Hula HoopLa!

New hula hooping group meets Thursdays; Nelson talks with world record hooper 'Dizzy Hips'

By Courtney Nelson | Straight Talk

Hula-hoops are back and they aren't just for kids anymore. The hula hoop revival officially hit Juneau with the emergence of a group of hoopers called HoopLa!

Carolyn Bergstrom watched her friend Heather Ridgway hula hoop in a hoop off during an intermission at last year's Alaska Folk Festival event. Ridgway got the hoop over her head, and Bergstrom, impressed, gave Ridgway a how-to-hula hoop video and two hoops.

Ridgway invited friend Valerie Snyder over to try them out. They loved it, but it was a little crowded in her home. The Juneau Arts and Humanities Council said they could use the main room to practice so more friends joined them. They projected the instructional video on the wall.

It was summer weather, so they started hooping on the lawn of the JAHC, and friends and some passer-bys joined them. It caught on.

This recent adult hula hoop revival started nationally in a similar grassroots fashion.

World record hula hooper Paul "Dizzy Hips" Blair, who'll be performing at the Olympics in Vancouver next month, started hooping a large homemade hula hoop at a "String Cheese Incident" concert (www.stringcheeseincident.com) in Telluride, Colo.

"The band noticed me and asked me to make five hula hoops for them," Blair said from his Idaho home.

Soon the band, credited with the hula hoop revival, was giving hundreds of hoops away at concerts. Known for themed concerts and visual effects, they even had a Halloween show called "Hulaween."

Hula hooping also is good exercise. In Washington, First Lady Michelle Obama made national news when she hula hooped 142 revolutions before she dropped it at the Healthy Kid Fair in October.

In Juneau, after kids and a gravel driveway at an office party destroyed the two hula hoops Bergstrom loaned Ridgway, she looked online for a hula hoop recipe. She bought materials for eight hoops at the hardware store, then festive decorative tape.

"I had to have the colorful tape," Ridgway said. She replaced Bergstrom's hoops and shared the remainder with the group.

Amy McCormick and Valerie Snyder are part of the core HoopLa! group.

"I met new people and learned a fun skill," said Snyder, who didn't know how to hula hoop before last June and now uses it as her primary exercise.

Bob McCormick, the only male of the group so far, tagged along with his wife and actually shed some blood during one freak hooping trick accident involving his ear.

Personally, I found myself drawn to hula hoop performances by Dizzy Hips last summer at his gig at the San Juan Island County Fair. Dizzy, a hooper from age 5 who held a world record of 197 revolutions per minute, was swirling everything from a tiny hula hoop to a hundred pound tractor tire twice a day.

Motivated by his steel core, I decided to start hooping too. Dizzy gave my kids and I private lessons and made me a custom designed hoop made of heavy construction PVC pipe. It bruised my whole torso, but I didn't care.

Waving to Dizzy as his natural gas powered RV headed off to Burning Man, I felt as empty as the littered deserted fair grounds we stood in - the lone hooper. It didn't last long.

Overhearing my dinner conversation, a waitress told me about hooping.org, a Web site that posts video of new hula hooping tricks weekly. I witnessed hoop dancing at an alternative fair in Friday Harbor and a yoga retreat in Colorado. Hoopers were everywhere.

My hoop almost didn't make it back to Juneau because security at Sea-Tac was unable to stuff it through the X-ray. They eventually determined we were a traveling circus family, opened the hoop to dump all the noise beans, and waved us through.

Hooping alone at Cope Park while playing ball with my dog, Snyder approached me and told me about the group HoopLa! I showed up to the Juneau Arts and Culture Center on Thursday night to witness a group of harmonious hoopers who were laughing, sharing tricks and telling stories. Hoops were flying and crashing, a baby cried, yet everyone seemed almost meditative.

HoopLa!, performing under their stage name "Arctic Circle," will make their first public performance in this year's Cirque de Pluie themed Wearable Art Extravaganza, on Feb. 13 and 14 at Centennial Hall, and will do a workshop for the Bartlett Hospital Foundation's Women's Day on Jan. 30.

If you want to try hooping, HoopLa! meets from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursdays at the JAHC.

• Courtney Nelson is a Juneau resident breaking it down with sassy, sensible truths. She can be reached at nelsonfamily@acsalaska.net.

Down for the Count

Flying elbow ends first-ever female main event, "The Animal" earns TKO over "Knives" Horton

By Courtney Nelson | For the Juneau Empire

The first ever womens' main event at Roughouse Fridays at Marlintini's Lounge was declared a 'no decision' when Sitka's Selina Slack, 26, accidentally elbowed her opponent in the eye.

Slack was dominating the undefeated Nellie "Pit Bull" Phillips, 21, of Anchorage, 1-0-0, when her elbow hit the corner of Phillip's left eye, which started gushing blood causing the fight to be called. Phillips, who was fighting to "see what I've got," said before the fight she only had one strategy going in: keep her left hand up.

