Forums > Help! > Health Benifits of Poi
Login/Join to ParticipateBRONZE Member
old hand
904 posts
Location: India/Bristol
old hand
904 posts
Location: India/Bristol
Posted:
Greetingas all
I am currently in Basel in Switzerland at the end of my European tour this year. Its been a wonderful experience and a BIG
and much 
to all those ive been in contact with.
OK, so I am staying with a firefriend here, who wants to encourage the school he works at into making classes for the kids in Poi.
'A fine idea' I hear you cry.
'Indeed, Splendid' you hear me reply
Anyway....For this he wants to emphasise the Physical and mental benefits of Poi and spinning in general.
So could people with knowledge, wisdom or just a good use of language please post here
I and im sure he (Till) would be most grateful, as im sure will be all those kids who will loose out, should you not post.......
34th rule of street performance; 'make the audience feel guilty and they give you more.... back it up with logic and they'll give you everything'(thanks to Bob for that one)...... although the 'babies up in the air and clothes on stage' line still hasnt worked!!!
So get typing kids and kidesses
Peas and thanks all you
's
Greetingas all
I am currently in Basel in Switzerland at the end of my European tour this year. Its been a wonderful experience and a BIG
and much to all those ive been in contact with.OK, so I am staying with a firefriend here, who wants to encourage the school he works at into making classes for the kids in Poi.
'A fine idea' I hear you cry.
'Indeed, Splendid' you hear me reply
Anyway....For this he wants to emphasise the Physical and mental benefits of Poi and spinning in general.
So could people with knowledge, wisdom or just a good use of language please post here
I and im sure he (Till) would be most grateful, as im sure will be all those kids who will loose out, should you not post.......
34th rule of street performance; 'make the audience feel guilty and they give you more.... back it up with logic and they'll give you everything'(thanks to Bob for that one)...... although the 'babies up in the air and clothes on stage' line still hasnt worked!!!
So get typing kids and kidesses
Peas and thanks all you
'sFeel the Flame
Phirenix
SILVER Member
Pooh-Bah
2,444 posts
Location: Bristol !!!!!!, United Kingdom
Pooh-Bah
2,444 posts
Location: Bristol !!!!!!, United Kingdom
Posted:
Rob - have you ever looked at anything to do with Laban?
Basically you can sell "poi" with Laban, which looks at body awareness, spatial awareness, health related fitness, music, body mechanics, learning theories and motor skills.
Body awareness covers:
transference of weight, gesture, turning, travel, elevation and stillness.
Poi certainly covers transference of weight, gesture and turning
Spatial awareness covers:
covers direction and size and can also cover air and floor patterns and levels.
Poi would cover the levels, low, medium and high and also the air and floor patterns. Covers flowers quite nicely.
Health Releated fitness would cover:
stamina, strength and flexibility.
Flexibility defo but maybe stamina as well???
Maybe if those monkey fists were heavy it might cover strength.
Skill related or motor skills would cover:
co-ordination - without a doubt,
posture, agility, power, reaction time and balance.
Certainly co-ordination and balance and possibly agility depending on your spinning style
Body Mechanics covers movement of the spine in flexion, extension and roatation
learning styles - how do you learn poi. Through repeated patterns or an imaginery idea and the factors that affect learning.
And finally music - rhythm, tempo and the like.
I think that should be enough to get you started
Rob - have you ever looked at anything to do with Laban?
Basically you can sell "poi" with Laban, which looks at body awareness, spatial awareness, health related fitness, music, body mechanics, learning theories and motor skills.
Body awareness covers:
transference of weight, gesture, turning, travel, elevation and stillness.
Poi certainly covers transference of weight, gesture and turning
Spatial awareness covers:
covers direction and size and can also cover air and floor patterns and levels.
Poi would cover the levels, low, medium and high and also the air and floor patterns. Covers flowers quite nicely.
Health Releated fitness would cover:
stamina, strength and flexibility.
Flexibility defo but maybe stamina as well???
Maybe if those monkey fists were heavy it might cover strength.
Skill related or motor skills would cover:
co-ordination - without a doubt,
posture, agility, power, reaction time and balance.
Certainly co-ordination and balance and possibly agility depending on your spinning style
Body Mechanics covers movement of the spine in flexion, extension and roatation
learning styles - how do you learn poi. Through repeated patterns or an imaginery idea and the factors that affect learning.
And finally music - rhythm, tempo and the like.
