Over on Hoop City this week, Leah Shoemaker asked for some ways that hooping is beneficial to a community. She’s writing a grant.
Though I’ve considered how hooping is good for individuals, I’d not really thought about the ways it can strengthen a community. So I came up with a list that I shared on Hoop City. Then I thought some more, and the list morphed into something longer and and a little deeper.
- Hooping allows a diverse group of people to participate:
- suits all ages. Children, parents and grandparents can hoop and play together.
- sees no biases in gender, race, religion, or politics.
- practiced by people of different physical, emotional, and mental abilities.
- needs no common language, or any language at all.
- crosses cultural boundaries. Hula hoops are loved around the world.
- Hooping grows with the hoopers:
- provides continuation – there’s no end point, graduation or conclusion.
- enjoyed equally as a casual pastime, an alternative lifestyle, or a serious profession.
- allows expression from fitness to lyrical dance to clowning.
- can be done at any level of intensity from gentle rehabilitation to challenging workout.
- expands easily to fit new joiners.
- Hooping increases individuals’ happiness:
- opens and increases personal boundaries.
- buoys spirits with play and laughter.
- increases physical activity and health.
- generates self-confidence through accomplishment and skill-building.
- Hooping increases community harmony:
- adds to the number of happy, cooperative people.
- encourages all members to participate.
- creates face-to-face connections with neighbors.
- realises shared goals, such as performances.
- Hooping builds ties with people outside the community:
- connects hoopers worldwide through online and offline gatherings.
- welcomes participants from other arts, education, and sports interest groups.
I am sure there are lots of other benefits a community might see. What can you think of that might apply to your community?
