IT IS unknown when humans began experiencing the exhilarating joys of hooping.
Images of children and adults using hoops have been dated back to the ancient Egyptians and Greeks.
Now, a Cronulla resident has taken the hula version of hooping to a new level.
Jewelz Hanssens believes you can target different muscles in your body from top to toe.
‘‘Hoops have been around since the ancient days when hoops were used, rolling with a stick or the hand,’’ Ms Hanssens said.
‘‘We don’t know the exact date it started on the body.’’
‘‘For me, it’s a great way to keep in shape, play, have fun, laugh, develop new skills and tap into my creative energies.
‘‘What I love about the hoop is that it doesn’t have any barriers; it’s all inclusive.’’
Ms Hanssens runs adult hula hooping classes once a week at Engadine Community Hall.
She organises regular workshops on introductory hooping, covering circus hooping and hoop dance.
Ms Hanssens teaches in pre-schools, active after-school care and vacation programs.
‘‘At my Engadine class, we start with a warm-up followed by a corny routine to Let’s Get Physical,’’ she said. ‘‘Then its ‘fab ab attack hoop fit o’clock’ where we do 12 30-second ab stations, followed by 12 one-minute waist hooping, and followed by another 12 one-minute hand or other type of drill.
‘‘This is then followed by working on a new trick or continuing working on tricks. Every week is slightly different.’’
She explained that by using a heavier hoop, people could target abdominal muscles and lose centimetres from their waist.
‘‘I have been working on a ‘Fab Ab Attack Manual’ and it will soon be finished,’’ she said.
‘‘It will be available as an e-book with a 30 day diary challenge, tips for how to hoop to get the most out of your core workout, challenges, other exercises and, sheets to use for your challenges and a 30-day plan to follow.
‘‘I want to get a group of people to participate in a challenge, the more the better for me to analyse the effects of hooping for fitness.’’
A hoop of benefits:
■ Physical benefits including; building core strength, cardio-vascular workout, low impact aerobic workout, builds and tones muscles, improves ambidexterity, builds eye-hand coordination, stamina and enhances good posture.
■ Mental benefits include; understanding patterns and routines, develop spatial awareness, learning new skills and teaching these to others, developes creativity and improves focus.
Ms Hanssens runs adult hula hooping classes once a week at the Engadine Community Hall.
See more at: http://www.jewelzahoopz.com/
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