What distinguishes hula dancing from other dance styles is the fact that hula cannot exist without words. This dance is performed with the accompaniment of a song, called in Hawaiian "mele" and it is this song and its words that are the greatest value in the hula dance. Without words, there would be no dance, because this dance consists in depicting with hands and body the history contained in the "mele".
Hawaiian hula danceuntil recently was just an exotic curiosity. Today, it can be learned in classes led by professional instructors. Check if this type of dance is for you!
Contents:
- Hula dance history
- Characteristics of a hula dance
- Basic steps of hula dancing
- Advantages of hula dancing
Hula dance history
Hula is a traditional dance invented by the Polynesians who inhabited the Hawaiian Islands. Formerly, hula was part of religious practice. It was accompanied by raw accompaniment of simple percussion instruments and loud singing. Today, in addition to this temple part, there is also a more modern form of hula dancing, to music that is melodic and pleasant to the ear.
Characteristics of a hula dance
A person learning the hula dance first learns the story told in the song, then learns the gestures and steps. The content of the song, most often apart from the literal meaning, also has a deeper figurative meaning, and may also have an individual meaning for a specific dancer.
There are many types of hula dancing. The two most popular are an old style calledkahikoand a modern style calledauana .
- Hula kahiko
It is danced to the accompaniment of songs and traditional instruments, such as ipu, a gourd drum. Kahiko chants depict stories of gods and Hawaiian chiefs. They tell about the creation of the world and the uniqueness of the world of plants and animals, which are of great importance to the inhabitants of Hawaii.
- Hula auana
It is performed to the accompaniment of a melodic song and modern instruments such as the ukulele (it is an instrument similar to a small guitar). Stories told with auana-style dancing depict the beauty of Hawaiian nature, they talk about love or longing. There are movements in this type of dancemore fluid and subtle, they resemble the delicacy of a flower or leaf drifting on the waves. When it comes to costumes, they are also more contemporary - women usually dance in long dresses, have pinned up hairstyles, and use lei or pin-ups of beautiful flowers as decorations.
Basic steps of hula dancing
Although the hula steps seem not very complicated at first glance, the dancers need to put a lot of heart and patience into learning. Hand movements are important, but just as important is how the feet, hips and even eyes behave. They are supposed to follow the hands in the dance, emphasizing the essence of mindfulness in our lives, which says that energy follows attention. As for the feet, an important detail is that we dance the hula dance barefoot. The dancer's legs are firmly on the ground, while his hips sway to the music, and his hands gracefully make gestures that form legends and stories about everyday life.
Learn hula dancing at home! See the steps in the video
Advantages of hula dancing
Hawaiian culture is expressed not only in dance, but also in a positive approach to life and a feeling of unity with the world around us. Therefore, taking part in hula classes, will primarily benefit our psyche - through movement we can free ourselves from tensions, stress, negative thoughts and emotions.
Hula is also a way to improve muscle strength. Perfectly strengthens the lower body parts, arms and joints. It also develops coordination and motor memory. This is due to the fact that hula dancing is for everyone - for women and men, for the fatter and thinner, for the young and the old, also for children. So practically everyone can grow it, regardless of age and he alth conditions.
This will be useful to youMeet other types of dance:
- Viennese w altz
- rumba
- bachata
- kizomba
- cha-cha
- jazz
- hip-hop
- popping
- swing
- zumba
- flamenco
- bokwa