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    Polynesian dance encompasses various styles from islands in Polynesia including Tahitian, Tongan, Samoan, Fijian, Maori and Hawaiian. The dances originated as accompaniments to oral storytelling traditions and still convey narratives through movement. Polynesian dance is performed around the world for concerts, events and competitions. Introductory classes teach basic hip movements and routines while developing strength, coordination and cultural understanding. Specific dances include Hula from Hawaii, Tahitian dances featuring hip isolations, Samoan fire dancing, Maori poi dancing, and dances from Fiji and Tonga incorporating props and songs. Polynesian dance is described as a way of expressing culture,

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    Polynesian dance encompasses various styles from islands in Polynesia including Tahitian, Tongan, Samoan, Fijian, Maori and Hawaiian. The dances originated as accompaniments to oral storytelling traditions and still convey narratives through movement. Polynesian dance is performed around the world for concerts, events and competitions. Introductory classes teach basic hip movements and routines while developing strength, coordination and cultural understanding. Specific dances include Hula from Hawaii, Tahitian dances featuring hip isolations, Samoan fire dancing, Maori poi dancing, and dances from Fiji and Tonga incorporating props and songs. Polynesian dance is described as a way of expressing culture,

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    Polynesian dance encompasses various styles from islands in Polynesia including Tahitian, Tongan, Samoan, Fijian, Maori and Hawaiian. The dances originated as accompaniments to oral storytelling traditions and still convey narratives through movement. Polynesian dance is performed around the world for concerts, events and competitions. Introductory classes teach basic hip movements and routines while developing strength, coordination and cultural understanding. Specific dances include Hula from Hawaii, Tahitian dances featuring hip isolations, Samoan fire dancing, Maori poi dancing, and dances from Fiji and Tonga incorporating props and songs. Polynesian dance is described as a way of expressing culture,

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    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    64 views3 pages

    Poly Info

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    api-278039126
    Polynesian dance encompasses various styles from islands in Polynesia including Tahitian, Tongan, Samoan, Fijian, Maori and Hawaiian. The dances originated as accompaniments to oral storytelling traditions and still convey narratives through movement. Polynesian dance is performed around the world for concerts, events and competitions. Introductory classes teach basic hip movements and routines while developing strength, coordination and cultural understanding. Specific dances include Hula from Hawaii, Tahitian dances featuring hip isolations, Samoan fire dancing, Maori poi dancing, and dances from Fiji and Tonga incorporating props and songs. Polynesian dance is described as a way of expressing culture,

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    of 3

    Polynesian

    If youve never studied Polynesian dance, watching just one live


    performance might leave you wondering how you would feel up on
    stage, dancing the Hula or the Tahitian Ori. Its not just the effortless
    motion of the dancers hips as they sway in perfect unison with their
    hands, shoulders and feet, or the mesmerizing beat of the music, or
    the beautiful costumes. Its the way all those pieces fit together with
    an easy grace, making it hard to take your eyes off the dancers.
    To feel the spirit of Polynesian dance is beyond words, says Kaina
    Quenga, a Hawaiian and Tahitian dance teacher in NYC. Its more than
    an art form. Its a way of being! Read on to learn more about
    Polynesian danceand why its followers are so addicted.
    Origins of the Movement
    Polynesian dance encompasses Tahitian, Tongan, Samoan, Fijian, Maori
    (New Zealand) and Hawaiian styles. It began as an accompaniment to
    the oral storytelling traditions of those islands, conveying the literal
    meaning of a tale. Modern Polynesian dance still tells stories through
    movement, but those narratives can be a bit more abstract, allowing
    audiences to focus on the beauty of the dances themselves.
    Watch and Learn
    Today, Polynesian dance is performed all over the world: at concerts,
    colleges and universities, civic events, competitions, and festivals.
    Classes and seminars in various types of dances are also widely
    available. As in many other dance forms, Polynesian dancers may
    perform as soloists but often dance with groups and companies. Many
    teachers do double duty as performers and directors of troupes or
    companies, so ask your teacher if and where he or she performs.
    Get to Class
    An introductory Polynesian dance lesson might include basic hip
    movements, traveling across the floor and a short routine. Instructors
    often weave in lessons about the dances costumes, music and
    symbolism. And if youre looking to stay conditioned for ballet, hip hop
    or tap, youve come to the right place. The stretches and isolations
    tone and strengthen the abs and thighs, and the use of different
    rhythms in different parts of the body improves coordination. Lastly,
    dont be afraid to ask questions. Teachers have often studied other
    types of dance and should be able to help beginners.
    The Dances
    Hawaiian

    Todays Hawaiian dance includes two basic styles: Hula Kahiko (ancient
    Hula) and Hula Auana (modern Hula). Hula Kahiko involves vigorous
    hand movements performed to the chants, or mele, of a singer playing
    a gourd drum. Hula Auana, set to contemporary music or accompanied
    by a ukelele, is more gentle and flowing.
    Tahitian
    Tahitian dance consists of fast, rhythmic hip movements, usually set to
    the beat of the toere, or slit-log drum. These hip isolations, known as
    oteas, are the highlight of many luau performances. Tahitian dance
    also has a distinctive basic step for men, paoti, which involves opening
    and closing slightly bent knees like scissors.
    Samoan
    Samoan culture has many visually exciting dances, or siva, such as the
    Siva Afi (fireknife), in which dancers twirl and toss a single- or
    double-bladed knife lit on fire. This dance originated as a way to train
    warriors, as did the Faataupati, or Samoan slap dance, which teaches
    young men coordination by having them smack various parts of their
    bodies.
    Maori
    Maori dance, which originated in New Zealand, often involves sticks,
    songs and games. Particularly notable is the Poi dance, in which Maori
    women twirl Poi ballssmall spheres attached to braided fibersin an
    effort to keep their hands flexible for weaving. The whirring sound
    made by the props is also supposed to evoke the noise of the sea and
    of various animals.
    Fijian
    Fijian dance is characterized by the meke dances, which include the
    spear dance, the fan dance and the sitting dance. Simultaneously
    powerful and graceful, meke are usually accompanied by singing,
    drumming and hand clapping, and are danced during celebrations and
    special occasions.
    Tongan
    One of the most popular Tongan dances is the Tauolunga, often
    performed by girls at weddings, which uses hand movements to
    interpret song lyrics. Other notable Tongan dances include the
    Lakalaka, which uses only arm movements; the Mauluulu, a sitting
    dance; and the Kailao, a war dance in which dancers use clubs to
    simulate combat.
    One of the most beautiful aspects of Polynesian dance is its focus on
    personal expression. Makalina, a teacher with the Hawaiian Express
    and Lei Pasifika dance companies, advises aspiring Polynesian dancers
    to be patient and explore dances thoroughly, but not to worry too

    much about steps and counts or technique. Soon, she says, youll enjoy
    one of the art forms greatest rewards: the feeling of ohana, or family.
    Polynesian dance is feeling expressed in movement, says Enjole,
    Polynesian dance teacher and director of the Hawaiian Tropical
    Paradise Dance Troupe. Its culture, history, artistry, pageantry,
    discipline and passion all in one.

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