Interested? Your job description would look a little something like this…

Title: HOOPLOVERS Hoop Dance Instructor/Leader/Performer/Entrepreneur

Duties: Share the life changing benefits that hoop dance brings, surround yourself with color, beauty and positivity, lead by positive example, share in the joys of giving and receiving, heal through movement and play.

Responsibilities: Inspire yourself and others to move more, laugh longer and love the life that they live.

Key Roles: Share the hoop love via classes, workshops, playshops, gatherings, performances, hoop sales, community events, private lessons, traveling shows, classroom gatherings, school assemblies, hoop jams, tranquil retreats, beach dance parties, TV performances, rooftop hoop ups, outdoor festivals, corporate meetings, garden parties, kid’s parties, group fitness programs, lifestyle channels, interactive groups, collaborative partnering, team work…

Qualities required: Creativity, initiative, playfulness, sassiness, openness

Salary and Benefits: Unlimited earning potential. Abundance, community, joy, health, fitness and the most stunning array of hoops!

It is with much joy and excitement that I announce the new HOOPLOVERS Instructor Training modules and the HOOPLOVERS Instructor Circle.

A choose your own adventure style of training, the HOOPLOVERS Instructor Training takes you on a path from the Beginners & Beyond module as your first step you can then go on to choose the modules that compliment your focus – fitness? performance? kids? advanced students?

The next HOOPLOVERS Beginners & Beyond Instructor Training will be held in Tokyo on June 27. Reserve your space now to join the hoop loving team!

Made me recall the “old days”. I spent the Summer of 07 and 08 in Tokyo parks with my hoop dreaming of a day when I would be surrounded by other hoopers. Now look at em’!! Dreams come true, I keep telling you!

Including her…

I am having some hair change hankerings and as always I head to my fave site fuckyeahdykes (oh the hair!!) p.s. This site is probably NSFW but is filled with the most amazing beauties on the planet.

So I am thinking to go the shave or perhaps dark! Hmmm

If only I could flip it like Chris!

All things pink. Total and absolute love going on here!

A different kind of sushi.

Need these babies for a show I have coming up! HOT!

Getting my nails done on Monday. Might go for this look!

Completely in love with this look on Rihanna’s new (to me) video clip – Hard. Love the red lips too!

Wishing I looked like this for Kike’s Birthday party – the theme is Pimps and Hos.

Loving taking The Artist’s Way program at my own pace. The Morning Pages are a wonderful revival to my stream writing.

I had a brilliant idea this afternoon and I am going to see it through right now! I am going to eat these in the bath – right now!

Oyasumi!

“When you’re vibrating purely, you get only what’s a match to that. It’s your ambivalence: “I like that but I don’t like that… I like that but I don’t like that…” that keeps what you like and what you don’t like coming at you all the time. You don’t have to “turn the other cheek” when you are in vibrational harmony only with what you want. Then, only what you want comes.” Abraham


Lady Gaga performs at TABLOID in Tokyo. A private live show for MAC Viva Glam

Getting only what we want seems like a very luscious trend of late and I say that only in the most love filled, joyous, light beaming way. I simply cannot express how grateful I am for all of the dazzling brightness and wonder that fills our lives.

Two nights ago we journeyed in style, as a fabulous family to a private Lady Gaga performance at TABLOID in Tokyo. The night was a whirlwind of color and excitement for all but the preparation with our beautiful Tokyo family was just as precious!

We kicked off the night by getting ready at the disco light lit FAB Dance Academy. Lapping up make up tips from two of Tokyo’s most fabulous make up artists and designers – Kike Yamakawa and Anthony Moynihan. Blessed to have their guidance. The studio was a whirl with costumes, colors, creativity and our big, bright family of stars. Such a fun process to get ready together, with Gaga remixes rocking on the sound system and glitter spraying everywhere. A few bottles of bubbly helped as well!

The Tokyo skies opened up as we stepped out onto the streets of Roppongi and into the huge, white limousine. Kike, thought it would be extra special if we rode in style to the party, he was right! The ride began, we cruised around Tokyo dancing to Lady Gaga and just enjoying time together. Everyone looked and felt fabulous.

Arriving at the venue, we stepped out of our white party vehicle to be greeted by a huge crowd of invited guests, video cameras and photographers. Fun times! Things got a little squishy but we were ushered in quickly to a venue filled with many celebrity faces and friends that I recognized. I was most excited to see other costumes, make up and the newly created venue!

