Private Hoop Instruction & Group Fitness Classes (Locations & Times)

Come HOOP With Me :)
Private Hoop Dance Instruction
One-on-one instruction of vertical/horizontal waist, arm, and leg hooping. Direction of skips, jumps, body stalls, tosses and throws, and other off the body moves. Creating Hoop-fitness routines incorporating strength and light weight resistance exercises and hoop movements designated to work corresponding muscle groups.
Available @ Ironworks Gym and City Fitness Gym * Non Members Welcome

Cardio Hoop Dance Group Fitness Class
Class focuses on Hoop Dance fundamentals; learning to move the hoop from
the waist, hips, shoulders, arms and legs while gaining fluidity and control over
the hoop and body movements.
City Fitness Gym * Every Wednesday @ 7:30pm
Non members welcome with day pass $10
Ironworks Gym * Every Thursday @ 6:30pm
Non members welcome with day pass $5

Summer Outdoor Sessions Have Begun :)
Every Sunday @ 12:30 PM (weather permiting)
@ Liberty Lands Park
913-961 North 3rd Street Philadelphia
First Class is FREE
$12 thereafter
or buy a package of 5 sessions for $50

Hoop Boot Camp Group Fitness Class
Class integrates push-ups, pull-ups, squats, lunges and other strength building exercises with highly cardiovascular hoop dance movements and plyometrics. Designed to sculpt
and tone, increase speed and agility and build cardiovascular endurance.
Ironworks Gym

Personal Training
Sessions include: health and fitness evaluation and assessment, goal setting, diet and nutritional counseling, weight training, cardiovascular conditioning, flexibility training, core strengthening, hoop dance, aspects of yoga, ballet, pilates, martial arts, and plyometrics.
Available @ Ironworks Gym and City Fitness Gym * Non Members Welcome

WHO EVER THOUGHT A WORKOUT
COULD BE THIS MUCH
FUN !!

Ironworks Gym
821 North 2nd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19123
215-923-9400

City Fitness Gym
200 Spring Garden Street
Philadelphia, PA 19123
215-923-4114

WE R A FAMILY

To Live, Laugh, And Love deeply….a joy…a pleasure...AT TIMES PURE PAIN> There is so much sorrow in this world; it’s enough to bring a girl to her knees. Hell>>>ON>WHAT R WE GOININ’ TO DO ABOUT IT>>>>HOW ARE WE GOING TO BRING ABOUT SOME REAL CHANGE TO THE INJUSTICE IN THIS WORLD>>>Don’t even try to tell me your just one person and what can you do>>>>I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU*************!!!!!!!!!ON POVERTY*******ON VIOLENCE*******ON INJUSTICE*****…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
What moves u to bring about change in this world………………………………………………………………………………………………………...............................................................
..........................................................................What ideas do you have to eradicate.............................. injustice?.....................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................AS INDIVIDUALS WE ARE LAUNCHING PADS……………………………………………………………………………………………………................................................................................................
AS A GROUP WE CAN GET THINGS OFF THE GROUND…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………….COLLECTIVELY WE CAN CHANGE THE STATE OF THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………Where do U stand?.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................:)

Sleeping My Way Up :)

What happens when an already happy go lucky persons gets some sleep, stops working 20-21 hour days, and gets to work their Dream Job? All I can only say I thought Life Was Good, But Now It's Fantastic!!!!!!

If You Believe It...

As usual my journey home began at the wee hours, 3:30 am to be exact. I have always had a preference for driving at night. Less cars & traffic make it the perfect time to reflect, especially for those of us that find ourselves constantly on the gooooooo.. My thoughts are ones of gratitude, such amazing people around me these days. Artist, musicians, performers, dancers, they exude light; they revel in living life to the fullest. They see the importance of sharing their gifts with those who are not as fortunate. I work like a dog, but because I love the things I am doing. I mean really, how many people can say that they are generating income from teaching & performing Hoop Dance. To watch my clients/the children/ my aunt / my mother/ my father laugh, smile, & receive such joy from the hoops that I make is pure bliss. If you believe it’s possible it’s only a matter of time and determination to make it a really. I asked the Big Man Upstairs to bless me with some skills. I wanted to take hoops to the under privileged children of Philadelphia. To give them a creative outlet, a healthy and fun way to stay in shape & to express their joys & sorrows thought the art of hoop dance…………….. Along came an amazing woman…The president of a not for profit agency called The Creative Kids Club….She loved the idea… She had children who loved the idea…We found Rec centers who loved the idea…& politicians…& drummers…& DJ’s…& Arial performers ……………..Once a mere thought, now a blossoming reality….soon to become the next great performance troupe…Little Hooper boys & girls…Little drummer boys & girls…Winged Angel dancers…Ariel performers. Ahh… the dream grows, only contained by our imaginations and trappings of our minds :)

Love This Town!

