Name: Hoop Dance Class 2.1 (Sunday)
Start: 2026-01-11T12:00:00-07:00
End: 2026-04-05T14:00:00-07:00
Location: 10219 106 St

Learn Indigenous hoop dance—storytelling in motion. Build rhythm, balance, and cultural pride through circular movement and teachings.
About this Event

Orientations Class 0.1: Introductions, protocols, practice and program initiation (45 mins)

Objective: Students will engage in a brief overview of the lessons to come and overall program objectives.

Agenda:

Introduction warm ups, stretching exercises, and techniques: Brief history and explanation of the why's and how's of hoop dancing.

Hoops making Class 0.2: Introductions, protocols, practice and program initiation (45 mins)

Objective: Students will each get to make thier own custom set of hoops.

Agenda:

Introduction warm ups, stretching exercises, and techniques: This will almways be a major part of the class, and prerequisite to all other classes moving forward.
Teach each student how to create and assemble thier own customized hoops.
Assign homework techniques and tricks for the students to try at home or in the classroom space.

Class 1: Introduction to Hoop Dancing & Cultural Context (45 mins)

Objective:Students will learn the historical and cultural context of Indigenous hoop dancing, the significance of the hoop, and basic posture and movements.

Agenda:

Introduction to Hoop Dancing: Brief history and cultural significance, including connections to nature, spirituality, and storytelling.
The Hoop: Understanding the symbolism behind the hoop (circle of life, unity, cycles of nature).
Basic Stance and Posture: Standing tall, core engagement, and proper foot alignment.
Basic Hoop Movement: Introduction to holding the hoop and performing simple movements (rolling, passing between hands, etc.).

Activities:

Demonstration of basic moves with discussion.
Group practice: Passing the hoop between hands and rolling it on the ground.
Q&A and reflection on the cultural importance of the dance.

Class 2: Fundamentals of Movement & Basic Footwork (45 mins)

Objective:Students will learn basic footwork and how to move with the hoop, introducing the concept of flow and rhythm.

Agenda:

Footwork Fundamentals: Learning how to move while holding or manipulating the hoop (e.g., stepping forward, backward, and side to side).
Basic Turns: Introduce simple turns, both with and without the hoop.
Rhythm & Flow: Emphasizing timing and fluidity of movements in relation to the rhythm of music or beats.

Activities:

Practice basic footwork patterns with music.
Work in pairs to practice turns and direction changes.
Group activity: Incorporating footwork with basic hoop manipulation.

Class 3: Basic Hoop Techniques (60 mins)

Objective:Students will practice specific techniques of hoop manipulation, including moving the hoop around the body, and start integrating footwork with hoop movement.

Agenda:

Hand & Body Movements: Introduction to hoop positioning around the body (hips, arms, head, etc.).
Hoop Circles: Spinning the hoop on different parts of the body (e.g., wrist, elbows, waist).
Synchronizing Movements: Combining footwork with hoop manipulation.
Introduction to Simple Patterns: Basic hoop movements like figure-eight patterns, passing the hoop around the body, and working with multiple hoops (if available).

Activities:

Practice hooping on different parts of the body.
Pair work: One person holds the hoop, the other practices footwork or body movement.
Group practice: Combine footwork and hoop manipulation into simple flow patterns.

Class 4: Intermediate Techniques & Introduction to Formation (60 mins)

Objective:Students will learn intermediate techniques, including integrating multiple hoops and exploring group formations.

Agenda:

Multiple Hoops: Basic introduction to using more than one hoop at a time (e.g., hooping around arms or legs with two or more hoops).
Formation & Group Dynamics: Working together to create group formations, emphasizing synchronized movement.
Spatial Awareness: Understanding space and how to move in relation to other dancers.

Activities:

Practice using multiple hoops individually (e.g., one on the arm and one on the waist).
Partner work: Practicing formation transitions while using hoops.
Group choreography: Create a short sequence using basic formations and movements.

Class 5: Storytelling Through Dance (75 mins)

Objective:Students will understand the tradition of storytelling through hoop dance and begin to incorporate storytelling elements into their movements.

