Back Together Again?

For several years, Hula Dance For Health has provided enjoyable, physical activity for dancers in the Greater Victoria Area. Graceful Hula dance performances to lyrical Hawai’ian music have given a great deal of pleasure and wonderful memories for residents of hospitals and nursing homes on Vancouver Island. Then COVID-19 hit, forcing the program to be put on hold.

In preparation for re-establishing Hula Dance for Health classes for the 2021/22 season, dancers were asked for feedback. Responses received were enthusiastic and informative, reinforcing the importance of re-opening Hula Dance for Health, at ‘Dance Victoria’ in September.

Dancers shared the personal benefits they received from Hula: “Hula combines full body movement - strength, balance and flexibility plus breath and cardio workout with the concentration, patterning, and memory demands that are so important for healthy brains.” “Creatively, the vibrant colours we wear, the way our bodies interpret the lovely words of the songs, and images that the music elicits as we dance, add other dimensions to the experience.”

Dancers expressed messages relating the joy they experienced, when they performed at retirement facilities: “We always receive much more at these outings than we give.”

This is the ‘Spirit of Aloha’ in action: waves going out and waves coming in.

Hula Dance for Health, MaryLee Alexander, Director 250.532.3962 E: huladanceforhealth@icloud.com