Beginner Fire Fans

I really want to learn fire fans so:

a) what's the difference between fixed and folding fans?
b) which are easier to use?
c) as I like the fact you can 'flick' folding fans open but I like the spinning hole on the static ones (can you still do that on the folding ones)
d) which ones would be best for me - I'm 5"4 and quite petite but I'm a trained dancer so quite strong and I'm ok at poi
finally e) anyone in the chester/cheshire/north west area who wants to teach me? (I also want to learn stilt walking and aerial silks if anyone can help?)

Thank You!!

i dont know about fans but heres some info

http://www.homeofpoi.com/lessons_all/teach/7_35_120

http://www.homeofpoi.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/835207

http://www.homeofpoi.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/751203

http://www.homeofpoi.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/258687

try those and if you still have questions do a search for fan differences or something like that. A lot of info is on these boards and searching is easy. good luck

Hey, glad to hear your having a go at fans.

I'll warn you now they are completely different to poi!

I've only ever used static fans so unfortuantely can't advise you on that. I'm also small, pretty much the same height as you, but do a lot of dancing and I find the HoP large fans that are in the shop fine for weight etc. THey feel quite awkward at first, but like everything else, its just a case of getting used to it really.

I'd like to echo what pricklyleaf has said: Fans, at least the static HoP ones, feel awkward at first, but you will acclimatise to them.

I have tried both fixed and folding fire fans, and I feel better using fixed fans for their versatility and durability. My style of dance tends to be more aggressive and martial and I'm reliant on throws and fingerspins - difficult to accomplish with folding fans. Folding Fans may be more appropriate for slow, geisha-like dancing which may or may not suited to your desire. I however can speak highly of the fans available on HoP if you wish to go the static route

Best of luck on your fans journey

Cool - thank you. I don't really know what style of dance I want to do yet, I guess it's a matter of trying it out! Generally I do Ballet, Jazz, Breakdance and Poledance so I can't really say which.

Thank you!

Collapsible fans are mostly very uncomfi for (between) the fingers, steady ones are usually pretty hard to travel with (size).

Depending on the layout of the collapsible fans, spins are also possible, as is (club) swinging.

As for the rest: come to Goa and we'll teach ya'

Goa! wow - pay for me to come and I'll be on the next plane out there heehee

Yeah, this is the conundrum (awesome word) i'm facing - I do like the look of folding fans, I'm just worried I'll slice my fingers off! I am leaning more towards those tho, because of the ease of transporting them - can you reccomend any?

Thanks for everyone's help btw

OOO a fellow pole dancer

I really need to get some more practice with my fans, but unfortunately I need to concentrate on my hoop now. (I say unfortuately but I love it).

hoop? as in hula hoop?
yeah I do pole dancing and I'm starting learning static trapeeze as of next week! Very exciting! Then as soon as the lovely lady who teaches me gets insurance, she's going to teach me aerial silks as well!

You know, thats really, really weird, I just did my first ever static trapeeze and aerial skills workshop today!

It was amazing, I'm going to have to start going to classes. If you do pole (as in doing more of the chinese pole moves with climbing etc), then you'll probably find trapeeze quite easy to get into, as it feels quite similar.

I had such a great time, I'm buzzing today!

And yes, as in hula hoop.

P.S., sorry everyone going completly off topic, so er, fire fans, yeah.

Yay! fans have arrived and they're fab! Heavy, but fab!
Are there any more videos of moves apart from the ones on the lessons page? I've kind of got them and I'm working on them but I want more!!!!! heehee

See this thread...

http://www.homeofpoi.com/ubbthreads/show...5/o/all/fpart/1

don't be sick Brenn, that's a rubbish idea!

Thank you!