As another year comes and goes I’ve been thinking about something my Hula Instructor Gina announced in class awhile back…that “Hula is much more than a dance…it is a lifestyle. It’s about Living Aloha”. Gina continues by explaining what Living Aloha means:
- Akahai, meaning kindness to be expressed with tenderness;
- Lôkahi, meaning unity, to be expressed with harmony;
- `Olu`olu, meaning agreeable, to be expressed with pleasantness;
- Ha`aha`a, meaning humility, to be expressed with modesty;
- Ahonui, meaning patience, to be expressed with perseverance.
These are traits of character that express the charm, warmth and sincerity of Hawaii’s people. It was the working philosophy of native Hawaiians and was presented as a gift to the people of Hawaii.
- Aloha is more than a word of greeting or farewell or a salutation.
- Aloha means mutual regard and affection and extends warmth in caring with no obligation in return.
- Aloha is the essence of relationships in which each person is important to every other person for collective existence.
- Aloha means to hear what is not said, to see what cannot be seen and to know the unknowable.
And also forwarding me some great reading material on Living Aloha and Hula. Now, I also thought back to my first day of Hula class in September. Gina approached me and said “Hula is for Everyone….” and gave me a big hug and kiss on the cheek (which is how we depart after each class!) I thought I must have really been horrible for her to come and console me this way! (But it was really what I needed.) Generally, I can tell when I suck, my face is contorted and the competitive side of me wants to get it right…and right away. Now, I know that Gina was of course right! Yes, Hula is for everyone and whatever brought me to it’s doorstep I’m soo happy to have been embraced. Living Aloha is aligned with how I want to craft and live my life. It is what 12to28 is about. I have a little smile now as I sense that Ahonui has made a space in my heart.
But of course, here comes my confessional. Because Dance is a weakness I wanted to take a class that was fun, exciting (new…at least to me), and not so challenging. And what I ended up with was the intensity, focus, and preciseness that is Hula, (including a much more difficult time catching on to the moves). Mentally, I’m always ahead of my body.
Yes! Hula is sooo much more than you think! I must say that I’m happy my bubble was shattered and that I’m experiencing the dance for all it’s richness. My body is catching up with my mind and getting better every week! It is a honor to be learning Hula….I guess I’ve been most struck by all there is to learn when dancing and how it has become such a great way to awaken my spirit, my bones, myself to the hidden potentials I possess…..Maybe we should all take some time infuse the principles of Living Aloha……..