Gastineau Humane Society employee Patryck "The Animal" Willis, 20, earned a TKO in an MMA rematch against Hawaii hailing Ken "Knives" Horton, 21, when he clocked him with two right blows to the head in round one. The first blow sent him reeling, but he recovered to receive the second blow that dropped him hard.

Willis credited his instinct for the win.

"I just fight on instinct, I throw rights and lefts, duck and jab until it's done with," he said.

Despite the loss, Horton said he felt pretty good.

"I thought it was a pretty good fight. I didn't expect that last right to my (expletive), face," said Horton, referring to the punch that sent him to the mat to end the fight. "I actually don't remember hitting the ground. I remember people standing over me and my spine jerking."

They plan on a rematch next month.

First-time fighter, produce worker Michael Estigoy, 24, defeated another first-time fighter, Super Bear meat cutter Matt Richardson, 27, of Oregon, who was looking for a place to take out frustrations. Estigoy's prior fighting experience was in the streets of the Phillipines, but decided to fight because he "wanted to show my best for everybody."

During the first two rounds, the opponents were swinging away with hard, fast blows, but they both stayed tough and tested each other. Estigoy landed a stunning blow to Richardson's right temple in the third round, but he would hang in until the end.

Walmart employee Brian Lauth, 19, brought his record to 8-4-0 with his win over UAS student Haans Madsen, 27. Madsen clocked Lauth with a huge right that sent Lauth popping through the ropes in round one, but the two would stay even to the bell. The fighters kept getting tangled up, and a frustrated Madsen said Lauth wasn't fighting clean and was pushing him.

"I looked at my knees the next morning and they were all bruised from hitting the floor. I realized it was more than a boxing match," said Madsen who received medical attention and subsequently retired.

Mike Paddock, 36, was one of two heavyweight twins fighting for the first time at Marlintini's Lounge. Weighing in at 259 pounds, Paddock defeated 270-pound Donny Williams, Jr., 27, in a fight that started with a standing eight count for Williams, who was out tagged because he left his head open. In the beginning of round two, Paddock finished off his opponent with a rapid body pummeling and a left to the chin before a hard-right head shot dropped Williams to his knees where he retired.

The other twin, 262-pound Shane Paddock, 36, lost his heavyweight bout against first-time fighter, 241-pound Gabriel Wilson, 33, California, who won the decision with his reach.

"I was a little nervous when the bell went off, but then I just did what I had to do," said Wilson, who has been Thai boxing with Fernando at the Juneau Martial Arts Academy.

Hailing from Ketchikan, Fred Grant, 28, brought his record to 2-2-0 with his win over Juneau's Logan Henkins, 27, in his last fight for a while. Grant is moving to Fairbanks to be there for his baby, who is due in March. Grant, who has been training for two years, broke his right hand hitting Henkins.

"I think I hit him too hard, but it is all part of the game," said Grant. He delivered a jab combination, issuing a standing eight count to Henkins in round one. The two stayed tight until they both became gassed in the third, but Grant landed more punches.

First-time fighter, Juneau's Brad Bethel, 22, earned a TKO over fellow first-time fighter, Klawock's Mitchel Edenshaw, 19, in a bout Bethel dominated from the start. Referee Joe Isturis called the fight in the second round.

Get your Om on

Children's yoga: Don't expect calm and serene

By Courtney Nelson | For the Juneau Empire

Imagine you're on a boat gliding through a jungle on a quest for lost treasure ... then a frog hops by ...

Kindergartners and first-graders start croaking, squatting and leaping onto yoga mats that they imagine are lily pads, having fun doing yoga asanas (poses).

As my work contribution at the Juneau Community Charter School, I created a kids yoga class. I merged my gymnastics coaching experience with my yoga studies and an armful of books on kids yoga to come up with the curriculum.

Rainforest Yoga instructor Jenny Strumfeld, who moved out of Juneau last year, had been the only one teaching kids yoga in Juneau until recently.

Ashtanga yoga instructor Jodee Goldsferry, of Juneau, began teaching kids yoga in September, completing a six-week class series at downtown's Raven Yoga Shala. She has found it very rewarding and also challenging.

"You need to control the excitement in the room, keep them engaged and not let them get too excited," said Goldsferry, who likes to make sure her students have fun and "still provide an actual yoga class where we talk like real people, do breath work and even learn Sanskrit words."

Yoga is a Sanskrit word derived from the root "yuj," which means union, usually referring to the body, mind and spirit. Yoga has its roots in India, and it's widely accepted that the goal is radiant health, a blissed-out feeling.

Kids yoga sessions are generally not blissful. Unlike organized adult classes, kids thrive when there is room for playful self-discovery, within a structured environment. Childrens' self esteem is boosted with learning.

"They get so excited when they do something for the first time, they say to their parents proudly 'Look what I can do!'" Goldsferry said. "They are able to adapt so quickly doing things on the second or third try that would take adults months to learn."

Ideally, a yoga session will include a sequence of centering, bends, twists, balancing, strength, inversions and rest. Like wringing out a wet towel, yoga should rejuvenate and release having stretched out the entire body, restored the breath and released stagnant energy. Concentration should improve, alertness and self-awareness.

