Chest and Shoulder Hooping Tutorial

[LibrarianJenne]

Thanks so much for this video! I'm trying to conquer chest and shoulder hooping. I think this will be a great help!

[Kkiiinzzz]

Very helpful. Thanks!

[Elektro0Hexe]

I find this one extremely hard... :((( my hoop drops after a second I dont even get the chance to try pushing xD so annoying... but ill try that spinning trick thingy...maybe thatll help^^

[Caroleeena]

@Elektro0Hexe Chest hooping is ridiculously tricky at first. Most folks struggle with it, at least for a little while. (I had to teach myself so it took me years!) You'll get it though and then you'll be surprised how quickly you default to it, how it becomes one of the easiest places to hoop! Just be patient with yourself. You'll get it. It's just a matter of time. Best of luck to you!

[Elektro0Hexe]

@Caroleeena Thank you, thats very encouraging :))

[lisabeesley]

Great tutorial, thanks! Hopefully I can get this one down soon!

[Caroleeena]

@lisabeesley You will have it in no time. Especially if you practice with and without the hoop. Once you get the movement in your muscle memory, you'll have it forever. And it will come sooner than you think!

[caitypa]

This is so much more helpful than the beginner hooping DVDs I bought, I really appreciate that you put the time and effort into making this!

[Caroleeena]

@caitypa You are so kind. This comment really made me feel good. Thank you.

[Lynnabelle1]

Thank you so much for addressing chest hooping with "girls"! I'm just starting out hooping and very time I've tried to chest hoop it's been so uncomfortable I drop the hoop straight back to my waist! I'm going to try the techniques you've suggested!

[kittybwonderful]

thanks! really helpful!

[DigitalFlapper]

The only good chest tutorial I have found. Thank you! I subscribed. If you haven't already make an isolation tutorial?

[Caroleeena]

@DigitalFlapper I have not one but TWO isolation tutorials. I can't figure out how to respond with a link though. One is called Isolations and Variations and one is called Hoop Isolations from Outside the Circle. I notice that second one is sampled in the sidebar here. Hopefully finding one will help you find the other. Let me know if you can't find it and I'll email you a link. 

[naimadance]

Thanks for addressing how to work from no-man's land over the 'girls'. That is one of the things I've been struggling with. =)

[lolSofxD]

OMG! Thank you so much! I was havin' a lot of trouble with this but I saw this video yesterday and actually now I can do it with out problems! x) (the 'dressing 4 success' thing helped a lot jaja).

The explanation is just great, simple and effective :)

I've absolutely subscribed to your channel and will continue to watch your videos :) thnks!

[LittleRedCircusFreak]

thank you! this is great! :3

[jaspur211]

Thank you thank you thank you!! FINALLY got chest hooping (at least for a few seconds!) next up shoulders... LOVE your video, thanks for the clear instructions!!

[AleechaRay]

I'm having a lot of trouble breathing when I try to hoop at the chest. I keep weezing and I can't get myself to breathe right anytime I try to practice. Any suggestions?

[Caroleeena]

@AleechaRay If you're having trouble breathing, it often means you're holding your breath cuz you're trying too hard. Instead of focusing on your hooping, focus on your breath. Before you even start, breathe deep and slow, then deeper and slower, then deeper and slower than that ... then begin hooping with the intention of maintaining this long, slow breathing pattern. Forget about how good you hoop. Put all your attention on your breathing. If you stop breathing, notice where. Breathe there.

[AleechaRay]

@AleechaRay Haha thanks! Yeah, I just need to learn how to breathe. This happens to me even when I'm simply hooping around the waist. I think I just unintentionally stop breathing because i'm concentrating to hard.

[onlyoneme72032]

OOh I was wondering where your bird was but then I saw the cat!!! Ha Ha, I love your videos, you inspire me. I am an animal lover too!

[FainneRoisin]

Thank you! I finally got chest hooping...now to work on adding in the arms. Great video!

