What is Hoola-Fit?
Hoola-Fit is much more than a fitness class and hula hoop teacher training. It’s flow-based movement methodology.
Rooted in mindful hoop dance, creative self-expression, and functional fitness, Hoola-Fit blends play, challenge, and intentional movement to activate the flow state — the optimal psychological experience where focus sharpens, self-consciousness dissolves, and joy returns.
We believe fun isn’t frivolous.
It’s neurological.
That’s why we are building the future of mental wellness through flow state activation.
By advancing research, expanding education, and developing accessible programming, we aim to uncover and amplify the measurable impact that movement-based meditation has on depression, anxiety, and emotional resilience.
Flow is not a trend.
It is a neurological gateway to healing.
And Hoola-Fit is how we teach people to access it.
Since 2012, we’ve certified hoop dance educators through our ACE-approved training program, equipping instructors to bring Hoola-Fit into gyms, schools, studios, and summer camps worldwide. The ACE approval means that we meet the highest national standards in the realm of fitness education. It's what validates our art form, and it's the secret sauce that helps our instructors get into gyms and fitness centers to teach.
Now, through our teacher trainings and course offerings, you can:
• Learn the art and science of flow-based hoop movement
• Deepen your own practice
• Become a certified Hoola-Fit instructor
This is fitness with purpose.
Movement with meaning.
Certification with impact.
About the Program Creators & Trainers
Meet Our Team
Hoola-Fit Creator Abby Albaum
Abby is the founder of both Hoola-Fit and Hoola Monsters - Florida's first full service hoop dance company, which specializes in handmade fitness hoops, hoop dance classes and performances. A play professional and fitness pro for more than a decade, Abby's certifications include: ACE Youth Fitness Specialist, ACE Group Fitness, Kidding Around Yoga, Les Mills Body Combat, ACE Cardio Kickboxing, Coach by Color Indoor Cycling, and Hoola-Fit (of course).
A hoop dance educator since 2007, Abby has taught the art form to thousands of people of all ages. She's also spent years developing, testing and implementing her training programs. Her mission is to inspire and empower hoop dance teachers, in an effort to make hooping accessible worldwide. Prior to beginning her hoop business ventures, Abby worked as a public relations executive in New York City.
In 2012, she created, wrote and starred in the children's hoop dance adventure & instructional DVD, "Molly and the Hoola Monsters." Abby's Hoola Monsters performance resume includes MLB, the NFL, ESPN, Cirque Du Soleil, and NBC’s America’s Got Talent. She has traveled the country teaching workshops and performing and has been featured as a hoop dance expert in media outlets such as BuzzFeed, First for Women Magazine, Better Homes & Garden Magazine, the Washington Post and NBC’s nationally syndicated show, Daytime to name a few.
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Hoola-Fit Co-Creator & Flow Fests Founder Casandra Tannenbaum
An educator for more than twenty years, Casandra earned a Masters degree in Contemplative Education at Naropa University in June of 2012.
She's also the founder of Flow Fests - free, public, urban arts events offering participants the opportunity to study movement with instructors from across the globe. Her multi-day workshop focused festivals bring the fun and learning of flow arts, circus arts, yoga and dance to cities big and small.
In her own words...
"I love blending my creativity with my rebellious, resourceful and grounded intellect. I love being a ‘golden mandala of delight,’ a kid-whisperer, and a visionary woman. I love my feisty, juicy passionate heart, and I love that my willingness to generate joy inspires others to do the same! I created Flow Fests to make flow arts accessible to all, to expand awareness of this unique cultural community and to encourage all people to play. I think play is essential to learning, flow is essential to play, and flow arts are a tool for expanding consciousness and improving vital well-being."
