HULA DANCE

HULA DANCING

Hula dancing is the essence and spirit of Hawaii. Initially it was treated as a sacred ritual, but it slowly became a form of entertainment. The dance is not without meaning. In fact the heart of hula dancing is poetic text, which is referred to as Mele. All movements are interpreted and performed on the basis of the text. In hula dancing, hand and arm gestures are combined with rhythmic twisting and swirling.   In hula dancing, each movement has a particular meaning and this coupled with the expressive hand gestures has even greater significance. While dancing, the movements that the dancers make may represent any facet of nature or life. Plants, trees, war, wind fire, water, all the elements are adequately represented and the viewer has no doubt in his mind as to its meaning. This is because hula dancing by its movements embodies the essence of thing it represents. The dancers incorporate to exactitude the elements of life and nature and the chanting aids in narrating the story. Initially in hula dancing, the emphasis was on the words only, but as many people do not understand those chants, this form of dancing has become more expressive and understandable.  Interestingly enough, there are many types of hula dancing and these are performed at different times and in different ways. Hula hue was a kind of endurance dance used at the end of a program while hula hapa haole was a westernized version with English words. Hula hula  pertained to a type of dancing where there were many people involved. Some sang and some played the drum. Hula o Kalâkaua was dancing reserved for the King’s coronation. Hula kuhi Lima was a sitting hula where the dancer swayed the body in keeping with the music and made eloquent hand gestures. Hula ki`elei was performed by the dancer squatting on his haunches. -- Hula ku`i Molokai named after the island which was famous for sports was fast , vigorous with a lot of stamping and twisting of the heels and slapping of the thighs. Hula ki` was different from the other types of dancing in that the dancers were stiff in their posture and their actions were not smooth and flowing. Thus we see that there was a tremendous difference from the -- hula kahiko which was the ancient hula centered around ceremony and chants. The modern day hula auana is very informal and there is no ceremony involved. It is danced to the accompaniment of instrument like the guitars and is very popular on the island of Hawaii. Whatever be the form of hula dancing, the essence and spirit of the dance is always felt. It has a strange impact on the viewers and often makes one want to join in. Hula dancing in spite of metamorphosis is here to stay in some form or the other. Its magnetic charm touches all who see. The origins of hula are open to interpretation. Some believe it came from the ancient civilization of Mu, some claim it was indigenous, while others say that it had its roots in Tahiti .Whatever be its origin or its roots, there is no doubt that the Hula is the link which binds the dancers with the universe and symbolizes their unity with all creation.

How To Hula Dance

Learn Basic Hawaiian Hula Dance Steps

Hula dancing, a form of dancing native to Hawaii, provides entertainment but has its roots in ancient ritual. The purpose of Hula dancing is to convey meaning through movement. Hula dancing intertwines the performers with the spirit of the universe by unifying their existence with nature. Even if you fail to experience a meditative quality while performing the Hula dance moves, you can still learn a basic foundation to enjoy this art form.  Once you've mastered Hula dancing, if you want to try a dance from a completely different culture, then I recommend you pick up a copy of Salsa Dancing 101.  While less meditative than the Hula, Salsa dancing has its own rich tradition and is just as much fun!

This article will teach you how to Hula dance by addressing three basic Hula dance steps. The Hula dance instructions will include two basic hand movements and instructions for combining the hand movements and basic steps. Hula dancing is a complex art form, and there are many hand motions used to signify aspects of nature. One article simply cannot cover the complexity of Hawaiian Hula dancing and the beauty of this ancient tradition. If you master the following steps and hand motions, you will have a basic foundation from which to build and become a great Hula dancer.

Basic Steps in Hula Dance

Kaholo Step:

·         Begin standing upright with your feet together, toes pointing forward, and knees slightly bent.

·         Move your right foot to the right a few inches. Essentially, take a step sideways to the right.

·         Bring your left foot over to meet your right foot.

·         Repeat Steps 2 and 3.

·         Now, move your left foot to the left.

·         Step with your right foot and place it next to your left foot.

·         Repeat Steps 5 and 6.

·         Repeat both Steps 2 and 3 twice.

·         Repeat both Steps 5 and 6 twice.

·         Repeat Step 8.

·         Repeat Step 9.

·         Steps 10 and 11 can be repeated through the entire length of one Hula song.

Ka'o Step (Sway Step):

·         Begin just as you did for the Kaholo step. Stand upright with your feet touching and toes pointing forward. Remember to bend your knees slightly.

·         Step your right foot to the right. Your legs will be shoulder width apart.

·         Bring your left foot up and in, pulling your heel off the ground with your toes pointing slightly left. The toes of your left foot will be at a 45-degree angle to the toes of your right foot. The heel of your left foot will be touching your right ankle.

·         Step to the left with your toes pointing forward. Your legs will be shoulder width apart. Pull your right foot up and in, bringing your right heel off the ground. The toes of your right foot will be at a 45-degree angle to the toes of your left foot. The heel of your right foot will be touching your left ankle.

Ami Step (Including hand motions):

·         Begin with your feet together, toes pointing forward, and knees slightly bent.

·         Place your arms overhead almost in a touchdown motion. Your arms will form a letter "U." Your palms will be facing each other, and your elbows will be slightly bent rather than locked out.

·         Count 1 and rotate or roll your waist and hips clockwise. Your hands will be in the initial position described in Step 2. Your feet should be touching the ground and will stay there for the remainder of this step.

·         Count 2 and move your waist and hips again in a clockwise circle. Bring your arms down so that your palms are at shoulder height.

·         Count 3 and move your waist and hips clockwise again. Bring your arms down with your elbows pointing backward. Your hands will be at waist level and your palms will face down.

·         Count 4 and move your waist and hips clockwise again. Move your hands down so that they are at your sides, still with your palms facing down. Keep your elbows slightly bent.

References:

http://www.indianchild.com/games/hula-dancing.htm

 http://www.howtodothings.com/hobbies/a3667-how-to-hula-dance.html