On January 1st, Jill Baumgardner and Angela DiMario took over ownership of Kula Movement, a house of Forest yoga, dance, chiropractic care, bodywork, somatics and more, and pledged to make Kula Movement an ever growing, integrative health center. Its latest latest edition comes in the form of dance. Leila Fernandez, a Hawaiian choreographer and dancer, will start offering Hula classes at the Ballard Avenue health center.

"It's great to have her," said Jill Baumgarrdner. "We've been looking for ways to integrate dance into here. Plus, Hula is so core-centered. It's an abdominal-centered training with grace."

"Hula is a loving dance," Leila Fernandez said. "But it requires strength. You will feel it when you walk out of here."

Fernandez will teach an all-ages class every friday from 6 p.m. until 7 p.m. $15 for walkins and $120 for ten classes.

"The thing with Hula is that everyone can do it. It's four steps to the right, four steps to the left. But Hula doesn't come naturally. You need to practice," Fernandez said.

Fernandez will offer a free class on Friday, March 25th at 6 p.m. to all-ages.

"I want to welcome myself to Ballard and give people a little taste of what Hula s about," she said.
At this lesson, participants can expect to learn the basics and a verse of an ancient Hawaiian song.

"Kula Movement is about exercises that are thoughtful and strengthening. Hula compliments it," Angela DiMario said.

Kula Movement is located at 5340 Ballard Avenue N.W.
To register for the free Hula class, contact Leila Fernandez at 808-343-2231, leilahawaii@hotmail.com or on Facebook.