Fire Spinning

[kubikub]

Hello guys, it's definitely been a while, I became pretty preoccupied with school and forgot about this place. In the two years I've been gone I seem to have picked up a rather interesting hobby of dancing with fire. My tool of choice are poi, which are essentially balls of kevlar on the ends of chains, but there are quite an assortment of other ones I've seen-- hula hoop, single or double staves, fans, whips, swords...

It's a little bit of a long shot because it definitely appears to the outside world to be a preformance-oriented extrovert type of thing, but is anyone on here a fellow spinner?

I've actually found it to be very rewarding in its own way. Outside of putting myself out of my comfort zone insofar as learning how to dance and move and express myself, poi has shown itself to be a very good tool for brain exercise and coordination. Kind of a pat your head, rub your tummy sort of thing, but on a higher and at times much more difficult level >.>
There is also a developing subsect referred to as 'technical' or tech poi which involves "the practice of spinning poi in patterns that require the utmost precision in technique to accomplish, typically resulting in varied and intriguing geometric patterns with an emphasis on the perfection of the figures", according to the official facebook group (heh). Take this thread as an example.


Behind tech poi is a lot of sitting around visualizing complicated geometric forms, which you then must translate into getting your hands to do (and at the same time, no less), which is what drew me to it initially, the whole challenge of it. It occurred to me that there have got to be some other INTP spinners out there. Or potential spinners that I can brainwash into joining our ranks... cackle.

Gotta cut myself short here because I could ramble on about this stuff forever. But, I present to you a video in case you have no clue of what I'm referring to. Or you like pretty lights. Or fire.

Still haven't figured out how to embed videos on this damned thing, but here are links at least.

Here's one of my favorite videos to date.

And this would be tech poi.

 

[Deleted member 1424]

I have a great love for poi...
Although I haven't yet progressed past the stage of comically injuring myself. It's nice to see someone else with such a strong interest. It's somewhat rare around here.

How long have you swung poi?
Any recommendations for training poi?

 

[kubikub]

I'm been spinning for a little over a year. I learned most of the moves I know off of youtube actually. haha. Recently I sought out others in my area to spin with and discovered there's a pretty big community.
Of course, I live about an hour and a half from LA, where there are a lot more spinners than I ever imagined, so my location is pretty convenient.

But becoming involved in the spinning community is one of the best things I've ever done. I think I see the people I've met through it more often than I see my 'old' friends now. They've helped me tremendously in my social skills. Most rad people you'll ever get to meet. It's not competitive at all, they encourage skill sharing, and whenever people bring newbs around they usually get mobbed by everyone wanting to teach them something. It makes social situations so much easier when you can just run off and spin something when you can't think of any more to talk about.
If you really want to learn, find people. I love youtube, but nothing compares to being taught in person.

Have you done it with fire yet? I was tremendously nervous about it and put off spinning lit for a long time. It's very... soothing. Even in a group situation, all you see is the light and all you hear is the roar of the flame so it's almost like doing it alone.

 

[Deleted member 1424]

But becoming involved in the spinning community is one of the best things I've ever done. I think I see the people I've met through it more often than I see my 'old' friends now. They've helped me tremendously in my social skills. Most rad people you'll ever get to meet. It's not competitive at all, they encourage skill sharing, and whenever people bring newbs around they usually get mobbed by everyone wanting to teach them something.

Well all the practitioners I knew were heavily influenced by the 'plur' mentality; so they were more than welcoming. Although I've since moved and I don't know anyone locally.

Have you done it with fire yet? I was tremendously nervous about it and put off spinning lit for a long time. It's very... soothing. Even in a group situation, all you see is the light and all you hear is the roar of the flame so it's almost like doing it alone.

No, I am very much a novice and it has been awhile; haven't kept the right company for it I guess. Although, just talking to you, I'm feeling rather inspired to invest more effort.

I've seen fire dancers on a few occasions; it always very beautiful.
Spinning fire seems like it would be a very intimidating task, at minimum.
Of course that's part of the appeal.

You should post a video.

 

[Reverse Transcriptase]

Lucifer gave man fire so that he could swing poi at Burning Man!


I've swung non-flaming poi a few times and my friend runs a fire-spinning internet supply store based in Seattle. I should really get into it more. I love watching it.

 

[kubikub]

Lucifer gave man fire so that he could swing poi at Burning Man!

I must be his poster child then I first discovered poi at Burning Man when I went in 2009 for the first time. I spun in the Great Circle this year. It's been quite a journey.

I don't have too many videos of myself, it's something I like to just go out and do without planning to document. I should get around to it soon though, I like comparing how much my skills have grown.

Fire is like an instant adrenaline producer. I actually felt sick after my first time lighting up. It's still a huge rush, even after using fire for about 8 months. But really, as long as you have a safety around (someone to hold the duvetyn/wet towel to put your ass out) and stick to the moves you're comfortable with there isn't too much of a risk. I haven't burned myself yet.