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56 FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | JANUARY 2022 Do you know the history of the Hula Hoop? Hooping originated in Africa in 1000 BC. Egyptian children played with hoops made of dried grapevines, rattan, or willow — rolling them with sticks or whirling them around their waist. The ancient Greeks also used hoops to exercise. A vase in the Louvre (dated 500-490 BCE) shows Ganymede, a divine hero in Greek mythology rolling a hoop. Waist hooping became popular with children in England in the 1400s. The term Hula Hoop came from British sailors in the 1800s when they visited the Hawaiian Islands and watched hula dancing. Arthur Melin and Richard Knerr founded the company Wham-O in their garage in Los Angeles in 1948. After being inspired by bamboo hoops, Knorr and Melin decided to make a Hula Hoop out of a new plastic called Marlex. Wham-O unveiled their new hula- hoop to the world in 1958, but it was banned in Japan because they believed the revolving hip action was inappropriate. Wham-O sold over 100 million Hula Hoops and generated about $45 million during this time. The Soviet Union outlawed the Hula Hoop as an example of the "emptiness of American culture." By 1960, the novelty was fading. In 1982, Kerr and Melin retired after selling their company to Kransco Manufacturing for $12 million. Did you know that the world record for the longest time waist hooping is three days? Also, between 1999 and 2007, six people set Guinness World Records for spinning 82 to 105 Hula Hoops simultaneously. In an age where tired backs and weak bellies are the norm, let us take back our strength and fitness. Exercising with Hula Hoops has many health benefits and is becoming more popular again. Come join our club! We meet on Mondays from 8 to 9 am in the Yoga Room at The Lodge. No experience necessary. Call Regina Thomas at (909) 534-4918 for more information. Hula Hoop Club Last month's symbolic snowman that represented the amazing weight loss success of our group has filled out. Each week, if the net weight for the group is a loss, our snowman gets another part. Last week, the weight loss was seven pounds. So far, our snowman has a complete body, a smile and eyes. By the time this article is read, he will have a nose and arms to complete him. Johanna Ballard was the monthly Thinner Winner with Sue Hilberg and Susan Wilson as the runners up. Congratulations to them all! One of our meetings last month included a DVD on Tai Chi. We learned that it is great for our health, our breathing, our attitude, and our bodies. It is a constantly moving exercise of slow circular movements designed to improve balance as well. The group found the session quite demanding on the body even though it was not necessarily aerobic. It requires concentration and deep breathing. You may find that a group like TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) can help you as well. We meet on Tuesdays at 8:30 am in the Ballroom. For more information, call Andi Henderson at (918) 497-6491. ~ Andi Henderson TOPS NEW CLUB