She lists confidence building, increased self-esteem, full-body toning, cardio-pulmonary improvement, strengthened core, stress relief, better balance, flexibility, mental stimulation, socialization, and just plain fun – in essence, everything pop gurus blather on about for total holistic health. In addition to the smiles that hooping generates (for both participants and observers), Heinz points out the many health and psychological benefits. Heinz says that hooping has “given me confidence to dance, move my body and not be shy.” Hula Hoops have even made their way into gyms. In 1980, singer Billy Joel celebrated Hula Hoops in song (“We Didn’t Start the Fire”), and in the late 90s, the hoop enjoyed a resurrection when the band, The String Cheese Incident, threw out hoops to their audiences, thereby sparking a refreshed hooping trend. American Indians of the American Southwest used hoops in dance as a form of story-telling.Īnd perhaps most impressively, Michael Turvey of the University of Connecticut, and Ramesh Balasurbramaniam of the University of Ottawa won the 2004 Ig Noble Prize in Physics for explaining the dynamics of hula hooping.Īlmost as soon as the Hula Hoop fad appeared in the 50s, the craze died down faster than a hoop dropping off arrhythmic hip. Greeks used hoops for exercise to help define their statuesque physiques. Some interesting hooping facts: British sailors in the 1700s coined the name Hula Hoop after gawking at the undulating sexuality of hula dancers in the Hawaiian Islands they thought the movements looked similar.Īncient Egyptian children made hoops from grape vines and twirled in the alleys of their villages. But in reality, she explained with the clarity of a middle school teacher (she possesses a Masters Degree in Special Education from Texas Women’s University in Denton), hooping goes back thousands of years. Regular attendees have learned to check on Heinz’s website, or her Instagram, to see if she’ll be both performing and giving helpful hooping hints.Īccording to Heinz, “Hooping is 60-years-old this year.” That’s when Wham-O Corporation first marketed its “Hula Hoop,” so named after the basic motion found in Polynesian dance. Occasionally, Heinz must forego a Thursday evening above the bay as special events, private lessons or corporate programs that “help to pay the bills” are booked. She brings with her up to 25 hoops of varying sizes so people of all ages and dimensions can slip a hoop around to start hooping – at no charge. and dusk, until weather or the end of daylight savings time call a halt, she says. She plans to continue to share her love for hooping Thursday evenings, between about 6 p.m. The serpentine ease with which she moves belies the totality of muscular coordination– much as a fine dancer slips from one position to another with nary a hiccup in transition.Īlmost every Thursday evening throughout the summer, hundreds (maybe thousands) of passers-by have stopped to enjoy Heinz’s circularity at the China Cove overlook in Corona del Mar.

Thousands of hooping practice, performing and teaching hours later, Heinz, 31, commands that circular toy around her toned figure. “She inspired me to start hooping,” confessed Heinz. But standing out among the crowds was a young hula hooping girl whose movements were hypnotizing. The music was incredible, Heinz recalled. She returned home with the beginnings of a rare and rhythmic talent. Newport Beach Independent - SeptemJumping Through Hoops In Corona Del MarĮight years ago, Newport Beach resident Melly Jean Heinz attended a small Bluegrass festival deep in the Arkansas Ozarks.

Corona weather july 16 2016