The white walls of TABLOID made the colorful crowd stand out even more. We whisked our way through what seemed like tunnels to various rooms. Gorgeous boys with trays filled and ready kept the party flowing. We made our way into the main room where a small, circular stage was set up. Crowds hung from the balcony and we enjoyed the music and people around us while waiting for the lady herself. A great time to catch up with friends, take some cool pics and enjoy the spirit of the atmosphere, although Lady Gaga was later than expected.

But before too long the curtains rose and Gaga appeared in a full white lace body suit, with an intense yellow hair piece and her signature black lined eyes. As the stage rotated she sat at a white piano and sang Speechless. Next my favorite, Alejandro. The boys came to assist her as the beats kicked in the choreography amped up the performance. The crowd then went wild for Bad Romance. As glitter and white powered snow fell from the sky and covered the entire stage, Terence Koh melded into the performance with his voice and cape covered head. He was strapped to Lady Gaga and they made a cross with fluorescent lighting. The curtains descended and sakura petals fell. A short but as always magical Gaga performance by the unique and inspiring star.

Lady Gaga and entourage left the stage and the Dex Pistols kicked in. Time to party in the petal covered arena. I hooped it up and dance with friends. Photo shoot was a fabulous must, as we basked in the awesomeness that Lady Gaga offered and the joy that our colorful family brings to life!

Thank you so much to everyone who contributed to such a spectacular night. A huge thank you to Kike for creating the most fabulous hoop costume for me. He had a dream about me as a Cyber Hoop Warrior and crafted the hot pink outfit for me. The man is a master of style and creativity, I am forever thankful.

Partying it up on Changefashion.net – awesome photos from the night!

Check out all the shots that we took here on my flickr account

The FABily – Kike, Diana and Shizuka on Elle Online

Here is Tink’s tale of adventure on the streets of Tokyo with her new hoop in hand, hot pink hair and a snarl that would scare off any salary man!

by Tink

When I saw Melissa’s photos from the Trixie Maru session, I was sooo excited to do a dress-up photoshoot with D. And then she told me she was thinking “punk” as my theme and I was even happier.

We convened at FAB Academy, dumped the contents of our luggage on the dance floor and picked through pieces until we had an outfit that worked. Then Kike, FAB’s chief of fabulousness, came in and made me take things off. I was a lot more naked when he left the room – but with his crazy brand of encouragement, I felt great about it.

Makeup transformed me completely. I let D do her thing on me, and except for getting orange paint in my eye and purple tears running down my cheek, it was 40 minutes of awesome and just kept getting more outlandish and crazy. Then Kike came in and restyled things a bit with black eyeliner and a different lip design. We emptied half a can of hairspray into my pink hair to get it to stand up, and then it was out into the world for the photos.

Roppongi is grotty and the perfect location for tough, urban backgrounds. We shot seven locations in less than a block. D provided pro direction – look up, make shapes with your arms, go crazy – and that made the posing fast and fun. She’s a natural behind the camera, able to see the best shots and get what she wants without much fuss. The hardest part of the shoot was making sure I wasn’t flashing panties at passersby; that skirt was really short.

After we finished, I put on street clothes but decided to wear the makeup, complete with feather lashes, for the rest of the day. I shopped, went out to dinner, and of course took my new Tink hoop for a spin in the park before finally heading home.

Thanks Tink, it was such a fun filled afternoon roaming the Roppongi streets together!!

I asked Melissa (Trixie Maru) to write a little something about the process. When I received this today, I tried to read it out load to Masao and got so choked up that I couldn’t even see the words on the screen. I am so over joyed that this creative explosion is as empowering for the models as it is for me.

by Trixie Maru

I recently celebrated a major milestone in my life. No, I didn’t get engaged, I’m not pregnant, and my birthday isn’t until December, so I still have more than half a year until I turn “21” again. This milestone was one that I didn’t even know was possible until very recently. It may not be widely celebrated or acknowledged by the world at large, but I would certainly put it up there with some of the happiest moments in my life. D, my hoop guru and all-around source of light in my life, decided to create a line of hoops named after Tokyo hoopers, and invited me to choose my colors and do a photo shoot under the cherry blossoms. Here is a little account of the entire experience.

