Intended for Grades: 5-6 Estimated Time: 30-40 min.

Lesson Title: HA - The Breath of Life

Lesson Purpose: Students will
* Learn the importance of breath in Hawaiian culture
* Study how important oxygen and correct breathing are for human health
Materials & Preparation:
* Read article by Makana Risser Chai, “Hā, The Breath of Life” (see below)
* Practice Hā breathing instructions from lesson plan
* Optional story from Nana I Ke Kumu, about Hā, passing mana at death, to illustrate
the significance of Hā in Hawaiian culture (See below)
Background Information: Pilikia: problems, troubles, difficulties

Why it is important to learn proper breathing:

“Breathing correctly means that our bodies are being supplied with the right
amount of oxygen, replenishing our brain and other vital organs with essential nutrients.
If you are not breathing correctly, your body can be robbed of oxygen, leading to a host
of conditions. You can feel constantly tired and lethargic because there are not enough
vital nutrients being carried in the blood.
Breathing incorrectly can also affect the levels of carbon dioxide - or CO2 - in the
blood. While oxygen is important for our bodies to function properly, CO 2 is just as vital.
You need a balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide. If you breathe too fast, you breathe
off too much carbon dioxide, which, in turn, will make your whole system too alkaline.
A certain level of CO2 is necessary for your cells to maintain the correct level of acidity
and to function properly.”
from: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-140722/How-breathe-way-good-health.html

Steps:
1. To access student’s prior knowledge, ask the following questions:
* What is the Hawaiian word for breath? (Hā)
* When you think of the word Ha, is there anything that comes to mind?
(Breath of life, aloha….)
* Do you think there is a correct or incorrect way to breathe?
2. Use the following notes to guide discussion and the Hā exercise with participants:
- Oxygen is:
* An important element to life on Earth
* Most common element of human body; its 65% of body mass (most is water).
* Something all animals and plants breathe in & use up
- We breathe out carbon dioxide, which cleanses us of toxins; Ha means exhale.
- Proper breathing replenishes our brain and other vital organs with important nutrients.
- Ancient Hawaiians knew breath was sacred & the key to good health.
- Without breath there is no life. Breathing was respected & done with purpose.
- Breath is sacred in part because it carries the words of the pule (prayer). In ancient
times, long prayers were chanted on a single breath.

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- The kahuna la‘au lapa‘au (traditional Hawaiian healer) created herbal remedies
and then added their Hā (exhale) on them to impart mana (spiritual power).
- A kupuna (elder teacher) about to die would pass his last bit of wisdom and
mana on to his chosen descendant by exhaling his “ha” into the other’s mouth.
- As kupuna will say, “Breath is important because when Ke Akua created man, He Hā –
breathed him into life.”
3. Inquire if anyone in their ‘ohana experiences health challenges or stress. Share that
modern science has proven that breath control can:
* Lower blood pressure *End irregular heartbeats *Improve patterns of poor digestion
* increase blood circulation *Decrease worry/fear/stress *Improve sleep
4. Transition to doing Hā breathing by sharing the following information:
* The simplest and most powerful tool for protecting your health is absolutely free and
right under your nose (literally).
* People may need to re-learn to breathe correctly with their diaphragm, not our chest.
Stress influences us to take shallow breaths from our chest. (If you observe newborn
babies breathing, their opu (stomach) moves up and down, as they take deep, relaxing
breaths.)
5. Teach the Hā breathing exercise. (You will need to talk them through this.)
- Have students stand; circle up to link energy. Ask them to place their hand over
their piko (belly button). Remind participants to breathe in good thoughts when they
inhale, and exhale any pilikia or troubles bothering them when they breathe out.
- Instruct students to:
a. First exhale all your breath.
b. Breathe in slowly through nose, allowing breath to fill and expand opu (stomach),
not your chest. (Shoulders rising is a sign of improper breathing.)
c. Exhale slowly through mouth, with the Hā sound. (Exhale should take longer.)
d. Repeat 2 times; try holding your breath after inhale & exhale for a few seconds.

6. Ask students how they feel. (Hopefully more settled and calmer.) Encourage them
to do this daily, especially if feeling stressed, or if experiencing pilikia. It’s free, can be
done anywhere, and is good for them!
Note: Teachers can start your day/class with this Hā exercise, asking students to
exhale any problems/negative attitudes they are holding. You can talk them through
what you want them to breathe in and what you want them to breathe out.

7. Optional: Read Hā story below from Nānā I Ke Kumu

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 Hā
Excerpts from: Nānā I Ke Kumu-Look to the Source Vol. 1
Ha - a strong expulsion of breath; to exhale; to breathe; breathe upon; breath; life.
As ritual, connotes the imparting of mystic powers through breathing on recipient.

“Grandfather was dying, and the entire ‘ohana (family clan) was gathered around
his sleeping mat. Soon the old man’s spirit would leave his body to join the family
aumākua (ancestor gods) in the eternity called Pō. But before this final moment, the
patriarch, with almost his last breath, would impart his specific mana, his canoe-building
talent, to a chosen descendant.
But now, Kulikuli! Noho mālie. (Hush! Be silent). The moment has come.
Grandfather motions his grandson, Kelala, to come closer. Summoning his last strength,
the dying man chants briefly. Then come the solemn words:
“To you, my dear and beloved mo‘opuna (grandson), I give my mana. May this
mana, the gift of the aumakua passed down through me, guide your hand so that your
canoes may be as fleet as the makani (wind), as strong as nalu nui (high surf), and as bold
in ocean’s waves as the manō (shark).”
Bending down, Kelala places his mouth close to his grandfather’s. The old man
draws a deep breath, and exhales directly into Kelala’s mouth. “Through this hā you have
now received my mana,” he says, and in peace and serenity meets death.”
Such, in this fictionized but typical example, was hā, Hawaii’s ritual in which
mana in its specialized sense, was passed on. This was not the general, diffused mana of
power, charisma, or authority. That was passed on by spoken declaration alone. This
was not skill or proficiency, for skills came from training and practice.

