Forums > Other Toys > Beginner Fire Fans
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Location: Chester
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!!
Whoever said 'Nothing's Impossible' never tried to nail jelly to a tree
Elusive and Bearded
3,597 posts
Location: Scottsdale, AZ, USA
i dont know about fans but heres some info
https://www.homeofpoi.com/lessons_all/teach/7_35_120
[Old link]
[Old link]
[Old link]
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
O.B.E.S.E.
Owned by Mynci!
with added berries
1,365 posts
Location: Manchester, England (UK)
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.
Live like there is no tomorrow,
dance like nobody is watching
and hula hoop like wiggling will save the world.
“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Will carpal your tunnel in a minute.
3,286 posts
Location: Melbourne, Australia
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
ॐ
Owner of burningoftheclavey 
Owned by Lost83spy
Member
38 posts
Location: USA
Written by: Brenn
Folding Fans may be more appropriate for slow, geisha-like dancing which may or may not suited to your desire.
Or for a Tai-Chi style of fan-work. I've noticed a lot of folding and opening within that.
Who wants to see a monkey on fire?
11 posts
Location: Chester
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!
Whoever said 'Nothing's Impossible' never tried to nail jelly to a tree
6,650 posts
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'
the best smiles are the ones you lead to 
11 posts
Location: Chester
Goa! wow - pay for me to come and I'll be on the next plane out there
heeheeYeah, 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
Whoever said 'Nothing's Impossible' never tried to nail jelly to a tree
with added berries
1,365 posts
Location: Manchester, England (UK)
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).
Live like there is no tomorrow,
dance like nobody is watching
and hula hoop like wiggling will save the world.
“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
11 posts
Location: Chester
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!
Whoever said 'Nothing's Impossible' never tried to nail jelly to a tree
with added berries
1,365 posts
Location: Manchester, England (UK)
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.
Live like there is no tomorrow,
dance like nobody is watching
and hula hoop like wiggling will save the world.
“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
6,650 posts
Written by: PinkDancer
Goa! wow - pay for me to come and I'll be on the next plane out there
(...) I am leaning more towards those tho, because of the ease of transporting them - can you reccomend any?
Thanks for everyone's help btw
You're welcome
Goa pays for itself and all you need is the time and courage to take the plunge in the first place. Leaving all expectations and letting go is usually the hardest of all topics (but quite essential).
You won't "slice" your fingers off with rounded spikes assembling the fan. Can I recommend any? Maybe the ones I'm due to have made shortcoming (my metal worker is busy with a months work, so unfortunately not before end of the year)
. Apart from that: unfortunately not, as fans only resemble a quite recent part of my repertoire, but others can be of more help in that - like _Clare_ for example. Just PM her and (I guess) she'll fix you up rightEnjoy
the best smiles are the ones you lead to
11 posts
Location: Chester
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 Whoever said 'Nothing's Impossible' never tried to nail jelly to a tree
with added berries
1,365 posts
Location: Manchester, England (UK)
See this thread...
[Old link]
Live like there is no tomorrow,
dance like nobody is watching
and hula hoop like wiggling will save the world.
“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Will carpal your tunnel in a minute.
3,286 posts
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Written by: PinkDancer
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!!!!!
More will be coming once the following is fulfilled at once:
*it's a nice day for filming
*uninterrupted time for filmage
*not being sick
*not being busy
ॐ
Owner of burningoftheclavey
Owned by Lost83spy
11 posts
Location: Chester
don't be sick Brenn, that's a rubbish idea!
Thank you!
Whoever said 'Nothing's Impossible' never tried to nail jelly to a tree
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