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Oct 15

Maori-inspired fitness craze sweeps Germany

Fitness Comments Off on Maori-inspired fitness craze sweeps Germany

Published: 9:32AM Monday October 15, 2012 Source: Fairfax

A Kiwi-inspired fitness craze sweeping through Germany has taken parts of the New Zealand haka and turned it into "Maori Tae Bo", which has academics and Maori authorities questioning its legitimacy.

The programme, called Aroha, is taught in more than 200 gyms throughout Germany, according to its website.

It was created by former Les Mills Germany fitness instructor Bernhard Jakszt , who said he "just finds the Maori culture so inspiring".

According to the website, Aroha is a mix of haka, kung fu and tai chi. The haka component apparently "demonstrates the extraordinary force that is slumbering within every human".

"Haka evokes the force in the middle, an inner centre, that leads to a general well being," the website says.

Jakszt has also trademarked the term Aroha - meaning love in Maori - and has used a number of koru patterns on associated merchandise.

Auckland man Reuben Hamill came across the site after his German father-in-law asked if he had heard of Aroha.

Hamill said after watching a promotional video on the site it was evident "this guy has taken a Maori work, used the German love of all things Kiwi and created some kind of fitness scam".

He said it could only be described as "Maori Tae Bo".

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Maori-inspired fitness craze sweeps Germany

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