Invented by the Polynesian peoples of the Hawaiian Islands, the Hula dance is a unique movement that is danced to the notes of a song or song. Originally the songs and voices formed the instrumental basis while the dance provided the text; nowadays, however, the accompaniment often consists of a guitar or a ukulele. For a complete experience, the ideal would be to find a dance class close to home, but you can learn on your own by following a few simple steps.
Steps
Part 1 of 5: Kāholo (Moving from one side to the other)
Step 1. Bend your knees slightly
Keep your hips and feet relaxed.
If it helps, swing your hips from side to side
Step 2. Take two steps to the right
Accompany each step with your left foot, then take two steps to the left, following each time with your right foot.
When you move your first foot lift the respective hip; when you join the second foot to the other let the corresponding hip go down: in this way you will create a swinging movement every time you move
Step 3. Position your arms
Traditionally, the step involves lifting the arm corresponding to the leading foot, extending it laterally, at shoulder height. The other hand should be in front of the chest, with the elbow at shoulder level, facing the direction of the leading hand.
When you change the leading foot you have to reverse the position of the arms so that the outstretched arm is the same as the foot
Part 2 of 5: Ka'o (Swaying from Side to Side)
Step 1. Bend your knees
Don't squat, but flex considerably, keeping your hips very relaxed.
You should bend over so that you are lower, but not so much that it is difficult for you to hold the position
Step 2. Shift your weight from your left foot to your right
Extend the right leg, lifting the corresponding hip and relaxing the left hip down, then repeat the movement on the other side.
- The head should remain horizontal - you can move it to the side, but never up or down. Concentrate on shifting your weight from one leg to the other, swaying your hips.
- When you feel ready, start lifting each foot each time you take the weight off.
Step 3. Place your hands
The dance requires that in the Ka'o step the hands are at chest height, with the palms facing down and the fingers towards each other.
Keep your elbows at shoulder height and don't let them slide down
Part 3 of 5: `Ami (Rotate the Hips)
Step 1. Bend your knees and raise your chest
Raise the tailbone so that the lower back is elevated, but without pushing the abdomen forward.
Try to imagine that the hips are separated from the torso. They should be pushed back slightly and higher than usual, but the torso and chest should not lean too far forward to facilitate this movement
Step 2. Shift your weight from the center to the right foot
This movement resembles the Ka'o step, only instead of immediately shifting the weight to the right, you will first bring it to the center and then to the right. Repeat four times, then do it in the opposite direction, shifting the weight from the center to the left.
Imagine making circles with your lower back. The rest of the body must remain motionless, while with the backside and the hips you draw circles clockwise four times, then counterclockwise for another four
Step 3. Add the movement of the arms
The hand corresponding to the leading hip should be in the center of the chest, with the palm facing the floor. The elbow should be flexed at shoulder height and extended to the side, while the other hand should be resting on the corresponding hip.
When you change your leading hip, alternate your arm as well
Part 4 of 5: Using Your Hands
Step 1. Use the "flower" (Pua) movement
Gently extend both arms diagonally to the right, keeping your hands at waist level. The palms should be facing down and the fingers should be raised. As you rotate your hands and bring your palms up, join your fingers to form a "bud". Repeat the movement twice, then switch to the left side.
This movement usually accompanies the Kaholo or Ka'o step
Step 2. Perform the rain movement (Ua)
Bring your right arm to the side, so that your hand is just above your head. Lean to the left and look up at the hand. The left hand should be close to the face, about 10 centimeters from the right hand. Gently move your fingers as you bring your hands towards your waist, then repeat on the other side.
This gesture accompanies the swaying step or the Kaholo step
Step 3. Do the "wave" (Nalu) movement
Flexing your elbows at waist level, bring your right hand up and to the side and your left hand across your chest, moving them up and down twice, in a smooth, wave-like motion. Repeat on the other side.
A similar wave motion represents the ocean. Keeping your arms in front of you, move them as if you were picking flowers from the water, alternating between your right and left hands. This will create the illusion of a series of waves
Part 5 of 5: Putting All the Movements Together
Step 1. Watch a video
On Youtube you can find several videos of the main dances. Once you are familiar with the main steps it will be easy for you to follow the videos and better understand the movement that dancers make with their hips.
In these videos you may find different arm movements than those illustrated in this article: the Hula dance is a tale, therefore there are different movements of the arms and hands. Those described in this article will be useful for you to get an idea of the rhythm, not to mention that often the position of the hands is the same
Step 2. Invent your own choreography
Realize your dance using the movements described in this article.
- It begins with the swaying step and then incorporates the movement of the arms;
- Perform the Kaholo step while maintaining the movement of the arms;
- Rotate on yourself using the Ka'o or Ami movement;
- Try using the Kaholo step to move sideways or diagonally towards the audience.
Step 3. Improvise
After practicing these movements for a while you should be able to smoothly transition from one to the other, as they are quite simple. Choose a song you like and move as you wish.
Improvising means doing anything, so use your hands to tell the story you want. Discover as many hand movements as possible, using Youtube videos to capture them correctly
Advice
- Make a nice smile to look attractive. You should follow your fingers with your eyes and draw the audience to the story you are telling with them.
- If you like Disney cartoons, check out Lilo and Stitch. In this cartoon a little girl named Lilo teaches an alien creature named Stitch to dance the Hula dance and play the ukulele. In the final theme both dance the Hula during the Merrie Monarch festival.
- The Merrie Monarch festival is a Hula dance competition held in Hawaii on the Big Island for a week.
