Why is it that most kids can pick up a hula hoop and move so fluidly and easily? Yet, when some adults start to hoop again, they are stiff and unsuccessful. What happened?

It seems that kids tend to be uninhibited, pain-free,  and secure with their body movements. They are not concerned with their body image and can fully embrace the hoop. Their spine is supple and muscles are relaxed. Kids are more often tapped into their parasympathetic state of their nervous system.

The term “fight or flight” refers to the state of our nervous system. According to certified hypnotherapist (CHt.) Stephanie Moses, who practices bio-emotional release, states we are either in a “parasympathetic or sympathetic state of the nervous system.” Long ago, we would go into a sympathetic state if we were being chased by a lion, tiger or bear! Today, we are rarely being chased by life threatening animals or situations, but by our boss, co-worker, family and friends. In a sympathetic state, the body needs to run so the “spine gets stiff.” Then we wonder why we have lower back pain. When the spine is stiff, the hoop will fall!

The looser our spine gets, the more we can hoop and live in a parasympathetic state of mind! This is also a fantastic lower back exercise. An activity that encourages your spine both smooth and fluid movement, also allows circulation and healing to occur. The better we can move, the better we can enjoy a pain-free life!

As a certified Polestar Pilates and Certified Functional Manual Therapist, I encourage both male and female patients to get a large hoop so they can become a successful and safe adult mover. It improves body-spacial awareness, posture, and core strength. These components are goals for lower back exercises. Also, hooping can help evaluate function and sequencing of the body’s movements.

Once you get the movement back in your pelvis and spine, you will find it hard to put your hoop down. I have seen kids hoop for hours without a moment’s rest. What an energizing  lower back exercise program! 

Jodi Jainchill PT, CFMT