CLASS REVIEW
Come On Ya Wanna Hula?
by Amy Bauer
 You could assume it would be hard to get your hula on in a small Austin classroom — far from Hawaii — in the middle of February. I too would’ve assumed as much, until I met our class instructor. While haggard sweat pants and gym shoes may be appropriate for most fitness classes, they seemed ill-suited for my very first hula class (cold and slightly wet from the seemingly endless drizzle), especially when instructor Carol Stockton graced the scene in more fitting, tropical attire.
Adorned with flowers in her hair and wrapped around her waist, Stockton, a native of Honolulu, Hawaii, truly embodies the festive spirit of the hula classes she’s been teaching for more than 20 years.
The quaint room where she teaches is actually connected to her garage, filled to the brim with Hawaiian artifacts, such as coconuts, beach pictures, instruments and straw hats. And to take a class in the privacy of someone’s home with a small group, rather than in a larger, less intimate space, is certainly a nice change.
At 6 p.m., seven women ranging in age from 25 to 60 trickled into the small room wearing attire as diverse as their ages; some wore loose-fitting clothes, such as lightweight shorts and T-shirts, while others were decked out in beach dresses and colorful sarongs. What they did all have in common was their bare feet and the desire to put their hula dancing hips to the test for the first time.
Class started off with some basic stretches to get warmed up and limber. As the class twisted, bent and stretched, Stockton entertained the women with childhood stories from Hawaii.
“Hawaii is very cosmopolitan. I feel my life has been enriched from being
exposed to a lot of different cultures and foods,” she says.
Everyone introduced themselves and talked about their expectations of the class. The general consensus was that Hawaiian dancing looked like a fun and different way to lose a little weight and tone the midsection. For instance, first time class member, Dephanie Cates, thinks all of the hip shaking was great for tummy work.
“This class [seems] good for getting rid of that 22-year-old baby fat I’m still carrying around!” she says.
Meanwhile, the mood-inspiring music was a mix of Hawaiian chanting and ocean waves rolling in the background. To begin, the class started only with the arms. Standing straight and tall, the women outstretched to either side and began to move their arms in slow waves. A long-time ballet dancer, Stockton encouraged the women to focus on their postures.
“Pretend there is an imaginary line in the middle of your body, keeping you nice and tall,” Stockton said. The class did accordingly, then added a kahulo, or side step. After mastering this, Stockton then added an ami, or circular motion, requiring muscular strength to keep the knees in a pleated position. This immediately sent the class into fits of giggles as they attempted to get their hips in gear. Stockton explained that when it comes to moving your hips, many times you have “one good side and one bad side, like your hair.”
Stockton’s references to movements using their proper Hawaiian names added an educational element to the class. It really helped quicken the learning process because each Hawaiian name had a corresponding action, making it seem like a new story was being told with each new motion.
Stockton then increased the intensity level of the class by turning on a brief Tahitian tune. Keeping the top part of the body “quiet”, everyone was instructed to shake their hips feverishly, increasing the aerobic property of the class. This one-minute routine left the entire class short of breath and pink-faced. Everyone agreed this was a great way to get the heart rate up and have a good time.
Finally, one of the best parts of the class was finding out that all of the practice was going to be used for a worthy cause. After months of weekly practice sessions, Stockton takes her dancers to retirement homes around Austin as a community service.
They perform a Western-influenced routine and get to show off what they’ve learned in class.
“I think what we do is so important and special,” says Stockton. “It’s a great way to give something back to the community.”
Though many of you out there probably feel like performing in front of a crowd is positively terrifying, you can definitely set your fears aside. Stockton really takes the time to make sure everyone is ready for the grand performance.
“Some learn faster than others, but practice and repetition are key for everyone. Eventually, when you dance in front of an audience, your body begins to move to the music freely. This allows you to be more interactive and comfortable to smile and be expressive,” she says.
Classes are held every Monday at 8301 Yaupon Dr. from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. The cost is $5 per student. Space is limited so call 258 -8674 to reserve a spot. For further information, visit www.hawaiian-kona-isle.com.
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