Rather, the mana of hā was a talent or natural aptitude. This mana might be hand
and eye coordination for the craftsman. Insight, keen perceptions, hands sensitive to
tactile messages for the various medical kahuna (doctor-priests). A “feel for the soil” for
the farmer. Keen sight and a sense of direction for the navigator. Color sense, spatial
perceptions, perfect pitch, bodily grace, a feel for rhythm, a natural singing voice-all
these are examples of specific mana.
In the Hawaiian ‘ohana, the passing on of specific mana through ha filled a
number of functions. It prevented any family doubts or disputes regarding who was
entitled to the mana. Psychologically it was a kind of “passing on the torch” ceremony,
infusing a sense of pride and dedication in the chosen descendant. Or as Mary Pukui
phrases it, “The elder was sending the message, “Now I am going. You must carry on
where I left off.”

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 Hā, The Breath of Life
by Makana Risser Chai
Modern science has proven that breath control can lower blood pressure, end heart
arrhythmias, improve long-standing patterns of poor digestion, increase blood circulation
throughout the body, decrease anxiety, and improve sleep and energy cycles. (Weil)
The ancient Hawaiians knew that breath was the key to good health. The Hawaiian word
for breath is ha, but ha has many other meanings. It means exhale. And since the old Hawaiians
were deeply aware that without breath there is no life, ha also means life. (Pukui & Elbert)
Because ha was so important, breathing was revered and often done with conscious intention.
Breath is sacred in part because it carries the words of the pule (prayer). (Pukui, Haertig & Lee)
In ancient times, long prayers were chanted on a single breath.
The kahuna la’au lapa’au (medical doctors) created herbal remedies and then ha –exhaled
– on them to impart mana (spiritual power). (Pukui, Haertig & Lee) In other ceremonies, kahuna
held their breath for two hours. (Kepelino)
A kupuna (elder teacher) about to die would pass his last bit of wisdom and mana on to
his chosen successor by expelling his breath ha into the other’s mouth. (Pukui, Haertig & Lee)
In Hawai’i still today, breath is considered sacred. As my mother-in-law Tutu Elizabeth Pa Chai
says, “Breath is important because when God created man He – ha – breathed him into life.”
Breath was sacred, but the Hawaiians of old also had fun with it. Children played a game
to see who could exhale the longest. (Handy & Pukui) During the Makahiki festival, warriors
held breath-holding contests. (Pogue)
Playing with the Breath
To release stress, you too can play with your breath. Most people, when told to focus on
breathing, try to take a deep inhale, straining to get more air in. The way to truly get a deep
breath is to first let the old air out.
Right now, exhale as long as you can. Keep exhaling, through your relaxed mouth,
making a slight “ha” sound. Squeeze your belly a little at the end to get out all the air. Then just
allow yourself to inhale. Don’t “try” to take in a lot of air. Your lungs are programmed to take in
as much air as they can! It’s the exhale – the ha – you need to focus on consciously.
Continue two more times, exhaling as long as you can, and then allowing good, fresh air
to fill your lungs. Notice feeling more relaxed after just three breaths.
Now that you’re warmed up, you can practice breath holding. Exhale for 5 counts, hold
for 5 counts, inhale for 5 counts, hold for 5, and repeat. Play with increasing or decreasing the
length of time you exhale, inhale and hold.
Notice when you hold your breath you might feel an irresistible urge to smile. Don’t
resist – smile! Feel how good it feels.
You can play with your breath whenever you think of it. Good times to practice are when
you are waiting:
 at the computer
 for the microwave
 in traffic jams
 at stop signals
 for commercials
 in line
 on hold

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 The best time to practice exhaling is when you are in a stressful situation. If you’re
having a tense discussion with a colleague or loved one, start paying attention to your breath
while you listen. Don’t think about what you’re going to say next – just listen and breathe. You
might be surprised at what happens next. Keep playing with your breath ... for the rest of your
life!

Sources:
- http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART02039/the-art-and-science-of-breathing.html
- Mary Kawena Pukui & Samuel H. Elbert, Hawaiian Dictionary
- Mary Kawena Pukui, E. W. Haertig, M.D., Catherine A. Lee. Nana I Ke Kumu: Look to the
Source Vol. 1
- E. Craighill Handy and Mary Kawena Pukui, The Polynesian Family System in Ka’u, Hawai’i,
Charles E. Tuttle, 1972 (first edition 1958)
- Pogue, Rev. J.F. Moolelo of Ancient Hawaii (trans. Charles Kenn) Topgallant Publishing,
Honolulu, 1978 (written 1858)
- Kepelino, “Hawaiian Collection” from Hooiliili Havaii, Pepa I, 1858, translated and annotated
by Bacil F. Kirtley and Esther T. Mookini, in The Hawaiian Journal of History, Vol. 11, 1977,
pp. 39 – 68