The beautifully talented Lehia, is no stranger to the 'Ori Tahiti World. She has competed in major Heiva Competitions in Tahiti. Has also participated in the 'Ori Tahiti Nui Competitions. But is definitely well known for her amazing faarapu. This is why we chose to feature Lehia today in our Faarapu Friday Feature #2. 

Lehia comes from a family of dancers. Her Mother even competed in the Heiva as a soloist, won. As did Lehia. She competed in the 2014 Heiva I Tahiti, with highly acclaimed Dance Troupe, Tahiti Ora. Lehia placed second in the solo category and received high praise for her choreography and faarapu. 

Lehia has traveled the world teaching various dance groups the magical world of 'Ori Tahiti. She trains and teaches workshops, and our Team is lucky to be hosting one of her workshops in December. Lehia has taught in Japan and America. We get to be a part of it all with our Yula Team opening for her. 

​If you would like to catch a LIVE show of Lehia. You can see her, along with Tahiti Ora, at the Tahiti Ia Ora Resort in Punaauia. It is definitely a show you do not want to miss. She is mostly featured as the main soloists, switching off with other talented girls. But it is definitely worth watching the show. 

The beauty. The warmth and the charming islands of Tahiti. There really is no other place like it. Tahiti and her islands are one of the most phenomenal honeymoon locations in the world. The clear blue waters, the floral scent of trop flowers, the greenery and the warmth of the people. All of this makes for an award winning country, like Tahiti. 

There is so much to discover within these beautiful islands. The culture alone adds so much vibrancy to this already well sculpted location. The culture contains dance, music, language, poetry and island love. This stems from a non-written language country. Imagine showing all of this with words by native speaking communities. It is beautiful. 

This was taken from the windward side of the Tahitian Islands. Down where the surf competitions are well known for. Teahupoo. We were so lucky to be able to visit that side, and fly our drone. 

One of the best things we loved about Tahiti, just ONE of them. Was the scenery. You could not go anywhere and not be impressed with how amazing the islands of Tahiti are. The sunsets were probably another ONE thing we loved. Our Team is very fortunate to be a part of this beautiful world, but to say we come from the islands of Tahiti, makes it even better.

In January our Team will be doing LIVE class feeds from Tahiti and will be doing them 3 times a day. Make sure you sign up here to get those updates and information. You wont want to miss them. 

Photos: Kai Kamai. Air Tahiti Nui. Wundr Media. 

The man. The myth. The Legend. Mevina Liufau has single handedly changed the way America has experienced the Tahitian Culture. Mevina comes from the Legendary Liufau/Nonosina family. Raised in Anaheim California. Danced 99.9% of his life. Trained with O Tahiti E in their Heiva 1998. Won numerous awards for his family dance group, Nonosina. The list goes on, literally. The entire Blog could be all of his accomplishments. 

Mevina has always been a kind and caring brother, son, dad and friend. He thrives at trying to please all while teaching and sharing his love for the Tahitian Culture. He loves his Samoan heritage as well. Definitely coming from such an amazing family, a family that has also been deeply rooted in the Polynesian Cultures. 

Mevina, however, took a very big liking to the Tahitian Culture. And did a VERY good job at sharing it with the world. Especially with the American Continent. His style was different, his interpretation of the Tahitian language was different. He maintained the roots of the Culture and added his own flare. His flare won multiple awards through out his time with Nonosina.

Nonosina was a family group that usually averaged 200 to 600 students. Maybe even in the thousands. That is how great they were with sharing the Tahitian culture. Also with their Samoan culture flawlessly integrated into their classes. Nonosina continues to share their knowledge today, even with the new change and shift for Mevina. However, we will be featuring Nonosina in another Blog for you all to enjoy. 

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Amongst loving the Tahitian culture, Mevina had a love for the People of Japan. He felt it his mission to continue his family legacy in Japan. He, and his beautiful family, relocated to Japan to build, yet again, another empire of dancers. He named his own group, Tavake Rereata. Mevina, along with his beautiful and talented wife Napua, created a very well known group in Japan. They have classes and shows regularly in Japan. 

We have high hopes to one day work with  Tavake Rereata and their fun Leaders. For now, we sit back and enjoy their show creations and their rehearsals. 

Enjoy this wonderful video of Tavake Rereata at the Ori Tahiti Nui Competition run by our friend, Tumata Robinson. Thank you to Mevina to always sharing your love for the Tahitian Culture. You have done so much and accomplished a lot. We wish you all the success in your continued journey. Mauruuru Roa!! 

Photos & Videos: Nonosina. Mevina Liufau. Ori Tahiti Nui. San Jose Tahiti Fete. 

Video: Marc Louvat
Photos: Natalia Louvat. Moana Blackstone. Cheryl Lyon.

