The Circle is really big for me these days. After surviving strokes earlier this year, I am choosing hoop flow dance as one way to get myself moving, regain strength, heal my brain, and get back in shape. I can only do it for a short time before I get really tired and dizzy, but it's fun which inspires me to do it. Right now I haven't got the actual hula hooping down yet, but I will as I work on it while doing a lot of off-body hooping. At 58, I am an aspiring hoop flow dancer! This video was taken on my recent birthday when friends watched me practice a bit (thanks to Con for the video). I'm SO grateful for the people in my life! I'm so grateful for my life! It's been a really tough year with two strokes in January and a mini-stroke in April. The first stroke in January caused the entire right side of my body to become paralyzed and EMT's had to carry me out of my home. Thankfully I got to the hospital quickly and was able to receive the drug tPa which restored my movement, although my body has a lot of neurological effects that I am working on healing. I have certain forms of aphasia that come and go and it’s very frustrating. Recovery is a long process. I still walk with a cane in public and have balance issues, and some days I can't drive, but I am seeing progress in very small increments as I embrace movement again. Then a few weeks ago I lost my former partner/fiance in a tragic car accident (ironically he never drove). We parted as a couple in 2006 but remained friends. The shock and grief over losing him plus grief over losing my former abilities before the strokes was really heavy and I was getting depressed, which is not something I usually experience. When we get down, it's important to think of what will lift us back up. My people (they know who they are) are #1, the treasures in my life. My art has helped me when I began painting circles. Now the hoop has been saving me and music has too. I'm just a beginner but we all have to start somewhere and I figured, let me give it a try. I love dance and dancing with the hoop brings me SO much joy! This is a way for me to get back to doing what I love while healing my body, mind, and spirit. I am healing.