Hollywood Siblings Love Playing, Teaching with Fire

Fire Groove is a thriving Hollywood business built around fire dancing. Siblings Hannah Mooney-Roloson, Lester Mooney and Kamala Mathis started the business about 10 years ago after being mesmerized by a fire troupe in Seattle.

 "I love it. I'm absolutely lost in the moment of raw energy when I'm dancing. I feel so much freedom. We are living our dream," Kamala Mathis told Hollywood Patch during a recent visit to a Spin Jam class.

“We are always looking to introduce people to this new, fun, moving-meditation. It combines elements of yoga, martial arts and dance," Hannah Mooney-Roloson said.

Lester Mooney said Fire Groove has three main components to the business–performance, instruction and the products they manufacture themselves. Mooney said they will soon be acquiring their own building in Hollywood where they can teach and have a retail outlet for their products.

The siblings teach several types of fire dance using hoops, staffs and poi, which literally means ball at the end of a string, but there are many beautiful versions of these available. The six-week Poi Groove classes end with a “lighting up” ceremony where participants dance with fire. 

Classes are held at the Woman's Club of Hollywood, at 1749 North La Brea Ave.and range from $5 to $25 per class.For more information, go to www.firegroove.com, and registration is available online.

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