Shani Anne Marvelous

1. Tell us your roots - where were you born and raised?

I was primarily raised in Michigan, but I was born in Arkansas. I also lived in California as a toddler. From 5th grade until college, I spent my time in Battle Creek, MI - also known as Cereal City, USA.

2. Why hooping? How did the journey begin?

The hoop journey is a circular one! My journey has had many beginnings and rebirths along the way. I delved into hoop-smithing first and only had a very casual relationship with the hoop. Eventually, I bonded with the hoop and began a consistent practice. Years later, I decided to become a Certified HoopYogini™ Instructor. In the past few years, I have focused more on the performance aspect by steadily refining my act and learning all I can about show business!

I was introduced to the hoop as an expressive art form in a small field in Southern Indiana. This field was right next to a magical stream filled with geodes. I spent a weekend there with a bunch of folks who also loved ukuleles. These were people I had met from the Youtube ukulele community since I had been posting ukulele covers as I learned the instrument. A few of them decided to put together an event called the Ukulele World Congress. I was introduced to hula-hooping there by a woman named Aly who sang & strummed an entire song while spinning a hula-hoop around her waist!

3. What has the hoop taught you about life?

The hoop has taught me that movement, expression, and exploration and are essential! These are the tools that guide me back to self and back to my power time and time again. The hoop has taught me how to build my strength, stamina, awareness, and imagination. The hoop has taught me that my self-imposed limitations are just that…self-imposed. And, most importantly the hoop has shown me how to fully enjoy myself and share that love with others!

4. What's next? How is your hoop life evolving?

I am growing my online business, creating imaginative & holistic hoop curriculums, and continuing to train hoops and skates!

Originally, for 2020 I had planned to get a lot more performance experience, but because of the lock-down my attention shifted, so I focused on my Online Shop (ShaniAnneMarvelous.com/made-shaniannemarvelous.com/made-by-marvelous) which has been growing rapidly!!

My shop is full of handcrafted magic - Hoops and the Lunar Map that I create every year. People are hungry for a meaningful & holistic hoop practice and so that is what I am offering! I infuse my own perspectives from my colorful hoop adventures to help folks create a mind-body&spirit integrating movement practice.

5. What aspect of the hoop community do you value the most and what do you hope to contribute to the future of hooping?

I value the endless curiosity and creativity that I see in the Hoop Community!

I appreciate the aspects of healing, playful expression & self-cultivation that it holds for many, and especially for black women. I am contributing a soul-strengthening expression of hoop artistry amidst the African Diaspora.