Manaaki Movement: Indigenous Dance Workshop

Manaaki is to care for, protect and show generosity towards others. This class invites us to explore movements that reflect Manaaki, other Te Ao Māori concepts, and the natural world. Through movement exploration, we seek to deepen our connection to self, others & our environment.

This workshop is an introduction to Māori movement, including; traditional movements, stories, wisdoms, and cultural understandings.

If you are interested in deepening your understanding of Māori culture and /or Indigenous movement or maybe you are curious about the role movement plays in Māori culture then this workshop is for you.

Manaaki Movement workshop is for all levels of movement experience and because it's on Zoom you can choose when you're visible or not on screen. This is a supportive space to learn and explore.

Time Zones:

Saturday July 9th @ 1pm PST | 4pm EST (US & Canada)

Sunday July 10th @ 8am NZT (NZ)

Exchange: $30 USD

Workshop Outline:

Welcoming circle - Karakia - Introductions - Intentions

Historial context - Influences - acknowledgements

Mobility through natural patterns (warm-up)

Connecting to your environment from a Te Ao Māori lens

Traditional Māori movements (elements from Mau rākau-Māori martial art)

Exploring the creation story of Hineahuone (1st wāhine) through guided movement

Recap of the workshop - Integration

Closing circle - Reflections - Gratitude - Karakia

Please note: If you're unable to make the class live don't worry a replay will be sent to your email.

Your facilitator:

Jade Whaanga is an Aotearoa (NZ) based Indigenous Dance Artist (Director/Choreographer/Performer) her whakapapa is Ngati Rakaipaaka and she was raised in Te Waipounamu. She completed her Masters in Dance Studies at The University of Auckland, Jade's research focuses on re-claiming the indigenous feminine body and healing historical trauma through dance as ritual. In 2018 she was taught mau rākau by Malcolm Kerehoma (Ngati Whatua) at Te Wananga O Aotearoa. From 2016 till present she has built and maintained a relationship with Dancing Earth (an Indigenous contemporary dance creation company based in Ogaa Po Ogeh/New Mexico, USA), contributing as a performer in 4 cities, an administrator in Yelamu/San Francisco, and Assistant Director for Between Underground & Skyworld presented in 2019-20. Practitioner at Sacred Earth Retreat Jade delivers indigenous dance workshops regularly onsite. Since 2017 she has been facilitating Hui Wāhine (women circles) and Hui Ringatoi (Creatives gatherings) at various venues as the Director of Nū Collective.

This workshop is for anyone open to learning more about Māori culture. All you need is a device to tune in on zoom, a glass or bottle of water, a little space, comfortable clothing, and an open mind. We are excited to provide this unique opportunity and look forward to sharing it with you.

Mauri ora!