Fresh twist as hula hoop group expands

A DANCE coach who has competed internationally in aerobics is teaching a group of women how to learn thousands of new tricks with a hula hoop.

Instructor Jane Nicholson is part of the Hoops, Thighs and Buttocks team and has years of experience as a performer.

Nicholson has travelled the world and performed at international hula hoop retreats.

She started running hula hoop classes at Lismore 12 months ago and is now taking on a new set of beginners at Ballina.

“It’s fitness, fun and learning new skills while reconnecting with something that a lot of people did as a child,” Nicholson said.

“You can learn thousands of new tricks just from working with one hula hoop.

“We do a lot of off body tricks which is great for strengthening the arms, shoulders and back.

“Often, we join the moves together and do a bit of choreography together at the end to a fun song.”

Nicholson studied contemporary dance at university and has an array of aerobic skills.

She took on the stage name Jane Fondle after discovering a love for the hula hoop at a circus festival in 2003.

She developed her own hula hooping style, incorporating 1980s and 1990s dance, aerobics and comedy.

Nicholson once set a record for winning the largest game of twister recorded at a music festival in South Australia.

“That was my claim to fame for a little while,” Nicholson said.

“The mat was the largest on record and the game took over an hour after starting with about 200 people.

“I’ve always had fun and never taken myself too seriously.”

She said hula hoop is becoming more popular at hen’s nights and through team bonding exercises in the corporate world.

“It’s great for team building and a lot of them have left the hoops in the office once it’s finished,” Nicholson said.

Individual classes for beginners are held at the Northlakes Community Centre from 6pm-7.15pm each Monday.

There is also a day class at the Ballina Masonic Centre between noon and 1.15pm on Thursdays.

Class times and booking can be made at hoopsthighsbuttocks.com