Forums > Beginner Poi Moves > I'm the best spinner in the world 3 years ago.
Login/Join to ParticipateNYC
9,232 posts
Location: NYC, NY, USA
9,232 posts
Location: NYC, NY, USA
Posted:
I was just reminising about my first EJC two years ago... and I remember the coolest kid there was Glass doing a very bad buzzsaw isolation. Sometimes he 'kinda got it' and sometimes he didn't. And he also did an 'amazing' butterfly variation where he put the right poi over his left shoulder. We were all blown away. Stuff most of us can do in our sleep nowadays.
Even the 'amazing' videos from two years ago are getting dated.
We've been spending so much time trying to develop our poi moves yet, if we want to get relatively better, all we really need is a time machine.
I was just reminising about my first EJC two years ago... and I remember the coolest kid there was Glass doing a very bad buzzsaw isolation. Sometimes he 'kinda got it' and sometimes he didn't. And he also did an 'amazing' butterfly variation where he put the right poi over his left shoulder. We were all blown away. Stuff most of us can do in our sleep nowadays.
Even the 'amazing' videos from two years ago are getting dated.
We've been spending so much time trying to develop our poi moves yet, if we want to get relatively better, all we really need is a time machine.
Well, shall we go?
Yes, let's go.
[They do not move.]
geek, level 1
5,300 posts
Location: everywhere
5,300 posts
Location: everywhere
Posted:
i think i'd just learnt a weave by then.
and was taking a month over backwards weave....
i think i'd just learnt a weave by then.
and was taking a month over backwards weave....
Holistic Spinner (I hope)
GOLD Member
playing the days away
7,263 posts
Location: The Middle lands, United Kingdom
playing the days away
7,263 posts
Location: The Middle lands, United Kingdom
Posted:
I hadn't even heard of poi then...in fact I haven't even been doing it a year yet! Glasto is my anniversary so I hope my poi buy me a nice dinner to celebrate, maybe even candles and a bottle of cheap red plonk 
I hadn't even heard of poi then...in fact I haven't even been doing it a year yet! Glasto is my anniversary so I hope my poi buy me a nice dinner to celebrate, maybe even candles and a bottle of cheap red plonk Let's relight this forum 
SILVER Member
not with cactus
2,052 posts
Location: bristol/ southern eastern devon, United Kingdom
not with cactus
2,052 posts
Location: bristol/ southern eastern devon, United Kingdom
Posted:
makes you wonder what people are gonna be doing with poi in a couple of years time really?
i reckon itll be suitibly insane
makes you wonder what people are gonna be doing with poi in a couple of years time really?
i reckon itll be suitibly insane
Me train running low on soul coal
They push+pull tactics are driving me loco
They shouldn't do that no no no
enlightened
187 posts
Location: montreal
187 posts
Location: montreal
Posted:
seems like the poi community only started a few years ago... as if no one has been doing it for longer than the existence of this site lol maybe theirs the oldschool guys with poi who are to outdated to use the interent to communicate with us but.. their has to be some odschool poi spinners that could do stuff we could never imagine lol
seems like the poi community only started a few years ago... as if no one has been doing it for longer than the existence of this site lol maybe theirs the oldschool guys with poi who are to outdated to use the interent to communicate with us but.. their has to be some odschool poi spinners that could do stuff we could never imagine lol
it must be green
GOLD Member
playing the days away
7,263 posts
Location: The Middle lands, United Kingdom
playing the days away
7,263 posts
Location: The Middle lands, United Kingdom
Posted:
[work mode]
effective communication techniques is the key
[/workmode]
[work mode]
effective communication techniques is the key
[/workmode]
Let's relight this forum
GOLD Member
Pooh-Bah
2,109 posts
Location: Philadelphia, PA - USA
Pooh-Bah
2,109 posts
Location: Philadelphia, PA - USA
Posted:
Thats because fire spinning is a rather rare skill. For a long time it was only considered a side show type act. Over the past 10 years, however, the club/rave scene has been big and fire spinning was kind of ressurected in the form of glow string. And glow sting was translated back into fire spinning... At least thats how I think of it.
