Preserving and Sharing Pacific Dance, Culture, & Community in the UK & beyond.

LSHO is a cultural community hub offering classes, workshops, performances, and exhibitions rooted in Pacific traditions.

UK-based • Lineage-informed • Community-led • Inclusive
Dance Music Craft Socials

Join the ‘Ohana

Our Approach

At LSHO, we exist to honour, sustain, and platform Pacific heritage as a living cultural practice. Our work is grounded in lineage-based practice and cultural integrity, with a strong emphasis on inclusivity, wellbeing, and intergenerational learning. We provide a space where Pacific diaspora communities in London/UK and anyone interested in Pacific cultural arts can gather, learn, and participate.

Class Schedule
Where to Start
Learn more

Beginner Classes

With a vision for building something meaningful, our founder brings a blend of big-picture thinking and hands-on experience. They set the tone for everything we do.

Founder

Kāne Class All Levels

Focused, approachable, and driven by results, our sales manager is all about building strong relationships. They help connect people to the right solutions—with clarity and care.

Sales Manager
Polyneisan Drums & Ukulele

Music Lessons for all Levels

Creative and strategic in equal measure, our marketing director brings fresh ideas to every campaign. They turn insights into action and help our message resonate with the right audience.

Full Team

Music & Craft

Marketing Director

Eleanor Parks

Creative and strategic in equal measure, our marketing director brings fresh ideas to every campaign. They turn insights into action and help our message resonate with the right audience.

Our Mission & Story

London School of Hula & ‘Ori (LSHO) is a London-based cultural organisation and community hub dedicated to the teaching, sharing, and platforming the traditional and contemporary practices of Pacific traditions. Since 2011 we have been teaching the dances Hawaiian Hula, Tahitian 'Ori, and now also offer Samoan Siva. We also hold music and craft classes and workshops.

LSHO works at the intersection of cultural preservation, community engagement, and embodied learning. Through classes, workshops, performances, and community-led programmes, we create accessible opportunities for people of all backgrounds to engage with Pacific cultures in respectful and meaningful ways.

Our work is grounded in heritage-based practice and cultural integrity, with a strong emphasis on inclusivity, wellbeing, and intergenerational learning. We serve both Pacific diaspora communities and wider UK audiences seeking culturally informed arts experiences.

Based in London, LSHO works locally and across the UK in partnership with artists, educators, businesses, and cultural organisations. We aim to contribute to a more diverse, representative, and culturally connected arts ecology by centring Pacific voices, knowledge, and lived experience.

Dance with Us

  • Inclusive Community: All ages, backgrouds, body types, genders, and fitness levels are welcome. At LSHO, you belong.

  • Cultural Depth: Our teaching goes beyond movement. Our lineage-informed approach incorporates the history, music, language, and storytelling behind every dance.

  • Flexible Learning: Take classes in our London studio or join live via Zoom — whatever works for your lifestyle.

  • Path for Growth: Whether you're just starting or ready to perform, we support your journey with courses, memberships, and performance opportunities.

    We are guided by our ancestors and draw wisdom from our roots, our culture, and the natural world, honouring the past while shaping the present and future. We turn to our elders for guidance in our practice and our daily lives.

    Cultural Integrity
    rooted in tradition, lineage, and respect

    Community First learning together, across generations

    Embodied Knowledge history, storytelling, and language

    Inclusive welcoming all identities and backgrounds

    Collaborative partnering with artists, educators, and cultural hubs

Explore Our Styles

At LSHO, we celebrate the diversity and beauty of Polynesian dance through three distinct dance traditions: Hula, 'Ori Tahiti, and Siva Samoa. Each style brings its own energy, history, and expression — and we teach all of them with respect, cultural understanding, and heart. Learn in more detail here.

  • Hawaiian Hula

    • Hula 'Auana: A flowing, lyrical style accompanied by melodic instruments.

    • Hula Kahiko: The traditional, powerful Hula rooted in chants, history, and spiritual storytelling.

  • 'Ori Tahiti (Tahitian Dance)

    • 'Ōte'a: High-energy drum-led dance with dynamic hip rotations.

    • 'Aparima: Slower, expressive dance that tells stories through graceful hand movements and gestures.

  • Siva Samoa

    • Siva Samoa: A graceful and subtle Samoan dance that emphasises delicate hand and arm movements, storytelling, and cultural poise. This style offers a lower-impact, elegant form of movement rooted in Samoan tradition.

Begin Your Dance Journey

  • Intro Pass: Try up to 4 beginner-friendly classes over two weeks for £34

  • Beginners’ Foundation Course: Our 3-week course introduces you to the technique, context, and soul of Hula and/or 'Ori.

  • Drop-in: Join any beginner+ level weekly class as a drop-in, no need to book in advance. We accept payment in class - £14 for one hour, £20 for two.

Our Community & Values

LSHO is more than just a dance school — it’s a community, a family. We believe in:

  • Connection: Creating space to learn, belong, and grow together.

  • Cultural Respect: Honouring the stories, traditions, and languages of Hula and 'Ori.

  • Empowerment: Building confidence, strength, and creativity through dance.

  • Giving Back: Engaging with our wider community through performance, charity, and cultural events.

We always recommend everyone starts their journey with the Beginners’ Foundation Course - it gives you a solid base from which to grow your understanding of these ancient practices.

If you would like to try a few classes before committing to the Beginners’ Foundation Course then you can get the intro pass or simply drop in to any of our beginner+ classes.

Questions? Check out our FAQ

What our Dancers say…

  • Quote about loving dancing with women in a supportive environment, with a background of beige, dark green, and white colors, featuring a large white speech bubble and beige quotation marks, talking about learning Hula in the UK

    “I always feel supported, have built my confidence, started to feel wonderful in my own body and empowered as a woman.”

  • A quote about loving dance and positive self-affirmation on a background with shades of brown and beige, attributed to @londonhulaori1sho.couk, talking about learning Hula in the UK

    “I'm learning to find the positives and great things about myself, not just as a dancer but in life.”

  • Quote about personal growth and understanding femininity on a colorful abstract background, talking about learning Hula in the UK

    “Hadn't expected to actually make friends, which I now realise is also what I was seeking.”

  • A quote expressing enjoyment of a dance course, praising the teachers and the learning experience, with emojis and a social media handle at the bottom, talking about learning Hula in the UK

    “I never thought this uncoordinated body would learn and remember something so beautiful and that’s all down to the amazing teachers.”

Ready to Dance?

Are you ready to step into movement, culture, and connection? We’d love to welcome you into our LSHO 'ohana. Whether you want to try a class, take a course, or explore membership, the journey begins here.

View Classes
Try our Intro Pass
Join the Beginners' Foundation Course

Live Performances & Event Entertainment

LSHO doesn’t just teach, we perform. From Disney premieres to village fetes, our dancers bring the vibrant spirit of Polynesia to any event. Whether you’re planning a corporate gathering, a cultural celebration, a hen do or a community festival, our talented troupe delivers captivating Hula and 'Ori Tahiti shows, full of graceful movement, music, and storytelling. We can also provide a live Polynesian band to accompany us, giving your event an authentic island soundtrack and unforgettable atmosphere.

Book A Show

Dance for Little Hearts

We also offer Keiki (children’s) Hula and 'Ori classes, where young dancers can build confidence, coordination, and cultural understanding in a fun, supportive environment.

  • Saturdays, 10:00–10:45am at our London studio.

  • £10 per class or £35/month

Learn about our Keiki Classes

Check out our Instagram

Start your Hula & ‘Ori journey and get your body, mind, and soul dancing.

Get moving, join LSHO!