The self-development process for this shoot next week has been huge! I've been working with a personal trainer for 3 months now, dropping the winter weight and getting leaner. That was a huge up and down process for me, sticking with it for a while, then going into denial and resuming bad habits. It took 3 months to get super committed, along with daily dance training at ODC. Prep went into high gear over the past couple weeks, with studio rentals with memorized material repeated again and again in the mirror while hooping, sample classes for students with feedback, preparing choreography and basically getting my act together. Honestly, I have a habit of saying yes to big projects even if I have absolutely no idea how I can possibly carry them off. Then usually I figure it out along the way.

"Hoopdance for Beginners" was done pretty much by the seat of my pants and "Hulaerobics" was done with major preparation and support by Universal Studios UK. This project, however, has been the first one I have self-prepared for so thoroughly. From designing the class material, choosing all the music from licensed possibilities, choosing the multiple outfits, getting bronzed at the St Regis Remede Spa, facial at Aura, teeth brightened at the dentist, hair highlight touch up, mani-pedi tomorrow, and doing laughter yoga every morning to relieve stress and affirmations galore to ensure a super positive attitude. No rehearsals on site... I simply fly in and do the shoot and then that will be it. Phew!

Honestly, I know I didn't *have* to do all these things. But something inside of me really wanted to rise up to this opportunity and put my best self out there. I had developed some poor habits -- emotional eating, lack of movement because of too much computer work, etc. This project was a great excuse to really move to the next level in putting myself together and honoring my body. I'm excited to see what unfolds, how it comes out and where this path leads me. I know it will be fabulous! Life is such a wonderful blessing~ I am so grateful.

It really has been so long since I have written personally here on this blog. Honestly, while I have been delving into this physical transformation, I have had deep personal transformation going on too. I've been recording it all on my spiritual blog at www.lightbliss.com for those who are interested. So much opening, surrender, growth and gratitude! I am so happy to be alive!!!

A whirlwind in NYC filming the latest HoopGirl instructional DVD. Arrived Tuesday night, got up the next morning for a two hour photoshoot, a few hours of down time and then a 5 hour shoot for the DVD. It was a wildly different experience than my other personally produced project or the one Universal Studios did in that there were not 4 takes of every single chapter segment... much fewer for most and for many, just one! While this made my perfectionistic self a bit nervous, I have surrendered to the creative process and the standard protocal of this company. When it was all done, I was left feeling the adrenaline pumping through my body. All the weeks and months of anticipation, training, scripting, practicing and suddenly the main focus of my life for that moment was done. This DVD felt like a big project because there was no voiceover... it was all spoken by me while in action. This always takes a lot more memory, co-ordination and presence than voice over. Also, unlike the Hulaerobics project, there was no rehersal in the studio with the producer... just basically showing up and shooting on the spot. Also, there was no makeup or costume person, just me, myself and I. So lots to juggle and keep in mind in a very compressed time period. Honestly, I was nervous about it, but they were thrilled and said it came out fantastic.

This DVD will bust any hoopers buns, from beginner thru advanced~ guaranteed! It was taxing me just to teach the darned thing for the DVD. There are lots of costume and lighting changes and a bonus performance track, featuring a gorgeous dance in a costume from Annieland.net. I think this section should be especially dazzling! It was the first costumed performance I have done in over a year, since beginning my sabbatical, and a sweet way to end a "stage-fast". I walked away with a fat check and warm fuzzies from working with such kind and wonderful people.

Meanwhile, I was on stage last night at the Prepare for the Playa event here in San Francisco in a superfun performance which was a delight for me! It was completely unrehearsed and the costume was put together on the spot in neat costume bits I had purchased at the event. It simply felt so good to become another person on stage- to really live into the costume and persona I was playing with and offer it up to the crowd. I felt the medicine of performance flowing back into my body... the tickling sensation of "yahoo! this is fun!". The flow of holding and radiating energy. It was an entirely different look from what I used to wear ... Elizabethan stripes, lace, ruffles, tall boots, fishnet thigh highs, black booty shorts which said "WOW" across the back, and an elegant, royal, robe which I took off after sauntering onto stage and claiming the space. What fun! I look forward to more as the divine time unfolds... what a great crowd, and of course the complete lineup of photographers at the edge of the stage were a blast to play up to.

