Any poi lovers out there?

[cathbetty]

Just curious...

I have some homemade poi (that my friend and I made out of tennis balls and shoelaces two years ago) but they work!

Any one here on VF into the wonderful world of poi? Or any other fire-toys?
I know its not a 'sport' as such but after playing with poi for half an hour your arms feel like they've got a good workout!

[Man On Bike.]

poi is the work of the devil, just like juggling and yo-yoing

[spike]

I had a go with poi a couple of times (I know quite a few hippies ) and was so uncoordinated I ended up covered in bruises, lol!

[cathbetty]

poi is the work of the devil, just like juggling and yo-yoing

I agree with you that juggling definately is the work of the devil as I just don't get it ;
but poi is cool! And it looks so pretty when its on fire and making swirly patterns in the sky

[the crazyest vegan]

never tried it with a poi, but it does look awesome if you use glowsticks and ribbon in a club fair enough you do need some room but it's still pretty funny lol

[Tee]

Poi's are great fun, not only for entertaining but also for flexibility , stamina, co-ordination - esp when doing fire-poi's!! tried only once - came out un-scathed - this really does test you flex and co-ord!!!
started out making my own and then asked a mate to bring some back from portugal for me... you know the ones with the long tails... great for staying up somewhere high watch a fab sunset.. or sunrise!!
Poi's are a mauri tradition... not sure but will have to check with a few kiwi's here - but think they are used to ward off evil.. not invoke it.My first poi's i made out of christmas tree decorations... lets just say by new years eve my tree was nearly bare.. i had very low ceilings --- ouch! the black eyes for NYE party... you just gota keep laughing

hapi poi's peeps.. maybe bristol 08 for some harbourside entertainment???
tee.

[mr flibble]

I trained for on average a couple of hours a day between 2002 and 2004 (university!): 80% poi, 15% single staff, 5% double staff. I did fire on average several times a week, esp during summer.

I've met ~500 poi people from all over the world at various meet ups, house parties, festivals, clubs, forest parties etc and at the time was one of the best I encountered. I used to make up my own moves and was practicing with things like hyperloops and throws before they got into UK mainstream. I'd also learn new moves from people who'd just figured them out and posted online, then work with, modify and feed back. Love wraps, with the exclusion of neck/head but including groin I'll happily wrap/kick on any part of my body with fire.

I've played with wirewool a couple of times (good for photos (link), rubbish otherwise). I used to buy kevlar and make my own firetoys, including the first metal free (for bareksin wraps) fire snake / cathedral hybrid I've seen (very big flame! - link).

I find single staff fun, but never really got into contact work and as a result am limited in stuff to do. I learnt doubles from a guy who was probably one of the best in the world at the time, but it never really clicked.

I've no scars from fire performing, I spent a significant amount of time practicing how to quickly get out of any problems, like chains locking together mid wrap. I've got a video of a time when I did burn myself (minorly, healed within a week) and at the time felt like I was in contact for a long time. On film however it lasts milliseconds and looks effortless.

I then got a job, lived in a city centre flat with nowhere to practice, moved to a part of the country with very little scene (I was previously in London most weekends during the summer). I've not done any fire since 2004. I still know most of the stuff and am far more 'safe' doing fire than most people starting out, but haven't properly gotten back into it. There of course now thousands of people far better at it than me too

[thestoatyone]

poi is the work of the devil, just like juggling and yo-yoing

Isn't that the point?

[thestoatyone]

poi is the work of the devil, just like juggling and yo-yoing

Isn't that the point?

[Bai]

haha learning how to use these is pretty much compulsary here in NZ primary and intermediate schools. Good fun though, I was never very good with em, but its true what the say about the coordination you gain from them, the friends I had who did Kapa Haka in high school found that the skill involved translated into other areas of their sports.

[TMH]

:D Poi's are great fun, not only for entertaining but also for flexibility , stamina, co-ordination - esp when doing fire-poi's!! tried only once - came out un-scathed - this really does test you flex and co-ord!!!
started out making my own and then asked a mate to bring some back from portugal for me... you know the ones with the long tails... great for staying up somewhere high watch a fab sunset.. or sunrise!!
Poi's are a mauri tradition... not sure but will have to check with a few kiwi's here - but think they are used to ward off evil.. not invoke it.My first poi's i made out of christmas tree decorations... lets just say by new years eve my tree was nearly bare.. i had very low ceilings --- ouch! the black eyes for NYE party... you just gota keep laughing

hapi poi's peeps.. maybe bristol 08 for some harbourside entertainment???
tee.

Lol! Traditionally short and long pois were used by Maori women (wahine) to increase flexibility and strength in hands, arms, etc, for weaving; and were also used by men for strength and coord when fighting when they would use a short club (mere).

[puppydog]

i cannot separate poi "the art form" and poi "the people at parties who bring their fire balls, get high, request trance music be played, and nearly set themselves, the building, and others on fire"

in my mind they're indistinguishable so i have a real aversion to poi.

i would love to meet some non fire starting types though.

[thestoatyone]

I have some LED ones. Just as much fun, and you get to keep your eyebrows!

[TMH]

:D

I have some LED ones. Just as much fun, and you get to keep your eyebrows!

LOOLLL!!!!

[gauze]

i cannot separate poi "the art form" and poi "the people at parties who bring their fire balls, get high, request trance music be played, and nearly set themselves, the building, and others on fire"

in my mind they're indistinguishable so i have a real aversion to poi.

don't forget the other two types: students and white guys with dreads.