Today we’d like to introduce you to Misty Smith.
Hi Misty, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started my adventure into self-employment full-time when I turned 30. At that time, I had the hoop business for 8 years and knew I did not want to do anything to take away from performing and teaching hoop dance. I took up real estate but kept hoop dance front of mind. I worked for bars down in Central Austin on Rainey. I also worked for the University of Texas, teaching hoop dance as an informal class. Also, for 8 years, I taught summer camps at the Georgetown Rec Center. I opened my own hoop studio in North Austin, which was very successful. I decided the studio to be a later in life thing due to wanting to travel and closed it 5 months before Covid hit in 2020. During Covid, I taught private hoop lessons and went deep into my own dance practices full time. I have since been to Burning Man 2022, where I was on the Texas fire Conclave PyroTex. I have still remained teaching private clients and plan to start teaching to the public again in December 2022. Now through hoop dance and my personal movement practices, I have learned how to heal through somatics and Embodiment Practices and plan on launching my Embodiment Facilitator and Coaching business in Jan of 2023. Currently, I am working on my book entitled A Path Home to Self.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It definitely has had its ins and outs but I follow my heart and find freedom in the alignment of my natural passions and gifts to share. I have learned so much from studying the flow arts and then adapting them to my everyday experience and then healing myself through movement.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Flow arts dance and performance.
Fire performance.
Movement practices for somatics.
I love helping guide people in learning tools that will make their lives and themselves better.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
Absolutely. How to slow down even more and sink into the meditation practice. I learned that I am, in fact, a dancer to my core during Covid and that I did not ever need to hide behind my flow props. This body can move and I am proud to do so. To be able to heal trauma through somatics has been one of my life’s biggest blessings and I am so humbled and grateful to be able to share what I have learned with others.
Pricing:
- Hoop lesson beginner to advanced $55/hr
- Somatic Experiencing Coaching $120/hr
- Meditation Session $100/1.5 hr
- Performance Fire or LED (depends on what you need) $150/hr+
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Circle of Play – IG
- Facebook: Www.facebook.com/circleofplay
Image Credits
Chris Taylor (black outfit with flow fans and the moody looking fire hoop photo)
Naeem Scott (black and white double hoop photo)
Daniel Angulo (multiple hoops with stiped pants)