The beautiful, the loving, the talented. Natalia Louvat. Our Team was lucky enough to Travel to Tahiti, again, and followed dancers very closely, Sadly, we were not able to visit and follow this beautiful Vahine, Natalia. She was in France with family during the summer of 2019. Yet, we were told of many wonderful stories about her and her journey through 'Ori Tahiti. 

Natalia started at a young age of 3, learning 'ori tahiti, and has never stopped since. Natalia has fallen in love with her Tahitian Culture and has shared it through many competitions, shows and classes at her very own Dance School. Today, at the age of 20, Natalia has her own Dance School and enjoys working with students and sharing her love for her culture, with all of them. 

Natalia won the 2018 'Ori Tahiti Nui Competition, and rightly so. With her love for her culture and the knowledge she has garnered during her journey with Great Cultural Teachers from Tahiti. She has earned her way up the ranks of Tahitian Teachers for today's society. Natalia having begun with Makau Foster, at Tamariki Poerani, Natalia has worked with the best. Now dancing with Professional Performing Dance Company, Tahiti Ora, Natalia continues to share her culture, not only through her school, but through performances every Friday night and Japan Tours. 

Our Team chose Natalia to start our Faarapu Friday Features because she has definitely earned the spot. One of our Ambassadors had a chat with her and reported back with nothing but kindness from their chats. She is excited to see us in January and we are hoping to do some projects with her in Tahiti. Good luck with al of your endeavors Natalia, we will always support you and your journey through 'Ori Tahiti. 

From our Team to you Natalia!! You are our Faarapu Friday Feature #1. Ia Ora Na. Bisous. Merci d'avoir partager notre couture avec le monde. 

Fa'arapu Friday Feature #1

In any dance form, there is always a story being told. Whether in Hip Hop, Jazz or Modern. A story of sadness, happiness or even betrayal can be told in dance form through its choreography. Hula, on the other hand, takes it a little further. They literally create a story with their body movement. Using basic Hawaiian dance steps to innovative choreography. A story is built, shared and danced through Hula. From the falling mist with their hands to the embracing of ones love by gesturing motions close to the heart. 

Hula is a form of dance created by the Natives of Hawaii, the Kanaka Hawai'i, also known as the Hawaiians. It dates back to precolonial days when they used this form of dance as a way to battle and intimidate other warring tribes. Men used it first, and in this case it was a Hula version called, Kahiko. A lot more strong and warlike. Women were also warriors back in Ancient Hawaiian days. The Hula was a form of strength and power. In modern days today, the strength still resides strong with the Hawaiian people. It is part of who they are. 

This wonderful video is of the beautiful Hula Halau O Kamuela. Featuring the soothing voice of Josh Tatofi. Amazing clip of the Hula for you to enjoy!

When visiting Hawaii, on your next cruise or family trip, we encourage you to ask more about the Hula being danced. ask about the story, the breakdown and the way it was choreographed. You will have the opportunity to learn its true meaning and how it is created. Hula is a part of many of our Ambassadors here at Yula Dance Fitness. Many of us have learned it when young and continue to live it today. 

We will upload more videos of Hula forms and dances. It will definitely be our honor to share more of our Hawaiian and Tahitian basics with our wonderful followers. 

If you would like to know more about our online subscription plan coming soon, please send us your email information. We would love to add you to our Emailing List for our Dance Fitness Program and our Dance Factory Online Courses. For anyone around the world. Have a wonderful day!!

The Polynesian Cultural Center is a wonderful blend of multiple Polynesian Cultures brought into one location for all to enjoy. The islands featured in this beautiful cultural center are Hawaii, Samoa, Tonga, New Zealand and of course the islands of Tahiti. This concept was created by the LDS Church to create a location for Polynesian islanders to work and attend college. At the heart of the windward part of Oahu, what started out as Church College, later renamed Brigham Young University, was founded to give another option for College in the South Pacific Islands. 

The Polynesian Cultural Center has been praised for bringing knowledge to the rest of the world because of their mission to share the culture through dance, music and education. 

Our Team was lucky enough to attend many of their activities and shows during the day. Then we had the chance to eat at their Luau Buffet at the Hale Ku Ai. We watched their new canoe show, Huki. Also attended their night show, HA. We will breakdown our experience with you all today. Remember, many of us are former dancers from the Polynesian Cultural Center.

All Pictures: Polynesian Cultural Center & Brigham Young University Hawaii

First time back for our Team since 1996. Many of us were dancers in the MANA and HORIZON Night Show. And also danced for the Ali'i Luau and the former canoe show, Treasure of Polynesia. Some of our Ambassadors even danced back in the 'This is Polynesia' Night Show. So, here we go. 

Our first activity for the day, was of course the Villages of each island. We visited Hawaii, Samoa, New Zealand and then Tahiti. We also had the chance to visit the Marquise Village. That was fun. The villages remain the same. True to their teachings and values of each culture. We had fun participating as tourists and not the entertainers. Wonderful job to all the Villages at the Polynesian Cultural Center. 

