We played with lots of "outflow", aka "second current", on both the hips and upper body while doing balancing and jumping exercises. I appreciated the push and energy expenditure required to achieve balance and control. That is really what all of these training sessions request of me - balance and control. It is a good challenge.

The aspect of class which I enjoyed the most was articulating my arms and hands and feet and legs while hooping, especially, while hooping in my outflow in Snake. I felt as if there was a level of total freedom coming into my arms and hands which I haven't ever experienced. I was able to swing them freely all around me while the hoop whirled and played with very Nia-inspired joint articulation while the hoop whirled. While it probably wasn't very thrilling to witness, it required a deep level of body control and invited a lot of juicy creativity.

I think the inspirational highlight during class was watching Beth during a break. I was clearly able to see that her dance had significantly evolved since the last time I witnessed her live and in person. She is one of my biggest hoop heros and I just soaked in total awe and appreciation while watching her clean, articulate lines, smooth transitions and ultra precise and ingenious sense of flow. I wish I could describe in more detail exactly what I saw, but like all wild things of beauty, she put me into a deep hypnosis of appreciation where all I could do was just smile and breathe deeply in delight. Watching Beth, who is 45, her sleek toned body responding in symphony with the hoop, I suddenly was struck with a longing to move to Carrboro. Irrational, I know, but it was a deep longing for a community of people, a live (as opposed to virtual) flock, who could provide an updraft of devotion. A flock regularly changes leaders and sends other birds to the lead in order to maintain it's momentum and support the replenishment of those who expend the most energy. This is the primal insight which flooded me at that moment~ a longing to surrender to following to rejuevinate and learn instead of continually leading. We shall see where this leads...

In the evening I went to Jewel's and Scott's house and spent time along with Nyali, Michelle, Spiral, Rosie, Brecken, Rich, Lauren, Serena, Kelly Jo and Lori. What a convergence of ultra talent!!! We hung out and then jammed in the middle of the street until 1 am. It was amazing that they could just pump up the volume in a massive speaker on the front porch without complaint from neighbors!

I was particularly captivated by Spiral's grace, elegance, power and creativity. As usual, her body manipulated the hoops in stunning ways, both interlocked as a single "matrix", and separately as twins on and off body. I love the lines of her body, her extreme athleticism, speed and exactitude. Next up on the enchantment list for me was Nyali. She also exuded a Hoop Pathian level of leg and hoop synchronization and fluid transitions which was mesmerizing and rhythmically interlocked with the music. Michelle was leading the pack as well, showing an ingenious new blend of Rich/Breckenish styles which evolved the Isopopish styles to fluid, feminine, round and sacred temple movements. She became an entirely different person while hooping ~ a miraculous shapeshifter and her energy field was so beautiful to watch expand. She also created very unusual combinations which tickled me to watch. Rich was, of course, Rich! Amazing, powerful, articulate and dizzyingly articulate in the sophisticated hoop language of his own devising. Frankly, it quickly became impossible for me to decipher the individual moves as they blurred together into pure flow. There was so much more by so many others but these were to gems which intrigued me the most...

I can honestly say that the last year and a half created significant "burn out" for me in the world of hooping. Writing the book, producing 3 DVDs and another level of teacher training was really, too much to do at once. While it allowed me to create and evolve valuable and amazing materials which are sharing the magical world of hooping with more people and in profound ways, it took a serious toll on my enthusiasm and personal practice. So witnessing leading edge hoopers at the absolute "top of their game" was thrilling, ticking and super humbling all at once.

I walked away from the day and evening feeling acutely aware of the contrast between my current body fitness level and skill set and that which I long to step into. I imagine this is where today's theme, The Mind, will pick up. So much of the hoop's lessons for me have been about taming the insecurities within me. I am excited to see where the material evolves to...

One thing to note last: I noticed a lot is that most women who I admire most within the hoop have deep and profound yoga practices. I don't think this is a coincidence. I think it entrains a breath awareness in their bodies, sculpts their muscles in powerful and beautiful ways and prepares them to expand and contract, extend and pull inwards with exquisite control and grace. In addition to deepening my own personal practice when I return home, I plan on adding yoga classes to my regimen.

Off to another amazingly lifechanging day...