Hālau’s Approach to Hula Lessons
1. to convey thoughts and feelings by placing words in the palm of one’s hand.
In the lessons held in the halau, students learn footsteps (how to move their feet) and hand motions (how to move their hands) not only through sensory understanding, but also theoretically by interpreting the Hawaiian language and understanding the structure of the body. These “dance” lessons are repeated on a regular basis.
In the case of steps, think in terms of footsteps.
What is the meaning of this movement?
Why do we move like this?
How should I move it?
Why do we have such a habit?
This is true especially for those who have learned the meaning of each movement by feel, those who come from other hālau, and those who have hula experience, as these are the first issues they will face. We will explain these issues in an easy-to-understand way and guide you in a better direction.
2. to learn how to move your body in the classroom in order to get better.
It is relatively easy to start learning hula on your own. However, if you want to get better, you will need direct instruction.
Children are good at learning with their bodies. Adults, however, are not good at learning with their bodies. No matter how much we try, our bodies don’t move the way we want them to. This is because they have become accustomed to the exercises they have experienced with their bodies, and extra knowledge prevents them from progressing.
Children are good at learning with their bodies. Adults, however, are not good at learning with their bodies. No matter how much we try, our bodies don’t move the way we want them to. This is because they have become accustomed to the exercises they have experienced with their bodies, and extra knowledge prevents them from progressing.
3. understanding the Hawaiian language is essential before you can get good at it.
Before learning hand motions, it is essential to understand the Hawaiian language, a special language with 12 consonants, 5 vowels, and 2 diacritics, but it is not necessary to understand every word. It is not necessary to understand every word. It is not necessary to understand every word. The idea is to express the meaning of the lyrics with your hands. Hand motions are the way we describe the meaning of the lyrics with our hands, so we believe that if you don’t understand the words, you will not be able to convey the feeling of dancing the hula to others.
The hula is not danced for one’s own satisfaction, but to communicate to others. The other person may be a person, nature, an ancestor, or a god, but it is necessary to have the feeling of dedication. When the other person feels your feelings, a channel of empathy is opened.
4. Hula is not only about dancing.
All haumana (students of haulau) grow and harvest the lei plants used in the hula and make the lei (lei making), so all students of haulau grow the plants needed for lei making in their own homes, including Ki (La’i), Laua’e, Maile, Kupukupu, and other plants. Kupukupu, and other plants needed for lei making. A typical lesson lasts 90 to 120 minutes and includes basics, oli, kahiko, auana, and instruments (ukulele). Other classes include lei making, ohekapala, instrument making, and Hawaiian food making on an irregular basis.
The concept of hula varies greatly from one harau (class) or kumu hula (teacher) to another. Thinking about how you want to achieve your goals will determine the type of class you choose.
All of our hālau are taught by Kumu Hula Hiro Sekine. There is no instructor. There is no sister school or branch school.
For those who wish to take lessons and live far away, we will use both Skype or LINE video lessons and direct instruction.
Also, if you are currently teaching, you may continue to run your own hurrah or your own circle. In that case, there is no siphoning off of lesson fees from that hurrah or circle.
