ATTENTION FIRE SPINNERS

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Oct 23, 2004 4:13 pm

When i was out on the playa i say something ive never seen before...people dancing with fire...specifically people spinning fire on the end of a rope (chain?) maybe it was because of all the psychedelics i was using but i was facinated, borderline obsessed with it...ive had dreams of these performers...i was just wondering if any spinners had advice for someone who was interested in learning how to do this...leave a reply here...or send me an email
[email protected]

-Duke

Alpha · Post by **Alpha** » Sat Oct 23, 2004 4:44 pm

Where are you located? Many communities have amateurs that you can hook up with, and a few have professional classes.

Kiba · Post by **Kiba** » Mon Oct 25, 2004 9:57 am

I have no practical experience at fire dancing (yet!) but I have found that you can kinda familiarize yourself with the dancing and the tricks by attaching cheap LED lights to the ends of sticks or string. Once you get good at that, I haven't tried it, but I recommend sticks and roadflares. That's my plan. ^_^

Alpha · Post by **Alpha** » Mon Oct 25, 2004 10:10 am

Two words for you guys: practice poi

thinkcooper · Post by **thinkcooper** » Mon Oct 25, 2004 3:36 pm

http://www.renegadejuggling.com/

regynalonglank · Post by **regynalonglank** » Mon Oct 25, 2004 3:57 pm

dued. that happened to me too...and now i am running aruond with a set of freakin fuzzy poi, spinning like a fiend...most of the great moves i have learned so far came from random people who saw me trying not to hit myself in the head and stopped to teach me a trick...and most of them were kids. hate that! no, just kidding...but it does suck when someone half your size kicks your butt at your new toy! however, i can proudly butterfly, and have managed to learn a couple of things from watching video footage...really tennis balls on shoestrings would work, but i love my fuzzy poi from home of poi, got em online, and it's like all maori and shit coming from new zealand. i may be a dork with fuzzy purple balls now, but soon i will be awesome with flame! wahoo...

jbelson · Post by **jbelson** » Wed Oct 27, 2004 5:26 pm

I was the same way after I first saw fire poi in Thailand. Then again in Black Rock City. This year I performed with the conclaves before the burn.
If your in the L.A. area, check out www.indrayoga.com
These girls taught me and my girlfriend a lot. I'm averloaded with new tricks to master right now. But taking a class will definately increase your skill at a really great rate.
Homeofpoi.com is another resource. Also check out tribe.net and there is www.poiinthepark.net

There are a number of tribes dedicated to spining fire and lots of discussions with informative links. You could also find some teachers in your area, or maybe spin jams where you can play with other spinners.

Spinning fire will definately improve your life and impower you. But be careful and dont light up before you know what you are doing and always have a safety around.

natthebat · Post by **natthebat** » Sun Nov 07, 2004 1:20 pm

So yea... When we got there we started walking around and the first thing I saw was this topless woman spinning fire. I said, "I will learn how to do that!" When we got back I mentioned to a friend of a friend that I wanted to learn the poi. He just so happened to know a woman at his work who does it. We hooked up and I have become associated with a huge group of burners and fire spinners. It's like a dream come true. I believe that if you want to learn poi you need to have consistant guidance. You need to see what is possible with this simple toy. The best teachers are the ones who can remember what it was like to not know. I was told to make my own poi with tennis balls and cotton clothes line. cut a slit in the ball (it's really hard) and insert a key ring into the opening. Find some key rings with the little clasp things, then you have something to tie the string to. Hold the poi in your hand and extend your arm. The string should be the length of your arm to your arm pit. I lit up before I was even remotely qualified to do so with a friends poi. That's danderous. But so good. Fire is the ultimate goal. Be safe, practice.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Nov 08, 2004 3:19 pm

constant guidance would be good...knowing me id try to set the thing of fire the first time and end up immolating myself....fires cool...but its better when its not on me...anyone have any links for spinners in jersey?

-Duke

natthebat · Post by **natthebat** » Mon Nov 08, 2004 8:23 pm

I will ask if anyone knows anyone in Jersey.
Don't try to light a tennis ball on fire, I'm not sure what would happen. It might be fun but it will not work as fire poi. You need that bullet proof stuff, you know, kevlar (I don't know how to spell it). We have good connections to those supplies when you want the real thing. I made mine a few weeks ago and I wore them to a decompression as balls and I lost them. I was very sad because the poi knot part was a monkey fist knot and it was very hard to do. I didn't even get to set them on fire. It may have been a sign. Have you been to the home of poi web site? Good info there. Good luck! I will personally take it upon myself to try to find people for you in Jersey.
Natalie

Tuatha · Post by **Tuatha** » Tue Nov 09, 2004 2:36 am

Seeing all the poi at burning man really blew me away too, Here in New Zealand we kinda take the poi for granted as it originated from Maori Tradition (for those who didnt know), So most fire spinners tend to be staff, (not to say there aren't a lot of poi spinners) but watching all the poi spinners before the burn was something id never expected to see, its really humbling to see something you take for granted in your own country being taken up by so many overseas,

Thanks so much to all the poi spinners you made an extraordinary experience that much more extraordinary :)

But back on topic, I really recommend http://www.homeofpoi.com they have great service and have everything for your fire needs, a great forum where you can chat to other spinner, the also have some good books/dvds if you cant find anyone to learn off of.

Hopes this helps :)