Why I move: Dancing Hula

My first hula class: where are they now?  #Flashback

Another form of exercise that I enjoy regularly is dancing hula. I have been dancing hula almost as long as I've been training in aikido. I decided to start when my gym at that time closed, and I needed an option to exercise. I saw Hula and Martial Arts classes at the adult school catalogue, so I thought I would give it a try. I have always been drawn to try hula since the movements are beautiful, and the music relaxing.

Hula has a special place in my heart. When I was a kid (perhaps around 8 years old), I had a chance to dance to Tiny Bubbles and Pearly Shells for the wedding of one of my aunts. This is one of my happy childhood memories. 

Like a martial arts class, some people may be hesitant to start a dance class, because it may be extremely challenging. When I first started, I did experience that. I could not even perform the basic steps (and gave me flashbacks of childhood). However, with practice, I was able to improve. Unfortunately, nowadays, with work and other obligations, I can only practice once a week.


Hula is an excellent form of exercise. Most of the time, it is not aerobic (but through the years, I did find out that it depends on the dance). We do work out our thighs and arms, and sometimes our core. One of the first things that I noticed when I first started hula was my thighs got a lot stronger. We are usually dancing with bent knees, which is actually what makes our hips sway. After my first year of dancing, I found my thighs were in better shape for skiing! Swoosh!

But I digress... again.

Hula also keeps my brain in shape. On top of memorizing steps and hand motions, we need to memorize our "kaheas" or key words that provide cues for musicians. Sometimes, we need to memorize the entire song. It also helps if you learn a bit of Hawaiian. Sometimes I think hula is more challenging than using games that challenge your brain.

Hula also helps me connect with one another. When we dance we need to synchronize and stay in line with each other and in beat to the music. In life, your class becomes your hula family or "ohana". You really feel the spirit of "aloha" when you come to class.

I enjoy hula for almost the same reasons as I enjoy aikido. It helps me physically, mentally, and spiritually. However, for some reason, I feel more relaxed when I dance. Perhaps it is because it reminds me of times when we travelled to Hawaii. Or maybe the music relaxes me and connects to my heart and my soul.

I hope you will try it. You'll see why it can be addictive.

If you enjoyed this article, you may enjoy the others from my "Why I move" series:

• On Walking
• On Going To The Gym
• On Aikido

Why I move: Gym time

Another way that I move is going to the gym. I usually visit the gym when it’s too hot to walk, or raining, or it’s dark out.

Please don’t get me wrong. I am not a fair-weather walker, but I’d rather be safe than sorry. With too much heat, you may get dehydrated or overheated. With rain, the sidewalks are a bit more slippery (and a fall may potentially impact my kidney – although I like do walking when it is slightly drizzling). And lastly, when it’s dark, it could be dangerous… for anyone, even in the safest of neighborhoods. We have a rule around the house - "Back home when stars are out".

Of course, the sun is actually a star too, but you know what we mean.

The gym allows me to workout during these conditions. It’s a safe environment, and even if I get home late from work, I can still get my exercise and decompress. It is much needed after a long work day.

Being at the gym also allows me to multitask a little bit: I can browse through a magazine (although, the intensity of my workout decreases when I am browsing) or watch TV, usually sports or news. What I really enjoy is listening to what the weightlifters are playing on the radio. They usually listen to something fast and motivating so I tend work out a bit harder. Added bonus: hearing the weightlifters grunt. It can be hilarious... or painful.

I usually use the elliptical since it is easier on my knees. I choose one of the set programs that usually vary in intensity. Since it has a pedal forward and backward mode, I can switch focus on muscles that I don’t have a chance to use while walking – like the back of my thighs.

Image courtesy of photostock /
FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The gym also gives me a lot of other options. If I am not in the mood for the elliptical, I can use the threadmill or the stationary bicycle. There is also a rowing machine, but I need some instructions on how to properly work it.

The gym also gives me the option to work out with weights. I really should get out of my rut and start on that this year, so I can tone gain more muscle. I stopped after my transplant and never really started back.

I read that when one gains muscle, one will burn more calories when you do that. I may also end up with Michelle Obama arms!

My husband and I choose a gym that is relatively close to where we live. Otherwise, we probably would not go. Having a gym close to us gives us motivation to work out. 

Rain or shine, night or day.

If you enjoyed this article, you may enjoy the others from my "Why I move" series:

• On Walking
• On Aikido
• On Hula

Why I move: Aikido

My apologies for not posting in a while: We took an extended weekend trip to the coast primarily for an aikido weekend. We spent four days in Monterey, California to enjoy the ocean, the world famous Monterey Bay Aquarium, enjoy farm fresh vegetables from the Salinas Valley and fresh fish, and three days of aikido.

Because of that fabulous weekend, I think this will be the perfect opportunity to continue my “Why I move” series, this time focusing on aikido.

As you probably have read in some of my previous posts, my aikido practice has been a major part of my life. I have been training longer than what I’d like to admit (only 12 years, longer if you count the year or two before graduate school) and am now a second-degree black belt. However, in some ways, there are still times when I feel that I am a beginner.

Aikido was my primary exercise when I was in dialysis. Back then, I could only train twice a week and was tired after that. Now, I am training at my normal schedule, three times a week, and can squeeze in a day or weekend if I need to.