This site also just makes learning and growing as a community that much easier. Think about your own progression in learning. If it werent for this site, would you have figured out the 5 beat weave on your own? Would you have ever thought to spin behind your back? Waiste wraps? I know I sure as hell would have never thought of that stuff on my own. And not only that, but this site subconsiously induces competition... An urge to get better and be able to do what that really cool guy can do. And of course it "seems" like the community just started when this site was made because it opened a window to the entire WORLD of poi instead of just the 4 or 5 spinners you may or may not know exist in your home town.
Written by:
seems like the poi community only started a few years ago... as if no one has been doing it for longer than the existence of this site
Thats because fire spinning is a rather rare skill. For a long time it was only considered a side show type act. Over the past 10 years, however, the club/rave scene has been big and fire spinning was kind of ressurected in the form of glow string. And glow sting was translated back into fire spinning... At least thats how I think of it.
This site also just makes learning and growing as a community that much easier. Think about your own progression in learning. If it werent for this site, would you have figured out the 5 beat weave on your own? Would you have ever thought to spin behind your back? Waiste wraps? I know I sure as hell would have never thought of that stuff on my own. And not only that, but this site subconsiously induces competition... An urge to get better and be able to do what that really cool guy can do. And of course it "seems" like the community just started when this site was made because it opened a window to the entire WORLD of poi instead of just the 4 or 5 spinners you may or may not know exist in your home town.
Let's turn those old bridges we crossed into ashes.
We'll blaze a new trail,
and torch the rough patches.
-Me
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:
I'm mo' oldskool, yo.
(hey do a search, this been my only poi thread post in 1 years hehe STAFF ROCKS!)
I'm mo' oldskool, yo.
(hey do a search, this been my only poi thread post in 1 years hehe STAFF ROCKS!)
Laugh Often, Smile Much, Post lolcats Always
BRONZE Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,009 posts
Location: Bristol, UK
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,009 posts
Location: Bristol, UK
Posted:
Yeah, I also remember when Glass used to be good
Yeah, I also remember when Glass used to be good
geek, level 1
5,300 posts
Location: everywhere
5,300 posts
Location: everywhere
Posted:
so what oldskoolery are you bringing to this side of the pond for summer, nyc boyo?
gonna teach that tall blonde dude a lesson right?
i look forward to the (next to mr heart) OLD SKOOL workshops at ejc. mighrt even stand there balancing a poi on my freshly shaven bonce.
love
R
so what oldskoolery are you bringing to this side of the pond for summer, nyc boyo?
gonna teach that tall blonde dude a lesson right?
i look forward to the (next to mr heart) OLD SKOOL workshops at ejc. mighrt even stand there balancing a poi on my freshly shaven bonce.
love
R
Holistic Spinner (I hope)
GOLD Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
2,617 posts
Location: Berlin, Ireland
Carpal \'Tunnel
2,617 posts
Location: Berlin, Ireland
Posted:
Good point well made but surely we can't be arrogant enough to think we're all on the brink of the wave here at HOP?
Good point well made but surely we can't be arrogant enough to think we're all on the brink of the wave here at HOP?
I live in a world of infinite possibilities.
geek, level 1
5,300 posts
Location: everywhere
5,300 posts
Location: everywhere
Posted:
no.
tho honestly i would have to say nearly all the best (imo) spinners i have met are on hop.
whether regularly or not.
only a very few truly outstanding spinners that i have met have NO connection with hop.
R
no.
tho honestly i would have to say nearly all the best (imo) spinners i have met are on hop.
whether regularly or not.
only a very few truly outstanding spinners that i have met have NO connection with hop.
R Holistic Spinner (I hope)
BRONZE Member
Classically British
5,689 posts
Location: Epsom, Surrey, England
Classically British
5,689 posts
Location: Epsom, Surrey, England
Posted:
S'true - I'm better than everyone and I'm never on HoP.
