers. To Bax, Ann, Beth, Vaughn, Mary and ALL of the Hoop Path and the beautiful, self- sustainable town of Carrboro, NC- THANK YOU. I can close with only those words. Thank you, thank you…thank you. It was so nice I must say it thrice <3
HPIII- My Creativity Comes Full Circle
I am simply spilling over with Love. As I write, my mind is struggling with my heart to express the appropriate words. “Love, enlightenment, perfection!", screams my psyche. “Cliché”, my heart responds. So this is my best effort to document the transcendence that I experienced with 140+ others at The HoopPath Retreat 2009. (Also known as HPIII!)
I am a part of the Third Ring. This is the third year that Bax and Ann have envisioned and delivered this amazing gathering. (The first year attendees are the First Ring, second year Second Ring, you get the idea...) It started with the tastiest Welcome I have ever experienced. The adventure began in a lovely spot in the wise hills of North Carolina called Snipe’s Farm. The grass was lush and green, the barbeque perfectly tangy, the tea sweet and southern, and the company incomparable. The Meet-Greet-N-Eat was full of life as hoopers from around the county converged and felt the energy of the coming days. The Flowcase was the most super-righteous performance I have every witnessed. Laurie graced us with the beauty of the Goddess, Ann and Beth with their Angelic voices, Cassandra with rhythmic rhymes, and of course, there were some of the most amazingly talented hoopers of our time performing their hearts out. Spiral made cameo appearance and blessed us with the Divinity that is her performance. Miss Rosie livened the crowd with a rockin’ Shamanic cheer. “If you want to be enlightened then you’ve got to lighten up! Relax, chill out, be here, NOW!” Christabel moved with authentic grace as she opened her heart and danced outside of her hoop for just as much of the performance as she did inside of her hoop. She actually kissed her hoop. It was a beautiful public display of affection for this tool that we all use to get higher. I loved her music. Tina Malia’s ‘Sound of the River’, was the song. It’s an amazing album that I also love to groove to. I could have left after the first night and been completely full, happy, and full of hoop love. Three more days of this? I am in heaven <3
Friday through Monday is all still swirling around in my head. During the orientation we were split up into Mini Tribes. The tribes were composed of the people you were staying with plus some others. My mini tribe rocked so hardcore. I stayed with a super cool guy named Vaughn. When I arrived at Vaughn’s house, a family of deer and the most charming mountain house I’ve ever seen greeted me. I walked inside and Vaughn was busy making ice cream. I’ll be blunt; his homemade butter pecan aroused me it was so friggin’ tasty! Anyway…
The house was amazing. Jess and Emily had already arrived and picked their sleeping spots. I was left with this cute and cozy loft that I shared with some hanging plants and a bamboo tree trunk. Perfect ☺ I had never met Vaughn or Emily or Jessica. Emily was from Richmond, VA and had a flight time (hoop experience) of 1.5 years. Jess was from Arlington, TX and has been hooping for 8 months. Both of these women were so beautiful in their own right, and are officially my sisters. Together, Me-Vaughn-Emily-and Jessica formed Camp Ice. And a lovely quadrangle we were!
At orientation we were paired up with the rest of our mini tribe. There was Gina from Columbia, SC (synchronicity!) Kelly from Winston-Salem, NC, & Kathleen from Maryland. Together, we formed the Sacred Seven. We shared our stories, some laughter and some tears. Each mini tribe was given the task of creating something to burn as a group at the Kava Fire Ceremony that would be held the following evening. We met up a couple more times and together created the most beautiful offering. Jess taught us how to make paper cranes. We wrote on the inside of the cranes all of the aspects and virtues we loved and accepted about ourselves, along with things we wanted to embrace but had not yet. On the outside of the cranes we wrote all that we wanted to release into the fire, for those aspects we felt did not serve us anymore. Then we made one big huge crane and as a group wrote on that one in the same style. On one side of the crane all that we embraced: our bodies, sharp minds, elevated consciousness, self-love, patience, acceptance, and trust to name a few. On the other side all that we burn in love: guilt, shame, attachment, image, false truths, distractive and abusive thoughts, and anger were definitely all on there. We attached the big momma crane to a stick and hung all of our baby cranes underneath her. Gina started a piece of writing, and asked me to finish it. I was honored. She is a beautiful writer and inspired me to take mine to the next level. Together we wrote a magnificent piece of writing that conveyed the united purpose of each tribe member. We gathered our hoops, and headed to the Fire Ceremony, being held at Beth’s, on the Summer Solstice, exactly one year to the day that I picked up a hoop for the first time. It is amazing that at a Summer Solstice Fire Ceremony in 2008 I saw and honored the hoop for the first time, and one year later I am here, at the Hoop Path Retreat, inundated and overflowing with love an gratitude that I am in the presence of so many amazing, beautiful, connected individuals with this magical ring being the connecting link.
