Rebecca Halls

BFA Dance, CanFitPro FIS, Certified Yoga Instructor, Founder of IHOOPU

Founder of IHOOPU Rebecca has been teaching hoopdance for six years. She began hooping in 2003.  Hooping offered a doorway through which Rebecca was able to re-connect with her dance training of 17 years.  She began studying dance again and integrating dance principles into her hoop class. Since then she has completed her BFA in contemporary dance at Concordia University, completed her 200 hour yoga certification, and become a certified fitness instructor by Can Fit Pro.  She loves working with hoopers on all stages of their journey to help them connect at whatever level they may be.  Rebecca's teaching method is based on generosity and encouragement. Re-enforcing the student's confidence wherever they may be and then sharing all the knowledge she possesses in order to help the student achieve their conscious and unconscious goals.

She has been performing on stage with her hoops since 2005 and has collaborated with numerous other hoopers & dancers to create hoop choreographies for events and venues such as the Montreal International Jazz Festival, La Tohu, Shambhala Music Festival, Espace Tangente, Theatre Aujourdh'hui, and The Montreal Fringe Festival to name a few. Her passion lies in creating hoopdance choreography for video and is currently collaborating with filmaker Marites Carino to create an Experimental Dance Film called 'Hoop' that will be aired on Bravo TV in Autumn 2010.

Julian Hughes

Certified Hoopdance Instructor (IHOOPU TT 2010), Glitterati Performance Troupe Member, Certified Hoop Artisan

Julian Hughes, also known as Hulio Hoop in the hoop community, has been hooping for the past 3 years. Since moving to Montreal last May, and meeting the famous hoopstar BEKA, his eyes were opened to the possibilities of the hoop. Since then he has been professionally hooping with IHOOPU and he has completed his performance training with Rebecca Halls, the IHOOPU Hoopdance Teacher Trainer Certification, and the IHOOPU Hoop Artisan Certification. No matter where Hulio is in the city, he's sure to have a hoop with him.

Catherine Marier

Certified Hoopdance Instructor (IHOOPU TT 2009)

Cath began hooping in 2008.  After only three months of hooping she decided to participate in the 2008 Hoop-Camp-Boot-Camp intensive.  This lead to the creation of the Hoop Bandits a collective of Montreal Hoopers, spreadin' hoops and smiles around town.  In June of 2009 Cath completed the IHOOPU Teacher Training, a first of it's kind in Canada!  Cath teaches hoop class in the park on Mondays & Wednesday in Park Lafontaine and also works as an Acupuncturist!

KIMBERLEY MOK

Certified Hoop Dance Instructor (IHOOPU TT 2009)

Kimberley is an interdisciplinary hooper who is also an eco-writer, graphic/web/permaculture designer, graphic artist, yoga teacher and occasional architect. She has been hooping since 2006 when she first picked up a hoop and couldn’t put it down – it was just too fun! Hoop-love occurs spontaneously for a number of uniquely individual reasons. For Kimberley, hooping is a therapeutic, creative and spiritual path to explore the yogic notion of “bhakti” or transcendental devotion, found in yoga and classical dance forms such as India’s bharata natyam or the Sufi tradition of whirling dervishes. After experiencing the inner transformation that comes with hooping and seeing the same bliss ignited in others who found themselves in the hoop’s orbit - it is this dedicated desire to motivate others towards a deeper self-exploration and inner joy that inspires Kimberley as a teacher and committed hooper.

MARILYN GABRIEL

Certified Hoopdance Instructor (IHOOPU TT 2010)

A lifelong mover and dancer, Marilyn, AKA Gaia Hoop, was introduced to hooping in March 2009 and was immediately hooked. Since then, she has developed a passion for sharing it with others. She feels that hooping and especially hoopdance, is a unique way to improve overall fitness and health, in addition to developing grace, coordination, fluidity and self-confidence. As a teacher, she supports students in developing their own unique abilities and style of ''hoopflair'' with emphasis on expanding hoopdance vocabulary and learning to move as a solo hooper as well as in relation to others in group jams.

Marilyn has trained professionally as a ballet and a contemporary dancer. She has worked as a shiatsu therapist since 1997 and continually explores new and progressive healing arts. As a compliment to her work and her life, she has studied aikido, tai chi, chi gong, meditation and yoga over the past 25 years.

