Welcome to the Foundation Course,
Welcome to the 'ohana!

Welcome to the Beginner Foundation Course!
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

When and Where
Saturdays March 22nd - April 12th, 11:30am-12:45pm
Pepper Street, SE1 0EL

Join via Zoom
Password: Ohana

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 Hawaiian Hula, and which belong to the Tahitian ‘Ori as many people confuse the two.
In this course, you will be studying the Tahitian ‘Ori!

Hawaiian Hula

Tahitian 'Ori

There are two main styles within 'Ori Tahiti. The 'ōte'a and the ‘aparima. Many people are more familiar with the 'ōte'a, conjuring images of women with coconuts and long grass skirts, shaking their hips rather impressively. While this is the case sometimes, you will learn that it goes so much deeper than that!
In this course we will focusing on the 'ōte'a.

'Ori Tahiti: 'aparima

'Ori Tahiti: 'Ōte'a

Check out London School of Hula and 'Ori’s award-winning 'ōte'a and 'aparima above!

Read The Foundations

The Foundations of 'Ori Tahiti

Ōrero

Reo Mā'ohi

List of Steps

'Ori Steps (Vahine)

'Ori Steps (Tane)

Pehe

Takoto

Puarata

Bora Bora

Paea

Samba

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 Recordings

MARCH 22

Learning Otamu (front back/triangle), Tairi’i tama, Taere tamau, tamau taere/hura and Tumami.
Pehe/song we used: Pahae by O Tahiti E
Apologies for the technical issues on Saturdays, which meant we couldn’t record! please use the below breakdowns for the steps we learnt in week 1.

Week 2: Preparation

1. Do the basic step exercises every day for the length of one song, 3x through the pehe.
*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 word Mana. 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 Recordings

MARCH 29

Revisiting Otamu (front back/triangle), Tairi’i tama, Taere tamau, tamau taere/hura and Tumami.
Learning Afata (box), Toma toma (hit hit), Varu (infinitive), Amaha (Step and back) , Ruru (shake), Fa’arapu (Fast tumami)

Week 3: Preparation

Do the exercises learned in Week 1+2. Bonus points if you practice every day!
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.

Week 3: Session Recordings

APRIL 5

Introduction to ‘Aparima style dance: Storytelling about Wayfinding: In the Moana (ocean) we have our Va’a (boat) and use the Fetia (stars) and birds (Manu) to find Fenua. On the fenua (land). grows Tiare (flowers) and Tamari’i (children). Where there is Aroha/Here (love) between the Ta’ata (people).
Practicing combos of Ruru and Fa’arapu with this song: Mevina - Niu Otea

Week 4: Preparation

Practice Takoto, Puarata, and BoraBora. Bonus points if you can practice each Pehe every day!
Try to keep up your stretching routine!

Week 4: Session Recordings

Welcome to the Foundation Course, Welcome to the 'ohana!