I think that should be enough to get you started
Gayle.....!
GOLD Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
2,895 posts
Location: Cambridge UK
Carpal \'Tunnel
2,895 posts
Location: Cambridge UK
Posted:
A friend of mine said he found it helped with his dyslexia, due to the use of both sides of the brain being involved in spinning poi.
Otherwise, I have found poi extremely good for developing upper body strength initially, and certainly for toning the rest of the body once you put more movement and footwork into spinning
A friend of mine said he found it helped with his dyslexia, due to the use of both sides of the brain being involved in spinning poi.
Otherwise, I have found poi extremely good for developing upper body strength initially, and certainly for toning the rest of the body once you put more movement and footwork into spinning
Because ActiveAngel sounds like a feminine deodorant
Like sex, I'm much more interesting in real life than online.
'Be the change you want to see in the world around you' - Ghandi
SILVER Member
mmm...i feel all warm and fuzzy... 'no dude, that's your hair on fire'
355 posts
Location: Birmingham, Australia
mmm...i feel all warm and fuzzy... 'no dude, that's your hair on fire'
355 posts
Location: Birmingham, Australia
Posted:
Aye, second that *flexes*
But seriously, coordination is a big area that's improved.
Also very meditative (spelling? word?) (very good for meditation/relaxing). I think everyone can tell you that if you try to think about what you're trying to do while swinging poi, you tend to mess it up... Clearing your head is the best way forward, so I guess it's good for stressed people...
and main thing...it's FUN!!!!
Written by: LazyAngel
I have found poi extremely good for developing upper body strength
Aye, second that *flexes*
But seriously, coordination is a big area that's improved.
Also very meditative (spelling? word?) (very good for meditation/relaxing). I think everyone can tell you that if you try to think about what you're trying to do while swinging poi, you tend to mess it up... Clearing your head is the best way forward, so I guess it's good for stressed people...
and main thing...it's FUN!!!!
It's better to burn out than to fade away
BRONZE Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
5,814 posts
Location: Perth, Australia
Carpal \'Tunnel
5,814 posts
Location: Perth, Australia
Posted:
If you want mental poi do the math to work out velocity. So the kids m,easure the radius, count the spins etc....
..and all that gayle said...adding in extra hand eye with tossing the poi back and forth and to self
If you want mental poi do the math to work out velocity. So the kids m,easure the radius, count the spins etc....
..and all that gayle said...adding in extra hand eye with tossing the poi back and forth and to self
Is it the Truth?
Is it Fair to all concerned?
Will it build Goodwill and Better Friendships?
Will it be Beneficial to all concerned?
Im in a lonely battle with the world with a fish to match the chip on my shoulder. Gnu in Binnu in a cnu
SILVER Member
what goes around comes around. unless you're into stalls.
4,030 posts
Location: Bali, Australia
what goes around comes around. unless you're into stalls.
4,030 posts
Location: Bali, Australia
Posted:
I agree that poi (or juggling for that matter) uses similar prinicples to 'brain gym' in having cross body movements and that it can help literacy in the long run. Not sure there are double blind experiments based on it, but I have seen it happen. Also I think it helps improve the 'core strength' (I do a lot of arms in the air, over my head moves) and abdominal strength which has good effects on back care, particularly for people who otherwise have to sit down more than could ever be healthy (students)
I agree that poi (or juggling for that matter) uses similar prinicples to 'brain gym' in having cross body movements and that it can help literacy in the long run. Not sure there are double blind experiments based on it, but I have seen it happen. Also I think it helps improve the 'core strength' (I do a lot of arms in the air, over my head moves) and abdominal strength which has good effects on back care, particularly for people who otherwise have to sit down more than could ever be healthy (students)
.....Can't juggle balls but I sure as hell can juggle details....