[ravercidknee5]

i've been trying for a month now to keep is sustained over my shoulders. i can get it up there no problem. the problem i seem to have the most is when im trying to keep it sustained over my shoulders it just kinda flies up to my neck when im not trying for it too. this has been the hardest thing

[Caroleeena]

@ravercidknee5 Perhaps work on neck hooping and then lifting the shoulders into the hoop. Then, when you overshoot, you can bring it back down, but also it will help you figure out why it's going there in the first place. You may be dropping a shoulder or leaning to one side. You may be pushing harder in one direction than its counter direction. Practice hooping in the sweet spot. Put some tape around the top of the bicep, below the shoulder muscle, and aim for that tape (from above & below).

[ravercidknee5]

@Caroleeena i can finally sustain it! have been able to for a couple weeks now. just wanted to come back and let you know. it just took practice, practice and some more practice.

[Caroleeena]

@ravercidknee5 Fantastic!!! Thank you for coming back to tell me. That makes me so happy. You GO!!! Next step (literally and figuratively) -- walking while leg hooping.

[Caroleeena]

@ravercidknee5 Shoot! I just realize this was the chest hooping one and not the leg hooping one. (Need. More Coffee!) Okay, next stop -- Arm Lift-Outs!

[ravercidknee5]

@Caroleeena oooh i can do that too. i started doing that as soon as i could finally sustain it.

[APCTOOL16]

You are so helpful!!

[Angeltots]

This is great!! You're such a great teacher! I keep laughing at "ice on your back, exploding soda!"

Thanks for having different techniques in getting the same goal. The squat squat squat stand up doesn't work for me because the hoop still stays on my waist while I squat and stand up, hahaha! BUT thanks for talking about "no man's land". IT worked!!!!! and I could let it stay up my chest for a few spins.

Now I have to keep working on it so it will stay longer there. Thank you so much!

[cwitt711]

i have confidence now! unfortunately i only have a 33 hoop so im going to push through it and hopefully ill get it or get more money to get a bigger hoop! thank you thank you caroleeena!

[scaasi]

It was the foosball player that did it...Fanx again!

[dennasaurr]

thank you for clarifying the chest hooping techniques. i do front and back chest hooping, not side to side :p

[lusivideo]

wow, you're such a good teacher :D Thanks for sharing!

[whoayoureXtreme]

great videos! thank you so much!

[PoikiloblastMel]

What a great tutorial! Thank you so much for posting it.... Please come to Sydney and do some workshops!!

[lefteyefalconeer]

Thanks for this! I am struggling with shoulder hooping. This is really helpful, even though my body still refuses to cooperate. I am not giving up though! :D

[DeadwoodSD1876]

Exploding soda? Ha! I totally loved that. :) You're awesome.

[Peepspet]

Thank you, Carolina. these tips are very helpful. Especially about practicing with a larger hoop. What a difference! Thank you very much!

[pokemonrules100]

I love your videos, I can understand you, your teaching is clear and specific.

What type of hula hoop do you use and where would you buy them?

Thanks, A Hula Gal Wanna Be

[Caroleeena]

@pokemonrules100 I use different hoops for different things. I recommend using a Groove Hoop for body work (160 psi, very large. 3/4" handhold, at least up to the nipples when on its side) and a Sport Hoop for hand work (100 psi, 1/2" hand hold, up to the belly button on its side). This allows you to make progress in both areas without injury and then progress to using just one hoop for both. I make my own. They're easy to make. The hardest part is getting a pretty tape job!

[ForsakenxFallen]

Thank you so much for this. I've been watching tutorials for HOURS about this trying to figure out what everyone was talking about. Your terminology really helped me understand what I was supposed to be doing. I've kind of even managed to do it a couple times XD Now my problem is how to get it up from my waist. :P

[ForsakenxFallen]

Thank you so much for this. I've been watching tutorials for HOURS about this trying to figure out what everyone was talking about. Your terminology really helped me understand what I was supposed to be doing. I've kind of even managed to do it a couple times XD Now my problem is how to get it up from my waist. :P

[Jocellyn88]

This tutorial was great! I've watched a lot of hoop tutorials from some popular youtube hoopers, and even a clip from hoopnotica but I still couldn't get it. Your side to side method was the one for me!!! Like me, you have a larger chest so watching where youplaced it was super helpful compared to other hoopers who are a little flat in that area. I"m so excited!

[shotwench2210]

AH ok now I have a clue where I'm failing so badly with shoulder hooping! Mines all electrical tape! And I'm so going to try the side side. LOL I will get this!

