Haka (English)

The Dance of the Māori of New Zealand

Haka is a Māori word that translates to „dance.“ The Māori, the Indigenous people of New Zealand, perform Haka (German spelling: Hakka) on many different occasions. This ancient art form uses movement and voice to express emotion, to connect with one’s family, culture, and ancestors, and to access a sense of primal inner strength. Traditionally, the Haka was also used as a way to prepare for battle – to build courage, stir fear, and intimidate the opponent. Haka tells the stories and mythology of the Māori and carries their ancient knowledge into the present day. Even today, Haka serves as a powerful tool to prepare, focus, and synchronise the strength of men and women for a common purpose. It can also be used as a form of expression – a clear and bold statement of the views of an individual or group. It is not about elaborate or lengthy exercises. The movements are simple, striking, and have an immediate effect.

Anyone who has experienced Haka knows how quickly it can unlock deep, archaic forces within both men and women. It leaves you feeling remarkably fresh, clear, focused, grounded—and any inner conflict or uncertainty simply dissolves. But you don’t have to be Māori to dance Haka. One specific Haka, for example, traditionally prepares men and women to pull a heavy boat ashore. I can just as well use this Haka to align myself internally—to “pull” things into my life that I want to see happen. The effect is surprising.

For anyone facing difficult decisions or overwhelming tasks, anyone looking to strengthen team spirit, or anyone wanting to reconnect with themselves or others, Haka can be the perfect tool. And for all those who are on the not-always-easy journey of finding—or inventing—their role in life, Haka offers powerful support. It provides a way to connect with your inner warrior energy and to be truly wild—without harming anyone.

Haka is not just for men. It is most often performed in mixed groups. There are Haka created specifically for women and others for men. In Māori culture, women and men are seen as equals, though they carry different roles and energies. The Māori believe, for example, that women are born with a higher spiritual energy, which gives them easier access to more subtle, energetic processes. Both genders have full sovereignty in their own right, yet their tasks and roles are distinctly different. The exchange between them—especially within a group—leads to balance, known as Utu, and it absolutely requires both sides. So if you are a woman seeking to connect with your original, inner strength, Haka can be an incredibly powerful way to rediscover yourself and your femininity. By the way, around 70% of Haka workshop participants are women.

Among the Māori, children are free to do as they please. They are warmly welcomed and invited to take part, but they are just as free to simply be present and observe what the “grown-ups” are doing. At places like Burg Wolkenberg, for example, the experience is much like being on an adventure playground. When some participants bring their children along, it’s absolutely welcomed. The children play together and spend their time in, on, and around the castle ruins. When the adults-or parents-fully step into their power, dancing and roaring together, the children get the chance to witness an entirely new world from the outside. They experience how emotional expression and wildness, when channelled creatively, can become a beautiful and energising ritual. Something completely different. Entirely new. Truly special.

Throughout all of this, we remain in harmony with nature and the environment. Babies sleep peacefully in their prams, and dogs calmly stay lying down while 20 people roar from the depths of their lungs. On one occasion, a deer even wandered by while we danced the final ritual with full force and volume. Being wild in one’s pure primal essence is deeply natural and inspiring. It has nothing to do with the kind of destructive anger that turns against others—it is something unifying, life-giving, and deeply human.

I was trained by Klaus Wintersteller over the course of five years, and for more than 15 years I have continued to learn and deepen my understanding. Klaus was taught in Aotearoa (New Zealand) by Kaumatua (respected elder) Moe Tatua Turoa, the brother of Wai Turoa-Morgan. Moe gave Klaus the permission to bring the art of Haka to Europe, to develop it in his own way, and to pass it on here. Since then, I have supported Klaus in sharing the message of the Māori people.

Since the summer of 2024, I have been receiving deeper guidance and instruction from Māori Jenna-Rose Astwood Maharata, the granddaughter of Wai Turoa-Morgan. I am a professional dancer, I-TP dance educator, choreographer, author, and coach in various dance and athletic fields. I bring over 30 years of international experience to my work. I can say of myself that my honest and open approach, combined with clarity and humour, makes my teaching engaging and inspiring.

• You hear the stories and mythology of the Māori.
• You understand how valuable and important the preservation of their culture is.
• You learn to activate your breath.
• You get to know your voice and learn how to use it powerfully and healthily, with full expression.
• You learn the words and meanings of Māori Hakas.
• You hear the story and cultural significance behind each specific Haka.
• You learn the movements and rhythm of each dance.
• You discover the spirit behind the words and movements.
• You connect with yourself and the group.
• You call upon your ancestors and connect with them.
• Through various methods and impulses, you are continuously guided out of your comfort zone into constructive emotionality and wildness.
• At the end of the workshop, there is a ritual where the final, practiced Haka is performed.

• At first, you may feel deeply challenged-by the invitation to truly show yourself, and to feel honestly and unconditionally welcome, without judgment.
• Then, you might feel intimidated by the idea of roaring loudly, from deep within your chest, for the first time.
• Next, the unfamiliar words may feel overwhelming or even unsettling.

But soon, you’ll begin to feel more secure, as you start to sense your breath and voice and come closer to yourself. You find the courage to express yourself loudly and emotionally, together with everyone else in the group—and you begin to feel the euphoria of letting go.

With time, with practice, and through the various methods and stories shared along the way, it becomes easier.

You feel the energy:

• You feel freer!
• You feel stronger!
• You feel incredibly connected and grounded!
• You sense the power that has been released—and a deep, empowering calm within you!

Haka is the historically documented transmission of Māori culture-with all its stories, traditions, and family connections. We honour the tradition of oral storytelling, along with the associated narratives, spiritual values, and cultural rites, out of deep respect for Māori culture.

Videos are only recorded during performances, either for private memories or for documentation purposes. We will never create or distribute instructional video material for learning purposes.

„Magical!“ / „An incredible experience!“ / „Wonderful people!“ / „Never felt so well taken care of!“ / „I took so much with me!“ / „I feel deeply nourished!“ / „Ancient knowledge became tangible and alive within me!“ / „I gained so much insight!“ / „It completely blew me away. I feel incredibly energised and yet deeply calm!“ / „Today, for the first time, I truly arrived in myself!“ / „I felt very safe and held, the way the energy was built and the space was held the entire time!“ / „I definitely want to continue and learn and feel so much more here!“