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Finger, Wrist, Hand & Arm Movements First, extend your right arm and hand all the way to the right at shoulder height. Keep your elbow slightly bent, your palm facing down, and your fingers lightly touching. Place your left hand on your hip with your fingers pointing down. The four counts in this hula hand movement are as follows. Count 1: Dip right fingers down as the wrist moves slightly higher, then bring the fingers up as the wrist lowers, imitating ocean waves. Count 2: Give your elbow a 90 degree angle, and repeat the wave motion with your hand. Count 3: Give your elbow a 45 degree angle, and repeat the wave motion once more. Count 4: Bring your right hand to your hip and point your fingers down. Repeat these 4 counts with your left arm and hand. Practice this flow until it becomes easy and natural. Foot & Knee Movements Stand in a relaxed position with your feet 4" apart. Bend your knees slightly, raising your heels one inch off the ground, and hold this position as you perform the following movements. Count 1: With your right foot, take one step 8" to the right. Count 2: Touch your left foot to the inside of your right foot. Counts 3 and 4: Repeat. Count 5-8. Do the same thing, but this time start with your left foot and go left. Continue moving back and forth like this to the rhythm of the music, adding the arm movements described above when you are ready. Be sure to keep your shoulders still, and follow your hand movements with your eyes. Practice to the songs "Tiny Bubbles" or "Pearly Shells," and when you dance, smile and be happy. Remember, hula (which literally means "dance" in Hawaiian) is part of Hawaii's cultural and artistic tradition, and dancing hula expresses life and love through movement. Enjoy yourself! 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 5 6 L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R L R A Quick Hula Lesson HOW-TO GUIDE Originally developed by the Polynesians who settled in Hawaii as a form of recording and passing on history, Hula is the Hawaiian cultural expression of life through storytelling. Used in many religious ceremonies and celebrations, this ancient art was discouraged in the early and mid 1800s by American Protestant missionaries who denounced it as a heathen dance, but during the reign of King David Kalakaua (1874-1891) it reemerged as a Hawaiian traditional art. Today, hundreds of thousands practice in hula halau (hula schools) worldwide. The History of Hula 96 << LIFESTYLE