Not your mother's hula hoop. How the 'flow' of hooping has changed

The hula hoop is back, but don't call it that. 

Today, the gyrating toy is referred to simply as a "hoop" and if you are into "hooping," you know it's much more than a light-weight plastic plaything you spin in the driveway.

Super Hoopers, like Hollie Owens of Clarksville, Indiana, combines dance and gymnastics with a full body workout to make hooping look easy.

But not so fast. Before you dig through your garage in search of your childhood toy, here's how the world of "hooping" has changed.

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The hula hoop got its start in the United States in the late 1950s. A couple of friends, Richard Knerr and Arthur “Spud" Melin of the Wham-O company got the idea after watching school children in Australia playing with bamboo "exercise hoops" in gym class.

The men trademarked the name “Hula Hoop" and Wham-O began manufacturing the toy out of plastic tubing. Wham-O sold 25 million hula hoops in the first four months at $1.98 each.

The popularity of the hula hoop faded in the 60s but 40 years later, the jam band String Cheese Incident made it cool again.  At outdoor concerts, the band handed out hoops to their fans and the hooping-craze was re-born. 

Super Fun Belly Buster

The exercise value of hooping is no joke.

"I have lost 60 pounds," said Ownes, a certified Hoop Instructor. "I eat better, I feel better. Everything is a little brighter in my life since I started hooping."

The American Council on Exercise reports that an hour of hooping can burn over 400 calories — although the calorie-burn from hooping may be as high as 600 calories per hour when other parts of your body, such as your arms and legs, are engaged.

It's also definitely great exercise for your abdominals. At a recent Waterfront Wednesday concert along the banks of the Ohio River, Owens gathered with some of her fellow hooping buddies.  

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As the live music played, they began twirling their hoops, adding dance movements and fast-paced tricks, swinging the hoop in the air above their head and letting the hoop zip back down to their waist.  

At one point, Owens gracefully lowered her chest to the ground, arched her back and lifted one leg — toe pointed toward the sky — all the while spinning the hoop, which appeared to float from her torso up to her ankle.

"There is a state of flow when everything goes away and you're in the zone, in your hoop, in the music," said Owens.

This Thing Called "Flow Arts"

Flow Arts include more than just twirling hoops. The "flow," or tranquil state of mind, comes from total concentration required to perform tricks.  

Joining Owens at Waterfront Park, a couple of jugglers, several hoopers, a guy spinning Poi Balls (unlit fireballs on thin rope) and John Mark Hummel using a Contact Staff.

"I feel like it's more manly than hooping," laughes Hummel. The 24-year-old spins a five-foot aluminum staff over the back of his neck, tosses it in the air and gracefully catches it to continue his routine.

"You just play along with the music and once you are good enough not to hit yourself, you can move up to fire."

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Poi Balls and the tips of Staffs can be doused with flammable material and ignited. Not a good idea or allowed in large crowds, but definitely a higher skill level and best left to the pros.

Moder hoops can be large and heavy compared to the Wham-O models of the 60s, which make it easier for beginners to keep the rotation flowing.

"I have several senior students who picked up the skill right off the bat," says Owens.  

Smaller 1/2 tubing and Polypro material are best for advanced tricks. Add LED lights and decoration and hoops can range in price from $30 to more than $500.

Give It A Twirl

"When I am (hooping) at an outdoor concert, people stare and watch; it's hard not to," admits Owens. "But I don't think they are watching me, they are watching the hoop move, and wondering if they could do it."

You can learn by picking up a hoop off the internet and watching YouTube or you can take classes. Several locations in town offer Flow Arts instruction including Suspend, the YMCA and Shine. 

Owens teaches at the Clarksville YMCA, Monday and Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. and at Lapping Park in Clarksville along the Ohio River Sunday at 1 p.m.

She recently began a class at the Healing Place in Louisville for women in recovery.

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From 6-9 p.m. on Thursday nights, groups of Flow Artists gather to practice at Unity of Louisvile, 757 S Brook St.

"You dont't have to know what you are doing. Hollie is always there to help if you just ask," said Emily Cartwright, a hooper who regularly attends the Thursday night sessions. 

On her "Hoop Medicine" Facebook page, Owens posts how-to-videos, hooping class locations and sells hoops in all shapes, colors and sizes. 

The best piece of advice we heard from all the Flow Artists at the Waterfront Park concert is just pick up a hoop and give it a twirl.

 "A year from tomorrow you'll wish you started today," said Hummel.

Reach Kirby Adams at kadams@courier-journal.com 

WHERE TO SEE HOOPING

Catch the hooping craze in person at the next WFPK Waterfront Wednesday, June 28.

The free monthly series is held on the Big Four Lawn in Louisville Waterfront Park, located next to the Big Four Pedestrian and Bicycle Bridge.

This month's concert will feature Pokey LaFarge, RobynHitchcock and Carly Johnson.

The Big Four Lawn opens at5 p.m., music begins promptly at6 p.m.The remaining dates for the 2017 season are July 26, Aug. 30, and Sept. 27.

To alleviate parking congestion caused by the KY/IN Bridges project, a free trolley service, courtesy of Republic Bank, will be offered between Witherspoon and the Big Four Lawn for people who park West of Interstate 65. The Republic Bank Easy Trolley will run a continuous loop between 6 -10:30 p.m.

Outside alcohol is prohibited. No coolers, glass or pets allowed in the event area of the Big Four Lawn and the adjacent park areas.

For more information, call (502) 814-6519.