Hula Hooping: From Child's Play to Big-Time Workout

When Sally Ka'uhane’s 4-year-old son received three hula hoops for his birthday, she had an epiphany: quit the corporate rattle she was in for 20 years, working as a sales and marketing expert, and go back to hula-hooping.

Hula hooping as a career?

“It’s true. I use to be a champion hula-hoop artist in Los Angeles back in the day,” said the El Granada resident. “My friends then convinced me to teach a class and said they would come for sure, and Hula Hoop for Life was born.”

It was that support and a combination of lightening up, having more fun and not taking herself so seriously that inspired Ka'uhane to go out on her own, beat the stress and start hula hooping again by starting up a business that offers classes on hula hooping for health and fitness.

With classes held in both Pacifica and Half Moon Bay, Hula Hoop for Life is about having fun while strengthening your core, which can prevent injuries and benefits every sport you are involved in, explains Ka'uhane, Hula Hoop for Life founder and trainer.

“De-stressing, detoxifying, core strengthening, burning 100 calories every 15 minutes, and brain exercise are the benefits, just to name a few,” she said.

When Ka'uhane picked up hula hooping again, “it all came back,” she said. “I’m still trying to hoop with eight at one time from foot to lasso. I think that is going to be awhile.”

The classes are geared for all strengths and body types. Currently the class offerings include basic hula hooping, hoop dancing, and holding weight management sessions.

“We are offering Ionic foot baths to help aid in detoxification as well. I hope to expand Hula Hoop for Life organically with the goal of helping us all to get fit while having fun so we can stay fit. We will be doing birthday parties and utilize hula hoop to help organizations in our community to raise funds,” she said.

So far, Ka'uhane’s clients are thrilled with the results.
“My husband already noticed my waist is contouring. I cannot believe

I’ve only taken 3 classes so far,” said Half Moon Bay resident Michele Marshall.

Krista Alexander said she now fits “into my jeans again after only three classes.”

Colleen Corning says she’s really “not a class person” but has so much fun with her friends doing hula-hoop class.

“Lighten up, let go, and hula hoop your heart out, with a story, a whirl, or a trick that’s sure to turn heads,” said Ka'uhane.

 Classes currently are on Wednesday Nights 7:15 p.m. at the Historic Train Depot in Half Moon Bay and Tuesday mornings at 9 a.m. at Pacifica Athletic Center. All other classes are held as semi private and private sessions by appointment. Call 650 726-1166 or go to http://hulahoopforlife.com for more information.

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