Frequently Asked hula class Questions

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No. Some adult dancers come to hula with experience in ballet, tap, jazz, or another form of dance, but hula is very different from those traditions. Many others come to class having never had the opportunity to dance before, including adults who are beginning later in life. You don't need dance experience or a natural sense of rhythm, just a willingness to learn. 

Regular workout clothes are perfectly fine. Shorts or cropped pants with a T-shirt/tank work well and allow you to move comfortably. If you'd like to wear a sarong/pareo over your shorts or pants that works as well to bring in a little fun color! (We don't wear grass skirts or coconut bras!)

If hula continues to resonate with you, you may eventually choose to purchase a pāʻū skirt, but it is not required until you have been dancing consistently for about three months and are ready to continue more seriously. 

We do dance barefoot.

Water and maybe a towel. More serious students eventually bring a notebook or journal and pen to write stuff down in.

We do a warm-up always. Followed by drilling our hula steps. Usually this is 30-minutes of cardio (Hula Lite does not have as much cardio). Then we work on choreography and near the end stretch and cool down. There is usually talking during the class by the instructor going over technique and/or sharing stories related to hula or the song (mele) we are dancing.

Beautiful Hawaiian music is played. There is laughter in the group. There is support.

This is a question I have gone back and forth on over the years. Because students are often learning choreography over several weeks, joining in the middle can feel confusing and overwhelming. Someone who drops in during week three of a four-week sequence may feel lost, and I want your first experience with hula to be a positive one.

For that reason, regular weekly classes are not always the best place to try hula for the first time. The 90-minute introductory class/workshop and Sunset Hula on the Beach are both great drop-in opportunities for exploring hula before committing to an ongoing class.

Most classes are geared for adult women, 18+. The keiki (children) classes will have age divisions, usually 3-7 and 8-14. Students 15-17 may be in their own class if enough students are enrolled or they may be invited to move into a beginner adult class depending on skill level and experience. 

I have dancers ages 3-75 currently! I started my hula journey when I was 35! My Kumu started her hula journey at 40 and she's 92 now and still doing hula! One of my dancers started her hula journey at 72 It's never too late!

Yes, they can, however, my lineage only teaches women. Some hula lineages teach men and women but due to the cultural aspects and differences in technique and many other things, I do not teach men for regular classes, but men can participate as audience members in participation numbers and at presentations & talks.

No. Hula is best understood through participation, and having observers in the room can make dancers feel self-conscious or distracted while they are learning. I want class to remain a comfortable and respectful space for everyone.

The 90-minute introductory workshop and Sunset Hula on the Beach are better opportunities to experience what a class is like before deciding whether hula is right for you.

No. You don't have to get in shape to start hula, hula can help you get there. Whether you're active already or just beginning to move your body again, you're welcome to learn at your own pace. The goal isn't perfection; it's enjoying the journey and allowing your strength, confidence, and ease of movement to develop over time. 

Almost everyone feels a little nervous walking into their first hula class. My goal is to create a welcoming space where you can learn at your own pace, ask questions, laugh, and simply enjoy the experience. Everyone begins somewhere, and you'll be supported from your very first step. 

Often people like to bring a friend or family member their first time, so they are more comfortable.  I've found when a group of friends come, it often is the one who didn't want to do it that ends up sticking it out and keeps coming back!! You'll quickly make friends in the class and perhaps some new friendships outside of class.

Please let me know before class if you have an injury, chronic condition, or physical limitation. Hula is generally low-impact, and many movements can be adapted for different abilities, ranges of motion, and comfort levels. I encourage everyone to listen to their body, take breaks when needed, and never push through pain.

It is also a good idea to speak with your doctor or physical therapist before beginning. They may be able to recommend helpful modifications for your specific situation. Some dancers have shared that their healthcare providers were pleased to hear they were participating in an enjoyable form of movement, but every person and circumstance is different.

At times, dancers have needed to step away from class because of injuries or physical concerns that developed in daily life outside of hula. They returned when their bodies were ready. Taking time to rest, recover, and return gradually is essential.

You can join anytime between September-January. You can skip months, but in order to perform certain hula numbers down the road you must have been dancing for six months and have attended that month's class covering that hula, or you'll need to schedule a private lesson to catch up. Some choreographies may require two or more private lessons. 

No. Performing is not for everyone and there are other ways you can be involved if you want to be. To be eligible to perform you must have been dancing for six consecutive months in the hula school year. Performing with the group requires you to purchase your own attire, adornments, and any associated travel fees which are additional fees on top of the monthly program.  You'll also be expected and required to attend practices outside of class time and rehearsals for upcoming performances.  The instructor has final say if you are able to perform certain dances as many factors are considered beyond technique. If you are interested after your three months of attending classes, please speak with Amanda.  We have many students who take classes who do not perform.

No. You learn as you go little words here and there and it builds. You'll be surprised how quickly you may learn words as they are associated with gestures which makes learning easy, engaging, and embodied.

No. Hula is practiced and taught around the world by people from many backgrounds. You do not need to be Hawaiian to learn hula, but you should come with a willingness to learn about and respect the culture, history, language, and traditions from which it comes.

My classes emphasize that hula is much more than dance. It is a cultural practice, and learning it includes honoring its origins, protocols, and the people of Hawaiʻi. Whether you are stepping into your first class or continuing your hula journey, everyone is welcome when they come with humility, curiosity, and respect.

I have also had many Native Hawaiians and people who were born or raised in Hawaiʻi attend my classes. Living in Hawaiʻi does not necessarily mean someone has had the opportunity to learn hula, and for some, my class has been their first experience dancing it. I am deeply humbled by that trust. It is one of the reasons I continue my own studies and take seriously the responsibility of sharing what has been passed on to me.