The Ceremony moved me beyond words. Each group individually, uniquely, and with gratitude presented their offerings to the fire. There was laughter and tears, poetry and song, dance and drums, and the eternal rhythm of Life was so strong in presence. Bax honored a former Hoop Path family member that had passed recently and suddenly. His name was Kevin. As we were holding silence for Kevin, a baby that had been nestled quietly against his mother’s bosom, started to coo and cry. It was the most beautiful sound, at the most beautiful moment. In remembrance of a life lost, we were so divinely reminded of the life that is here, now, new and blessed. Tears streamed from my eyes in immense gratitude for all of the Love I could feel flowing through every single cell of every single being in the circle, and in the World.
The Workshops. Wow, the workshops. It is hard to describe the teachings of Jonathan Baxter. Let me set the scene…
We sit in a circle. No hoops. Just us. Bax begins to speak about the idea of Image and Appearance. This set the tone for the rest of the Retreat. We must learn to drop the image, the ideas, the appearance of what we look like, Bax preaches. It is not about what we look like inside or outside of the hoop. It doesn’t matter what we look like, but what we feel like. After some deep philosophical teachings and references to Bax’s unique mythological Maidan, we reflect, and then begin our practice. We go blind. This means we hoop blindfolded. Like Bax says, no sight, just feeling. As we are in our own darkness, all you can hear is deep bass and rhythm from Paris (super-conscious hip-hop) and Bax guiding you through the movements. ‘It’s Ok. It’s Ok. It’s Ok. Unlock. Unlock. Unlock. You are loved. You are loved. You are loved.’ As Bax speaks his mantras in threes, the energy in the room is palpable. Though we can’t see each other or our tools, all of us ‘Hoopers’ certainly feel connected, conscious, and creative in these workshops. I was so excited to take Ann’s workshops. Ann is Bax’s long-term partner and hoop phenom. I have such an inclination for the technique that Ann has so gracefully practiced and wanted to share: Sustained Spinning. I resonated with all she said and at the end of the workshop when it was time to just spin away I found myself inside of the universe, all things physical faded away, and I was at one with myself and all creation. I had so many major, huge, life-changing, mind-elevating experiences at these workshops that I will remain grateful for the rest of my days.
Hoop Church. What? Yes, Hoop Church my friends. Bax, like myself, is a preacher’s kid. His father was a Methodist Minister and his mother, a Quaker. In a Quaker worship setting, there is silence until The Spirit moves someone to speak. This was the premise for Hoop Church. We walked into the gym in silence. This in itself was amazing to me, over a hundred people gathered without speaking. Bax held up signs he had hand written expressing his gratitude that we were there with him and how much he loved us. As we spun and hooped to amazing music, I cried inside my blindfold tears of gratitude and transformation. It was the most moving experience of the weekend for me. I have few words to truly describe the way I was broken down and rebuilt into a more supreme being in those short hours of Hoop Church.
The Hoopers Ball was the big Finale of the retreat. Everyone came dressed to the nines. If you aren’t familiar with the super-cool-awesome-Burner-style of dress, you should totally check out some pictures of this amazing experience. I had so much fun watching everyone hoop in such awesome get-ups! It was a blast. Then we all gathered for drinks and much appreciated social time together. SO MUCH FUN ☺!
My Experience at HPIII is one that I will hold in my heart forever more. I am so honored that within one year of picking up my hoop I was able to be in the presence of such conscious and connected Hoopers. To Bax, Ann, Beth, Vaughn, Mary and ALL of the Hoop Path and the beautiful, self- sustainable town of Carrboro, NC- THANK YOU. I can close with only those words. Thank you, thank you…thank you. It was so nice I must say it thrice <3
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)