Saturday, 1pm: Take a lunch break (I’m teaching English on a sunny Saturday when the cherry blossoms are at their peak – the universe hates me). There’s a message from D. She wants to name a hoop after me?!!?? She wants me to be the model for it, too?!??! And she wants to do it under the cherry blossoms?!??! The universe loves me!!

Saturday, 1:10pm: This is too much information to write with my thumb. Send a quick message to say, “OMG, yes, yes, yes!! Tomorrow is perfect.”

Saturday, 1:40pm-4pm: Yes, students, you are talking to me, but no, I’m not listening, because I’m just daydreaming about what the Trixie Maru hoop will look like and what costume I’ll be wearing tomorrow.

Saturday, 10pm: Call D. Yes, it’s on for tomorrow. We decide it makes the most sense to meet at her place since that’s where all the costumes are. We’re not sure how the weather is going to be, so we make plans to catch up in the morning to finalize.

Saturday, wee hours of the morning: Can. Not. Sleep. Too. Friggin’. Excited.

Sunday, 9:30am: Awake, buzzing with excitement, head to computer. What?! D is awake?? I thought she always slept until at least noon!!

Although it’s cloudy and cold, we decide that we’re on.

Sunday 9:30am–11am: Where does the time go? I speed things along by not putting on any makeup, but use up about 20 minutes making raw vegan cookie dough balls, figuring I can’t show up empty handed to such an important event.

Sunday, 12:30pm: We’re at D’s place, and the real fun begins. She shows me the hoop. It’s gorgeous and has me thinking of She-Ra, one of my childhood idols. The kitchen counter is littered with makeup, smoothies, and raw cookie dough balls. The heated floor (love!) is covered with tutus, eyelashes, and sequined halter tops. D invites me to look through everything and put together a look.

Sunday, 12:40pm: Wow. In my childhood I always loved playing dress-up and this brings back memories of many afternoons spent imagining I was a glamorous adult. It’s amazing, but also a lot of pressure. I want to find the perfect look…

Sunday, 12:50pm: Inspiration is coming from so many different places – Cyber chic, geisha hair accessories, hot pink and bright purple, cascading cherry blossoms…

Sunday, 1pm: Okay, I think I’ve found it. White Dracula-esque shirt from Cyberdog, black tutu, pink cherry blossom patterned obi, diamond-patterned lace tights layered over purple, hot pink furries. Now it’s time for makeup.

Sunday, 1pm-2:30pm: Makeup is intense. I notice D’s Hoop Star makeup has a funny German name. We laugh about this for a few minutes. I start by applying a normal layer of foundation and powder, plus my usual purple eye makeup. I let D take the driver’s seat and sit back while my eyes and lips get covered up by Hoop Star hot pink, glitter, and teeny tiny sakura. My adorable honey, mister Surfing Chef, arrives somewhere in the midst of all this. D asks him to videotape and he kindly obliges.

Sunday, 2:40pm: Look in the mirror. Before doing so, D warns me, “Now don’t be alarmed.” Ummmm….. OMG!! That’s me?! For some reason the part that surprises me the most is the lips. I’m not used to seeing them quite so… plump. So this is what Angelina Jolie must feel like. Quickly put my hair up into buns and add the geisha hair accessories. I feel my look is almost complete.

Sunday, 2:40-2:50pm: Last-minute faffing about with costumes, shoes, shimmery makeup, and final touches (including a “hat” that is actually intended for an entirely different part of the body – hey, the tassles look cute!). We’re ready to go mobile.

Sunday, 3pm: We head to the canal behind D’s house where a few weeping cherry trees are bursting with pink and get the party started. Mr. SC is filming the entire process with intensity. Just call him the next Martin Scorsese.

Sunday, 3:15pm: Oh, um, that small building behind us? That would be a toilet. And that tinkling sound? Yeah, a man attending to his “business.” Oh dear. Uncontrollable laughter ensues. Is this caught on videotape? I sure hope so!

Sunday, 3:30pm: We move a bit further down the canal (away from the toilets, thankfully), try out some other poses and angles. Try to remember any of the lessons I’ve learned from religiously watching America’s Next Top Model. Other than “find the light” nothing comes to mind. Oh well. Also, it is intensely cold, but that’s okay, because I’m a model, dahhhhling.