MARIANNE TRENKA

Certified Hoopdance Instructor (IHOOPU TT 2010), Hoop Artisan

Marianne has a background in ballroom dance and has been teaching all kinds of fitness from aerobics to aquafit in the West Island of Montreal for the past seven years.  And she is about to blow her students out of the water with Hoopdance!  Look out for Marianne's classes one the West Island!

MARYSE HAMEL

Certified Hoopdance Instructor (IHOOPU TT 2010)

IHOOPU DRUMMONDVILLE

Maman de 2 garçons, bachelière en enseignement en adaptation scolaire en 1996, elle pratique le yoga depuis 2002 et l’enseigne au Studio Mouvance de Drummondville depuis 2007.  Elle y enseigne aussi la hoopdanse depuis 2008, merveilleuse découverte faite la même année grâce à sa professeure de yoga, Marie-Josée Surprenant.  Depuis janvier 2010, ses rencontres avec Rebecca Halls, Baxter et Brecken ont changé sa façon de voir, de faire et d’enseigner la hoopdanse.  Le vortex, le shoulder hooping sont quelques-uns de ses mouvements préférés.

Depuis quelle a touché à son premier cerceau, sa vie s’est transformée.  Chaque petit pas l’amène plus loin que ce qu’elle avait osé espérer.  Confiance, créativié, découverte de soi et meilleure forme physique sont parmi les bienfaits qu’elle a expérimentés.  Démontrer aux gens qu’il est agréable et facile de prendre soin de soi tout en s’amusant, c’est son but!  Elle souhaite les aider à éliminer leur stress, leur apporter de la joie, voir des sourires et des étoiles dans leurs yeux!

AMARILLI

Certified Hoopdance Instructor (IHOOPU TT 2010)

IHOOPU LAVAL

Passionnée par l'humain, formée et pratiquant dans le domaine de la santé, le hoopdance est devenu un cadeau à partager.  La contagion s'est faite sur une rue de Salt Lake city en 2001: avez-vous remarqué comment apercevoir quelqu'un qui fait quelques mouvements de hoop sur un coin de rue peut inspirer un sourire et l'envie d'essayer?!  Ce n'est toutefois qu'au début 2009 qu'elle a découvert les formations de Rebecca et que le hoop est devenu un incontournable!  Danser le hoop, c'est pour elle la possibilité de partager la joie à tout moment, en tout lieu, à tout âge.  Peu importe le niveau du danseur, c'est toujours beau à regarder!  Enseigner, c'est encore propager ce virus du plaisir par l'art, le jeu et le mouvement.  Amarilli a aussi touché de façon amateure à différentes formes de danse et d'entraînement dont le baladi, les danses latines et le hip hop.

Kelli Hanrahan

Certified Hoopdance Instructor (IHOOPU TT 2010)

Kelli has been hooping since 2007 when she met Rebecca Halls and discovered the infinite possibilities of hoopdance.  In 2008, she took her hooping to a new level at HoopBootCamp joining the Hoop Bandits in the streets, alleys, studios and stages of Montreal.  Recently, she has completed her primary teacher certification in Ottawa where she also taught beginner's hoopdance and formed her company, A-Muse Hoops, to share her joy of hooping with children of all ages!  Kelli is an IHOOPU certified teacher and is looking forward to continue teaching and training in La Belle Ville.

Lorena Sanchez

Certified Hoopdance Instructor, Glitterati Performance Troupe, Hoop Artisan

IHOOPU MEXICO

Lore aka Lola Hoop came to Montreal in search of a hoop community.  She began taking weekly classes with Rebecca in January of 2009, followed by the performance training, and the Teacher Training.  Her hardwork and dedication to the hoop soon led her to become a rep for IHOOPU teaching classes in the park, performing with the troupe & making hoops.  In the fall of 2009 she returned to Merida, Mexico to start a hoop community there.  Lola Hoop will be back this July to teach more hooping classes so be sure to check back soon for her teaching schedule!

JAMYE HUBERT

Glitterati Performance Troupe

Jamye's background in circus definitely shows up in her hooping. When performing on stage or rehearsing in the parc, you will see her executing advanced hoop moves and also juggling hoops from time to time.  Jamye completed the IHOOPU Performance Training in 2009, and then performed as one of the Tutu Hoop Dolls at the Montreal International Jazz Festival.  Since then she has joined the Glitterati Hoop Troupe and performs regularly with Hulio and Sparkles.