I also never spin properly infront of other people to hide this fact
S'true - I'm better than everyone and I'm never on HoP.
I also never spin properly infront of other people to hide this fact
Burner of Toast
Spinner of poi
Slacker of enormous magnitude
NYC
9,232 posts
Location: NYC, NY, USA
9,232 posts
Location: NYC, NY, USA
Posted:
Naw... good point Sheep. But still... It's kinda funny. I mean at least YOU all sucked three years ago.
Naw... good point Sheep. But still... It's kinda funny. I mean at least YOU all sucked three years ago.
Well, shall we go?
Yes, let's go.
[They do not move.]
GOLD Member
Fool
2,020 posts
Location: Cornwall, UK
Fool
2,020 posts
Location: Cornwall, UK
Posted:
Some of us still do.
I used to tie all sorts of [censored] to bits of string and spin 'em as a kid. Only found out about Poi (and HoP especially) just over a year ago. Still, it is funny thinking about the trouble i had doing the most basic of things.
*worships ICoN's signature*
Some of us still do.
I used to tie all sorts of [censored] to bits of string and spin 'em as a kid. Only found out about Poi (and HoP especially) just over a year ago. Still, it is funny thinking about the trouble i had doing the most basic of things.
*worships ICoN's signature*
"I believe the cost of life is Death and we will all pay that in full. Everything else should be a gift. We paid the cover charge of life, we were born."
Bill Hicks, February 1988
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:
"...listen to your muscle memory..."
Written by: Mags The Jedi
*worships ICoN's signature*
"...listen to your muscle memory..."
"i see you at 'dis cafe.
i come to 'dis cafe quite a lot myself.
they do porridge."
- tim westwood
Pooh-Bah
2,364 posts
Location: austin,tx
2,364 posts
Location: austin,tx
Posted:
i've said this many times. 90% of the truly tremendous spinners i've met don't post here on hop. in fact i've never seen what i would consider a _world class_ spinner on hop linked videos or on the 2 COL vids i've seen. you gotta figure, as all of us practice, there's people out there that practice just as hard or harder, but for 15+ years longer. most of them hide their stuff from the spinner community, much less post them on the net. (heck even i don't reveal a 5th of my best stuff, a magician's gotta have his secrets
) hoppers are really lucky to have people like glass, coleman, bluecat, bender, and others (you know who you are) that have a good grasp on movement fundamentals posting here and selflessly helping people. the progression that the newbies are able to undergo as a result cannot be underestimated, and an enourmous gift is here, whether it is known and appreciated or not. i DID teach myself the 5 beat, and everything past it to the 9-11's. and it took me 6 years to get that high. now a newbie can learn them before he can even do the bfly!
ha ha actually i just remembered the day that the 5 beat finally showed up on hop. i was still perusing the social boards at that point flirting with cassandra and cracking jokes with superman, avoiding the poi moves section cause it was such an insurmountable task to catch the boards up to what is out there. in fact, seeing everybody's reaction to "this insane new move" is what moved me to pity the hoppers and start posting some fun-ner moves for folks here in the poi moves section. i remember posting some harder stuff like parallel weaves and BTL weaves and just confusing people. oh wait i still do that
oh yeah, i remember somebody posting a really cool move, bfly between the shouder blades like you were clasping your hands together behind your back, one elbow up the other down. that was the other straw that brought me here to the poi moves section too. hmmm... wonder who posted that move? musta been coleman...
