Jocelyn Gordon is not tough to spot. Hoop in hand, daughter in tow, tall and attractive, heads turn when she enters the coffee shop. She exudes radiance, poise and confidence. I can't wait to hear her story.

Jocelyn Gordon is passionate. Which comes as no surprise. Since she was five, Jocelyn has been a student of healing, massage and movement. She studied and emulated the movements of Bernice, her grandmother's reflexologist. She took ballet lessons, read every book on these subjects that she could get her hands on, and eventually became the family masseuse. In the years that followed, Jocelyn immersed herself in what she describes as the "healing arts."

Jocelyn Gordon is an entrepreneur. For several years, Jocelyn worked as an independent contractor for spas and gyms, mastered several forms of yoga and dance, and equipped herself with multiple massage related certifications. Finally, in 2007, LoveMovemet Healing Arts was born. The mission of her business is to provide innovative therapies and education in massage, yoga and dance to help people heal themselves. For Jocelyn, focusing on the health and well being of women is extremely important. "Women are the catalysts for health in their homes," she says. "To help every woman heal herself, in turn, helps their families." Jocelyn creates an oasis for her clients where they can escape judgment and self-consciousness. In this idyllic environment, natural radiance and confidence emerges.

LoveMovement Healing Arts offers something for everyone -- massage, dance, yoga and even hula hooping instruction. Yes, hula hooping. Traditionally considered a childhood pastime, in reality, hula hooping is a form of low impact aerobics that everyone can enjoy. It is a very practical wellness option, as it only requires one piece of inexpensive equipment - your hoop. Last summer, Jocelyn offered free hoopnotica classes in Gateway Park sponsored by the Rosslyn BID. Every Saturday, 25-30 hoopers came out to enjoy the benefits of hooping.

"Hooping is great because it is a social activity where people laugh and have fun – it's a great natural anti-depressant," Jocelyn explained, sharing a big smile. "Hooping also improves your physical health and helps build core strength. More advanced hoopers can easily burn 600+ calories/hr." (I was a little bit dubious about this fact, but the Mayo Clinic recognizes hooping as a legitimate fitness activity, so maybe you can!) The Gateway Park hooping series will be offered for free again this summer beginning in May.

The combination of personal inspiration and clients' needs led Jocelyn to create HoopDanceYoga. In this class the hoop is used as a tool to stretch and strengthen the body using yoga postures.

Regardless of age or level of hooping expertise, thanks to Jocelyn, there is now a hooping outlet for everyone in Arlington. To get a full schedule of DC area hoop classes or to work with Jocelyn personally, check out HoopDanceDC.

But wait, there's more. Much more! Jocelyn has many other projects in the works. Naturally, she is very excited about this particular one. Recently, an Oscar winning actress invited Jocelyn to audition privately for a hoop dance instructional DVD to be produced by Gaiam, a well-known lifestyle company – and she got the gig! The actress (whose identity we cannot yet reveal, but believe me she is a BIG name) selected Jocelyn for her video for a variety of reasons. She recognized Jocelyn as "an expert," but equally important, Jocelyn was excited to share with me, "[the actress] told me that she was very attracted to my spirit and energy that came through in an online hooping tutorial video that I had created." After a month of developing content and several weeks spent filming in Los Angeles, the DVD will be available late this spring.

This month Jocelyn will be jetting off to Bali for a Hoop Dance Retreat, a six-day immersion in the healing art of hoop dance, where Jocelyn will also be instructing a Hoopnotica Teacher Training program. If you can't make it to Bali, don't worry, there will be more hooping retreats, including one next February in the Eastern Caribbean.

In addition, LoveMovement.tv, an online program specializing in massage, yoga and hoop dance instruction, will debut on On Demand Wellness Education this May. The series provides on demand instruction for time-restricted women and their families.

Finally, all of you lovers out there, take note. For you, Jocelyn offers Lovers Rock, Partner Yoga Massage for Couples in Love. Couples from her Valentines Day class gave it especially rave reviews. Fortunately, though, Jocelyn shares this class and the love all year round.

Clearly, Jocelyn Gordon has a very full plate, but she is not ready to slow down. Jocelyn wants to become more involved in media and to become a spokesperson for holistic products. She would like to have her own travel wellness show and to partner with a fitness apparel line to create clothing for hooping. But more than anything, Jocelyn wants to work with the Obama administration on their Let's Move initiative (Michelle, if you are reading this, please give Jocelyn a call -- you won't regret it!)

For more information contact Jocelyn at:
Phone: 571-235-6375
E-Mail: lovemovement@hotmail.com
Websites:
www.hoopdancedc.com
www.JocelynGordon.com
www.dchoopcollective.com
www.lovemovementhealingarts.com