Forums > Introductions > I looked in a mirror and noticed I was infinitely twisted...

Well, that's the basis for my nick anyway. Hello all, nice to meet ya. I've been spinning for about 2 wks now and thoroughly enjoyin it. I got hooked on the prospect at the Faerieworlds festival ( https://www.faerieworlds.com/
) whose firedancers left me floored in awe. I picked up a pair of poi but didn't mess with them until stumbling across this site a bit over a week ago (Sept 2005). Now I'm very much hooked and this place looks like a great community. So, a bit more:



Name: Art

Location: Eugene, OR, USA

Age: 30something.. i don't much keep track anymore..



toys: poi, staff (contact, doubles), juggling (club, contact, ball), rope dart, meteor, diabolo (sorta)

toy-based aims: to have the movements of my spinning toys transparent to my tranced mind while dancing in the ether, to be part of a performance that suspends reality

occupation: tech support phone monkey , aspiring herbalist, co-owner of herb store.

hobbies: spinnnig , traditional drums (currently use djembe, ashiko and dumbek as my usual arsenal), bbq and fire with friends

music: Ani DiFranco and Poe top the list, followed closely by Chemical Brothers, Belly, Garbage, PJ Harvey, Pixies, Radiohead, Gus Gus, TKK, Tori Amos, NIN, Tool, Perfect Circle, Sasha & Digweed, Banco de Gaia, Safri Duo, Propeller Heads, The Ditty Bops, Si-Se, Etro Anime.. list keeps goin

movies: off the wall stuff. I hardly ever remember the names... Labrynth, Mirrormask, Dark Crystal, Trainspotting, Studio Ghibli stuffs, LOTR, and more that I can't think of.. oh, and also any circus skills types of vids/movies I can get my hands on



You can find me on Tribe.net here:

https://people.tribe.net/suibom



Or on MySpace here:

https://www.myspace.com/suibom



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Links of Interest (will update as I come across things):

Poi Lessons:

HoP Poi Lessons

Mots Place lesson list

DoMorePoi lesson list

Feuershow





Forums and other resources:

[Old link]

Do More Poi

Spherculism

Soton Firespinning





Poi:

[Old link] (bad thread name, it's a very helpful definition list)

[Old link]

[Old link]

spherculism wiki - All the poi definitions you need.





Fire Eating:

[Old link]





Misc:

[Old link]



Videos:

[Old link]

Yuta's Videos

[Old link]

[Old link]

[Old link]

[Old link]

Rovo's Vids

[Old link]



FNF showing how to do a butterfly waist wrap

Rhymo showing how to do a fountain and waist wrap



Make some practice poi:

The best practice poi I've ever used have been my sock poi. The are comfortable, easy, cheap, fun and don't hurt you so bad when you smack yourself (depending on what materials you use, of course). To make sock poi, find a pair of thigh high (preferrable) or knee high (you'll need to stretch them) socks. You don't want the socks to be too stretchy or too rigid, but if you have to make a choice, err towards rigid. Generally, you will want thinner socks, as thicker can be difficult to deal with and can chafe. Your best bet would be women's thigh high socks, the funkier the color pattern, the better . Either way, they are relatively cheap, experiment . You will also need some rice, lentils, beans, etc., or, my favorite, plastic filler pellets that can be bought in crafts stores (they are used for doll/toy stuffing). You can also use a smallish balloon filled with the above, or sand or water, as well as hackey sacks or juggling balls.



If not using a self contained filler (like hackey sack, balloon, juggling balls) then follow these steps:

1. Turn the socks inside out.

2. Pour the filler into the sock to desired weight (I like the weight of between 4 and 5 ounces of filler).

3. Tie a knot in the sock just above the filler, compacting it down a bit.

4. Turn the sock rightside out.

5. Tie a knot into the ends of the sock for handles.



There are many other options for practice poi as well, which can be found on the sites linked above. I just find socks to be the best by far. Feel free to ask if you have any questions.



Please let me know if any of the links above are broken.



Enjoy.

-Sui

Definition of poi- A Hawaiian food made from the tuber of the taro that is cooked, pounded to a paste, and fermented.

Ahnold discussing poi - "It is naht a toober!"

Definition of poi- A Hawaiian food made from the tuber of the taro that is cooked, pounded to a paste, and fermented.

Ahnold discussing poi - "It is naht a toober!"

Growing old is mandatory; growing up is NOT.
Proud member of the HoP DPS.
Sanity is a highly overrated state of mind.
I'm normal ... it's everyone else that's crazy.

Gidg

Definition of poi- A Hawaiian food made from the tuber of the taro that is cooked, pounded to a paste, and fermented.

Ahnold discussing poi - "It is naht a toober!"

never ever EVER, poke me with that thing.

just my little joke. As always.

Definition of poi- A Hawaiian food made from the tuber of the taro that is cooked, pounded to a paste, and fermented.

Ahnold discussing poi - "It is naht a toober!"

Growing old is mandatory; growing up is NOT.
Proud member of the HoP DPS.
Sanity is a highly overrated state of mind.
I'm normal ... it's everyone else that's crazy.

Gidg

Definition of poi- A Hawaiian food made from the tuber of the taro that is cooked, pounded to a paste, and fermented.

Ahnold discussing poi - "It is naht a toober!"

Definition of poi- A Hawaiian food made from the tuber of the taro that is cooked, pounded to a paste, and fermented.

Ahnold discussing poi - "It is naht a toober!"

Definition of poi- A Hawaiian food made from the tuber of the taro that is cooked, pounded to a paste, and fermented.

Ahnold discussing poi - "It is naht a toober!"

Chief adviser to the Pharaoh, in one very snazzy mutli-coloured coat

'Time goes by so slowly for those who wait...' - Whatever Happend To Baby Madonna?

Definition of poi- A Hawaiian food made from the tuber of the taro that is cooked, pounded to a paste, and fermented.

Ahnold discussing poi - "It is naht a toober!"