i've said this many times. 90% of the truly tremendous spinners i've met don't post here on hop. in fact i've never seen what i would consider a _world class_ spinner on hop linked videos or on the 2 COL vids i've seen. you gotta figure, as all of us practice, there's people out there that practice just as hard or harder, but for 15+ years longer. most of them hide their stuff from the spinner community, much less post them on the net. (heck even i don't reveal a 5th of my best stuff, a magician's gotta have his secrets
) hoppers are really lucky to have people like glass, coleman, bluecat, bender, and others (you know who you are) that have a good grasp on movement fundamentals posting here and selflessly helping people. the progression that the newbies are able to undergo as a result cannot be underestimated, and an enourmous gift is here, whether it is known and appreciated or not. i DID teach myself the 5 beat, and everything past it to the 9-11's. and it took me 6 years to get that high. now a newbie can learn them before he can even do the bfly!ha ha actually i just remembered the day that the 5 beat finally showed up on hop. i was still perusing the social boards at that point flirting with cassandra and cracking jokes with superman, avoiding the poi moves section cause it was such an insurmountable task to catch the boards up to what is out there. in fact, seeing everybody's reaction to "this insane new move" is what moved me to pity the hoppers and start posting some fun-ner moves for folks here in the poi moves section. i remember posting some harder stuff like parallel weaves and BTL weaves and just confusing people. oh wait i still do that
oh yeah, i remember somebody posting a really cool move, bfly between the shouder blades like you were clasping your hands together behind your back, one elbow up the other down. that was the other straw that brought me here to the poi moves section too. hmmm... wonder who posted that move? musta been coleman...
-Such a price the gods exact for song: to become what we sing
-Seek freedom and become captive of your desires. Seek discipline and find your liberty.
-When the center of the storm does not move, you are in its path.
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:
a decent reminde that although HoP is the biggest community of firetwirlers, still the brightest star in the sky is still only one amongst the galaxies.
star trek rocks.
:bows at a rash e:
a decent reminde that although HoP is the biggest community of firetwirlers, still the brightest star in the sky is still only one amongst the galaxies.
star trek rocks.
:bows at a rash e:
Laugh Often, Smile Much, Post lolcats Always
Pooh-Bah
2,364 posts
Location: austin,tx
2,364 posts
Location: austin,tx
Posted:
{bows back and pokes his eye on bender's long, green, scraggly, uncut toenail sticking out of his cast like a spear}
AAAAAAAAHHAAHHOOOOOWCH!!!!!!!!!!
{runs out of the room arms flailing}
hugs and reiki, oh flat-butted one
{bows back and pokes his eye on bender's long, green, scraggly, uncut toenail sticking out of his cast like a spear}
AAAAAAAAHHAAHHOOOOOWCH!!!!!!!!!!
{runs out of the room arms flailing}
hugs and reiki, oh flat-butted one
-Such a price the gods exact for song: to become what we sing
-Seek freedom and become captive of your desires. Seek discipline and find your liberty.
-When the center of the storm does not move, you are in its path.
NYC
9,232 posts
Location: NYC, NY, USA
9,232 posts
Location: NYC, NY, USA
Posted:
Arashi's post makes me so sad.
I've given so much to my local poi community. I teach endlessly and strain to learn solely so that I can give back. The burningman and international firespinning community has been so generous both with soul and spirit I will always be indebted to it.
I really don't understand withholding or hiding moves.
I'm also not sure how I feel about the concept of supersecret firespinners who are a million times better than anyone and never perform and no one has ever seen them.
Arashi's post makes me so sad.
I've given so much to my local poi community. I teach endlessly and strain to learn solely so that I can give back. The burningman and international firespinning community has been so generous both with soul and spirit I will always be indebted to it.
I really don't understand withholding or hiding moves.
I'm also not sure how I feel about the concept of supersecret firespinners who are a million times better than anyone and never perform and no one has ever seen them.
Well, shall we go?
Yes, let's go.
[They do not move.]
BRONZE Member
Classically British
5,689 posts
Location: Epsom, Surrey, England
Classically British
5,689 posts
Location: Epsom, Surrey, England
Posted:
Just like me - I just pretend to be rubbish and hide my best moves...
But I agree with your sentiment NYC, there's never been a move that I haven't been willing to teach... Why should I, no-one ever held anything back from me (At least I don't think so)
Just like me - I just pretend to be rubbish and hide my best moves...
