Though this art form is ancient and changing all the time, one of the oldest forms is still the most popular, and it has stood the test of time. Before Western people brought their influence to the Islands, kahiko, the ancient form, flourished. There's a chant that people do along with the movements, and they use the same kind of instruments that their ancestors designed, giving a very cultural feel.
Auana means to drift or wander, and that's what the dances of the 19th and 20th centuries were called. This is a clear indication that many felt that the changes going on in the music and the art were driving it farther and farther away to what it was originally. In this type, there's usually song that goes with it, and musical instruments that are of Western influence like the guitar, the ukulele, and the double bass.
If you're just looking for a casual, not too out of the ordinary experience, you might want to look at what kind of class you may be getting yourself into. There are a lot of classes that do things in a very traditional way, which, although you may be stepping outside your comfort zone, it may make it a more enjoyable, immersive experience. The classes are called halau.
There are many ways that you can prepare yourself before setting off to start dancing. Since an entrance chant is commonly used in this situation, you might consider learning some of the popular ones because there are a few that are quite common. The entrance chant is the way a student asks permission to enter the floor, making it a more sacred experience.
The two main positions in dancing like this involve both a sitting and a standing position. The sitting position is known traditionally as soho, and the standing position is called luna. There are dances that involve both of these positions, meaning dancers get up and down a lot, so beware if you have weak knees.
One must get to a quality teacher in order to properly learn this style. It is true that parts of it are complicated, such as the many difficult to learn hand signals that are so subtle and intricate. But it's also true that there are easier ones as well, and with the right teacher, you can be guided and led and pointed in the right direction.
One of the most beautiful things about this is it represents and dramatizes both what is within and without. You will see by learning and participating in it that you are becoming a vehicle of expression for not only the forces of nature, like the wind and the sea, but also what's in the heart. It is empowering to act out both the powers of nature and human emotions.
About the Author: