London Hoop Fest

I don't even want to write anything this week, I just want you to watch the video! Seriously I am so proud of these guys. This was pretty daunting task for me, having gone to my first London Hoop Fest in 2012 I'd have never have expected to be teaching at it so soon.

When I looked out at the sea of faces knowing over the next 90minutes I would have to turn them all into show girls, I was a little taken a back. Lucky for me they all had a little show girl inside them and that was the easy bit. The hard bit was that I felt like a bit of a drill sergeant, 'again, again, again' I even had a whistle. But everyone worked so hard at it and finally at the end it felt like we were little kids calling our parents (Anna Rowan and the other teachers) up to watch our show!

It was beautiful watching the routine and I even felt a little emotional at the end. Especially hearing comments like 'I hadn't smiled so much in ages, thanks Bree' and 'that was the most fun, EVER!'


5 Things That Have Inspired Me This Week

Taking our company name Happy Healthy Hoops literally, I've decided to write about five things that have inspired me this week. 

1. Yesterday my friend won the Peoples Book Prize!!! His book You're Gone to Far This Time Sir won best non-fiction.

Years ago when waiting in the lobby to be interviewed for an accounting job at a property firm, Danny Bent, a stranger at the time, wandered past warmly welcoming me to the office and wishing me luck. It instantly made me want the job more. The staff were so friendly, I got the job and loved working there. 

Since then I've enjoyed seeing Danny's adventures on FB. He always seems to be up to something but I seemed to have missed the fact that he wrote a book!!! Watching his acceptance speck yesterday I learnt that Danny had dyslexia and his journey to becoming a writer had been just as windy as my journey from Accountant to Hula Hooper

I can't wait to read it! 

2. Gemma Smailes one of our Kentish Town HoopFit Students is going to jump out of a plane this weekend to raise money for Canine Partners  for Independence. Best of luck Gemma! 

3. This Photo from Morning Gloryville London just makes me happy. 

4. I spoke to my Dad yesterday, he is in hospital for a few days having some check ups. His health is complicated having suffered from Parkinson's Disease for 17 years and breaking his knee in every way possible. But the first thing he says to me is 'Bree, being in this hospital makes me realise how lucky I am'.  

5. Anna Lisa one of my students from Bannatynes has been hooping for a couple of months. It's been a slow process for Anna Lisa but this week something clicked and we managed 3 hoops yesterday! Perseverance, patience and practice.  

 

Britain's Got Talent

Britain's Got Talent
Britain's Got Talent

Did you spot me?? I was only on for a split second but I was there in the opening sequence. If you want to watch it go to ITV Player. In February on Tube Strike Day guess who was up early hauling her hoops all the way down to the ITV studios in Wimbledon.

It was one of those days...I had a cold, due to the tube strike it took me 3 hours to get there, the filming was out doors and it rained all day BUT the atmosphere when I got there was spectacular! In typical british style the rain put no one off, we soldiered on. I met some fabulous people including this chap, you might recognise him?? He announced the birth of Prince George!

Britain's Got Talent
Britain's Got Talent

I didn't manage to get a photo with Ant and Dec (because I had to run off to teach HoopFit at Warwick Avenue) but I did catch them having a little chuckle at me as I was bouncing up and down hoops in hand trying to keep warm. In my head we are now BFF.

If you watch very carefully I'm in a couple of shots but it's a bit like playing Where's Wally. It was at the very end to the day, that someone said can you just jump in this window for a quick shot and voila! This is the one that was used. I feel very privileged that I was asked to be on the show even for a second and I think perhaps next year I should actually audition??!!!

xX Bree Kirk-Burnnand (AKA Miss B B Hoops)

Britain's Got Talent
Britain's Got Talent
Britain's Got Talent
Britain's Got Talent

Hoop Yoga with Beka Hoops

IMG_0661
IMG_0661

When I found out that Beka Hoops was coming to London to teach a Hoop Yoga workshop I was excited but also a little hesitant. I love hooping but yoga…I’ve always found a little dull and a lot intimidating. I thought to myself, ‘I’ve got the hooping bit so I’ll only have to look silly half of the time, plus its BEKA HOOPS. You can do this!!!’ I’ve been watching her videos for year, I simply couldn't pass up an opportunity to meet her. 

When I arrived at Indaba I immediately sought a spot at the back of the class. Then Beka arrived and asked us to arrange our matts into a circle and I had nowhere to hide.

IMG_0668
IMG_0668

Over the next three hours we used the hoop as if it were an extension of our own body. There was a lot of giggling which I’d never seen in a yoga class. Beka was so passionate about both of her practices, she’d teach us something and then bounce off with excitement that she clearly couldn't contain. 

I can’t tell you how many times the word ‘Wow’ came out of my mouth. I’ve been saying for the longest time that I should do yoga as I am sure the flexibility would help my hooping but after seeing Beka do a headstand with the hoop spinning on her toes I think I am genuinely converted! There might me a yogi in me yet!

By the end of he class my legs were quivering but I was relaxed and ready to take on the world. Hoop yoga gets a massive thumbs up from me!

Beka runs Hoopurbia which is being held in Berlin this year! I am very tempted to book, who is coming with me??

Fun Fitness and Fundraising for Save the Children

Thank you to everyone that took part in our Mother's Day event.We had such a wonderful day hula hooping in the park and raising money for Save the Children! We raised £141!!!

Special mention to Tamsin, Sonia, Erin, Tony, Louise (both of them), Michael, Emilie, Richard, Steve Obie and Westminster!

New Tops Made By Local Business West 9 Print
New Tops Made By Local Business West 9 Print
Tamsin helped blow up a million balloons!
Tamsin helped blow up a million balloons!
Chit chatting!
Chit chatting!
These girls, showing off!! Love!!!
These girls, showing off!! Love!!!
Obie is one of The Majorettes
Obie is one of The Majorettes
It's a wrap, the hoops head home
It's a wrap, the hoops head home