[rayhole]

im still having trouble but i just want to thank you for all your help! you brought me one step closer!! I don't know what I would do without all these wonderful tutorials on the web, every one at the very least gets me one step forward!!! I am so close, upper body hooping has been my biggest challenge!!!

[y3llow5ub]

THANK YOU!! best chest hooping tutorial i've ever found. finally able to do it a little bit. bigger hoops are definitely better to learn chest hooping! just found that out, and made a bigger hoop, bout to start taping it up. thank you!

[indigocello]

Ahhh, the chest stall finally helped me get this technique! Now I need to find a bigger hoop so I can keep it going longer. Thanks for the great tutorial!

[flutterbee103]

I sO love you! you helped me get things I've been trying for awhile. Thanks hugs and smiles....you have a great personality also! I love instructions from you. Have a Wonderful Day. I know I will now. off to hoop :-)

[TheDeenIsSincerity]

ice, spilled soda - got it! thanks! she's amazing, such a fresh personality....

[micaro84]

wow, you make it look so easy! My problem is, I can get it up, but keeping it there.......

[Caroleeena]

If you can get it up there, you're almost there. Play with the forward and back push and then the side-to-side push, try it while turning and try a bigger hoop. All of those will help. Practice a few minutes each day, say, one song you love (a short one where you do nothing else but chest adn shoulders) and within a month I bet you'll have it. It'll just click for you one day. You just have to keep at it. Hang in there. And I'd love to hear when it clicks for you! Good luck.

[Raea714]

This was the best hooping tutorial I have seen so far. Thank you!

[jennyebrooke]

I absolutely love how you relate the moves like ice down the back and exploding soda. Cracked me up! =D

[tvfreakshow]

I love the associations you make as well as your positive attitude! Thank you for sharing with us!

[clipimac6]

Thanks for your helpful videos! I'm a new hooper, trying not to get discouraged. I haven't mastered raising my hoop from waist to chest/shoulders yet, and I see now it's because I'm flailing my arms around, rather than the front/back or side/side movement.

Hooping is fun, but not coming naturally to me!

[Caroleeena]

Be kind to yourself. Chest hooping is hard for everyone. I have only met a handful of hoopers who picked it up quickly. It took me years (tho I had to figure it all out myself.) You'll get it. Be patient and encouraging with yourself. Soon the day will come when you will barely remember the struggle. But do remember! It will help you help other people.

[heavenlymayday]

I can manage chest hooping ok, but the shoulders are still eluding me... I think it may be a size issue though? I'm kind of a big girl and so it's difficult enough getting it around my chest without the added bulk of my arms too? I may have to get a larger circumference hoop, but i did get some ideas to give a go next time... Thanks!

[Caroleeena]

When I first started shoulder hooping I had to use a great big hoop too. It's very common. Start with a big one. You'll be working your way down to a smaller one in no time. Good luck!

[lolabirdlola]

Caroleeena thank you for this video clip. You are a wonderful Hoop teacher and I enjoyed your class last month in Blue Ash.

[Caroleeena]

It was such a blast teaching in Blue Ash. I hope I'll get to come back in 2010. It would be lovely to hoop with you again and I'm glad to connect with you here! Hugs to you.

[jexicatfood]

Thank you for being great! This video was extremely helpful to me, and your "ice" and "soda" references are quite funny! Your teaching style is such that I completely understand what you are trying to convey, and that's a rare gift!

[nybauhaus]

You r Fabulous!!! You cover all the points and instruct in such a lovable manner....Thank You!

[blueskyfeeling]

Hey you are such a good teacher! This is exactly what I needed to know! Going to go and try it!

[ammre]

1:24 is hilariously awesome.

[VMAM]

My hoop makes it around a couple times then pops directly down to my waist. I think "the girls" are interfering. I'll keep at it though!

[Caroleeena]

It's probably not falling directly down to your waist. It's probably starting to fall either in front, on one side, in back or on the other side. Try to notice which side comes down first. This means you need to increase your push there. Just keep at it. Soon it will be second nature.

[afrolovely]

THANK YOU for including the 'girls who have girls' segment...I have always looked at these great chest hoopers who have well...flat chests...and have associated that with their success...no I know I just have to play with 'noman's land' a bit more. thanks Caroleeena!