Just about as good as it gets.....this city of ours. Been around the block, lived in some pretty hip places and have to say that Philly kicks ass lately! Amazing people... Fantastic music... Creativity abounds : ) Much Love To The City Of Brotherly Love = + )

Positive Vibes

The secret of life isn’t what happens to you…But what you do with it.
Help others cope with their obstacles...Yours will be easier.
Never use the word impossible seriously again…Toss it in the verbal wastebasket.
Self-trust is the 1st secret of success…Believe in yourself, Trust yourself.
Stand up to your obstacles, do something about them…You will find they haven’t half the strength you thought they had.
Joy increases as you give it…Give generously :)
Go at life with abandon!

Cute & Fuzzy Bunnies :~ O

How easy it is to fall….Down the rabbit hole we go chasing after those cute and fuzzy bunnies…deceptively luring us down seemingly luscious pathways until we realize that somehow we have taken a wrong turn. We can only hope this realization happens before the ruler of the kingdom is yelling “Off with her head”. It is precisely at these moments that we are given the opportunity to grow and take a closer look at the choices we make. Temptation is just around the next bend; money, greed, lust, jealousy, vanity…So easily to fall from grace. Not to sound like a religious fanatic, but let’s face it, poor choices lead to the most unpleasant feelings. God know it is not easy to avoid temptation. We can only hope that the next time we hit the road we will run like hell from the near sight of that gaping rabbit hole and choose a better path.
Much gratitude to those who witness our poor choices, are affected by them, and find it in there hearts to forgive us. May we remember this tomorrow when our loved ones need our understanding and perhaps forgiveness.

Life's little obstacles!

It’s kind of crazy how quickly shifts come about into our realm of consciousness. This week has been both blissful and blusterous. The music, the dance, the respect from some of the finest break dancers I’ve yet to see. Mixed with total madness; flat tires, cracked teeth, emergency dental appointments, highway robbery, also from emergency dental appointments. …Anyway my point; suck it up, face the music, pass this test or there will be one just like it around the corner. Oh, and give much thanks to those of you (you know who you are) who tolerate my momentary rants when it all seems well, just a little overwhelming :) Life… Live it, learn it, laugh hard and roll with it!

David My Saint David

“The winds of change are upon you.” Those were the eerie words I heard that cold gray New England Spring day as I walked home from a night club. This was the voice that comes from the depths of your soul, a higher consciousness of sorts. Little did I know or could I even begin to imagine just how true and prophetic those words were.

Within a month I was moving for the first of four times to live with my in-laws. They are a truly spectacular family, his mother at times reminding me of the Blessed Mother herself. There were no limits to the lengths she would go to for her most blessed son.

By this I am referring to my sweet and saintly husband, David Alvarez. His spirit moved mountains, overcame the most difficult obstacles and lead others to a closer understanding of God. Have you ever met someone who by their actions alone demonstrated a better, more peaceful , less judgmental way? One who always sees the truth in others? And more importantly nurtures their brilliance by pushing them by love alone to become a better human being? This was the kind of man he was! People were moved and often changed forever after just one encounter with him.

I myself strive to be this kind of person. I look to the heavens seeking out the guidance of my God, my angels and of course David (my saint David) in the hopes to evolve and in some way transcend the barriers which keep me from becoming the enlightened soul he always knew I could become.

I suppose his greatest gift to me was his unending faith. Whatever faith it is that one practices, it is inspiring to see one's faith encompasses their very being. An individual who during even the most challenging of times, is strengthened by this faith. This was a practice which he excelled in. Though he was dying of cancer, he still remained joyous, hopeful and ever loving. His appreciation for life and the beauty which it contained at any given moment was inspiring.

It’s been almost four years since he passed. The faith which he so gently nurtured in me has gotten me through the worst of times and I am grateful to say the BLESSED of times. Right here, right now! I used to say when I married David “better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all” but to be able to have lived through it and still feel such gratitude, peace and joy, that is a true miracle!

Graphics by David Alvarez

Gratitude

At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.

Albert Schweitzer

Many thanks to those who have been a light in my life. May we all strive to illuminate the lives of those around us :)