I enjoy aikido because it provides me with a great way to release stress. I am not sure what it is, but after class, my mood is usually better and I feel happier.  Even if I feel tired before class, after class, I feel energized.

Aikido also improves my mental fitness. I saw a piece on TV that keeping your brain active and learning new concepts actually improves your brain and memory. Aikido definitely qualifies as that: although I’ve practiced for a while now, there are still new terminology, techniques, and combinations to remember. I really enjoy the blend of physical exercise, language, and patterns since I have been drawn to learning new languages. The exercise is a big bonus.

The relationships that developed while in aikido have been a major plus in my life. We have celebrated a lot of happy memories like marriages, engagements, and new babies. We have also been there for each other through sad events. In fact, my aikido family has been extremely supportive during my time on dialysis and through my recovery. They are very protective of me and that I do not injure my new kidney and my fistula. In the dojo, we take care of each other and are protective of our training partners. This is one of the principles of aikido. Also, we want our partners to come back and train some more.

Of course, aikido also benefits me physically. I think it is not only because of the exercise, but also because my body seems to function a lot better after class. As an example, if I feel like I am retaining water, after class, it seems resolved. As the Japanese would say, my ki or life force seems to be flowing better. That is actually what the “ki” in aikido means: Aikido is the way of harmony in energy or spirit.

Aikido was one of the things that helped me cope with dialysis and now as I learn my boundaries with a new kidney. I feel that as I train more: I feel more aware of my body and its limits. Although one may be hesitant to try it because it is a martial art and may be challenging, I highly recommend it to anyone. It will help you in body, mind, and spirit.

Just try it… you will enjoy it!

If you enjoyed this article, you may enjoy the others from my "Why I move" series:

• On Walking
• On Gym Time
• On Hula

Why I move: Walking

I recently was named Move It Monday ambassador, so I thought I would do a series on the different ways that I move. Moving is very important to me since it is my opportunity for me to exercise and maintain my health. Since I am training for the Kidney Walk, I will start the series with walking.

Get out and walk

Walking has become one of primary methods of exercise and one of the easiest. I think I said it once or twice "one foot in front of the other." All I need to do is find time, put on my sneakers, and go outside. I probably do this four days a week: most of the time just for a short time, but once a week almost hour and half and walk for 3 miles. That is my maximum so far.

I find that when I walk, my blood pressure drops 5 to 10 points. As we all know by now, maintaining a healthy blood pressure is important to maintaining kidney health. So I make it a point to walk almost every day, even it is just for 20 minutes. I walk slow, so I have recently upped it to 25 minutes to make it more than a mile. I am hoping that someday, I can walk a bit faster.

Walking also clears my head. When I walk, I put problems and issues in my subconscious and enjoy my surroundings. During my walk, I look at the Mt. Diablo and surrounding hills, what flowers are blooming, and what critters are running around. Today, I saw a quail family moving from one hiding place to another – what a treat. You never know what you’ll see.

During the workweek, I try to walk around lunchtime to reset for the afternoon. It also gives me a much needed boost of energy for the afternoon.

Walking also improves my endurance. I am finding that I can walk a bit faster now and still trying to shave some time. I did try jogging for a bit to increase the intensity, but I am finding my knees are no longer up for that. So, it is back to walking for me... for now.

Although I try to walk 20-30 minutes in one shot, sometimes it is not possible because of my workday – especially when I go in the office. At work, I try to take the stairs and take short breaks in between things. For a while I was even wearing a pedometer to make sure I got close to about 10,000 steps.

I did not walk before the transplant, but my recovery routine made it a daily habit. I remember just starting with laps around the hospital section I was in, then it was around our complex, and now to fountain and back (that’s my three-mile route).  

So, get outside and walk. You’ll love it!

If you enjoyed this article, you may enjoy the others from my "Why I move" series:

• On Gym Time
• On Aikido
• On Hula

One Foot in Front of the Other – Part II

As part of my recovery, I’ve been asked to walk daily. For those following me at my tweets at twitter, you know that at first, I thought I was supposed to walk for only 10 minutes a day. Looking at my discharge orders, I was shocked to see that I was not walking as much; it is supposed to be 10 minutes for three times a day. Whoops!

A portion of my Daily Walk

I guess that this is consistent with the “Let’s Move Program” which recommends physical activity for 30 minutes for adults. Got to get in the program. It is actually about the same amount of exercise I used to get during my dialysis days (I exercised more on the days that I did not go to dialysis).

I have been walking around our condo complex. I used to walk only about 75% of the perimeter, but now I have to increase the distance. Just in case something happens, Hubby does not want me to go outside of the complex yet. Also, even though I am in the complex, I carry my cell phone, just in case. I walk about three to four laps, twice a day. It’s 0.8 of a mile, and it takes me about 18-20 minutes.

My first goal is to walk without pain. The incision still hurts a bit but not enough to stop me from walking, and I still have some lingering pains outside of the incision related to the surgery. Once the pain disappears, I am hoping that I can get back to my old pace; 55 minutes for about 3 miles.

Then I will begin training for the Kidney Walk.  Wish me luck.

BTW, check out my original post on walking.