[toona]

this is the best tutorial on this on youtube! you break it down exactly how i needed it. I love "ice down the back, exploding soda." Makes me want to get more creative with my own teaching!

[dmardesich]

I tried this in class for the first time and knew that I needed to see if you had a video. Sure enough . . . your video was very helpful. Can't wait to try these tips tonight.

[lisacole690]

awesome video ... great teaching ...

[katitious]

Hah! "Ice down the back/exploding soda" I love when teachers use visualizations like that, it really helps. Thanks so much for all your awesome videos, I'm going to get out in the yard after work and try to make some progress!

[stacyns]

Thank you so much!! I've been working on this for weeks and now I can finally chest hoop!

[Caroleeena]

Yay! That's great. Congratulations! Now it's like faling off a log. You'll always be able to do it. Good for you.

[docrona]

caroleeena,

you're a very good teacher.

i am enjoying watching and picking up tips.

much appreciated :)

thank you.

rona

[Caroleeena]

Thank you Rona! You are kind.

[Justanotherspinner]

Thanks, I have found this very helpful, u r a good teacher.

Not sure what size hoop is best, (I am a begginer) any advice wld be appreciated:)

[Caroleeena]

For chest hooping, I recommend learning on a hoop that, when it is stood on its side, comes up to nipple height. I also prefer 160 psi weight x 3/4" for this size, the Groove Hoop. I recommend a Sport Hoop for learning hand hooping. A sport hoop is 100 psi, 1/2" diametier tubing in a much smaller circle, say, up to your pelvis bone when its side. Having two hoops - 1 lg, 1 sm - helps maximize learning in each area. Later you can build one that lies somewhere between them for your play hoop.

[Justanotherspinner]

Thanks, I think I'll need a larger hoop 2 master chest hooping, will let u know how i get on:)

[dancingintheCircle]

Oh Caroleena, You are such a goddess! Thank you for all you do.

[Caroleeena]

My pleasure. Thank you for your kind comment!

[elsaseal]

i love your examples and the way you break this down. thank you!

[hoolamonster]

You have a GIFT! Your teaching is superb. In the beginning, I learned new moves by watching your vids. Now, I learn how to be a better teacher by watching them. You are fantastic. And your soda/ ice analogy is so great.

[Caroleeena]

That is so sweet Abby. Thank you for your kind words. They made my day.

[amdsunshine]

Thanks for this! I've been getting discouraged with the chest/shoulder hooping thing. I can't wait to try your ideas this weekend! Love the dress!

[judynoel]

Caroleeena--I also love your analogies, ice and soda--you are such a good teacher! And you look like you're about to teach a flamenco class, with that skirt! Love it--flamenco hoop dancing--it'll be the new big thing! Hope to see you at Shakori again! Love, Judy in NY

[luvelias]

I've yet to try this but your video provided so much information I should get it in no time (=

thanks for the tutorial!

[sadewllms]

Thank you so much!

[thewhocaresgirl]

Your explanations are so detailed! I look forward to practicing today, using this video. Thank you!

[missdhoops]

Oh Thank you! This is one I am struggling with too.

I just love your tutorials, very helpful.

[rpwca]

FANTASTIC!! Thank you Caroleeena!! Love your skirt by the way!

[hannah15326]

Thank you caroleeena,

Im going to try and drop some ice down my back and explode some soda! Brilliant explanations

[Groovinmegzz]

this is great!!!! I am very glad you made this. So many hoopers are in need of it!!!

[Tazbocat]

Thanks so much for this video! Caroleeena , you are a doll! This is exactly where I am at now in my journey and I was having trouble with these moves. I can't wait to try this now. ( my "girls" were also in the way! LOL! Oh and I love your dress!!! Khaanee

[saramonster77]

Ice Down The Back

Exploding Soda

LMAO - LOVE those analogies !!! :)

[chewbobington]

I love watching all of these different tutorials from different people...I learn something new from each of them! Thank you!

[luvtospin]

Great tutorial! I love all of your analogies..too funny, but very helpful! For me learning to get the hoop to float up to the top of my chest from my waist was really hard. Making my hip movement more expansive seems to help also. As it comes up it pops up over the girls. He, he. Caroleeena you are such a gifted teacher! Thank you for all your generosity. XO