But I agree with your sentiment NYC, there's never been a move that I haven't been willing to teach... Why should I, no-one ever held anything back from me (At least I don't think so)
Burner of Toast
Spinner of poi
Slacker of enormous magnitude
SILVER Member
not with cactus
2,052 posts
Location: bristol/ southern eastern devon, United Kingdom
not with cactus
2,052 posts
Location: bristol/ southern eastern devon, United Kingdom
Posted:
i agree with the above two posts.
although i can appreciate that maybe arashi is very busy and possibly hasnt got time to write everything he knows up on here, and then explain it to the confused people.
id like to see a video though
i agree with the above two posts.
although i can appreciate that maybe arashi is very busy and possibly hasnt got time to write everything he knows up on here, and then explain it to the confused people.
id like to see a video though
Me train running low on soul coal
They push+pull tactics are driving me loco
They shouldn't do that no no no
NYC
9,232 posts
Location: NYC, NY, USA
9,232 posts
Location: NYC, NY, USA
Posted:
Naw... I TOTALLY understand with "I'm not dealing with newbies today" or "I'm not going to bother to teach it to people who don't respect it" or "Don't want to explain the exact same thing for the 5000th time" or "I'm too tired/cranky/busy hitting on the girl in the pink hat".
Naw... I TOTALLY understand with "I'm not dealing with newbies today" or "I'm not going to bother to teach it to people who don't respect it" or "Don't want to explain the exact same thing for the 5000th time" or "I'm too tired/cranky/busy hitting on the girl in the pink hat".
Well, shall we go?
Yes, let's go.
[They do not move.]
PLATINUM Member
bastard child of satan
1,113 posts
Location: Raanana, Israel
bastard child of satan
1,113 posts
Location: Raanana, Israel
Posted:
I don't mind teaching to others, except kids that annoy me...
but one of the problem with begginer spinners is that they try to learn the hard moves first, my friends want to learn 5 beat weave before learning 3 beat reverse weave.
I don't mind teaching to others, except kids that annoy me...
but one of the problem with begginer spinners is that they try to learn the hard moves first, my friends want to learn 5 beat weave before learning 3 beat reverse weave.
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:
I wrote half of the post that arashi, wrote, I was going to write the rest, with almost exactly the same sentiment but then I decided it wasn't worth posting. I have very little more to say on HOP.
Very few if the best spinners that I have ever had the pleasure to meet have ever posted here. As for the first post, even 3 years ago I knew many many many spinners who were far better than me, and I still do.Many of them, don't spin any more either.
It can be better to inspire people to learn with a great performance, than with a great lesson.
My perception of what is utterly Bene Gesserit in poi nowdays, just as always, has almost nothing to do with the move.
(They're all relatively easy if the training methods are correct, one of the problems with the un-taught arts, and the reason why one very good teacher spinner who is teaching regularly can have a massive impact on the standard in an area.)
Bene Gesserit has everything to do with the quality with which the movement is made, the mood, the character, the feeling, the quality of planes, the timing, the style, the story told and the way the dance fits the music.
All these things, all these which I hold in the highest importance are sadly, almost never discussed here.
Contemplate that...
and If arashi's post saddens you, then have a nice glass of water and reconsider.
and wonder why every time you get close... that blasted cat seems to keep pulling the water out of reach at the last second...
I wrote half of the post that arashi, wrote, I was going to write the rest, with almost exactly the same sentiment but then I decided it wasn't worth posting. I have very little more to say on HOP.
Very few if the best spinners that I have ever had the pleasure to meet have ever posted here. As for the first post, even 3 years ago I knew many many many spinners who were far better than me, and I still do.Many of them, don't spin any more either.
It can be better to inspire people to learn with a great performance, than with a great lesson.
My perception of what is utterly Bene Gesserit in poi nowdays, just as always, has almost nothing to do with the move.
