This event is freeform and organic and allowed space and time to integrate all the material from Hoop Camp. Unlike the cabins we lived in at Hoop Camp, we all piled into a sort of communal sleeping area between the big community room and the attached porch. I loved the colorful altars with images of gods and goddesses and all the inspiring tapestries honoring the divine feminine which Patrick hung throughout our hooping room. There was also a massive DJ set up and speakers brought in by DJ Sophia from Fairfax, which was lovely. Her music was fantastic and all over the charts. Tammy Firefly also dazzled us with her Hoop Lyra gorgeousness as she suspended from one of the rafters. There was lots of time for soaking in the springs and the sunshine. The whole group is much smaller, maybe 20 attendees, max. Group activities are all-inclusive with everyone sharing and participating with each other. Activities was spontaneous, playful and community oriented, with leadership shifting from one person to the next as each was inspired. It was nice to get a chance to connect with hoopers from all over the world, many who I didn’t know very well, in such a gorgeous natural environment. It was also neat to share the space with the rest of the Harbin community for the ecstatic dance night and watch dancers intermingle with glowing hoops. What a spectacular evening of sweaty, heart-pounding fun! The food was really, really good as well. And the gift of psi-hoops which Patrick gave to us at the end was unbelievably generous.

I think the most profound experience I had while there was a 30 minute blindfolded hooping exercise. I stood in a hoop (to keep me centered), blindfolded myself and did half an hour of balancing a second hoop on my head while dancing. This opened up a whole world of creativity I never would have imagined! My whole focus was on fully expressing dance while exploring micro-movements of the cranium. Leaning in different directions, letting the hoop hang in different ways, balancing on one foot then the other, moving down to the floor and back up, responding to the music, etc. It felt amazing to move in slow motion and approach balancing as a moving meditation. Afterwards the most profound thing happened: even after removing the blindfold and hoop, I still felt a tingley sensation on my head as if the hoop was still there. As a result, I found myself moving my body with increased alignment, conscious posture and deliberate movements. The feeling persisted for hours and I explored it again in the hoop jam. Even the next morning, I found myself lifting my head higher and stretching my spine upwards to make space and create fluidity while moving. It is a level of awareness that is still with me, even as I write these words…

I’m so grateful for the opportunity to have joined this group for just the day! Thanks to Merlin for the gift of psi-hoops and Nyali for her gorgeous, fluid dancing inspiration and radiance. It felt as if everyone was shining and happy at this gathering, basking in the beauty and fun. Looking forward to next year!