Kids are learning about physical boundaries and yoga mats, with their colorful and clearly defined boundaries, are an effective way to define personal space. Personal space helps dismiss distractions so the child's creative energy can be focused. (Unlike adult classes, I also have them do partner and group poses to help them work together as a team to produce a result.)

Former Rainforest Yoga instructor Gretchen Anne Harrington, whose daughter was in Goldsferry's class, also thinks yoga prepares kids for sports.

"It always amazes me how quickly kids pick up yoga poses and how much they enjoy the challenge of balance, coordination and concentration," she said. "Yoga prepares them to excel in any physical activity. And, where else do they get to roar like a lion, slither like a snake, or relax like a starfish?"

Taproot Yoga owner Malia McInery will offer two kids yoga series toward the end of January.

"Kids - they are already malleable and buoyant so the benefits (of yoga) really lie in stimulating their brains, finding new ways to inhabit themselves, interact with other kids and incorporate a meaningful ritual into their life ... all things that inspire confidence and creativity," she said.

Raven Yoga Shala owner Stephanie Quigley let the charter school's K1 class use her yoga studio in the Arcticorp building downtown because she likes the energy the class brings to the room.

"For children, yoga is a way of playing," she said. "They have a treasure of curiosity about the yoga postures and explore the movements naturally with an eager and open mind. Kids are intuitively yogis."

Quigley also believes "kids seem to play with yoga in a way many adults wish they could. The end result for children's yoga is perhaps the same as an adults, and that is: calming or centering the mind, body and breath awareness: coordination, muscular strength, and natural energy."

In teaching children's yoga, which increases muscle tone, spatial awareness, circulation, imagination and self-discovery, I've found it is helpful to engage the students' imaginations. You are now riding on a camel in a desert ...

• Courtney Nelson can be reached at nelsonfamily@acsalaska.net.

Houseguest Nirvana

Notes on shacking up for the holidays

By Courtney Nelson | Straight Talk

Respectful, self-aware and unarmed are some of the qualities I require of houseguests after being baptized by fire. I posed the question "What makes a good houseguest?" - out loud, to anyone, while writing this piece in a bustling downtown Heritage Coffee. Instantly people were at my table, pouring out houseguest and house-sitter stories; the good, bad, ugly and really funny.

Because Juneau's remote location makes it a desirable destination, people save considerable money by staying with friends and family. This can be a wonderful bonding experience but without clear communication, the potential for disaster is great.

Then there are special circumstances like homes with small children who rely greatly on routine.

Here are some condensed survival tips from those who have been both guests and hosts.

TIPS FOR THE HOUSEGUEST

• Thank you. Upon arrival, immediately express your gratitude for the hospitality. Continue to shower your hosts with gratefulness throughout your stay in the "inner circle."

• Bring something to the party. Offer a small gift or state your intention to contribute some fun. If your hosts have little ones, consider offering to baby-sit for a little while. If you really want to start off right, throw the door open and exclaim "go skiing, I'll watch the kids!"

• Ask thoughtful questions. Bedtimes, pet habits, good showering times? If someone wanted to purchase you a massage gift certificate where would they go?

• Leave no trace. Keep your things cornered up like a soldier ready for deployment. Wash dishes, replace food, no perfumes. I had to create a no firearms rule. Kurt Cobain, a heroin addict rock star, actually combined the best and worst qualities of guests. He was neat and tidy, according to his host, rolling up his small sleeping bag every night and upon waking asking what he could do for the house. Then he turned a one-night stay into a year.

• No space invading. If you get up early and down a pot of coffee before your host gets up, don't talk in a stream of consciousness while they are still in their robe fumbling to pour their first cup of Joe. Vibrate your phones. Strange loud ringtones can make one feel like they've been shot out of a cannon.

• Disclose your schedule and stick to it. This will help your host plan. Don't create a ruckus by returning home late, inebriated and loud. Don't invite criminals over.

• Conform to the house. Let your presence interfere as little as possible with your host's normal routine, household duties, and career. Don't impose on their time. Courtney Love, wife of the polite Cobain, tended to break all these rules by getting drunk, insulting her hosts, and then sucker-punching them on the way out.

• Invite and include. If the purpose of your trip is both to visit with your host and to see the sights and/or shop, you need to walk the line. Sightsee while your friend is at work, plan activities together for when they are not, and invite your host on your excursions.

After spending blissful quality time together by following these golden rules, one should part company wanting more. Not hiding in a closet calling anyone that will listen to lament the horror.

TIP FOR THE HOST

• Write it down. Never assume people know how to be good houseguests, especially if you have small children. State the household boundaries in writing then sit back and enjoy the magic of intimate stories, group cooked meals, restful sleep, long walks catching up with people you love. Like river rocks jostled together, you should smooth each other out.

And to all those that have put up with my clueless houseguest habits, I thank you with a short heart felt bow.

• Courtney Nelson is a Juneau resident breaking it down with sassy, sensible truths. She can be reached at nelsonfamily@acsalaska.net.