I can’t even tell you how excited I was when I was contacted by the distributor for “The Hooping Life” documentary to see if I was interested in watching and reviewing the film. Like, is that even a question?! I’m not even really sure what exactly to say about the film itself except that I absolutely LOVED it, of course!

Since I have been a part of the hooping community for about 5 years now, I thought I was familiar with all the “famous” or well known hoopers (at least their names). But “The Hooping Life” introduced me to other hoopers I did not know about previously, like Karis and Sass. It also gave a more intimate view of well known hoopers like Hoopalicious, Christabel, and Baxter. What I really enjoyed about getting to know the 8 hoopers featured in the film was that they did not just show the happy and joyous parts of their lives or even their hoop lives. It showed the ugly truths concerning depression, jealousy, and traumatic events that happen in everyone’s lives. This made them very relatable, especially when they turned those negative emotions or events around with the help of their hula hoop and the hooping community.

“The Hooping Life” really shows the true spirit of the hooping community and how the hoop brings people together. They also discuss the healing power of the hoop, highlighting both the physical and mental health benefits. Overall, I’d say “The Hooping Life” is very inspirational. It has inspired my to get more involved with my local hoop community again. Seeing how Stefan and Baxter set up free hoop jams in their local parks made me want to do the same and to spread the hoop love wherever I can. It is also inspirational to see the effect that hooping has on inner city at risk children. It is amazing that something as simple as a hula hoop can help to keep them on the right track. I hope to someday see the famous Jeffrey! He was great. I think the most inspirational hooper in the film is definitely Christabel. She shares her struggles she has faced with work partners, finding her identity outside of her family and formal education, and major debt, but she overcame all of that and created a huge hoop brand (Hoop Girl) and career for herself. It really shows that as long as you are passionate and serious about something, you can be very successful and create your whole life around that passion.

I really loved the film, but it definitely left me wanting more! Not only did I want to know more about the hoopers featured, like Karis and Baxter, but there are other hoopers who I am surprised were not featured in the film. I think they should do a sequel and focus on others in the hoop community like SaFire, Philo Hagen of Hooping.org, Rayna McInturf (of Hoop Revolution, formerly of Hoopnotica), Lara Eastburn of SuperHooper, or Shakti Sunfire and her sister Luna Breeze. These are just some of the hoopers I have become familiar with (online) throughout my hooping journey. I also found it kind of strange that there was no mention of Hoopnotica throughout the whole movie. Although they have become a GIANT hoop brand and seem to be more about the business than the hoop love, they still play a huge role in hooping’s growing popularity and the “hoop revolution”.

Are there any hoopers you would you like to see featured in a hooping documentary? Tell me about them!!

Much hoop love,
Ashley xx

P.S. There actually IS a sequel to “The Hooping Life”, but it is a hooping instructional video, not another documentary. I will be reviewing that film as well in the very near future!