Thanks to the ADIDAS ORIGINALS X OC Fall/Winter 2013 collection, we're feeling sportier than ever! In the "LET'S GET PHYSICAL" series, we check in with friends to find out how they stay in shape.
I wish someone would remind me every morning at 7am that exercise is actually fun. Like a memo on my phone that would make me climb out of bed and into some Lycra. Spending a morning with professional hula hooper Marawa the Amazing was just such a wakeup call. Firstly her abs. Let's just talk about her abs. Like, what?! If I hula hooped every day would my stomach look like that? Marawa says yes. I had my doubts, but after I watched her perform tricks in which she spun twelve plus hoops around her abdomen (and arms, and legs, and neck), I became a believer.
In addition to teaching classes in London (her hometown) and around the world, Marawa performs in various award-winning traveling troupes. You may also recognize her from her performance at the opening of OC's London store, where her own line of rainbow-colored hoops is now on sale. Marawa stopped by OCHQ this week, with her friend the equally amazing Naomi Shimada, and showed OC Online's Eloise and OCNY's Cherie the true meaning of spinning.
Shop all adidas Originals x Opening Ceremony here.
Name: Marawa the Amazing
Occupation: Professional hula hooper
How long have you been hula hooping for? About eight years now!
How often do you practice and where? I normally do shows every week so I don't tend to do much practice. But ideally, when my timetable allows it, I hoop in the morning for 10-20 minutes before breakfast. It's a nice way to start the day, with some good music!
What other sports do you practice? Jump rope! I love skipping so much, and roller skating.
What is your exercise mantra? Core is king.
Who is your fitness hero? Buddy Lee.
Favorite sports snacks or drinks? I'm a sucker for coconut water. I also love apple juice with sparkling water—so good.
What are the top songs on your hooping playlist? Soca. All I want to hoop to is Soca music. Songs like Lil Rick's "Can't Wait" have the perfect hooping tempo.
What is your all-time favorite trick? Split direction multi hooping, a super geeky but cool trick. It involves spinning four hoops on your body with hoops one and three spinning to the left and hoops two and four spinning to the right. It's so damn hard!
What is the highest number of hoops you've ever spun at one time? 133. Fact.
Are there any tricks you're still trying to perfect? Yes, so many! I went to Mexico last year (Mexicans are really into hooping) and there are so many tricks I had never seen. I am going back this year to try and learn them all.
Do you ever perform with other people? Yes, I perform with my Majorettes, my junior hoop troupe in London. There are 17 girls now. They all perform together and sometimes I do shows with them. I also perform with the Olivier Award-winning circus show La
I wish someone would remind me every morning at 7am that exercise is actually fun. Like a memo on my phone that would make me climb out of bed and into some Lycra. Spending a morning with professional hula hooper Marawa the Amazing was just such a wakeup call. Firstly her abs. Let's just talk about her abs. Like, what?! If I hula hooped every day would my stomach look like that? Marawa says yes. I had my doubts, but after I watched her perform tricks in which she spun twelve plus hoops around her abdomen (and arms, and legs, and neck), I became a believer.
In addition to teaching classes in London (her hometown) and around the world, Marawa performs in various award-winning traveling troupes. You may also recognize her from her performance at the opening of OC's London store, where her own line of rainbow-colored hoops is now on sale. Marawa stopped by OCHQ this week, with her friend the equally amazing Naomi Shimada, and showed OC Online's Eloise and OCNY's Cherie the true meaning of spinning.
Shop all adidas Originals x Opening Ceremony here.
Name: Marawa the Amazing
Occupation: Professional hula hooper
How long have you been hula hooping for? About eight years now!
How often do you practice and where? I normally do shows every week so I don't tend to do much practice. But ideally, when my timetable allows it, I hoop in the morning for 10-20 minutes before breakfast. It's a nice way to start the day, with some good music!
What other sports do you practice? Jump rope! I love skipping so much, and roller skating.
What is your exercise mantra? Core is king.
Who is your fitness hero? Buddy Lee.
Favorite sports snacks or drinks? I'm a sucker for coconut water. I also love apple juice with sparkling water—so good.
What are the top songs on your hooping playlist? Soca. All I want to hoop to is Soca music. Songs like Lil Rick's "Can't Wait" have the perfect hooping tempo.
What is your all-time favorite trick? Split direction multi hooping, a super geeky but cool trick. It involves spinning four hoops on your body with hoops one and three spinning to the left and hoops two and four spinning to the right. It's so damn hard!
What is the highest number of hoops you've ever spun at one time? 133. Fact.
Are there any tricks you're still trying to perfect? Yes, so many! I went to Mexico last year (Mexicans are really into hooping) and there are so many tricks I had never seen. I am going back this year to try and learn them all.
Do you ever perform with other people? Yes, I perform with my Majorettes, my junior hoop troupe in London. There are 17 girls now. They all perform together and sometimes I do shows with them. I also perform with the Olivier Award-winning circus show La