Hiya!  I'm Jodie, and I'm a Hoop Dance Teacher!

I am a licenced Hoopgirl™ Level 1, 2  and 3 Teacher (beginner, intermediate and advanced level).  I trained with Hoopgirl herself, Christabel Zamor, in the summer of 2008 and then gained Level 3 in April of 2009.  In March 2008, I also undertook the BodyHoops level 1 teacher training with Diana Lopez.

I am a fully qualified Fitness Instructor, gaining my YMCA Exercise to Music qualification in April 2004, and have taught Aerobics classes as a hobby ever since.  I am fully insured, hold appropriate licences to play music in public and am also proud to be a member of Equity (the UK trade union for professional performers and creative practitioners).

I started Hooping in June 2007 - I was looking for inspiration for my Aerobics classes, when I came across a short film of someone using Hoops in a fitness class.  I thought it looked like great fun, and went on the hunt for more videos.  My search turned up a huge number of videos and I was completely blown away by the amazing dancing I saw.  I decided there and then that I had to get a hoop and I had to learn to Hoop Dance!  My search for classes drew a blank, so I purchased a hoop online (and had to wait an agonising 3 days for it to arrive!), and decided to have a bash.  I got the hang of it quickly and was soon Hoop Dancing myself giddy! 

Hooping for me is addictive - my living room became my practice space and my hoop making space, soon to be colonised by a pile of 40+ different hoops, and my walls and ceiling bear the scars of a dedicated hooper.  My shed is full of spare hoops, rolls of pipe and boxes of beautiful tape for decorating them with.

I love to share my passion for Hooping with others, and I find nothing more satisfying than the look on a student's face when they finally get a move, or can even just keep the hoop up for a few rotations.  Hooping truly brings happiness to both teacher and student - after all, you can't be unhappy in a hoop!

My other major passion is Dogs.  I share my home & life with my partner, son and our 2 fab Staffies (pictured right & middle - the Old Boy on the left departed for Rainbow Bridge in Feb 2011).  We volunteer for a number of dog rescue organisations, helping with home checks, transport and fundraising whenever we can.  We live by Jan Fennell's method of Amichien Bonding, which is something we believe in deeply. 

I also aim to live my life as naturally and holistically as possible - see my links page to find out more.