Mary rediscovers the joy of hooping
Come learn how to hula hoop at Hoop Church. Every Sunday from 12-2pm at Hot Mama’s. 2401 East 6th St. Austin, TX 78702
I could hula hoop just fine as a kid. But in recent years, the attempts I’ve made at hooping have been complete failures. I made a sad effort in my niece Sara’s hoop. And after being told that grown ups need bigger hoops, I gave an adult sized hula a try, only to have the dang thing clatter dishearteningly to the floor after a single spin.
So when I headed over to Hoop Church at Hot Mama’s Espresso Bar last Sunday it was with a hopeful, but doubting heart. I arrived to find a half dozen people hula hooping away in the lovely patio outside Hot Mama’s.
Michelle Iaquinta, of Pandora’s Healing Hoops, introduced herself as she danced gracefully inside her hoop. She told me to pick out a hoop and after only five minutes of her expert instruction I was hula hooping away.
Pandora's Healing Hoops
Michelle makes all the hoops herself out of irrigation piping and specialty tape, giving each one a special blessing.
At Hoop Church, the only religion peddled is the joy of being outside in the sunshine, listening to music and hula hooping with friends.
more at the jump…
After an hour and half of hooping, I went inside Hot Mama’s warm, intimate inside space. I was delighted to find the restaurant managed by Kelly Abshire, owner of Ararat, which I’ve been sorely missing since the restaurant lost its lease on its North Loop location in 2007. Hot Mama’s now partners with Ararat and Starlet Sweets, serving food from all three businesses.
Thrilled to eat much loved Ararat cuisine again, I asked Kelly to make me a pita with hummus, tabouleh and lamb, then settled in for a delicious meal, hot coffee and great conversation with new pals.
I left a born-again hula hooper and Hot Mama’s convert, convinced that 2401 E. 6th Street is the motherlove hub of Austin, TX.
Amen.
Note: Michelle Iaquinta teaches private and small group hooping lessons and offers hoop parties for the home or workplace. She also custom makes hula hoops. Her hoops are for sale at Hot Mama’s, as well as at other hooping events. Interested hoopful hoopers may contact her at: amar...@sbcglobal.net
And to find out about other hooping events in Austin, click here.
We’re so excited to be moving back to Austin after our decade-long hiatus. It’s stories like this that make me miss Austin so much. Thanks, Mary for sharing your experiences!!!
Good Stuff. Inviting.
Thanks, Rooster and Jenny! Maybe y’all come could hoop with me sometime…
Hoop Church!! Do they sing, “Will the Circle Be Unbroken”?
Great piece!