“It’s also important to get into what’s left of nature. Really get into it.
Walk across a moor for an afternoon - be open to it, whatever the weather.
Let yourself be affected by it.
Because when you feel nature and adapt to it, when you let it adjust the way you walk,
your speed, your directions and plans, then you come to love it.
This is your teacher or your mother, and you love it.
And what you love deeply, you’ll sacrifice for. ”
Kumu June with baby Kaia, daughter of Junko and Man Chow, and newest Halau member.
We practiced hula outside together (socially distanced) a week ago in front of the Field House at Thatcher Woods in Illinois. It’s the first time we’ve danced together and outside since Covid arrived in mid-March. It was glorious!!!
I had forgotten, how inspiring something as simple as dancing on the grass on the wide commons under a big cloudy sky could be. Dancing surrounded by trees that danced with us when the wind blew had such huge effects on my entire being.
It was a symphony of leaves rustling as branches bent and swayed with us. I heard a squirrel, in a nearby tree, chirping with me as I chanted the songs of Pele, our volcano goddess, and her sister, Hi’iakaikapoliopele, goddess of hula and healing.
Once I looked up at the sky and saw a hummingbird. It’s wings were beating fast but it stayed stationary, defying gravity, magically facing the tree's tall boughs.
There is also a beautiful energy that builds when we physically dance together - just like when we meditate together. Being in nature amplifies that energy.
One of my favorite dances is Kukaniloko - to anchor the cry within - about the birthing stones on Oahu. It was taught to us by Kuana Torres Kahele. I love the message of the mele (song). There are so many feelings swirling about these days of Covid and the upcoming presidential election. Kukaniloko teaches us to be patient and work with our feelings instead of reacting. Notice them, pause, and bear witness to them.
You don't have to change your feelings, but to work skillfully with them, you must breathe and notice how they feel in your body. Also notice your thoughts and try not to feed them. Shift your focus to your breath, go for a walk or practice loving kindness for you and your feelings. Say to yourself over and over again like a soothing mantra, "May I be safe. May I be happy. May I be healthy. May I live with ease."
When we danced this mele, I knew we all put our everything into the dance. We were the women giving birth, the birds, the sound of the pahu (drums). I noticed that the wind, whipping up a bit and rushing through the trees, caused them to sway in unison with us - exhilarating and still we kept our focus!
We danced ancient and modern hula in this marvelous environment for two hours. I felt so grounded and embodied. By the time we left, Thatcher Woods was not just a park but our dear, dear old friend connected by a strong aloha (love).
Malama pono (take good care of body, mind, and heart),
June Kaililani Ryushin Tanoue
Kumu Hula, Sensei
P.S. Please vote everyone! And if you want to do something valuable go to Vote Forward, https://votefwd.org/ and sign up to send non-partisan letters to important swing states. It's easy to do and you'll be helping to turn out the vote!