This morning I decided to make a new tube order from McMaster Carr. I’m feeling the need to try some new hoop sizes and expand my arsenal. This got me thinking about my philandering ways with my hoops.
I completely respect Bax‘s position that as we advance we should grow into and refine our practice with a single hoop. He relates to his hoop like a samurai relates to his sword. Although I’ve had periods where a single hoop is my tool of choice, I generally find myself switching hoops regularly, often even within a single practice session. My hoop is an abstract ideal that I use for expression. Each individual hoop has strengths and weaknesses allowing different articulations.
I also consider my hoop hopping as cross training. For example, my mini hoop practice has inevitably informed my fullsize hoop practice, opened new doors, and offered additional insight for hooping in general.
My last thought is that the sweet is just never as sweet without the sour. By experiencing different hoops concurrently, I can experience the contrast and learn to love each deeper.