(They're all relatively easy if the training methods are correct, one of the problems with the un-taught arts, and the reason why one very good teacher spinner who is teaching regularly can have a massive impact on the standard in an area.)
Bene Gesserit has everything to do with the quality with which the movement is made, the mood, the character, the feeling, the quality of planes, the timing, the style, the story told and the way the dance fits the music.
All these things, all these which I hold in the highest importance are sadly, almost never discussed here.
Contemplate that...
and If arashi's post saddens you, then have a nice glass of water
and reconsider.and wonder why every time you get close... that blasted cat seems to keep pulling the water out of reach at the last second...
BRONZE Member
Bastard Newbie Messiah
1,269 posts
Location: Apparently lost in my ego, USA
Bastard Newbie Messiah
1,269 posts
Location: Apparently lost in my ego, USA
Posted:
you know..that's what makes me post so much more.. sure.. I get bored typing out the 3bt weave every other day, and lots of times ignore thesimple requests.. but I've always made it a point to further things left incomplete.. descriptions by the ancient masters so arcane and riddled that you can onlyhope they post a video to follow..
I respect hop because it renewed an interest that died before it ever really began.. and though many like to claim they taught me things.. I have to say that apart from the basic twist, 4bt ttn, and the bf weave, I really haven't gotten a significant amount of anything here.. mainly because people never post enough about anything.. whether intentional or not (which I can see now as intentional by the 'holding back') people never post enough for anyone to really follow..
and when these newbies come back and uncover things on their own after having thrown their hands up at the predecessors, nothing but ranting ensues..
how can you say you care about your art when you don't care to push its potential.. hoarding moves which is something I can honestly say I have NEVER done.. just goes to prove that its all about the elitism..
I don't care if I can teach someone everything Iknow in a matter of months.. I see that to be thepoint.. the sooner someone can do everything I can the sooner they can teach me something I don't know.. I mean.. I can understand telling newbies to bite it now and again, but refusing to engage in discussions, and knowledge hoarding.. that's down right childish...
at least these the newbies can count on me and others liek me that see through the bs.. even in spite of being called 'cryptic' when I post something Ijust figured out and don't fully understand.. and called 'knowledge hoarding' when I wait to present it in an organized fashion.. the word hypocrite comes to mind..
can't say I'm saddened by any of the posts here.. more disgusted.. more of a shattering reality when you come to see that those you respected are human after all.
let the ranting over my post begin.. I'm sure it'll piss of a few people.. even though that isnt the intention..
you know..that's what makes me post so much more.. sure.. I get bored typing out the 3bt weave every other day, and lots of times ignore thesimple requests.. but I've always made it a point to further things left incomplete.. descriptions by the ancient masters so arcane and riddled that you can onlyhope they post a video to follow..
I respect hop because it renewed an interest that died before it ever really began.. and though many like to claim they taught me things.. I have to say that apart from the basic twist, 4bt ttn, and the bf weave, I really haven't gotten a significant amount of anything here.. mainly because people never post enough about anything.. whether intentional or not (which I can see now as intentional by the 'holding back') people never post enough for anyone to really follow..
and when these newbies come back and uncover things on their own after having thrown their hands up at the predecessors, nothing but ranting ensues..
how can you say you care about your art when you don't care to push its potential.. hoarding moves which is something I can honestly say I have NEVER done.. just goes to prove that its all about the elitism..
I don't care if I can teach someone everything Iknow in a matter of months.. I see that to be thepoint.. the sooner someone can do everything I can the sooner they can teach me something I don't know.. I mean.. I can understand telling newbies to bite it now and again, but refusing to engage in discussions, and knowledge hoarding.. that's down right childish...
at least these the newbies can count on me and others liek me that see through the bs.. even in spite of being called 'cryptic' when I post something Ijust figured out and don't fully understand.. and called 'knowledge hoarding' when I wait to present it in an organized fashion.. the word hypocrite comes to mind..
can't say I'm saddened by any of the posts here.. more disgusted.. more of a shattering reality when you come to see that those you respected are human after all.
let the ranting over my post begin.. I'm sure it'll piss of a few people.. even though that isnt the intention..
