Ancient hula originated as a spiritual practice and ritual, timed astronomically, to communicate with cosmic forces. It is a way of life based on aloha (divine love). Hawaiians believed all is sacred. This is deeply felt in hula feet as they merge with sacred earth, and hips as they sway with water or ignite with fire, creating mana (energy) to magically reach into higher realms.

Dhyana Bartkow, MA, BEd., has danced hula for 10 years in Hawaii as part of a traditional hula halau of ancient lineage. She is also a Lomilomi healer (Hawaiian shamanic bodywork), Nia black belt, yoga and chikung teacher at Inner Moves Wellness Centre on the Sunshine Coast. www.innermoves.com