Class Schedule

Hula & Tahitian dances are culture, history, artistry, pageantry, discipline, passion, & community all in one. 

Hula & Tahitian (Zoom/ live-streaming classes) July 2021 Weekly class schedule with Saliima:

Tues. 8pm EST Level 1 (Beg.)

Th.  8pm EST Level 2 & 3

First class is free!  Aloha Donations $7 – $14 per class (you choose what you pay).  If you want to join a class, send me your email at least  1 hr. before class through Face book messenger, text (919) 491-4363, or email me at saliimadance@gmail.com

Saliima is always expanding her knowledge and skills as a student and as a teacher of Hula and Tahitian Dance.  Saliima will always be a student of Hula, and she shares the Hula traditions and style of Kumu Pattye Kealohalani Wright who founded the Halau Hula (school of Hula), Na Puakea O Ko;olaupoko, in 1973.  The Hula school is located in Kailua on the isalnd of O’ahu.

Kumu Pattye Kealohalani Wright is a traditional Kumu Hula and teaches a specific Hula lineage.  Her Kahiko (traditional style) teacher was Aunty Lani Kalama.  Aunty Lani’s teacher was the well reknowned Lokalia Montgomery of Kailua, O’ahu.  Her ‘auana (Modern Hula) dance teacher was Bella Richards of Kailua, O’ahu.  Aunty Bella came from the Hilo tradition of ai ha’a style dancing, characterized by a deep bend on the knees and rolling of the feet.  For more information about Kumu Pattye Kealohalani Wright and her Hula school go www.realhula.com

Saliima’s Tahitian dance style follows the style and technique of Tumata Robinson and Lorenzo who lead and direct “Les Grands Ballets de Tahiti” on the island of Tahiti.

Payment options:
PayPal.me/saliimadance
Venmo: @saliima-Owen
Zelle: Saliima Owen 919-491-4363

Group & Private Class options & weekly schedule:

You can join any Level 1 class for just the first 40 minutes to learn the basics steps and short movement sequences.  The last 20 min. of class will be a choreography that builds over 4 to 6 weeks.  You can also request a private lesson on a sliding scale of $30-$60 for a 30-40 min. class for 1 or 2 people.

Level 1: Beginner Hula & Tahitian (drop-in anytime)

First 40 minutes of class include stretches, isolations, basic footwork, hips, and hand gestures for Hula and Tahitian Dance.  Last 20 minutes of last will teach mini-dances that combine what you learned in the first part of class that will build over 4 to 6 weeks.  No dance experience necessary, all ages welcome. For experienced dancers. this class will help you articulate and perfect your basic steps and your movement quality.  These dances are low impact, and steps can be done in a very gentle style or in an athletic style. Saliima will give options so you can dance at your own level.  You can even do this class in a chair following the hand gestures, and moving your feet while seated and still enjoy these beautiful, joy filled Pacific Island Art Forms.

Level 2 &3 : Int./Adv. Hula and Tahitian (8 week session to learn a full choreography.)  Ask Saliima when you can join this class ) This class is for dancers who have taken my beginner classes and feel comfortable and confident in the basic steps.  Also for dancers with experience in other dance styles, who feel they can learn quickly.  Performance options available.  This class will move more quickly and have more complex choreography.

Beginner Hula & Tahitian dance Class Description:

• Explore Hawaiian & Tahitian rhythms, arm gestures, hip movements, & music.
• For beginners (men & women) Hula & Tahitian movements can be done in a simple, low impact style; or they can be done in a sophisticated, athletic style. Saliima will teach both the simple and sophisticated styles, so all students can enjoy Hula at their own pace.
• Improve posture, ease, flexibility, and coordination.
• Tone & Strengthen your body with elegant, graceful movement! Tell stories about love, friendship, and the beauty of nature through beautiful hand gestures, swaying hips, and tropical rhythms.
• Barefoot dance, but can also be danced in any smooth bottom shoes.
• Bring comfortable skirt or sarong. Saliima will bring Sarongs to class for students to buy or borrow.

What is Hula?

     Hula is Hawaii’s native dance. It falls under the larger category of Polynesian dance, or Pacific Island dances. Polynesian dance encompasses Tahitian, Tongan, Samoan, Fijian, Maori (New Zealand) and Hawaiian styles. Today’s 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.

What to wear to Hula & Tahitian class:

Top: Comfortable, cool tank top or T-shirt.

Bottom: A sarong, or a long (calf or angle length) skirt with biker shorts, or leggings underneath.  Saliima brings several sarongs and skirts to the first day of class.  If you want to support her business, she also sells her favorite, high quality sarongs and skirts from businesses she trusts and has a relationship with.  She will sell accessories on her website soon.

Feet: Traditionally Hula is danced barefoot. If you need support for your feet, flat shoes with a smooth bottom are recommended (Ballet slippers or Jazz shoes work well)  Saliima has some specific, favorite dance flats she wears for Hula if she needs extra support (or is dancing on a surface that is too harsh on the feet) that she can recommend.

Hula Accessories to wear in class: Always fun to wear a flower in your hair, flower or fern bracelets, and a shell or flower lei! Saliima will bring some of these accessories to the first day or people to try on.   If you want to support her business, she also sells her favorite, high quality Hula accessories from businesses she trusts and has a relationship with.  She will sell accessories on her website soon...

Saliima also teaches kids creative movement, Ballet, Tap, Acro/Hip Hop dance classes (ages 2 to 11) at Move Studio Charlotte on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the Fall. For more specific information go to www.movestudiocharlotte.com

No matter what style of dance Saliima teaches, she always aims to inspire hearts to malama/take care of our beautiful planet and to build ohana/stronger families & communities through music and dance from around the world

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