During the day of visiting Villages, we were told the Canoe show was about to begin. We took our seats in an area they normally hold the canoe shows, however, we were told they are only doing it in one area. So, we had to move to the one area they hold it. 

The canoe show began, and we were not as impressed as we would have like to have been. It was newer, modern and a copy of Moana. Mostly about Maui, the God who pulled the islands of the water for his people. We have grown up in such a different time of dance and sharing our culture, that this was definitely different. The basics were lost, but the entertainment value was there, for sure. Costumes create the message well, so that is a good thing. As for traditional values, not so much. 

As we moved on to our Dinner Buffet, we were extremely ready to eat and have fun watching their show at the Luau. Of course, we were definitely hungry as well. When we were at the line to get in, they did a little presentation of what they would be serving. That was a great little addition to sharing our foods and culture through example. Brilliant idea. We did not wait long, and we were taking to our table for 11. We patiently waited for the food lines to open. They did a wonderful musical prayer. Prayers are always welcome in any form. Time to eat. The food was amazing. The music was phenomenal. The dancers were young and trying. It was all a great atmosphere. Thank you Luau staff for making it so memorable and keeping it a Luau style environment. 

The night was coming to a close and all we had left to watch was the night show. we had heard varying revues about the show. Some good, mostly bad. So, we went in ready to just be entertained. 

To say the least, we had a few friends leave and just enjoy the ambiance outside of the Theatre, as that was more culturally correct than the show, HA. A lot of Team members did agree it was HA as in laughter. Many of us stayed indoors to continue watching the show. We did leave with sadness to see what had become of the Night Show. Once powerful and full of MANA and ALOHA, now just a desperate reach for acceptance to other shows around the world. It was indeed rough to watch. However, it definitely continues to share the base core of our Polynesian values. That is the main thing. 

​To most people, the haka is a war dance. In pre-European and early contact times, the haka was used as a part of the formal welcoming process when two parties came together. But the word “haka” simply means a dance, or a song accompanied by dance.

​The haka is a type of ancient Māori war dance traditionally used on the battlefield, as well as when groups came together in peace. Haka are a fierce display of a tribe's pride, strength and unity.

There really is no secret to the beauty of the Tahitian islands, but what makes Tahiti beautiful is more than just the lush greenery, the blue oceans, the array of exotic flowers. It's the people that live on these beautiful islands. They're such a mix of cultures but in the end remain Tahitian to their core. The women of Tahiti have always been known for their mysterious allure and their double take beauty. Why is this? 

To us, the answer was simple. Their beautiful on the inside. We could take down a million roads where Americans have been drawn to the Tahitian women because of their kindness and ability to serve without worries of their own. The fact that they are beautiful on the outside, is quite the perk. Tahitian women have also been brought up in their beautiful culture and dance world. If you have not seen their dance world, we will post a video below. Another reason the women of Tahiti stand out amongst many worldly cultures. 

We had the occasion to travel around Tahiti and speak to many of the well known dancers from various award winning dance companies in Tahiti. From Tahiti Ora, Moeata Ori Tahiti School to O Tahiti E and Hitireva. All amazing women doing what they love. Sharing their culture with the world and serving others who wish to learn how to dance their culture. Such amazing women. We were intrigued with the level of kindness that came from these women. Then to have them radiate light through service and teaching. Phenomenal. 

Interesting fact, all of these schools and dance companies were run by Women. Strong, passionate and beautiful women. Moeata, of Moeata Ori Tahiti School, embraced us with open arms and spoke of creation, love for her culture and family. Tumata Robinson, of Tahiti Ora, created a very well known Dance Company that tours the world representing Tahiti & her Islands. She was amazing to watch in her element. Marguerite Lai, Leader and Chef of O Tahiti E, taught us about preserving the language and the culture. All such strong women. The most powerful groups in Tahiti. 

Now keep in mind, these are just the Women. Let's get to the dancers of these amazing dance companies. We met and spoke to so many. It was educational to see how passionate these young women are about their culture. They love to dance. They love to eat their Tahitian food. They love to dress up in their native styles and flaunt it, as if they were in a Fashion show. These young ladies were each beautiful in their own unique way. Yet, kindness remained a common factor with all of these young women. They made sure we were comfortable, they made sure we were fed and they made sure we were enjoying our stay in Tahiti. Amongst these dancers were formers Miss Tahiti & Miss France winners. Yet, you never would have known this because of their humility and kindness. We met with Vaimala, Miss France 2019. We met with other Miss Tahiti & Miss France winners. All such gracious ladies. 

In the end, these rare pearls of the South Pacific, truly are. Beautiful women. Beautiful TAHITIAN Women.