Level 2 BodyHoops Instructor Level 1 HoopGirl Instructor Level 3 Trampoline Club Coach GMPD (Gymnastics and Movement for People with Disabilities) Trampoline Club Judge Life Coach Sports Coach Mentor Val Sabin: Coaches in The Curriculum - Games TEFL Teacher (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) First Aid Enhanced CRB Checked.....
Qualifications coming in 2010:
REPS Level 2 Group Fitness Instructor Cheerleading Coach Zumba Instructor TEFL for Young Learners HLTA (Higher Level Teaching Assistant)
Sept 2009: Humble Beginnings....
Well, I started Hooping in September 2009during an adult fitness class I was running at Greenwich Bouncers trampoline academy called ‘Bounce Your Way to Fitness.’ This course (we still run it now) is based around the trampoline, but has other ‘stations’ which we do in a circuit. These ‘stations’ include the trampoline, floor work/stretching, skipping, trampette and of course hula hooping! However, back then we used the flimsy plastic kids’ hoops from Tesco’s which were quite frankly...rubbish ! !
Everyone loved the hooping part of the course! It brought out their inner child ! So imagine my surprise when my aimless surfing of the internet led me to realise that Hula Hooping was a craze that was sweeping the nation !!!! And it was not just the return of the children’s fad – oh no – it was an ADULT craze ! ! I just HAD to be part of it ! !
Oct 2009: BodyHoops Level 1+2 Teacher Training
Using the joys of modern technology, I found the wonderful woman that is Diana Lopez and booked myself on her Bodyhoops Level 1 and 2Teacher Training course in October 2009. (See my BodyHoops page for more information)
It was two days of Hooping Heaven ! ! Even though my entire body ached and my mind was frazzled, I was so enthused by the amazing people I had met and the fantastic moves I had witnessed ! It was official, I was completely hooked on Hooping!!
Oct 2009: Fire Hooping ! ! !
At the end of the BodyHoops Level 2 course, we headed out to the park and I had my first experience with Fire Hooping!!! It was totally scary! But a real thrill to watch and take part in!!!
Having just learned how to lift a normal hoop off my body, I made a (brave but foolish) attempt to do the same with a fire hoop ! The age old saying came true – “if you play with fire, you’re going to get burnt!” And sure enough a burn scar on my forearm christened me as an honorary fire hooper !!!
Jan 2010: First Course !!!
Right, New Year and New Qualification ! ! What do I do now ? ... I guess I have to teach !
I have a name – Hoop Hoop Hooray! (Thanks mum!) I have a Venue – Samuel Montagu Youth Club. I have a day – Monday. I have a time – 6-7pm. All I need now is customers ...... Whoops !!!
My first Hooping Course is an official washout ! ! I have ONE person join me ! Funnily enough she was one of my students on my Bounce Your Way to Fitness Course !
We did two weeks together, before I had to pull the plug due to not making enough money to cover costs !
April 2010: HoopGirl™ Level 1 Teacher Training
Woo Woo Woo !!! I have new found zeal and enthusiasm for the wonderful world of hooping !!!! Spending 3 days with some of the friendliest, nicest and talented people you could ever meet really makes you feel on top of the world ! !
I attended Christabel Zamor’s HoopGirl™ Level 1 Training and learnt what it really means to be a Hoop Dance Instructor ! She was a real inspiration and so were her co-instructors: Diana from HoopsWhirled and Sharna from InnerSpin (Click on their names for their websites)
I registered myself as a HoopGirl™ Licensed Instructor which means I can run The HoopGirl™ Workout ! (Click for my HoopGirl™ page and information on class format) Yay Me ! ! Hopefully I will get more than one person on this course when it is up and running !
April 2010: Next Course ... 2nd Attempt !
Right, I’m pumped and raring to go ! I have Hooping knowledge and inspiration pumping through my veins ready to impart to my students......... I wait....... I wait some more.......... I continue waiting.......... I have nothing ! NOBODY showed up for Week 1 of my Hoop Dance Course !!! I thought things were supposed to get better with time !!!
April 2010: Website Blitz and Facebook !!!
I can’t have this !!! Why do I have no students ? !!! It’s time to do something about it ! ! I lock myself in my bedroom with nothing but my Laptop, an endless supply of hot Ribena and a vow that I will get myself some customers even if it kills me ! (I came very close to OD-ing during a Ribena sugar-high!)
Firstly, I sort out my website ! (You’re on it now, what do you think? Feedback would be much appreciated !) I also set myself up with that thing called ‘Facebook’! (Natalie Hoop Hoop-Hooray) and even set up a Hoop Hoop Hooray Group! (Ain’t I clever ! ..... Please join!)
April has been a busy month.... Let’s hope that my hard work pays off..... Watch this space
