Helly Hoops
Helen War - Australia
I started hooping three and a half years ago because my best friend at the time went overseas to India and gave me her hula hoop. I decided then and there that I was going to “get amazing” at hooping. I looked at some YouTube videos and I remember seeing a video of Brecken Rivara tearing it up at a festival on Youtube and I just thought – “I’ll never be as good as that”. My mind was so blown. Lo and behold…. I look at that video of Brecken now and I can do every one of those moves. Hooping has made me realise I can do anything, I just have to put time and love into it. A few videos went viral in 2015 and then I was selected for the Electric Forest Hoop Troupe in the US. By October last year I’d flown to the UK and was teaching and performing at SWHoop Convention. Since then I’ve performed at private warehouse parties, Speakeasy HQ, Sub Club, Electro Swing with Mortisville & Friends, Steamphunk Pyrogen, Coco Poco Loco’s Birthday Party, The Town, Earthcore, Yemaya, Rainbow Serpent, Tanglewood, Psyfari, Subsonic, and Spinfest festivals here in Australia.
q & a
Hooping is my strongest prop and my specialty is being a ninja with them. I’ve been hooping three and a half years now. To be honest I’ve tried sticks and squares but nothing has stolen my heart like hula hoops have.
In my backyard studio, where I also teach one-on-one and small hooping classes.
I started hooping because my best friend at the time went overseas to India, and gave me her hula hoop. I decided then and there that I was “going to get amazing” at hooping. I looked at some YouTube videos and I remember seeing a video of Brecken Rivara tearing it up at a festival on Youtube and I just thought – “I’ll never be as good as that”. My mind was so blown. But I went to the park and put on headphones anyway and would jam out with a hoop on my waist and it felt amazing. I connected with people smiling, and people would watch and compliment me in the park. Twice people stopped me at the station who were coming home from work – and asked if I was the hula hooper in the park… and that I brighten their day and they loved seeing it. Eventually I found Bunny Hoop Star’s beginner 8 week course… and never looked back. Lo and behold…. I look at that video of Brecken now and I can do every one of those moves. Hooping has made me realise I can do anything, I just have to put time and love into it. My inner voice has changed to “I can do anything.” It has been a steady flow and source of inspiration to meet my heroes and jam with them… and then become my own hero.
It has changed my life and I have transformed. I couldn’t have even dreamed of what my life looks like now… I keep dreaming bigger as the hoop community unfolds to me. I never imagined hula hooping to be so welcoming – making me feel at home and giving me opportunities to perform and teach all over the world. I also don’t know any other art form where you can meet and jam with your heroes and they, too, also love your work. I haven’t seen that level of connection in many other communities… it has been like joining a worldwide tribe.