The Dancer resonates with nature.

Life is a dance. Hula is a way to connect the movements of our body to be in harmony with the rhythms of nature. The Dancer emulates natural movements of the rain falling in the valley, ocean waves, flying birds, swimming fish, and more. The art of hula is a spiritual practice that connects the dancer to nature. Like the Listener who listens with all her senses, the Dancer expresses himself with all of his body. He dances, he sings, he makes music, he moves in unison with his company. He lives life with passion and vigor.

Modern hula has different styles that are on a spectrum from sacred ancient rites to dances for entertainment. The hula kahiko is the traditional form of hula continued from ancient times. Hula ‘auana is a modern style of hula that allows for more freedom to innovate. Hula movements are also related to the Hawaiian martial art of Lua. Each style of dance is a different way to express different roles. The styles give structure and purpose to the Dancer’s movements, onstage and in life.

It takes years of study and training to learn hula, but anyone can access the healing power of movement in connection with nature. The human body is a system that requires all of its parts to be exercised and healthy—just like a healthy ecosystem. Regular body movement and exercise can improve our strength, flexibility, resilience, and graces. Exercise also improves our mental, and emotional health. 

Dancing connects and synchronizes all the different parts of the body. When the Dancer dances in nature, he’s connecting to his spiritual body. He express his energy out into nature and receives energy from the earth.

Humans are meant to be outside participating in nature. Our health depends on the health of all life around us. Our health is degraded if we live in a sterile environment. Our health is enhanced if we participate in an abundant diverse ecosystem.

Part of traditional hula is to go into nature to gather flowers and leaves to make garlands called “lei” to wear during performances. It is a spiritual practice that connects him to the ‘āina (land) that is the source of energy for all life.

We naturally draw energy from the natural forces around us. When we physically connect with nature, like the Dancer, the energy of the Earth is conducted through our bodies. Anyone can plug into the Earth energy by contacting the earth with bare feet, or swimming in the ocean. The strong natural energy of the Hawaiian Islands is part of the reason they are a popular tourist destination.

There are many subtle energies around us, like the gravity of the Moon, the electromagnetic field of the Earth, and energies emitted by living beings. Plants and animals communicate with electromagnetic and chemical signals. People emit positive and negative emotional energy. These energies can have a positive or negative effects over time. It’s healthy to open up to cultivate natural positive energy, and reduce exposure to artificial and negative energy.

The Dancer uses his training to open himself to conduct natural energy. The Dancer is aware of the messages the ‘āina is sending. He listens. He recognizes the akua (gods), and they recognize him. He converses with the ‘āina through dance.

Prayer to Laka

Part of hula is the chants and music. The chants and songs that accompany hula dances are an integral part of creating spiritual experience. The dancers and audience benefit most when they know the meaning of the chants, and participate in the stories they tell. The stories are meant to create vivid images in your mind. A powerful mental image activates the connection to the akua.

 This example is a short prayer chant called an “oli.”³  An oli is often performed before and after activities. The oli sets the mood and focuses the purpose of the activity for the group.  This oli is to Laka for protection and removing hindrances. It is often performed before entering the forest. The native forest is the realm of the gods and should be entered with reverence.

This oli tells a story. It says the gods reside in the undergrowth, the mist, and in the low-lying rainbow. The akua exist in continual peace. The goddess Laka recognizes and blesses those who recognize her. The Dancer calls out to Laka in recognition, and he is recognized by Laka.

The words are activated when we let them guide us to an experience. We can visualize ourselves in the story and inhabit the ancestors who composed the oli. We walk through the landscape as they did. Distant mountain peaks wear a garland of rosy low clouds at dawn. Wisps of mist spill down the face of the cliffs and wander over the ridges and gather in the ravines.

We’re surrounded by a thick forest. We gaze deeply into the heart of the undergrowth shaded by the embrace of tall trees. We begin to connect with the land, our sense of separateness begins to dissolve. We look deeper, where the distant mist wanders. Our consciousness spreads out to meet the mist. We look deeper, up the mountain. A low lying crimson rainbow blazes, crowning the mountains in a halo. You recognize the radiance of the gods. The akua all dance in harmony, full of peace and joy.

You recognize the whole community of akua as all part of the living forest. They are all part of the god Laka. She is the akua of the forest and hula. All the parts of the forest before you are the kino lau (many forms) of Laka. You see her rainbow crown, her flowing misty hair, her beating forest heart. Each individual part is unified in the whole. They move together. They thrive together.

You recognize Laka, the thousands of akua of her many forms. You call out to Laka for her to recognize you, “Here I am! Here I am! It’s me!”

By recognizing the many forms unified in Laka, you recognize that you are also part of Laka. You are the low lying rainbow on the mountain, the mist, the forest, the shadowy undergrowth, all together as a part of Laka.

“Ahhh!” You cry out receiving by the power of unity with the akua. When you dance with the akua, you become like them.