Losing by a single shot = not fun. You've probably guessed my winter basketball season is over.
Here's how it happened:
* We worked hard all season.
* We made it to the league playoffs.
* We made it to the final four and got matched with an undefeated team.
* We were up by 1 at half.
* We got down by 4 in the last quarter.
* We scored a 2 but missed the 3 that would have won the game.
* Season over.
Does this affect my hoop dancing? I'm sure it does but I'm not feeling clever enough to understand how (much less explain it.)
Monday, February 28, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Misconception #2: Every powwow dancer can hoop dance
Not every dancer who participates in Native American powwows can hoop dance. And, not every hoop dancer does powwows.
Powwows are Native American social events where many people (from lots of tribes) dance. Powwow dancers have a wide range of experience. They range from the dancers who enter the dance circle once or twice in a decade to the hardcore competitors who hit a powwow every single weekend.
The vast majority of Native American dancers specialize in a single dance style. There are at least 8 powwow dance styles plus tribal and regional styles, not even counting hoop dancing. Each style is a living dance; they can evolve drastically over time. The styles takes a lifetime to master and regularity to keep with the changes.
It is rare that a dance can reach world-class quality in more than one Native American dance style. It is also rare to find a dancer that can be a champion hoop dancer and powwow dancer.
From my: Top 10 Native American Hoop Dancing Misconceptions
Powwows are Native American social events where many people (from lots of tribes) dance. Powwow dancers have a wide range of experience. They range from the dancers who enter the dance circle once or twice in a decade to the hardcore competitors who hit a powwow every single weekend.
The vast majority of Native American dancers specialize in a single dance style. There are at least 8 powwow dance styles plus tribal and regional styles, not even counting hoop dancing. Each style is a living dance; they can evolve drastically over time. The styles takes a lifetime to master and regularity to keep with the changes.
It is rare that a dance can reach world-class quality in more than one Native American dance style. It is also rare to find a dancer that can be a champion hoop dancer and powwow dancer.
From my: Top 10 Native American Hoop Dancing Misconceptions
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Misconception #3: Native American hoop dancers are only men
There are both male and female Native American hoop dancers.
When American Indian hoop dancing started becoming popular throughout North America, it was assumed by many that only men and boys could hoop dance. Some people think this was supported by the fact that women's powwow outfits (all styles require calf length skirts) do not easily allow for hoop dancing leg moves. In reality, no full powwow outfit, men's or women's, can really be used for hoop dancing.
Today, it is widely accepted that women and girls can hoop dance. The Hoop Dance World Championship, from the start, has allowed females to compete in all division and there has been a number of female World Champions.
The majority of Native American hoop dancers are still male but the number of females is growing.
From my: Top 10 Native American Hoop Dancing Misconceptions
When American Indian hoop dancing started becoming popular throughout North America, it was assumed by many that only men and boys could hoop dance. Some people think this was supported by the fact that women's powwow outfits (all styles require calf length skirts) do not easily allow for hoop dancing leg moves. In reality, no full powwow outfit, men's or women's, can really be used for hoop dancing.
Today, it is widely accepted that women and girls can hoop dance. The Hoop Dance World Championship, from the start, has allowed females to compete in all division and there has been a number of female World Champions.
The majority of Native American hoop dancers are still male but the number of females is growing.
From my: Top 10 Native American Hoop Dancing Misconceptions
Friday, February 25, 2011
Misconception #4: Native American hoop dancers are uneducated
Native American hoop dancers are often very educated.
Of all the adult American Indian hoop dancers I know, every one of them has attended an university. Of the dancers that have not reached college age, they are growing up in families that emphasizes education.
I, myself, am an honors student. Outside of classes, I spend at least 5 times more hours studying per week than practicing my hoop dancing (although I think both are important.)
The nature of hoop dancing requires a lot of concentration, math, memory, multi-tasking, planning, and focus. These are traits that help people succeed in school too. It is not very surprising that Native American hoop dancers are often educated.
From my: Top 10 Native American Hoop Dancing Misconceptions
Of all the adult American Indian hoop dancers I know, every one of them has attended an university. Of the dancers that have not reached college age, they are growing up in families that emphasizes education.
I, myself, am an honors student. Outside of classes, I spend at least 5 times more hours studying per week than practicing my hoop dancing (although I think both are important.)
The nature of hoop dancing requires a lot of concentration, math, memory, multi-tasking, planning, and focus. These are traits that help people succeed in school too. It is not very surprising that Native American hoop dancers are often educated.
From my: Top 10 Native American Hoop Dancing Misconceptions
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Misconception #5: Native American hoop dancers buy their hoops
Native American hoop dancers do not buy their hoops.
Making Native American dancing hoops is an art. Dancers (or their families) make each hoop by hand. The hoops are customized by diameter, width, and flexibility. Colors are selected either to match the dancer's outfit or have special significance to the dancer or his/her tribe.
