Dr. Caroline P. Cárdenas,Ph.D., MSN, MA, RN, CBCN, RYT 200hr
Dr. Caroline P. Cárdenas is the creator of The Hula Hoop Girl and has been hoop dancing for joy replenishment for over 17 years. She has been an oncology and hospice nurse for 19 years and achieved her Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology at Meridian University, where she wrote her dissertation on, The Significance of Play in Restoring Compassion.
Her hoop dance flow has been described as mesmerizing, inspiring, whimsical, and graceful. Her teaching style is inclusive, authentic, nurturing, playful and empowering. She is an influential body and movement play guide, leading adults to connect with their own unique rhythmic expressions to move through grief and joy. She is a play researcher and consultant, a poet and writer, and women's health advocate. Her life’s work as a play researcher, psychologist, and nurse educator is dedicated to guiding adults to reconnect with their body and unique rhythm and dance in the center of their joy, she says;
I am thrilled and honored to be facilitating the Elemental Hoopdance Teacher Training program. The five elements, the four cardinal directions, and the cycles of the seasons will serve to guide and nourish your learning and support your delivery in teaching your future students to feel the transformational power of play. I am joyfully dedicated to supporting and guiding you through your journey into finding your voice as leader, taking your seat as teacher, and serving as movement guide within your communities in offering up your unique gifts as an inspirational Elemental Hoop Dance Teacher.
Get ready to have some major fun! This is a leadership training like no other!
With Joy, Dr. Caroline xo
Laura Blakeman (Shakti Sunfire)
An internationally recognized leader in the hoop dance movement, Shakti Sunfire blends her deep love of the wisdom of the body, the intelligence of the Earth, and the power of transformative education in her teaching and mentorship. Founder of One Hoop One Love, The Rhythm Way, The Elemental Hoopdance Teacher Training Program, and The Red Thread, Shakti has been teaching, leading, and inspiring men and women in the yoga and dance world for over ten years.
You might have seen her dancing on the Wanderlust Festival main stage, or on the cover of Yoga Journal. A true rolling stone, Shakti teaches workshops, and leads retreats all over the world.
I wholeheartedly welcome you into this circle of leaders and educators. I couldn't be more honored to be your guide on this journey - one that has been very central to my life so far. I've spent the last 10 years committed to exploring the mysteries of the body, the wisdom of the earth, and the healing power of dance. This journey has taken me all over the wilds of this world, both inside, and out. If you are here, we share this passion, and are kin. Along the way I've learned from many inspiring teachers in diverse disciplines from spirituality to yoga, to somatic movement therapy. I offer it all up for you in this training with the intent to gift along what I now know, so that you can take what inspires you and build your own Way. I'm looking forward to sharing this path with you!