DIAMOND Member
The Ministry of Manipulation
2,523 posts
Location: Bristol, United Kingdom
The Ministry of Manipulation
2,523 posts
Location: Bristol, United Kingdom
Posted:
There Was a scientific study that showed that learning to juggle developed the reading age for kids who were behind.
the kids were 1 year behind.
they taught them to juggle and after 6-12 months they were an average fo one year ahead!!
poi would be the same I think
There Was a scientific study that showed that learning to juggle developed the reading age for kids who were behind.
the kids were 1 year behind.
they taught them to juggle and after 6-12 months they were an average fo one year ahead!!
poi would be the same I think
BRONZE Member
old hand
904 posts
Location: India/Bristol
old hand
904 posts
Location: India/Bristol
Posted:
Thanks people - keep it coming
Ill do a search for Laban never heard of it before - thanks Gayle
Its wonderful that people ive already connected with are here helping and those ive never even met - I love this site - Youre all great
Thanks people - keep it coming
Ill do a search for Laban never heard of it before - thanks Gayle
Its wonderful that people ive already connected with are here helping and those ive never even met - I love this site - Youre all great
Feel the Flame
Phirenix
SILVER Member
Pooh-Bah
2,444 posts
Location: Bristol !!!!!!, United Kingdom
Pooh-Bah
2,444 posts
Location: Bristol !!!!!!, United Kingdom
Posted:
Hi Rob,
I'll help you out a bit. All keep fit teachers in the UK who have qualified through the national keep fit organisation (https://www.keepfit.org.uk/) work on laban theories and this is a way of encompassing everything to do with body movement. There is a laban centre somewhere. Basically laban covers all the things i listed above plus anatomy and phyisology. (www.laban.co.uk)
Taken from wikipedia:
Laban Movement Analysis (LMA) is a system and language for observing, describing and notating all forms of movement. Devised by Rudolf Laban LMA draws on his theories of effort and shape to describe, interpret and document human movement. Used as a tool by dancers, athletes, physical and occupational therapists it is one of the most widely used systems of Human movement analysis.
You'll find places that use dance therapy like bristol area dance agency also concentrate on laban. It basically proves that nearly all movement can be based on laban's principles.
So, to sell to a school with children:
build basic body awareness focusing on transference of weight, gesture and turning
develop basic spatial awareness with air patterns and levels
Health related fitness benefits include increased flexibilty and maybe stamina
Develop core motor skills essential in life - co-ordination and balance
develop learning within the child and also expose them to music and finding rhythum and tempos.
With children you obviously don't want the emphasis to be on strength or spinal work.
Hope this helps
EDITED_BY: Gayle......! (1126618935)
Hi Rob,
I'll help you out a bit. All keep fit teachers in the UK who have qualified through the national keep fit organisation (https://www.keepfit.org.uk/) work on laban theories and this is a way of encompassing everything to do with body movement. There is a laban centre somewhere. Basically laban covers all the things i listed above plus anatomy and phyisology. (www.laban.co.uk)
Taken from wikipedia:
Laban Movement Analysis (LMA) is a system and language for observing, describing and notating all forms of movement. Devised by Rudolf Laban LMA draws on his theories of effort and shape to describe, interpret and document human movement. Used as a tool by dancers, athletes, physical and occupational therapists it is one of the most widely used systems of Human movement analysis.
You'll find places that use dance therapy like bristol area dance agency also concentrate on laban. It basically proves that nearly all movement can be based on laban's principles.
So, to sell to a school with children:
build basic body awareness focusing on transference of weight, gesture and turning
develop basic spatial awareness with air patterns and levels
Health related fitness benefits include increased flexibilty and maybe stamina
Develop core motor skills essential in life - co-ordination and balance
develop learning within the child and also expose them to music and finding rhythum and tempos.
With children you obviously don't want the emphasis to be on strength or spinal work.
Hope this helps
EDITED_BY: Gayle......! (1126618935)
Gayle.....!
SILVER Member
Pooh-Bah
2,444 posts
Location: Bristol !!!!!!, United Kingdom
Pooh-Bah
2,444 posts
Location: Bristol !!!!!!, United Kingdom
Posted:
i think the things i have written above are the type of words and phrases that a school would like to hear. I have tried to pick the relevant parts of laban to poi and especially to children.
Maybe a academic (rather than a keep fit teacher) can fill you in on the more mental aspects such as links with dislexia and the like.
I think it would be good to have the solid principles behind you when trying to convince, especially a school that this will benefit children.
If you need any follow up to this, from what i have written or more info please shout. Might prove why i learnt it all in the first place
i think the things i have written above are the type of words and phrases that a school would like to hear. I have tried to pick the relevant parts of laban to poi and especially to children.
Maybe a academic (rather than a keep fit teacher) can fill you in on the more mental aspects such as links with dislexia and the like.
I think it would be good to have the solid principles behind you when trying to convince, especially a school that this will benefit children.
If you need any follow up to this, from what i have written or more info please shout. Might prove why i learnt it all in the first place
Gayle.....!
