Day 1 - Happy New Year - starting new with 365 Days of Hula

Happy New Year!  It's the first day of 2014!   I set up this blog almost 2 years, with a passion for Polynesian dance & hula, and the desire to challenge myself, become healthier, and lose weight.   I have continued to dance over the last 2 years, but not consistently, and I haven't blogged about it. I still have the same goals and desires.  Today I start NEW!

I did a great job on my first blog post in 2012 explaining my thoughts behind this blog.  If I wait to recreate that post I will never actually post anything, or get started on my goals, so I'm just getting started!  I'll share a little each day of my story.

Big news! In June 2013, I became a certified  HOT HULA fitness® instructor!   I started teaching classes a month ago, and I'm looking forward to an amazing 2014!  I couldn't be happier.   In September 2013, I found my "sister" in HOT HULA fitness® - an old friend.  We totally connected & she has challenged and encouraged me to actually start TEACHING!  We taught our first class the day after Thanksgiving 2013.  So Much Fun!

I have enjoyed dancing with my nieces and sister here and there over the last few years. I am really blessed to have one niece that has stuck with it.  She is amazing, very talented.  After just a few months of classes, she was asked to join a Polynesian dance performing group.  Such an honor.  I look forward to practicing with this niece more in 2014.

I spent time with my family today planning our 2014, and setting our goals.   I have many goals, but several center around getting healthy, moving more, dancing often, and helping others.

For 2014, I plan to dance or exercise EVERY day, with some sort of "hula" or Polynesian dance - - - either by attending Polynesian dance classes, teaching & attending HOT HULA fitness® classes, practicing my HOT HULA fitness® at home, and practicing other Polynesian and hula dance.  Plus I will walk, do resistance training, and master another form of dance fitness (more to follow about that).   In addition to getting fit through dance fitness, I want to polish my Polynesian dance skills, and learn/master basic choreography for each of the following islands:  Samoa, Hawaii, Tahiti, New Zealand, and maybe others.  

Today I went through 3 awesome HOT HULA fitness® videos on youtube.  This is a wonderful new option that makes practicing at home so easy!!!   I did the videos for week 1 and 2.   This is the same "siva" (Samoan word for dance) choreography that we are teaching in class, so this was good practice.  It was about 1/2 hour total.   It felt great to move after two weeks of holiday visitors & meals, and emergency room visit and health issues.  MOVING MORE IN 2014!  

The videos can all be found on this youtube channel:
http://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_a_focl132rYt9cMgRyn3Q

Start with this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3x-3l8wFiQ&feature=c4-overview&list=UU_a_focl132rYt9cMgRyn3Q

Enjoy the journey!  Happy New Year!  May 2014 be the best year ever, for everyone!