There are two basic ways of making hoops. "Old style" uses all traditional materials. "New style" uses modern materials. There are many dancers that use a combination.
Learning how to make hoops is, in itself, an honor. If you are interested in the details, ask a hoop dancer.
From my: Top 10 Native American Hoop Dancing Misconceptions
Making Native American dancing hoops is an art. Dancers (or their families) make each hoop by hand. The hoops are customized by diameter, width, and flexibility. Colors are selected either to match the dancer's outfit or have special significance to the dancer or his/her tribe.
There are two basic ways of making hoops. "Old style" uses all traditional materials. "New style" uses modern materials. There are many dancers that use a combination.
Learning how to make hoops is, in itself, an honor. If you are interested in the details, ask a hoop dancer.
From my: Top 10 Native American Hoop Dancing Misconceptions
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Interesting link: Australian hooping
I guess you caught me - for the past week when I should have been typing for school or blog, I have instead been googling hoop stuff. This is partly for "research" and partly just me being nosy and wanting to see if this blog is showing up on any search engines. (So far, it has not.) But, I am learning a lot of stuff.
It turns out there are three types of "hoop dancers": 1) recreational hula hooping, 2) precision hooping (think Cirque Du Soleil) and 3) Native American hoop dancing.
I think Native American hoop dancing is much more like the precision hooping than recreational hula hooping. I found this link that describes the two non-Native types.
Australian Hooping Cultures
(great site)
It turns out there are three types of "hoop dancers": 1) recreational hula hooping, 2) precision hooping (think Cirque Du Soleil) and 3) Native American hoop dancing.
I think Native American hoop dancing is much more like the precision hooping than recreational hula hooping. I found this link that describes the two non-Native types.
Australian Hooping Cultures
(great site)
Misconception #6: Hoop dancers only dance
Native American hoop dancers have lives outside of hoop dancing.
Each Native American hoop dancer has a "real life" outside of hoop dancing. We have homes, jobs, go to school, help our family - just like everyone else. Hoop dancing is part of our identity but it's not our whole life.
From my: Top 10 Native American Hoop Dancing Misconceptions
Each Native American hoop dancer has a "real life" outside of hoop dancing. We have homes, jobs, go to school, help our family - just like everyone else. Hoop dancing is part of our identity but it's not our whole life.
From my: Top 10 Native American Hoop Dancing Misconceptions
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Another Year Older...
Today is my birthday. Yay. I had a wonderful day with wonderful people. Funniest part: seeing my sister freak out in our rental van over a little water (of all things). She makes me smile because she's one of those people who think everything is a big deal. Worst part: sitting on a peanut M&M.
No hoop dancing today. As a birthday present to myself, I am not practicing anything. That means no basketball, no violin, and no hoop dancing. Unfortunately, I still have homework. Ugh.
Facebook makes birthdays great. I have a lot of family and friends that live far away. It's nice to "hear" from them on facebook.
I hope you all had a great day also.
No hoop dancing today. As a birthday present to myself, I am not practicing anything. That means no basketball, no violin, and no hoop dancing. Unfortunately, I still have homework. Ugh.
Facebook makes birthdays great. I have a lot of family and friends that live far away. It's nice to "hear" from them on facebook.
I hope you all had a great day also.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Misconception #7: Every hoop dancer has the same beliefs and/or is from the same tribe
Hoop dancers are from various tribes and have different belief systems.
Hoop dancers come from tribes all over North America. In addition to their traditional beliefs, dancers have modern influences.
Native American hoop dancers even vary in the way they see their hoops and their dances. Some might think of hoops as sacred. Others might see them as dancing accessories. Likewise, some might encourage photography and video recording. Others might request that no records are made of them.
From my: Top 10 Native American Hoop Dancing Misconceptions
Hoop dancers come from tribes all over North America. In addition to their traditional beliefs, dancers have modern influences.
Native American hoop dancers even vary in the way they see their hoops and their dances. Some might think of hoops as sacred. Others might see them as dancing accessories. Likewise, some might encourage photography and video recording. Others might request that no records are made of them.
From my: Top 10 Native American Hoop Dancing Misconceptions
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Misconception #8: Native American hoop dancers take classes to learn how to dance
Native American hoop dancers do not take classes to learn hoop dancing.
Native American hoop dancing is not learned in a studio, like ballet. They also do not learn from videos. Native American hoop dancers typically learn hoop dancing under the guidance of another, more experienced dancer. The expert dancer is very often a family member or close family friend. This way both the moves and the beliefs can be kept alive.
From my: Top 10 Native American Hoop Dancing Misconceptions
Native American hoop dancing is not learned in a studio, like ballet. They also do not learn from videos. Native American hoop dancers typically learn hoop dancing under the guidance of another, more experienced dancer. The expert dancer is very often a family member or close family friend. This way both the moves and the beliefs can be kept alive.
From my: Top 10 Native American Hoop Dancing Misconceptions
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