Sunday, 3:45pm: Move to third and final location, in front of some vending machines. D asks me to give her “big eyes, big mouth.” These turn out to be some of my favorite photos.

Sunday, 3:50pm: Return to D’s place, photo shoot over. Feeling both exhilarated and exhausted. Have to scrub several layers of makeup off my face. This takes a good 20 minutes. Intense.

Sunday, 4pm: Ladies and Gentlemen, Trixie Maru has now left the building. What a day it’s been. I’m totally drained, but I’d do it all again in a heartbeat.

Thanks Trixie, I absolutely love the photos (you can check the whole series out here)! After taking them I simply could not stop looking at them – half in shock that I actually did a pretty good point and click job and half because I think Trixie is the spitting image of the stunning Kylie in many of these pics.

Thanks also to the SC for his handy camera work!

Here is all the cool info…

On March 28th 2010, over 100 women will gather to participate in FEW Japan’s biennial Career Strategies Seminar (CSS), a full-day professional development event, held at Temple University Azabu Campus from 8:45-18:00.

The seminar, organized and led by experienced, successful female business leaders and mentors, consists of a series of hands-on workshops and skill-building sessions, to equip participants with the tools necessary to enhance their lives and careers in Japan. The format and content of this year’s workshops differs to that of previous years, and focuses on how women can navigate the current job landscape, while maximizing their own, unique potential. Some of the workshops topics for the day include Managing your Online Indentity, Ways to Rock your Resume, Succeeding in the Japanese Workplace and Creating Your Best Life. FEW encourages and welcomes new and past participants to attend this year’s all-new event, which places great emphasis on achieving both a healthy mind and body.

The CSS pre-registration fee is ¥12,000; pre-registration for FEW members and students is ¥10,000; registration on the day is ¥15,000. Morning refreshments, lunch and a wine reception are included in the ticket price. For more information, please visit: http://www.fewjapan.com

More about FEW
FEW (For Empowering Women) is a non-profit organization founded in 1981. Since its inception FEW has evolved greatly and now boasts two chapters, one in Tokyo and one in Osaka, with a current membership of over 250 women from more than 20 countries. Today, FEW’s mission is to empower English-speaking women of all ages, backgrounds and stages of their careers to reach their full personal and professional potential in Japan.

When I arrived in Japan over 6 years ago I made an odd and fleeting connection with a stranger. I don’t remember where or how I met him but I do remember agreeing to go to see Fat Boy Slim with him. I could not speak Japanese and he seemed to have learned some random English words which he put together to form clusters of ideas that made absolutely no sense, but were entertaining none the less. Luckily this interesting stranger had numerals down pat, we got the meeting time and date right.

I was soon to make a highly anticipated adventure to AgeHa. On the day of the event I got a text message from my party informant. I don’t remember comprehending much of it but one phrase sticks in my mind – “you see diamonds in sky” At the time I thought it was a reference to a Japanese party drug, as it turns out the only stimulants being passed around were Fat Boy’s beats.

Since that night I have had countless play dates at AgeHa and loved every single second of them, dreaming to be wildly moving and shaking up on the gorgeous stages and podiums. AgeHa is a truly majestic performance space in a city of tiny dance floors and bars that seat 4 people.

As a hoop spinner I have dreamed long and hard about how they would magically light up the enormous event space. I have clear and divine images of hoopers perched on podiums in a huge circular formation, reflecting multiple LED hoops off the gigantic centered disco ball. Hooplovers as the resident AgeHa hoopers!

When Kike, my very own sparkling dream catcher, pulled me aside earlier this year and said, “I have something exciting to tell you.” “You are going to open for Duran Duran.” I was so grateful and excited. When he said, “AT AGEHA” my heart did back flips.

Driving to rehearsal yesterday I felt oddly silent, while Kike was wrangling with the GPS I was dreaming about getting up on the stage. My first time to be at AgeHa without it being packed with party goers, I was interested to stroll around. When my rehearsal time came I felt completely engulfed in the enormity of the stage and felt like one very lucky and tiny little hooper under an almighty lighting and sound system. It was exhilarating but quite honestly rendered me speechless and almost motionless. I couldn’t even pinch myself.

