Hoop / Lyra

Improver Hoop

/ with Layla Tripod (2023)

This class is for students that have been on an aerial hoop or bar apparatus, and would like to further their hoop journey. Together, we’ll begin to demystify this circular piece of steel. Emphasis for this course will be on proper body positioning in the air, learning basic sequencing and an intro to spin technique. Participants will be encouraged to learn or revisit drills for technique (progressions available) and to practice simple spinning on both sides. Choreography will be taught based on group comfort level. You’ll leave with a better understanding of how to move around the hoop and the beginnings of using the hoop’s spin to your advantage. Please wear full length clothing for comfort on the hoop. 
Requirements: 
  • Can invert under the bar in a tuck and straddle (bent arms and legs okay)
  • Working towards single knee hangs
  • Working towards front balances
  • Can maintain hollow body position in air for 10 seconds
  • Willingness to spin

Skilled Hoop

/ with Jenna Ciotta (2023)

Static Hoop: Snaking, Rolling, and Dropping Like It’s Hot

This course is ideal for anyone with bar experience (hoop or trapeze) who has focused on shapes and spin but has shied away from dynamic skills. We will discuss the basics of generating and utilizing momentum from a variety of positions in order to create the potential for safe, consistent release skills, and dynamic movement. We will work progressions for skills such as: elbow circles, pop to back balance, penny drops (knee beat release to standing), and more upon request and based on collective skill level. We’ll also explore snaking/sneaking/rolling pathways on the hoop- pathways that encourage constant, circular movement of the body around a static hoop. Not every student will be offered the opportunity to try every skill, but everyone will walk away with a clear, progressive training path towards any of the skills we train.

In the interest of safety, you will not be allowed to participate in this course without the following prerequisites:

  • feel comfortable in single knee hangs on both sides
  • be able to invert under the bar multiple times in a row without tagging feet
  • hang comfortably from one arm for ~10 seconds on each side

Advanced Hoop

/ with Jenna Ciotta (2023)

This course is for the accomplished hoop artist who has a great level of comfort on the bar, but isn’t sure how to approach training for large, dynamic skills. We will discuss beat theory and how to generate momentum from various hanging positions, including some less common positions (ankle hang beats, anyone?). We will work progressions for skills such as elbow circles and inlocates, cutaways, casting from bottom bar to top, knee beat half-twist to hand catch, and more upon request and based on collective skill level. We’ll also explore snaking/sneaking/rolling pathways on the hoop- pathways that encourage constant, circular movement of the body around a static hoop. Not every student will be offered the opportunity to try every skill, but everyone will walk away with a clear, progressive training path towards any of the skills we train.

In the interest of safety, you will not be allowed to participate in this course without the following prerequisites:

  • have some familiarity with basic beats, including knee beats and beats from hanging
  • be able to invert under the bar with straight arms without tagging feet
  • a minimum of 2 good pullups

Hoop Lab

/ with Aisling Ní Cheallaigh (2023)

I am so delighted to be teaching a lab this year! This class will be a mixture of choreography rep from my own work as well as choreography generation and creation. Together we will explore ways to find and encourage our own movement and pathways in the hoop. This class is for intermediate and advanced students who have a strong hoop practise and are ready to find their own voice and movement style.

Note: This is not a technique class, Aisling won’t be demonstrating.

 

Group Hoop (2 weeks – Perform July 29th)

/ with Rachel Strickland (2023)

“Taking up hoop together is good for the soul!” We will conceptualize, choreograph, and create a group hoop piece together over the two weeks to likely show on the final night. If you’ve been itching to create in a collaborative environment with other like minded hoopers, you’ve come to the right place.

While you will certainly learn from the choreographies of your peers in this class, learning tricks is not the focus of this session. Rather we’ll be exercising our muscles of creativity and collaboration, benefitting from the whole group’s brains as we create a piece of work together from the viscera of our lizard brains.

Video submissions are required for admission. Participants should be at a high level, and be comfortable with fast spins, flares, single knee hangs, and be able to do 3 pull ups from a dead hang without riding the struggle bus. This is not because I need you to do lavishly difficult choreography (I don’t), but to ensure all participants are at a similar strength level so all can operate together safely.

Note: This is not a technique class, Rachel will not be getting on a hoop. Two week class, you must attend both weeks. The group will ~probably~ perform on Saturday 29th.

 

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