Out and about

The Art of Distraction

Last sunday I had the pleasure of providing Swing Patrol London with a bit of pre-dance hula hooping! Of course they threw themselves into it with the same enthusiasm that they fling their partners around the dance floor. After the hula hooping I found myself hovering at the edge of the dance floor watching in amazement as they twirled around the room... I started edging away slowly as I realised I was in danger of being asked to join in. 

Just when I thought I was safe, a very dapper gentleman asked me to dance. I of course refused, explaining that I had only ever done one swing dance lesson and I was quite simply awful. But of course no wasn't a good enough answer and I found myself on the dance floor feeling as glamorous as some 1940's film star. 

That bubble was promptly burst as I stumbled and bumped into other couples. I was so embarrassed by my own awkwardness. But my partner chatted to me politely, asking about hula hooping, asking where I had done my first swing dance class (it was swing patrol by the way) and before I had even notice this handsome man said to me 'You realise when you're talking you don't stumble at all'. I was dancing and I wasn't awful at all, I wasn't amazing but I was definitely not awful and it was bloody fun thats for sure!  

It reminded me that distraction can be a really useful tool when you are learning new hoop tricks too. I know....Where are you going to find some hottie with enough patience to to chat to you while you work on the weave or the vortex?? Probably not going to happen right?! But try sticking on the TV on, some music or even read a book!!!

Get smart about your hoop practice and stop over thinking things. Give your brain something else to think about for a or give your self a complete break and try a Swing Dance Class who knows you might even find prince charming. You are only limited by your own imagination! 

P.S. This event was so much fun I just can't fit it into one blog post but Antidote London I can't thank you enough for all the games. 



Sunday at W9 Dry Goods Store

So we had a ridiculous amount of fun on Sunday at my local W9 Dry Good Store. Coffee, Ice Cream and a lot of playing with hoops. 

After the performance everyone had a go at the hoops. There were parents teaching their kids and even more kids teaching their parents! Was such a fun day! 

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!'


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??