Les Mills fitness warriors have a powerful new rallying call in the form of their own Maori haka.
The haka premiered at the Global Summit in a performance led by Steve Renata and a fearsome team of eye-rolling, foot-stomping Les Mills stars. “Tu Mai Nei Nga Toa E”, which translates into English as “Standing Here are the New Warriors”, was greeted with thunderous applause.
Steve says the LMI team wanted to create a haka with a clear, compelling message about overcoming obesity and sedentary lifestyles as one tribe.
To ensure all cultural traditions and protocols were adhered to, LMI commissioned Paroa Sharples (Ngati Kahungunu), New Zealand’s leading Kapa Haka specialist, to choreograph and train the launch team.
Best-known as a war dance performed by men, haka can also be performed at ceremonies and as a welcome, and – like the LES MILLS™ haka - can be performed by a group that includes women.
The LES MILLS™ haka will become an important part of all Les Mills training sessions and the unique culture that is Les Mills.
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Tu Mai Nei Nga Toa E© |
Les Mills Haka |
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Kaitataki: Kia wiri
Hope
Ki raro
A kia mau Hi
Kia whakata hoki au i ahau
Hi Aue Hi
E nga matua tipuna
tukua mai te kaha
te rangatiratanga e |
Leader: Let your hands quiver by your side
Hands on hips,
Hands down by your side (still)
Be steadfast
Let me be at one with the earth
Hi aue hi
Ancient ancestors/warriors of old
bestow upon us strength and leadership |
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Kapa: Tu mai nei nga toa e
Haka ana ki te noho mangere
Ko te whakaara ko te momona
Me pakanga, parekura e
Kia pakari hinengaro, tinana, wairua.
Ko te ha o tane e |
Group: Standing here are the new warriors
We haka in fury at sedentary lifestyles
Obesity is our adversary
Let us do battle
Let your mind, body and spiritual
essence be revitalised
Through the breath of life |
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Kaitataki: I te wehenga ka puta hihiri e |
Leader: At the separation of earth from sky,
all potential was released into this world |
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Kapa: Na reira, me puta to ihi e
Kia tu te wana
Kia tu te wero aue
Kia tu kotahi tatou
Ana, Ana, Ana,
Tenei whakatau. Hi. |
Group: Therefore, let your true potential be known
Reveal your inner strength & power
Hold fast to the challenge
Let us unite as one global entity
Yes it is , Yes it is, Yes it is
This we decree. |