Day 17: Amazing Grace

Today is the last full day of Week Two Sacred Circularities. As soon as I got out of bed my foot reminded me about the little tumble I took on the bridge. Hmmmm... a hobbling kind of day. Take it slow, take it easy, breathe deep and stay present. This is my mantra. This is my pace. I have been running all around writing and teaching and taking classes and eating with friends and Skyping with Kellen and just having a grande ole time! But now, The Universe says “Slow Down”. I listen, thankful for the grace and gentility of this tiny lesson, that could have been much worse. Today we go In Depth the Gail, Tammy and myself, and have one super fun workshop with Gail as well. I love learning from these amazing women, truly. They inspire me beyond my realm of mental comprehension. I will admit here and now that I never feel ‘like the best hooper in the room’, even though I feel very confidant with what I teach, way I teach it, and the clarity it brings my students. I feel acknowledged for who I am and what I offer, and I also feel very inspired to take it to the next level with my hooping, so that I can continue to inspire the community on multiple levels. Today I was able to inspire during my In Depth in a way that is new for me, and people appreciated very much.

In Depth with Tammy FireFly was such a sweet and intimate experience. She is so beautiful! I remember when I met Tammy in 2010 in San Diego, on my first round of touring with the Qi Revolution. She was walking up to the event with hula hoops, staves and poi in hand, and I had my multiple hoops walking into the same door. We were instant sisters. To hear her speak on her journey, her size, her methods of training and her dedication to health and well being was magically inspiring. I am so grateful to be able to witness Tammy ‘do her thing’ with such grace, beauty and majestic quality. She may only be 4’9”, but has the BIGGEST heart and the BRIGHTEST talent! I love you FireFly! Thank you for being in my life :)

The “Two Hoops One Hand” Workshop with Gail was so much fun and very mentally stimulating. I have taken a workshop from her on this material once before at HoopCamp and have been practicing her teachings ever since. I love it! It hurts a little in the beginning to find the control on your hands, fingers and forearms, but the rewards are great and very visually pleasing to an audience. We worked also on Four Hoops Two Hands and I think this is where the majority of time in training will be spent. I really like the shapes that four hoops can create and love showing the world the sacred shapes of hoop dance. Geometry makes the world go round, and hoop dance is a mystical story being told by the dance of our bodies and circles, and very heart opening to all who witness. Thanks for showing us what hours of training a day looks like, Gail! Practice More! 

In Depth with Gail was equally inspiring and heart opening as Tammy’s. Gail didn’t start hooping until she was 29! She is so badass you would think she’s been at it for a lot longer. She was inspired by a young girl in Bolivia, while training for her previous profession as a physiotherapist. Being from a small town in Belfast, Ireland, she is absolutely the lead hoop icon of the flow community there, and around the world for that matter. She has the tattoo on her feet for us all to be reminded; “Practice More”. Yes, Gail, yes. We can see how her hours and hours of practice daily pays off. Her performance is always moving to the depths of the soul and her technique is flawless. She is so innovative, and has inspired me to get back to the roots of my own practice....my training. I love you, Gail. It is an honor to teach at the same retreat with you and all of these other phenomenal women.

In Depth with Myself. Ha! It actually did go quite deep. I had a hurt foot, so while all of the other hoopers danced their most inspiring dance at the opening of their In Depths, I was ‘forced’ to do things a little differently. I sang. I sang my heart open to the tune of the first song I remember learning, ‘Amazing Grace’. Singing in front of my peers is a new experience that I am embracing in a beautiful light. Singing and Storytelling. At the same time. This is my newest expression, my most authentic art. I shared my story, from beginning to present moment. I spoke about my up bringing as a southern baptist preachers daughter, ever-evolving relationship with my amazing father and mother, which was the most inspiring portion to many, bringing tears to the eyes of women who could relate. I mentioned how my hoop career was fueled by a breakup, and how I would not tolerate being with a man who could not appreciate the way I was blossoming and growing into my highest self. I got raw around my issues in my late teens and early twenties with alcohol, drugs, promiscuity, food, tobacco, and depression. I shed some light for those who have battled with mood disorders and a lack of self love. It was so refreshing and liberating to be able to tell my story, be heard, loved, valued, and honored for it. “You are a wonderful story teller”, was the feedback from every participant there and many of the other instructors. I realize this is truly my highest calling, and am choosing to embrace this. Inspirational Speaking, Motivational Improv, and Stand Up Comedy here I come! ;) 

Anyone willing to book me for my first gig as a Storyteller with a Circular prop?! 

All in all, it was a very sweet closing to the gathering in it’s fullest expression. I had a very fun Human Design Reading with a 21 year old participant who was so grateful and loving about her session afterwards. She even paid me extra. It feels so amazing to assist people on their own evolution. I am feeling Bali mold me and curate my offerings to be of the highest service to my fellow flow folk, and for the masses. I feel the book brewing, and promise that after this 40 Day Blog Challenge is over, the books are my next project. Stay tuned and sign up for my mailing list so that when it is complete, you can snag a free copy! Blessings and Beauty abound from BALI ~

One in the Sacred Story,

Shellie White Light