I decided to come up and spend some quality time with close friends in Bend and Portland for the Hoop Path workshops. I guess you can say I'm a junkie! Studying with Baxter and Ann last year really changed the course of my development as a hooper and teacher... development, which at that time was somewhat plateauing. They opened my eyes to practicing hooping as a LIFE PRACTICE. Before I was a "lifetime" hooper, loving it, doing it all the time, having fun, empowering myself and others. But afterwards, it was like I had the eyes of an old Chinese woman, looking deeply into the matrix of my body while hooping on a much more regular schedule... striving for every day if not several times per week -- alone-- doing it wether I wanted to or not. Pushing through resistance and just doing it the same way one would approach daily yoga, for the immediate gratification, but more so for the long haul of cellular transformation. I am so grateful!

The gems gained from my time studying with them at 2 workshops last year at this time of the year carried me through an entire year and sparked a journey within me that has deepened and enriched my experience of hooper beyond belief! I can quite honestly say that the personal practice I have developed has nurtured and sustained me through good times and bad and bestowed upon me skills which feel like gaining the ability to fly. Also, the block I felt in developing my own materials evaporated and inspiration poured into me which allowed me to follow through on creating levels 2 and 3 HoopStar Workout™ trainings. The TIME invested allowed a spectacular download of information which deeply has transformed me.

So last night.. the first 3 hour workshop in an industrial warehouse. Gems for me... what I like to call "Sugar Ray" paddling, another exercise we did dancing together around the whole room in outflow... for the first time I was able to dance while traveling in Snake in my outflow and truely explore levels such as touching the floor or jumping high in the air. Another exercise of stepping away and back with balance... while doing it blindfolded I felt my breathe become audible and found my arms taking on a life of their own in martial arts like movements. Two handed stops and continuing on the same or other direction. It was exhausting, thrilling, and hugely inspiring to watch Ann in her shrinky-dink hoop with all the flow and grace I could ever imagine. Paddling outside the hoop... I had forgotten that bruising, yet deeply satisfying practice until I saw Baxter immerse in it again. These moments of breakthrough, as a seasoned hooper, are very precious to me. I feel so blessed to have come here. How could I have ever doubted it was the perfect thing to do???

Baxter's teaching style has also blossomed and enriched since the year ago when I studied with him. He seems so much more relaxed, his teaching is much tighter and he is so funny! I love that he has brought such a lighthearted element into his teaching... deep material, and amazing group of people. He is so utterly original and unique.

We are again blessed to be hosted by the wonderful HoopDazzle, Mollie Hogan, while here in Bend, and her generous fiancee Chris. We are staying in a gorgeous massive house which they built themselves by hand. Mollie is a superstar, stylish, super-together realtor who is the mama of the local hoop community. She is so gracious and focused on giving to her students... she just attended my Level 2 training and is already thinking about how she can keep her students' hunger for more satisfied! She teaches in a fabulous studio which her brother owns and collaborates a lot with Brandon of the Spinsterz. After the workshop, we came home to a delicious meal of Chicken curry cooked up by Chris and some fabulous wine and great conversation surrounding a large wooden table with candles burning and ambiance galore. Not you average hosting location or person, to say the least!!! Everything is luxurious, beautiful.. .and so SPACIOUS compared to my tiny apartment in San Francisco. What a wonderful breath of fresh air!

Of course I am traveling with the fabulous Jasmine as well, my soul sister! It is so deeply nourishing to spend time with her. I am so glad.

Todays image, called "Spring Path" is by Sean McHugh (www.pbase.com/compuminus/image/27751862)