ABOUT HOOPSWHIRLED
Hooping is a combination of dancing with a large brightly
coloured hoop to music. You can be as graceful, tricky or skilled as you choose - there are no rules other than having fun! It is exhilarating, challenging and a great way
to improve fitness, coordination and balance while lifting your spirits. More than a fitness regime, hooping is a way to celebrate, explore and inspire
ourselves (and others).
Hoopswhirled hoops are bigger and heavier than plastic store bought hoops, making them easier and more fun to use. We don't add weight to make 'weighted hoops', as the materials we use are heavy enough for adult hula hoops. Hoopswhirled standard hoops (made from 25mm tube) weigh approximately 700grams (depending on the size of the hoop and the amount of tape) - enough to offer a great workout. We also offer lighter hoops, which are made from 20mm pipe of the same density, and will soon be offering much lighter hoops for tricks and for the more advanced hooper. Please see our Hoop Shop for more details.
Hoopswhirled and Hoopgirl - background
Hoopswhirled
classes are taught by Diana Defries - a Level 3 licensed Hoopgirl teacher.
After discovering hooping early in the Summer of 2006 and realising its benefits (see below), Diana travelled to Los Angeles in November 2006 to take a teacher training with the amazing Hoopgirl, Christabel Zamor. Those few days proved to be a life-changing experience!
In August 2008 she attended the Level 2 Hoopgirl teacher training, in Nuneaton, UK.
The Level 2 Hoopgirl training was a truly remarkable event, both in terms of content and as a way towards personal growth and development. This training was co-taught by Christabel Zamor and Candice Schutter, who each brought experience, sensitivity, warmth and encouragement to make the training a huge success for all attendees.
In February 2009, Diana travelled to San Francisco to take the first ever Level 3 training held by Christabel.
The experience was inspirational, as always. The content and material has moved on to provide deeper insights into movement, body awareness and the use of guided imagery to enhance and expand the moves being taught.
Once again, Christabel was assisted throughout this training by Candice Schutter - they are an amazing team!
Other training
Diana Defries has full public liability insurance for hoop teaching and performance, and has first-aid training.
She has been fully CRB checked in Hertfordshire and Redbridge.
She provides hoop taster sessions at Open events and has been involved in after school hoop classes.
How did I get into hooping?
As a child I studied ballet before moving on in my teens to tap, modern, jazz ballet and then ice skating. Following a brief dalliance in the martial arts world I discovered the joy of weight training and went on to become a competitive bodybuilder and competition judge. I continued to train regularly and maintain my fitness right up until 2002, when I sustained a foot injury which left me unable to walk much, let alone exercise. My recovery was slow, I gained weight and was generally very unhappy.
In May of 2006 I saw an advertisement for a hoop which led to an online search. This opened up a whole world of possibilities and I eventually bought a hoop from Anah (aka Hoopalicious). The hoop arrived in June and I spent some time every day learning how to keep it going and finding what was possible. As the Summer passed I became fitter and happier, some of the weight began to go and I realised I was able to walk better.
My journey to becoming a teacher began when I realised that hooping was too good to keep to myself.
The rest is a combination of history and geography...
Each teacher has something unique to offer but the best teacher you will ever find is within you.
Pick up a hoop and rediscover your inner child, play, dance and give yourself the gift of a fitter body and more joyful spirit!
Want to join our hoop circle?
Please visit our Hoop Class page for full details of current and forthcoming classes.
Hoopswhirled hoops are bigger and heavier than plastic store bought hoops, making them easier and more fun to use. We don't add weight to make 'weighted hoops', as the materials we use are heavy enough for adult hula hoops. Hoopswhirled standard hoops (made from 25mm tube) weigh approximately 700grams (depending on the size of the hoop and the amount of tape) - enough to offer a great workout. We also offer lighter hoops, which are made from 20mm pipe of the same density, and will soon be offering much lighter hoops for tricks and for the more advanced hooper. Please see our Hoop Shop for more details.
Hoopswhirled and Hoopgirl - background
Hoopswhirled
classes are taught by Diana Defries - a Level 3 licensed Hoopgirl teacher.After discovering hooping early in the Summer of 2006 and realising its benefits (see below), Diana travelled to Los Angeles in November 2006 to take a teacher training with the amazing Hoopgirl, Christabel Zamor. Those few days proved to be a life-changing experience!
In August 2008 she attended the Level 2 Hoopgirl teacher training, in Nuneaton, UK.
The Level 2 Hoopgirl training was a truly remarkable event, both in terms of content and as a way towards personal growth and development. This training was co-taught by Christabel Zamor and Candice Schutter, who each brought experience, sensitivity, warmth and encouragement to make the training a huge success for all attendees.
In February 2009, Diana travelled to San Francisco to take the first ever Level 3 training held by Christabel.
The experience was inspirational, as always. The content and material has moved on to provide deeper insights into movement, body awareness and the use of guided imagery to enhance and expand the moves being taught.
Once again, Christabel was assisted throughout this training by Candice Schutter - they are an amazing team!
Other training
| 2012 | Having successfully completed her Master Practitioner training in NLP and Hypnosis, Diana is actively exploring new ways to apply her skills to teaching hooping! |
|
| 2011 | To support her work in teaching and expand her skills, Diana became a qualified NLP Practitioner and embarked on Master Practitioner training. |
|
| 2009 | Diana attended the Level 2 Bodyhoops Training in Hertfordshire (October 2009) |
|
| 2008 | Diana gained the City & Guilds 7303 (level 3). She is registered with the Institute for Learning in accordance with changes in adult
education requirements in the UK. |
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| 2007 | Diana joined fellow hoop enthusiasts in March 2007 for an exciting and inspired Level 1 teacher training with Diana Lopez of Bodyhoops. The training took place at Ladies Workout Express in Leeds, UK. |
Diana Defries has full public liability insurance for hoop teaching and performance, and has first-aid training.
She has been fully CRB checked in Hertfordshire and Redbridge.
She provides hoop taster sessions at Open events and has been involved in after school hoop classes.
How did I get into hooping?
As a child I studied ballet before moving on in my teens to tap, modern, jazz ballet and then ice skating. Following a brief dalliance in the martial arts world I discovered the joy of weight training and went on to become a competitive bodybuilder and competition judge. I continued to train regularly and maintain my fitness right up until 2002, when I sustained a foot injury which left me unable to walk much, let alone exercise. My recovery was slow, I gained weight and was generally very unhappy.
In May of 2006 I saw an advertisement for a hoop which led to an online search. This opened up a whole world of possibilities and I eventually bought a hoop from Anah (aka Hoopalicious). The hoop arrived in June and I spent some time every day learning how to keep it going and finding what was possible. As the Summer passed I became fitter and happier, some of the weight began to go and I realised I was able to walk better.
My journey to becoming a teacher began when I realised that hooping was too good to keep to myself.
The rest is a combination of history and geography...
Each teacher has something unique to offer but the best teacher you will ever find is within you.
Pick up a hoop and rediscover your inner child, play, dance and give yourself the gift of a fitter body and more joyful spirit!
Want to join our hoop circle?
Please visit our Hoop Class page for full details of current and forthcoming classes.
The Vitality Show 2007 
| Always
consult your doctor or health practitioner before beginning a new exercise regime |