SILVER Member
big and good and broken
7,330 posts
Location: lunn dunn, yoo kay, United Kingdom
big and good and broken
7,330 posts
Location: lunn dunn, yoo kay, United Kingdom
Posted:
i'd be careful saying that these studies would apply to poi as well.
firstly because they are carefully controlled scientific studies and saying "poi is a bit like juggling so it applies to poi too" is not very scientific.
secondly because juggling requires that your brain deal with three objects at once, the brain function needed to actually learn to juggle 3 objects is fairly advanced (in terms of what type of brain function is required to do it - you cannot teach an ape or a monkey to juggle) - i would be wary assuming that the same level of brain activity applies to poi spinning.
that laban stuff is absolute gold gayle - thank-you
cole. x
Written by: Glåss
There Was a scientific study that showed that learning to juggle developed the reading age for kids who were behind.
the kids were 1 year behind.
they taught them to juggle and after 6-12 months they were an average fo one year ahead!!
poi would be the same I think
i'd be careful saying that these studies would apply to poi as well.
firstly because they are carefully controlled scientific studies and saying "poi is a bit like juggling so it applies to poi too" is not very scientific.
secondly because juggling requires that your brain deal with three objects at once, the brain function needed to actually learn to juggle 3 objects is fairly advanced (in terms of what type of brain function is required to do it - you cannot teach an ape or a monkey to juggle) - i would be wary assuming that the same level of brain activity applies to poi spinning.
that laban stuff is absolute gold gayle - thank-you
cole. x
"i see you at 'dis cafe.
i come to 'dis cafe quite a lot myself.
they do porridge."
- tim westwood
geek, level 1
5,300 posts
Location: everywhere
5,300 posts
Location: everywhere
Posted:
my brother went to the laban centre for movement and dance;
www.laban.org
my plan a year or so back was to develop a form of labanotation for poi, but it got boring
my brother went to the laban centre for movement and dance;
www.laban.org
my plan a year or so back was to develop a form of labanotation for poi, but it got boring
Holistic Spinner (I hope)
SILVER Member
Pooh-Bah
2,444 posts
Location: Bristol !!!!!!, United Kingdom
Pooh-Bah
2,444 posts
Location: Bristol !!!!!!, United Kingdom
Posted:
yay! someone else who's heard of it!
yay! someone else who's heard of it!
Gayle.....!
DIAMOND Member
The Ministry of Manipulation
2,523 posts
Location: Bristol, United Kingdom
The Ministry of Manipulation
2,523 posts
Location: Bristol, United Kingdom
Posted:
Coleman, could you teach an ape to swing?
Excluding Cousin Louie of course
Blueeeeee, With the rapid development of cheap video, I decided that a poi notation would be pointless too
Coleman, could you teach an ape to swing?
Excluding Cousin Louie of course
Blueeeeee, With the rapid development of cheap video, I decided that a poi notation would be pointless too
SILVER Member
what goes around comes around. unless you're into stalls.
4,030 posts
Location: Bali, Australia
what goes around comes around. unless you're into stalls.
4,030 posts
Location: Bali, Australia
Posted:
Cole, I think that the relevant link with poi and reading is not the number of objects, but the type of body movement: cross ;moves and 'hookups' such as those used in brain gym
Standard 3 ball juggling involves cross-central eye movements, but actually doesn't involve cross body movements as much as poi often does (specially if you, um, sorry to say this.. move the feet.. ) More advanced juggling would, as would club swinging.
Using Brain Gym principles is not yet standard teaching technique here, but a friend of mine is currently involved in a program to upskill teachers across the state in the principles, via the Dept of Education, so it's on the way...
Written by: coleman
juggling requires that your brain deal with three objects at once, the brain function needed to actually learn to juggle 3 objects is fairly advanced ... i would be wary assuming that the same level of brain activity applies to poi spinning.
Cole, I think that the relevant link with poi and reading is not the number of objects, but the type of body movement: cross ;moves and 'hookups' such as those used in brain gym
Standard 3 ball juggling involves cross-central eye movements, but actually doesn't involve cross body movements as much as poi often does (specially if you, um, sorry to say this.. move the feet..
) More advanced juggling would, as would club swinging. Using Brain Gym principles is not yet standard teaching technique here, but a friend of mine is currently involved in a program to upskill teachers across the state in the principles, via the Dept of Education, so it's on the way...