A gorgeously warm day and we, Kike our director, Anthony the stylist, 6 dancers, 5 make up artists, 2 models, 2 hostesses and 1 hooper were crammed into the back stage make up and fitting rooms. It was a long day, made so blissful by the fact we were all there together, one big glitter clad family. The make up artists transformed us, Kike kept us on our toes and before long the show was under way.

The dancers wowed the crowd with podium extravaganzas and an 80s themed cheer leading number to Oh Mickey then Simply Irresistible. Not long before I was about to perform Duran Duran hustled in the back door, I accidently bumped into one of them and Simon Le Bon said hello (I didn’t meet them but they sounded amazing and the crowd adored them)

In no time I was waiting just behind the stage left curtain, LED hoops flickering and excitement pulsing through veins. The beats from my first track kicked in, a remix of Heaven is a Place on Earth, and suddenly I was center stage with two hoops and a huge crowd of people looking up at me. What else was I to do, I had FUN!

What happened next was one of those unexpected rewards that are gifted as a reminder of why we do what we do. As Duran Duran played I put on my next costume, a black coat over the top I strolled out into the crowd. Such wonderful and positive feedback came my way, I felt so appreciative. Then as I was standing alone towards the back of the crowd a smiling woman came hurtling towards me, she thanked me sweetly and said, “I just love what you do, my daughter has a picture of you stuck to her desk.” In that moment I felt truly grateful for the gifts that I have been given to share.

Duran Duran finished with Rio and my beats kicked straight in. This time was Girls Just Want to Have Fun, I playfully spun the hoops on top of a huge rubix cube podium. Fun is exactly what I had.

And peering out through my crystal clad lashes and holographic glitter covering, I saw diamonds in the sky.

Check out Mai’s party report here.

Today we seized the perfect opportunity to do just that!

Waking up to frosty snow, I grumbled a little and rolled over to enjoy more warm futon time. After finally crawling out from under the covers, making a huge smoothly and thinking about the day’s plan I looked out through the window and saw that miraculously the Winter sun was out in full force.

I had no other choice but to cancel my plans, grab my hoops, tunes and head for the park!

This was a day of pure Radical Self Love. Taking a break, and enjoying the beauty that surrounds us is the most gorgeous form of self love in my opinion.

I now feel so much more invigorated and alive, ready to check back in on that to do list with a more positive perspective.

Here are some pics from our day of Radical Self Love in the park.

And here is a shot taken a little over two years ago, in the very same park on a very similar bliss filled, sunny winter day.

Reading the tips was a lot of fun, I was really inspired and started to think about my own tips. I wrote a few in the comments box and then a whole lot in my journal. Here are a few…

Radical Self Love Tips:

The first few are all about sending messages to your brain that you are in a constant state of joy.

* Dance freely and wildly several times a day
* Laugh hysterically or at least smile until your face hurts
* Breathe deeply and slowly often
* Make noises of appreciation and pleasure
* Bounce – literally put a spring in your step or your dance, it gets the heart pumping, blood pulsing and vibrations soaring. Osho’s Kundalini meditation is a fabulous start to each day or if you are in need of a pick me up.
* Hoop! If you are ever feeling low, uninspired, unloved, tired, upset all you need do is pop inside your hoop and spin up some energy. Works every time!
* Dry skin brush, for that fresh, fizzy feeling.
* Gobble green smoothies. Make them lush and decadent. Banana, mango, blueberries, spinach, spirulina, dark chocolate, raw cacao, goji berries gives you super powers.
* Think up really gorgeous, beautiful ideas and hold on tight to them, so tight that they make you feel all tingly and giddy. Giggle about them, feel them and believe in them. They come true! Trust me!
* Sing! Often!
* Make things that you think are beautiful. It is all art. Wonderful, creative art.
* Daydream.
* Turn things upside down, look at it from another angle, a new perspective, absorb the newness.
* Believe in good timing. Know that everything unfolds at exactly the right time and place. All in good time my dear, all in good time.
* If it doesn’t feel right, it just doesn’t feel right. Go with your intuition.
* Remember “people will love you, people will hate you, and none of it will have anything to do with you”
* Life is supposed to feel really good, do what ever it takes to make that happen (while feeling good doing it of course).
* Wear fabulous costumes and make up created by professionals. Having art on your body is a truly exhilarating feeling.

I think I could write for ever but I am getting sleepy and one of the things on Gala’s list was “get enough sleep”.

Feel free to share your tips with me!

Oyasumi
xx