Agenda:

Storytelling Tradition: Discuss the role of hoop dance in telling stories and representing natural elements (e.g., animals, plants, and seasons).
Choreography & Storytelling: How to translate a story into movement.
Introduction to Symbols: Understanding how to represent different elements (e.g., animals, seasons, or emotions) using hoop formations.

Activities:

Group discussion: Brainstorm simple stories or concepts (e.g., animal symbolism, the four seasons).
Small group practice: Create a small routine based on one of the brainstormed stories or concepts.
Performance of small routines with storytelling elements.

Class 6: Advanced Techniques & Complex Movement Integration (90 mins)

Objective:Students will learn more complex techniques, integrating spins, jumps, and transitions, with an emphasis on flow and precision.

Agenda:

Spin Techniques: Advanced spinning techniques with the hoop, such as overhead spins, spins on the waist, and around the neck.
Incorporating Jumps: Introducing jumps and how they interact with the hoop (e.g., jumping through the hoop, leaping while spinning a hoop).
Transitions Between Movements: Moving smoothly between different hoop positions and footwork transitions.

Activities:

Practice spins, jumps, and transitions.
Work in pairs: Practice incorporating jumps and spins into a sequence.
Solo work: Integrate advanced techniques into a fluid routine.

Class 7: Incorporating Music & Rhythm (60 mins)

Objective:Students will practice dancing in rhythm with different types of music, learning to adapt their movements to musical changes.

Agenda:

Music & Hoop Dance: Understanding the relationship between rhythm and movement, and how to adjust movements to fit musical tempos.
Dynamic Movement: Learning to match energy levels of the music with movements (e.g., slow movements for slower songs, quick spins for upbeat music).
Improvisation: Introducing freeform movement to allow for creative expression within the framework of hoop dance.

Activities:

Practice dancing to various types of music (slow, upbeat, etc.), experimenting with rhythm and style.
Group work: Create a short routine to a piece of music, adjusting the movements based on the music's tempo.
Individual practice: Experimenting with improvisational dance.

Class 8: Choreography and Routine Creation (75 mins)

Objective:Students will start learning how to combine individual movements into a full routine, focusing on performance and storytelling.

Agenda:

Routine Building: How to structure a short hoop dance routine.
Incorporating Elements: Integrating storytelling, symbolism, footwork, and hoop techniques into the routine.
Performance Tips: Basic performance techniques, including facial expressions, stage presence, and engaging the audience.

Activities:

Collaborate in small groups to create a short routine.
Individual work: Refine personal style and add unique elements to the routine.
Group rehearsal: Perform the routine in front of peers for feedback.

Class 9: Refining Techniques & Final Routine Rehearsal (90 mins)

Objective:Students will refine their skills and polish their final routine, focusing on fluidity and precision in their movements.

Agenda:

Routine Refinement: Focus on polishing transitions, timing, and flow.
Feedback & Corrections: Peer and instructor feedback on technique and performance quality.
Final Rehearsal: Full group practice of the final routine, making adjustments and preparing for performance.

Activities:

Review individual and group movements.
Rehearse the final routine multiple times, focusing on seamless integration of choreography.
Performance feedback from instructor and peers.

Class 10: Final Performance & Celebration (60-90 mins)

Objective:Students will perform their final routines, demonstrate their skills, and celebrate their progress in hoop dancing.

Agenda:

Warm-up & Review: Brief review of choreography and performance tips.
Final Performance: Students perform their final routine individually or in groups.
Closing Reflection: Discuss the journey, reflect on growth, and share personal experiences with the dance.

Activities:

Final performances of routines.
Group discussion and sharing of personal insights and experiences.
Celebration and acknowledgment of each student’s progress.

Materials Needed:

Hoops: At least one hoop per student (varied sizes for different levels).
Music: Pre-selected tracks for rhythm practice, including slow and fast tempos.
Space: A large, open area for dancing with enough room for movement and group formations.

By the end of the course, students will have a solid foundation in Indigenous-style hoop dancing, a deeper understanding of its cultural roots, and the ability to perform a short, meaningful routine with confidence.