I feel like I really had to walk away from the stage for a while to be able to come back to it with such a fresh attitude... and also to make space for the girls to rise up and take my place in so many gigs which needed to be filled -- thereby rising to the next level in their own abilities to become superstars! It has also given me space to welcome other exciting things into my life, too ... pHD studies, writing, learning to dj, home shopping, revisioning the HoopGirl company and time with my husband, etc.

Life is just so darned fabulous! I feel back in the groove... still training daily at the gym, doing laughter yoga and dance class every morning ... my body feels great! I've been falling back in love with all that San Francisco has to offer... for a while I was resisting the weather, the concrete... but suddenly the electric energy is feeding rather than draining me.

I had this revelation this morning that I used to write my 15 minute miracle practice, I was wishing for a sense of home, time daily to write, more tight girlfriends, daily dance class with amazing women and to get a trainer and work out everyday. Now, this is my life! Here's to manifestation!

Performing on stage is a practice. But it is radically and 100% different than a personal practice. Both have intent, but the focus is different.Making the distinction is key to being an amazing performer. I also think that to have a true stage practice, you must have a deep personal practice...

*This blog is from September 22! Pre-orders are now available for the first Hoopdance Evolution DVD, which this blog documents. Enjoy!

Today I worked on recording another instructional DVD. I arrived on set and took about an hour to get ready. Forgot my eyeshadow and couple other things, but Annie who was with me kindly did a run out to Walgreens and got essentials... called the office to have Susan run us over some other hoop options since the ones I brought weren't doing the trick on film.

Then... waiting. We waited 4.5 hours for the lighting and set dressings to get finished. My husband Kramer and his production team were meticulous. At first I was totally chill and felt easygoing. Then... I started to get antsy. I felt so ready to go! But I had to cool my heels. I chatted with Annie for a while.. checked email on my iPhone, reviewed notes...watched lights get dimmed, then bright, then dim... watched curtains move here and there. New colored gels installed, then changed, etc. Finally, with only 2 hours left in our rental for the day, we began shooting.

The test shots were humbling. My body is shaped differently than when I created the last HoopGirl DVD. The close-ups made this crystal clear. It's not that I'm overweight... but let's just say I am shaped like a real woman. With curves...

** Here is another blog entry I saved from September, when I created Hoopdance Evolution. It's now 25% for pre-orders!**

I ended the shoot today feeling elated and exhausted. What a magnificent dream come true! My first DVD, Hoopdance for Beginners, was so elaborate that I didn't really believe that a second one would ever materialize, even though I craved it. To have it happen and with such beauty was a true gift. I was so grateful!!!

Jennaluna was there to support me and was an amazing beacon of light for me. Her authentic joy, bright light and consistent feedback and support kept me focused and feeling good. I am so pleased she was able to join us. A sprite-goddess!

But... it was tiring. Honestly, I had not been prepared for the volume of material that I was going to share on film and we were down to the wire during our filming. Sure, I practiced moves a few times beforehand... but hooping for 8 hours straight is a whole other ballgame. I found myself wondering what I had been thinking by focusing on cross training with dance classes and gym time instead of just hooping my arse off for months before hand...

This blog entry is from September, when I shot the San Francisco performances for Hoopdance Evolution. It's now 25% off for pre-orders!

Exhausted. Call time was 530am this morning. I got up and 5, grabbed a shower, and started cooking eggs for Annie, Chika and Jasmine. Annie and Chika are co-starring with me and Jasmine is doing costumes and make-up. I shot all the studio material for these DVDs, then went to Hoop Camp and then came direct back to San Francisco to do this week-long project of out-takes afterwards. Reminder to self... no more overbooking!

It's the end of day one. I'm sitting here, feeling achey and pretty comatose, after 5 shoot locations and costumes and about 20 moves later. Leading to the couch where I am sitting is a strewn pile of wigs, makeup, boots, costumes and food debris which I carried up the stairs by the armload and dumped so I could sit down and relax for the first time today. My throat is sore so I can't really talk .. I think I may be catching Annie's cold.

We had a mini van which we changed clothes in and basically every shot had to be taken about 10 times over. Many takes had to be repeated to make sure that we were synchronized, or because we dropped hoops, had costume malfunction, etc. It was sweaty, hard work, during which we had to smile and beam positivity to the camera. Called on lots of divine assistance! Wigs casting shadows which had to be adjusted. Smudged lipstick to be fixed. Boobs popping out of little tops which had to be neatly packed away. Bobby pins for last minute adjustments. Every outfit neatly arranged on hangers with matching adornments in ziploc bags... You wouldn't think that arranging 12 outfits would be such a big deal. But, we needed 3 of each. Meeting with designers, choosing the looks, making sure each one is cohesive and then keeping it all organized with matching items has been a big job and I am SO grateful that Jasmine has taken this over for us.

