Been There/Done That

Hula Dancing

by Helen I. Hwang

Various times, dates and prices, Main Line Hula, 102 Forrest Ave., Narberth, 610-667-HULA, www.mainlinehula.com

Suzanne Aumack has 1,100 hula songs on her iPod and 20 years worth of hip-shaking experience. Along with her partner, Connie Majka, she's bringing the Polynesian dance to the 'burbs with Main Line Hula, a tropical-themed studio smack in the middle of downtown historic Narberth. Unfortunately, it's not nearly as easy as she makes it look.

Part dance class and part low-impact workout, the classes are designed for everyone from children to their grandparents. Unlike the booty-shaking done at nightclubs all over the Mainland, hula involves keeping your torso still while shaking your bum. Aumack let her students decide which tune they wanted to dance to, from traditional songs about murderous, jealous sisters to modern chants about digging up seaweed in the sand. Nearly half of the students had lived in Hawaii before, and many were already regulars at the studio. With participants dressed in Hawaiian skirts with red flowers in their hair, part of the fun of coming to class is donning the same garb you'd wear on a sandy beach. As I tried to get my own hula on, I realized not all hips were created equal.

While classes are already in session, the grand opening party is Saturday, Sept. 8. Stop by for Polynesian dancers and musicians, as well as sarongs, jewelry and Hawaiian shakers. If you dare, see if your hips have what it takes.