“Loving is the whole basis of this path, the natural abundance of being itself.”
Joy Yamasaki, Hanale West and June Tanoue dance Maunaleo at Zen Life & Meditation Center's Annual Meeting.
I just began teaching a beginner keiki (children’s) class on zoom for ages 5 - 7 years old. I am learning a lot from these young children: four 5 year olds and a 7 year old.
Five year old Leo is the first boy to attend this class. He comes with his 7 year old sister Sunny started and he joined after a couple of weeks.
He is the second male in the halau. I’ve been noticing his spunky energy and how much he’s been enjoying the class. Older sister Sunny is very loving with him. She helps him patiently with the different hand and arm motions.
I’m teaching Hawaiian words and arm movements for the Descriptive Hula. This is a dance I ask all newcomers to the halau to learn because it teaches the basic mannerisms of our school. The last verse describes picking flowers to make a lei and then giving that lei to someone with a lot of love.
My verbal instruction is that students are supposed to hug themselves when the words of the song sings, “…with all our love…” Instead Leo and Sunny spontaneously hug each other during this part of the dance with infectious youthful enthusiasm. It tickles me tremendously and confirms that there is deep goodness in the world.
The spiritual path of hula is somewhat surprisingly very entwined with my zen path. It’s important to be genuine and open-hearted when you dance and yes, spontaneous and in the moment too. These two little ones have shown me how they love no matter what!
Malama pono (take good care of body and mind),
June Kaililani Ryushin Tanoue
Kumu Hula, Sensei
P.S. Enjoy 21 students of Halau i Ka Pono dancing Kaiona, lyrics by Puakea Nogelmeier and sung by Keali’i Reichel. Kaiona is the Hawaiian Goddess of the Lost who helps people find the path. Mahalo to videographer Oscar Caudell.