~The last blog from Hoopdance Evolution DVD production... a glimpse behind the scene to the reality of what it is like to make a HoopGirl instructional DVD... enjoy!

Ah, the glamour of hoop dvd production! Another day awakening at 5 am to prep eggs for the crew... sore throat and coughing lots of the night left me without my voice to start the day. I felt overworked and tired but happy my shoulder was feeling better. Not quite what I envisioned, but this is real life! Luckily my sinuses held it together and I still felt energetic. You just have the play the deck of cards your dealt sometimes. So I pumped myself full of Emergen-C, multivitamins, my green drink, cooked breakfast for the gang and started out 10 hour shoot day with a positive attitude. Kramer was cranky since he had been up till 1:30am proofing footage. I tried to lighten up the vibe with some soft jazz playing in the background. Annie had a mini meltdown which passed with some good hugs. Chika just kept smiling. Amazing. I think she really is an angel sent to bring calmness and joy to us all...

Yesterday I went into the studio to record the voice-over for the Hoopdance Evolution, Intermediate 1 DVD. WOW! It is an amazing process. I went into what felt like a closet with large sound absorbing panels on the walls. While listening to the DVD music in headphones and watching a screen showing each chapter, I would speak into a massive gold-plated microphone.

I think the most interesting aspect for me was recording the voice over for the warm up. Since I wasn't hooping, I stood for this portion and moved my hips around as much as possible to simulate the feeling of quickening which happens. But at the same time, it was funny because if I swung around too much, I would knock wires into the table which messed up the recording quality. Meanwhile, I really focused on keeping my body's energy flowing so I would really convey the energetics of "warming up".

It was super-entertaining to be in this tiny room, gyrating (but not too much), speaking into the mic, watching my vocal tones, looking out the corner of my eye to the video on-screen, keeping a meditative center and also telepathically transmitting good feelings through my voice to listeners/watchers.

I felt very, very clear energetically while recording. This is important to me. In all my HoopGirl teacher trainings I emphasize the importance of developing the art of vocal quality to enhance learning. Since all sound is vibration, we can use our voices as teachers to dramatically enhance learning. The frequencies of sound can soothe the nervous system or agitate it. I love exploring how I can modulate inflections, tones, and speed to deliver the information more clearly.

During the entire recording, I constantly flexed my body's energy centers, grounding when I felt my voice move up to my neck. I wanted to speak from my belly in a super solid, but also sensual way which would convey my own "signature style" of dancing, teaching and performing. To me, that style feels deeply sensual, playful, flowing and at the same time, powerful. For me, this feeling transmits my most important offerings: beauty, love and joy.

The level of presence I felt may have also been enhanced because I am on week 2 of my 21 Day Detox. My meals beforehand (for those who keep asking me for a food blog): for breakfast I had fresh made almond-milk from soaked almonds blended with agave nectar and vanilla mixed with Raw Power protein powder. For lunch I had a blended green soup of dandelion greens, spinach, tomato, spouts, 1/2 an apple, 1/2 an avocado, cayenne, a squirt of braggs aminos, and some apple cider vinegar.

I love to do a detox during big creative projects like this, when I am transmitting information to large groups of people. I feel so amazingly present. Lots of people say they are afraid to do a detox because they think they will "get crazy" or "unfocused" or "tired". I always have the opposite experience... I feel completely present, energized and full of creative insights!

The rest of the recording unfurled beautifully. In the sound bay outside my "closet", Kramer and our friend Mikeal listened to my voice at booming volumes along with the music and made instantaneous edits to little errors. Their computer screens were alight with digital file lists from each chapter of the DVD. I am continually amazed by their technological expertise... it is amazing to behold!

I feel so lucky. I am so grateful to be have the opportunity to bring my creative visions into reality. Thank you!

I heard all about the auditions for America's Got Talent on hooping.org but wasn't really interested. Lately my focus has been on manifesting some major creative projects, not really on stage shows. So many people kept asking me, "did you hear that America's Got Talent is auditioning???". When the casting director called and emailed me directly, saying that I was strongly referred by an associate, I decided, "what the heck? what have I got to loose." There were just too many signs. I've learned to listen to these kinds of messages over the years.

So... everyone is now asking... what was the audition like??

I got dressed in my hotel room...