.....Can't juggle balls but I sure as hell can juggle details....
GOLD Member
still can't believe it's not butter
6,978 posts
Location: Melbourne, Australia
still can't believe it's not butter
6,978 posts
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posted:
learning to poi saved me from the hassle of having body hair.
learning to poi saved me from the hassle of having body hair.
Laugh Often, Smile Much, Post lolcats Always
SILVER Member
big and good and broken
7,330 posts
Location: lunn dunn, yoo kay, United Kingdom
big and good and broken
7,330 posts
Location: lunn dunn, yoo kay, United Kingdom
Posted:
that makes sense gabe - cheers
you pointed out even more areas where the brain activity between juggling and poi swinging differs quite a bit
so it would definitely be a bad idea to claim that studies on juggling linked to improvements in reading ability apply directly to poi because of the *different* brain activity going on.
you don't ever have to apologise for suggesting moving the feet - as long as they only go where you intended to put them
right i'm off to get some poi and experiment on monkeys...
cole. x
that makes sense gabe - cheers
you pointed out even more areas where the brain activity between juggling and poi swinging differs quite a bit
so it would definitely be a bad idea to claim that studies on juggling linked to improvements in reading ability apply directly to poi because of the *different* brain activity going on.
you don't ever have to apologise for suggesting moving the feet - as long as they only go where you intended to put them
right i'm off to get some poi and experiment on monkeys...
cole. x
"i see you at 'dis cafe.
i come to 'dis cafe quite a lot myself.
they do porridge."
- tim westwood
DIAMOND Member
The Ministry of Manipulation
2,523 posts
Location: Bristol, United Kingdom
The Ministry of Manipulation
2,523 posts
Location: Bristol, United Kingdom
Posted:
Don't let scientific methods get in the way of some good advertising for poi
Don't let scientific methods get in the way of some good advertising for poi
SILVER Member
big and good and broken
7,330 posts
Location: lunn dunn, yoo kay, United Kingdom
big and good and broken
7,330 posts
Location: lunn dunn, yoo kay, United Kingdom
Posted:
completely offtopic but i saw this on a juggling newsgroup recently and it made me chuckle:
jay gilligan would be so proud
right, back on topic:
clubswinging health benefits can possibly be applied to poi (if you use some ridiculously heavy poi!):
use of heavy indian clubs for strength development
more indian club exercises for strength
nice little bit of information on health benefits on a site selling a clubswinging video as a fitness aid for older people
slightly scary circular strength training website that last website then
sport clubswingers? is this where poi and juggling will one day end up? is juggling almost there with the wjf???
cole. x
completely offtopic but i saw this on a juggling newsgroup recently and it made me chuckle:
Written by: a juggler
asking if something is "really juggling" is a rather
arrogant statement in itself. How would you feel if a poi artist saw
you doing 5 club backcrosses and said "it's kinda neat but it that
really considered swinging?"
jay gilligan would be so proud
right, back on topic:
clubswinging health benefits can possibly be applied to poi (if you use some ridiculously heavy poi!):
use of heavy indian clubs for strength development
more indian club exercises for strength
nice little bit of information on health benefits on a site selling a clubswinging video as a fitness aid for older people
slightly scary circular strength training website that last website then
sport clubswingers? is this where poi and juggling will one day end up? is juggling almost there with the wjf???
cole. x
"i see you at 'dis cafe.
i come to 'dis cafe quite a lot myself.
they do porridge."
- tim westwood
BRONZE Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
6,207 posts
Location: "In your ear", United Kingdom
Carpal \'Tunnel
6,207 posts
Location: "In your ear", United Kingdom
Posted:
how does hitting myslef in the nuts make me more healthy?
i knwo it makes you guys less stressed, less likly hood of me having kids....
how does hitting myslef in the nuts make me more healthy?
i knwo it makes you guys less stressed, less likly hood of me having kids....
Step (el-nombrie)
BRONZE Member
old hand
904 posts
Location: India/Bristol
old hand
904 posts
Location: India/Bristol
Posted:
Keep em coming - making me cuckle and educating me and the sweet little kids at the same time (ah the guilt thing back in there surrupticiously - well until I pointed it out and made it more obvious by missplelling it!!)
Keep em coming - making me cuckle and educating me and the sweet little kids at the same time (ah the guilt thing back in there surrupticiously - well until I pointed it out and made it more obvious by missplelling it!!)
Feel the Flame
Phirenix
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