There’s a slumber party vibe in the Hoopnotica class that Sheri Morris teaches at Ekam Yoga in Atascocita.

Eight women – college age to middle age to retired – are in various stages of keeping a hula hoop in motion, and giggling good naturedly about themselves, and at each other’s efforts is part of the fun.

“It’s a little tricky getting started,” Morris said. “You’re initiating muscles that have never been worked before.”

Though these women began their first hoop dance class a few weeks ago, tonight some of them are trying to master new techniques. The moves have colorful names like “halo” and “corkscrew.” One unsanctioned move practiced by one of the college-age students was texting while hooping.

While most are quite proficient at keeping the hoop going, there’s an occasional thwack as a hoop goes flying, hitting the wood floor.

Morris, a native of Huffman whose family now lives in Kingwood, began offering the class at Ekam after seeing it done at a downtown Houston club.

“It’s just so mesmerizing to watch the ladies who do this really well,” she says. “I went home, and ordered the videos. And as soon as I saw the videos, I knew I was going to have to order a hula hoop.”

Morris taught herself in about two weeks, and then took training to become a certified Hoopnotica teacher. The hoops used for classes are larger than the ones you might remember from childhood. They are weighted, and some come in pieces for easy travel. One of Morris’ class members made one herself out of plastic PVC piping, then decorated it with colorful duct tape.

Hoop dance has caught on because of its novelty, but sustains interest because it’s a good workout, Morris said..

“People are looking for more alternative fitness ideas,” she said. “They’re looking for something that’s fun and entertaining and keeps them in shape.”

According to the Hoopnotica Web site, www.hoopnotica.com, hoop dance is low-impact, but burns from 400 to 600 calories an hour and can provide a full cardiovascular workout.

“You’re able to slim muscles in your torso that you never knew you had,” Morris says. “It’s especially known for helping to flatten your stomach after a C-section, but it’s not only your midsection that gets a workout. You start to tone your whole body, and I know my back has gotten so much stronger.”

On a recent night, the class worked on the finer points of chest-hooping and arm-hooping, with Morris providing pointers on how to keep the hoop spinning and off the floor.

Experts say getting the right size hoop is important. A spokesperson with the American Council on Exercise suggests a hoop that reaches somewhere between your waist and chest when it's resting vertically on the ground. Some doctors say people with back problems should avoid hooping.

It wasn’t immediately apparent whether inches or calories were shed at the Ekam class, attended by women from Kingwood, Atascocita and Huffman. But the women definitely left at least one thing behind: stress.

As the weather warms up, don’t be surprised if you find Morris and her students at a local park. “It’s a wonderful thing to do outside,” Morris said.

“It’s all about getting into a rhythm, getting out of your head and into your body. And that’s something we all need.”

For information about joining the next six-week Hoopnotica class at Ekam, call 281-358-9642 or e-mail peace@ekamyoga.com.