A Qualitative Exploration of Dancing Hula for Health

Date
2015-05
Authors
Duong, Brenda
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Tse, Alice
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Nursing
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University of Hawaii at Manoa
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Abstract
This study sought to illicit views about hula, the traditional dance of Native Hawaiians, as connections to health and well-being. Self-regulation and social cognitive theory were the guiding frameworks. Dancing hula was selected as the intervention of focus since prior research demonstrated the energy expenditure of dancing hula is equivalent with moderate and vigorous intensity exercise. Two focus group interviews were held: one with cardiac rehabilitation participants of a hālau hula (hula school) (n=6), and the other with participants of a structured women’s life management and drug abuse treatment program (n=4). Analysis resulted in 4 major themes: • Hula promotes physical health. • Hula promotes mental health. • Hula promotes social support. • Hula promotes spirituality. Dancing hula for health was perceived as teaching effective self-regulation. For the hālau participants, hula provided strong, significant, and enduring connections and also a social and cultural avenue for achieving physical and mental cardiac rehabilitation activities. For the life management participants, dancing hula was perceived as providing opportunities to learn attention to task, instilling a disciplined approach and developing the group’s confidence that additional effort will lead to positive outcomes. It is important to explore meaningful and culturally acceptable ways for clients to achieve health outcomes. Empowering client groups to build their own capacity to achieve health outcomes through holistic approaches is needed. In conclusion, based on the participant’s response, hula has the potential to impact the physical, mental, social, and spiritual components of health. The incorporation of hula into healthcare warrants future exploration.
Description
Keywords
hula, health, qualitative exploratory
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48 pages
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