Cottonwood AZ (April 17, 2021) – Now in its 17th year, Kumu Hula (master teacher) Kehau Chrisman announces Beginner Hula classes. Here is your opportunity to try something new, exercise and have fun, all while becoming immersed in the culture of Hawaii.
In 2003, Chrisman moved to Arizona from Hawaii. She has accumulated over 37 years immersed in hula, of which 17 were spent training in Hawaii to reach the highest rank of Hula Master (similar to a PhD in Hula) by following rigorous hula protocols taught by well-known and respected masters in Hawaii’s hula legacy. She first started teaching hula in Hawaii in 1997 and has been teaching in Northern and Central Arizona since 2004. Since opening the Cottonwood hula school in 2004, Chrisman has been teaching Hawaiian culture, including music, dance, ‘ukulele and language. Students travel from all over the Verde Valley, Flagstaff and Prescott seeking her Hawaiian cultural knowledge.
Learning hula from Kumu is extremely rewarding as shared by some of her current students: “Hula has instilled discipline, confidence, dedication and much happiness in my life.”, “Learning about the Hawaiian culture widens my world views of what is important to me.”, “Hula is fun and brings me much joy.”, “Hula has enhanced my life and given me a wonderful extended family, treasured friendships and camaraderie.” A recent study published in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience 8/29/17 and mentioned in the AARP Bulletin June 2019 suggests that learning new dances is superior to repetitive exercises in increasing neural connections in older peoples’ brains. Combining movement with learning a new language as most hula song lyrics are in Hawaiian will provide even more health benefits.
Beginners Hula Class – Open to the public, women & men age 15 and older. Learn basic hula and feet movements, plus language, culture, and values. Thursdays from 6 to 7pm, beginning May 6 through June 10. Fee is $48 for the six-week session, payable at the first class. Please follow CDC guidelines by wearing face masks and practice social distancing.
Hula classes are held at the Verde Village Property Owners Association (VVPOA) Clubhouse in the Main Hall. The VVPOA Clubhouse is located at 4855 Broken Saddle Drive in Cottonwood. Monthly hula classes are also available in Prescott Valley. For more information and directions to the VVPOA Clubhouse, either visit www.arizonahula.com, call Chrisman at (928) 639-4683, or email HulaIsAloha@gmail.com.