Master Trainer Heather Kirkendall
Heather is the creator of Peace, Love & Hoopiness - a Nokomis, FL based hoop dance company that offers Hoola-Fit classes, workshops and handmade hoops. In addition to being the first Master Trainer with Hoola-Fit, Heather is an ACE-Certified Group Fitness Instructor, ACE Senior Fitness Specialist, and ACE Mind/ Body/ Spirit Specialist. She leads more than 100 students every week, with her sold-out Hoola-Fit classes! Heather's hoop dance journey began in 2010, after seeking out fun ways to connect with her then pre-teen daughter. The duo looked forward to exploring new hoop moves together, and their relationship improved as a result. Then, her life changed in a major way after successful completion of her Hoola-Fit certification in 2013. Not only did she lose 110 pounds hooping, Heather describes her training weekend as "incredibly powerful." It helped her discover a new life path and build a lucrative, heart-centered company. In her own words... "Hooping transformed my life in more ways than I could have ever imagined. I left behind a 20-year nursing career, an addiction, financial hardship, and so much stress. Through hoop dance, I discovered my true self (and a much leaner version at that!). It became my form of meditation, and this powerful mindful movement practice transcended into all areas of my life. I now feel so privileged to share my passion in an even bigger way, by putting more Hoola-Fit teachers out in the world."
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Become a Hoola-Fit Teacher!
We're Seeking Inspirational, Motivational, Joy Spreaders to Join Our Tribe!
Are you ready to rock sold-out hoop dance classes and build a thriving community in the process? If so, then you're in the right place!
Inspiring people of all ages to lead healthier, happier lives through modern day hoop dance is what we're all about! We also understand that branching into unknown territory can be scary...
- Where do I start?
- What if I'm not good enough?
- How do I source class locations?
- How do I ensure that my classes are safe and effective?
- What does a hula hooping business really look like?
- How do I market myself and get students into my classes?
- What does it mean to build a local hoop dance community?
- Why is an American Council on Exercise approval important?
- How do I teach hooping to kids?
- What do I need to know about hoop sizing for optimal success?
These are just some of the questions that we answer in our course offerings. It's our mission to empower you by providing you with the skills set to share your passion for hooping in a MUCH bigger way.
So, we invite you to join us... and step into your power as a legit play professional.
This is what you'll learn:
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Strategies to teach safe, fun and effective hoop fitness classes
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How to use our hoop dance foundational moves as building blocks for endless class combos
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Safety precautions, injury prevention, and Hoola-Fit Best Practices
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How to reach hoopers of all skill levels using our innovative, multi-level instructional format
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The importance of transitions, bi-directional hooping, planes and level changes in hoop dance instruction
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Student hoop sizing protocol and why different hoops work for different people
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How to understand flow and teach it efficiently
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The art of layering and drilling moves, to guide your students deeper into the practice
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All about the business side of things, from insurance to negotiating venue contracts and pricing your classes
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Cutting-edge marketing and educational strategies for optimal success
Your Vision, Our Mission
Do you see yourself teaching classes on the beach filled with enthusiastic adults? Maybe you're someone who gets fired up by the idea of working with kids. Do you thrive on the fast-paced, high-energy of a gym environment? Or maybe you're going for a more chill, zen vibe and would like to teach in yoga or pilates studios. Would you like to jam-pack the schedule with a variety of different classes and workshop offerings? These are just some of the questions to ask yourself, as you prepare for your teaching journey. We realize that sharing your passion for hoop dance is a unique experience. For this reason, we've created programming to guide you in the direction of your heart's desire and empower you as a legitimate hoop dance educator. Think of the Hoola-Fit Teacher Training as a toolbox of knowledge. At any given time, you can pull the necessary tools to build classes that fit your unique personality, style and vibe.
What Our Instructors Are Saying...
Hoola-Fit Changed My Life
Because of this program, I quit my corporate job. I'm now able to fully focus on what I love... which is sharing my passion for hooping! It’s more than just teaching a fitness class. We are building community and making a difference in peoples’ lives.
I'm So Grateful For Hoola-Fit
I now feel qualified, capable and equipped to teach great hoop dance classes. I love the way that Hoola-Fit is designed so we can all work together and encourage one another on our hooping journeys.
Exceeded Expectations
The Hoola-Fit Teacher Certification Program was amazing. We graduated with a sound understanding of hoop technique, fitness, lesson planning and guiding the “I can’t” students through “I will” motivation and finally “I did it!” I couldn’t have asked for a better training experience.
Empowering and Totally Worth It
The Hoola-Fit Teaching Training and certification was truly cosmic, far exceeded my expectations, and blessed me with tools to help pave my future. With this new knowledge under my belt, I'm so excited to embark on my journey as a hooping instructor.
Coming Soon...
We're bringing you the most comprehensive kids hooping teacher training to ever exist
Hoola-Fit Kids has been in the works for a long time, friends, and we invite you join our wait list to be among the first notified when we open enrollment.