Welcome to the Foundations of Hula Course,
Welcome to the 'ohana!
Course Details
When and Where
Thursdays 6:30-8:30pm November 6th - November 20th
Pepper Street, SE1 0EL
Gate code: 74Y
Join via Zoom - Password:
If you would like to join our Whatsapp groups– the main chat and/or the LSHO announcements group– please click the links below. If you join the Main group, please make sure to say hello and add a small intro+picture of yourself so that the rest of the ‘ohana can say hello!
Main Group Announcements
What to wear:
Anything comfortable to move in— No jeans or stiff trousers please. Please bring a pareo or sarong, or a 1mtr piece of non-see-through fabric if you are able.
What to bring:
Please have water and a notebook to hand. Bring any questions/thoughts/concerns/ideas about the preparation assignments.
Before we get started…
Check out the videos below in order to gain an initial understanding in which dances belong to Hula Kahiko and Hula Auana.
Hula Kahiko
This video is of the Merrie Monarch Festival 2009 - Halau Hula O Hokulani - Wahine Kahiko
Hula Auana
This video is of the Merrie Monarch Festival 2009 Women Auana Winner - Hula Halau O Kamuela
Read The Foundations
‘Olelo
List of Steps
Mele
Preparation
Watch the Hakalama video to help you understand the Hawaiian alphabet. Practice pronouncing under olelo.
Read through the list of steps paying attention to your pronunciation, and try to sing along to the Mele Wai'oli.
Discover a story about Pele, Laka and/or Hi'iaka. What are some of their most memorable characteristics?
Dig deeper and research the word Aloha. What does it mean? How does this differ from what you thought it meant? In which ways is it the same?
Please bring your findings to the first class, we will be sharing and discovering together!
Week 1 Preparation:
Read through the list of steps paying attention to your pronunciation.
Make sure you’ve watched the videos and read the docs above.
Week 1 Session Recording
Week 2 Preparation:
1. Do the basic step exercises every day for the length of one song, 3x through the mele.
*Remember: Start from the ground up. Plant your roots and grow up towards the sun. Don’t arch or squeeze the hips. Shoulders pulled back and down. Exhale and keep your core engaged, but loose. Breathe from your belly button.
2. Research the phrase Aloha ‘āina. Do a free write about it, or follow the prompts below.
What does this word mean in the context of your life? What would you like it to mean in the context of your life? Do those things align? How can you ensure these things align more?
Week 2 Session Recording
Week 3 Preparation:
Do the exercises learned in Week 1+2. Bonus points if you practice every day! Review the names of the arm positions listed in the list of steps (above).
Set aside time to stretch every day if you don’t already. If you’re unsure of stretches you can do, check out Youtube and find an appropriate yoga/stretching video.
Take yourself on a date, or set aside some time to do something you enjoy.
Week 3 Session Recording
What’s next after BFC?
We hope you’ve enjoyed your time in the BFC. We would love for you to keep dancing with us - look to the right for exclusive discounts for our BFC members.
If you’re looking to join our monthly classes, the best places to start are our Saturday Basics, Tuesday Combos & Conditioning, or both! Take a look at our Schedule page for timings and more details about each class, and our Memberships page to look at membership options. There’s no sign-up fee and you can cancel any time.
If you’re thinking about doing more than two hours a week, we can recommend the Everything Plan, which gives you access to all our weekly classes. Using the code to the right it’s only £60/month. You can try everything out with the discount, and choose to stick with that membership or switch to another one after three months!
If you have done one BFC course (either Hula or ‘Ori) and would like to sign up for the other, please use the code below when checking out for £25 off your second BFC. To book go here.
BFC25
We’d like to offer our BFC members 50% off your first three months of any monthly membership, just use the code below when checking out for up to £180 saving!