Isla Pacifika

Letting my fingers do the surfing, I found Isla Pacifika three months ago via the internet when looking for dance class options that don’t require a partner.
One night I decided to check out a class as a quiet observer.
Yeah, right.
They handed me a pareo (skirt) and I was off and rolling. Hip-​rolling, that is. They will not let you be a wallflower!
The group, with their various Polynesian influences (Hawaii, Tahiti, Guam, etc.), is very warm and welcoming. Theresa is not kidding when she says they are like family.
Classes are not strictly structured (like ballroom, for example). So far the routine has been to warm up with some Tahitian basics. A review of dances (one or two) that the girls have been doing for a while. Then there’s the drill of Hawaiian basics. Newbies just hang out in the back row to follow as best as we can.
Our teacher or one of the more experienced dancers will pull aside novices to cover a couple of basic moves for proper technique. As we have progressed, instead of basic moves, sometimes we focus on more detailed learning of the routines.
Watch out — early on the group starts recruiting you for performances. Yikes!
It will be at least a few more months before I work up the courage to do it, but maybe I’ll add it to my 2012 goals. I’ve at least been brave enough to start working on my costume. :)
This type of dancing is a workout, but not like high impact aerobics. I would say that you can definitely feel it in your core, quads, glutes, calves, and even in your shoulders. Yes, I have been sore the next day.
Wednesday night class has been my therapy for stress for the last three months. The music, moves, and people have helped me take things down a notch and catch the spirit of the islands in this bustling town.

I found this group on craigslist and price compared them to other groups and also checked out how close they were to me on google map (i bike everywhere). at $ 40 a month it can’t be beat. going to class everyone is really nice and friendly. i have enjoyed it so much that i have kept going there for the past (almost) 2 years. if i miss a class i get texts from everyone wondering if i am sick or okay. it is really like family. which is cool cause i moved here from nashville and really didn’t know anyone. the longer you stay in class the more you get to learn like poi and how to make your own costumes. we all made a few outings to see hawaiian bands when they come to town. all and all a really great group to join. we have alot of fun and often have parties too. i really don’t need to say much more. if someone is interested they can look them up. first class is free.

I like that they let you try the first Hawaiian/​Tahitian class for free and $ 40 for a month of classes seems pretty reasonable. The class was composed of a very eclectic group of people (there were guys too!). The instructor was very knowledgable and explained the difference between Hawaiian and Tahitian dancing. However I thought the class was poorly organized especially given the small studio. The assistants (who by the way have the most gorgeous hair I’ve ever seen) seemed a little confused themselves. But overall it was fun and a good workout. They provide pareos (sarongs) if you don’t have your own. Shaking your hips is always more fun than running on a treadmill!

I tried out their Hawaiian/​Tahitian Dance class because they advertised to try their first class for free. I was a little skeptical, since nothing seems to be free nowadays. I was weary there might be a catch. I arrived, and everyone was friendly. Their was no catch, and no pressure to «sign up».
I just borrowed a pareo and took the class. Everyone was helpful and friendly. The class was different from anything I have tried. It actually worked muscles I did not even know I had. It was a great workout, and the instructor was very knowledgeable and friendly.
At the end of class, I was thinking, this is where they will pressure me to sign up for class. And it did not happened. The instructor just spoke with me for a few minutes about how was class went and then I was on my way.