You know, Ive been really trying VERY HARD not to rant or vent so much on FB about EVERYTHING that irritates me lately because quite frankly, Ive been focusing on surrounding myself with positive and fulfilling people that promotes positive and fulfilling thoughts and feelings. I truly do love the feeling and accomplishment of trying to ignore irrelevant behaviors, actions and comments. However, with that being said, I do have a strong concern that is very relevant to me, some who are a part of my community, and may also be relevant to anyone reading this (even in other practices.) For anyone who is/was a halau (well) trained hula dancer or Kumu Hula, is it a general understanding that a lot of the time hula is hard physically, mentally, intellectually and spiritually? I mean REALLY HARD! Can I also assume that for most well trained mea hula with ample years off experience, we sacrifice A LOT, make HUGE commitments, and should do it without complaint both for our progression as mea hula, but more importantly, for the progression, perpetuation and aloha for hula itself? Lastly, is it safe to say that if we cannot make these commitments, we may not be able to partake in the great opportunities that hula and halau may provide for us, therefore, causing one to either go somewhere else (another papa that requires less work or another halau) or choose another practice that does not require such hard work and commitment because we know that hula is NOT A HOBBY? How dare anyone say the H word! Am I wrong to think these things? Should i reevaluate my expectations as a Kumu Hula when it comes to these things mentioned above? NO!!! I wont do it! I often hear hula people make woe is me comments reminding me of how much sacrifice they made about this, or how their body was tortured during training for that, how mentally exhausting or physically draining competition or hoike practice was, and how hula is taking over their lives and that their family life is suffering because of it. I hear it quite a lot actually, and not just from my students, but from other hula people in the hula community as well. I just listen and nod my head and say, Ahhh, okay, yes it is hard wwork. But in my head I wanna roll my eyes (I may have once or twice) and say, No dance den! Many of us often reminisce and even laugh about the time Kumu threw the ipu at your head and he missed but caught you the secoond time with the coffee cup (still full of coffee), or remind us of the 8 hour practices you had for Merrie Monarch, finishing practice at 1 am to only be up at 5am for stage rehearsal, or missing parties, holidays or even Sunday dinners to use as examples (and warnings) for newer hula brothers or sisters who may not know what to expect. That is not what this post is about. Its about the whining and especially about blaming hula, your halau or your Kumu for your misfortunes that you feel was caused by hula. Look, if you are a WELL TRAINED halau dancer, I am 300% sure that your Kumu has given you a heads up on what they expect........... or you wasnt paying attention! I know I do, LOUD AND CLEAR! So if your Kumu says you cannot cut your hair, you cannot cut your hair! Maybe you need to stop watching TV so you wont want to look like Selina Gomez! Selina doesnt dance hula! Like I said, hula is HARD! It is not for the weak, and only the strong survive! Perhaps you may need to talk to and consult with your loved ones that may be affected by your hula schedule and activity. Your ohana must be just as on board as you. If you cannot commit to a strenuously driven papa for ANY reason, maybe transfer to a class that suits you better. You cannot be in a competition or show group and go to practice when you can. It doesnt work like that. You cannot have your cake and eat it too! And if your body cannot handle, know your limits. But STOP CONTINUOUSLY WHINING ABOUT IT!!! Believe me, Im realizing Im no spring chicken myself, and my body cannot do the things it could 5 years ago, therefore I probably wont try out to be in Uncle Johnnys next Merrie Monarch Kane line. Of course, if the Kumu calls I must go.....thats when you shut your phone off for good, lol. IM KIDDING! And you wanna know physically hard hula, dance for Johnny Lum Ho and some of the other whip-um-go-get-um halau. THEY ARE HARD!!! Geez this was a long one! E kala mai iau, but I just thought Id share that I DONT WANT TO HEAR IT! And if you try to tell me, I AM GOING TO IGNORE YOU! Mahalo for letting me voice my manao and whats in my naau. Now back to my feel good place! Aloha awakea ia oukou! ALOHA!
Posted on: Fri, 19 Sep 2014 22:14:16 +0000
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