When I came to Boston University in 2012, the last time I’d ever seen anyone hula hooping was on the asphalt at my elementary school. I was beyond surprised to see a group of kids jamming out with much larger and more colorful hoops than I’d ever seen. Now that I’m writing this column, I finally had a reason to approach them and figure out what they’re all about. This week I interviewed the College of Arts and Sciences senior Rose Kreditor, the creator of the BU Hooping Project.
I met Rose at Blue State Coffeehouse, and I was wearing jeans and a t-shirt, like a total n00b. Rose, on the other hand, had the most amazing Indian-print harem pants I’ve ever seen. I immediately realized that I was talking to someone infinitely cooler than I’d ever be.
“[We] promote flow arts, whether that be hula hooping, poi or flow wands,” she said. “We use flow toys, they’re just different ways to dance.”
Now I don’t know how many of you know exactly what flow arts are, and neither did I. Flow arts are dances that encourage just moving to feel good. They often include hoops, poi, or balls attached to ribbons, and flow wands, which look like sticks that float in front of you. Basically, flow arts are like magic.
When I think of hula hooping, I imagine shaking hips and plastic circles — that is not what this is at all. Rose showed me a video of her hooping. She was spinning, twirling and stalling. My favorite move is an isolation, which according to Rose is one of the hardest. When she did this, the hoop kept moving and her hand stopped. It was ridiculous.
The hoops are also not your general CVS store variety. Rose makes all of the hoops that the club uses with black irrigation tubing.
“We wrap grip tape on them, and then people have glitter tape,” she said. “You can’t just do it simply, everyone has to make it pretty. But it’s great.”
The Hooping Projects goal is to make flow arts more accessible. They do performances every week. The most visible is the hooping on Marsh Plaza every Wednesday. Rose or other members of the group will bring hoops, and everyone is encouraged to come and play.
“We get a lot of LAW [School of Law] graduate students,” Rose said. “I don’t know why, but we do.”
The other open function they host is Beginner Hooping Classes on Monday nights.
“As a performer, teaching is the best way to learn anything,” she said. “So for me that is so useful.”
Rose’s contagious attitude and passion for hooping is clear.
“I’m a pretty opinionated and passionate person, so if I like something I want everyone to know about it,” she told me.
Next time you’re in Marsh on a Wednesday, pick up a hoop, shake your hips and learn a little about having fun.
Check back next week when I talk to another one of BU’s familiar faces. Have a person you think BU should know about? Hit me up!
Jemma Douglas is a sophomore in the College of Communication studying Journalism. She can be reached at jwdoug@bu.edu.
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