About your ATX Hula Hoop Maker, Illuma

I have been obsessed with hula hooping since 2008-ish! I saw a light up hoop at a rave and I knew I had to try. I got my very first practice hoop from a local hoop maker after she explained that practice comes first, THEN getting a light up hoop once you can size down (and I am so glad she did!)

The first photo below of me in the park is with my first hoop, having absolutely ZERO clue what I was doing besides knowing I was having fun. :) Hoops were HEAVYYYY back then - polypro didn't exist yet!

I have always been a very art / crafts / projects focused type of person, so while most people were out socializing I was often inside making digital art or videos, creating a weird outfit, modifying something, or practicing flow arts. This is very much how I still live to this day- If I don't have at least a few active projects lying around it's a weird week for me. :p

I used to be known as Neon, so I sold hoops under the name "Neon Hoops" for a while until I burned out because I couldn't balance working full time and how my business was expanding (;_; uuugh). Here's some cool things I accomplished during the Neon Hoops era (pics included below):

• Invented the first reflective taped hula hoop! It didn't catch on for a few years until cell phone cameras both improved in quality for content creation, and allowed the flash to be on during video recording (to activate the reflective tape!) By then I had closed and other companies had run with the idea and improved on it a ton! It was a total trend for a few years there :D

• I was one of the first companies to source a specific decorative tape supplier before hoop supply stores found them! I had tapes in stock that no one had ever seen before :D (My customers had no idea/didn't care, but having super unique designs was cool for ME tho hehe)

• Innovated by encapsulating unique things into designs like skeletonized leaves for fall!

• I was the first company to offer polypro hula hoop engraving - People engraved messages to their loved ones if they were gifting the hoop, hoopers engraved their own names onto their hoops, or put inspirational quotes on there!

• Started popularizing Hoopzilla Hoops for solo hooping (otherwise known as "tandem hoops" typically made for two people). They're still super rare to see out and about!

Neon Hoops: Where it all started

A lifelong passion for art, details, and flow

One of a kind hula hoops:

Happy hula hoopers with my creations:

Hula Hoop Lessons in Austin, TX

I am still looking for a permanent indoor place to host hula hoop classes in Austin, TX! If you own space, have any hook ups for discounts, or want to help support this becoming a regular hang out spot for people looking to learn and connect with others with like minds - Please reach out:
ATXHoops(at)Proton(dot)me

Also email me if you'd like to book me to come teach for a private party of at least 6 learners! I'm also working on some online courses, stay tuned!

Here's some misc teaching/booking photos, below-

Making hula hoops, teaching, and performing have always been passions of mine! I am so glad to be able to focus some more time on getting back to what I love, all be it for an unfortunate reason (I got laid off ;_; lol).

I have been supported by many many people over the years who have purchased art from me and shared my business with their friends via word of mouth (so many of you are in the gallery above!). I can't even begin to thank each and every one of you enough for any previous or future support as I try to follow one of my purposes on this planet. I hope that I can inspire healthy movement, self expression, self belief, nervous system regulation, embodiment, and connection with these colorful plastic circles. Hope to wiggle with you soon <3

- Illuma / ATX Hoops