More useless information courtesy of Rev...
Confusing the masses, one post at a time...
"Obviously, you're not a golfer.."- The Dude
"Buy the ticket... Take the ride..." -Raoul Duke
"FEMA has never done catastrophe planning..."-Michael Brown
NYC
9,232 posts
Location: NYC, NY, USA
9,232 posts
Location: NYC, NY, USA
Posted:
Oh good, somebody else said it.
I couldn't disagree more. I KNOW I've inspired people more by my teaching than by performing. There's NOTHING more satisfying than saying "No, turn your hand to the left more" and then seeing someone's smile as they get a move that they've been strugging with forever.
I think that there is a huge difference between the smile of someone watching a performance that is of "Wow, that's beautiful, I could never do that" versus a smile of a person who you've just taught a trick is that of "Wow, I can't believe I'm doing that!"
It's empowering the audience to teach them. It empowers the performer to show off to them.
I know that teaching is actually DEvaluing yourself. At the end of a year of chemistry some of my kids joke... 'You mean now we could teach chemistry? So what good are you?" And, in a way, they're right. When a teacher has made himself obsolete he has achieved the ultimate goal.
I made a promise to myself to teach others. I will share whatever I can with whomever I can. Not all the time, not to every newbie I meet. But to many people. People I respect, people I've just met. Sometimes when I'm tired, sometimes when I'm cranky, sometimes when I'd rather be hitting on the girl with the pink hat.
Unfortunately, I am, and will always be a mid-level spinner. So I can only give back so much.
But that's just who I am. The universe has given me SO much. The firespinning world has been SO generous (except for Arashi and Glass ) that I'm HONORED to take the tricks and skills that I've learned and pass them along to others.
And I'm so utterly thankful for the very few that have taken the time to selflessly teach me.
To the very few people that have taught me more than one trick:
Thank you Skunk.
Thank you Dom.
Thank you Glass.
Oh good, somebody else said it.
Written by: Glåss
It can be better to inspire people to learn with a great proformance, than with a great lesson
I couldn't disagree more.
I KNOW I've inspired people more by my teaching than by performing. There's NOTHING more satisfying than saying "No, turn your hand to the left more" and then seeing someone's smile as they get a move that they've been strugging with forever.I think that there is a huge difference between the smile of someone watching a performance that is of "Wow, that's beautiful, I could never do that" versus a smile of a person who you've just taught a trick is that of "Wow, I can't believe I'm doing that!"
It's empowering the audience to teach them. It empowers the performer to show off to them.
I know that teaching is actually DEvaluing yourself. At the end of a year of chemistry some of my kids joke... 'You mean now we could teach chemistry? So what good are you?" And, in a way, they're right. When a teacher has made himself obsolete he has achieved the ultimate goal.
I made a promise to myself to teach others. I will share whatever I can with whomever I can. Not all the time, not to every newbie I meet. But to many people. People I respect, people I've just met. Sometimes when I'm tired, sometimes when I'm cranky, sometimes when I'd rather be hitting on the girl with the pink hat.
Unfortunately, I am, and will always be a mid-level spinner. So I can only give back so much.
But that's just who I am. The universe has given me SO much. The firespinning world has been SO generous (except for Arashi and Glass
) that I'm HONORED to take the tricks and skills that I've learned and pass them along to others.And I'm so utterly thankful for the very few that have taken the time to selflessly teach me.
To the very few people that have taught me more than one trick:
Thank you Skunk.
Thank you Dom.
Thank you Glass.
Well, shall we go?
Yes, let's go.
[They do not move.]
BRONZE Member
Classically British
5,689 posts
Location: Epsom, Surrey, England
Classically British
5,689 posts
Location: Epsom, Surrey, England
Posted:
Hmmm, I'm not going to start ranting at people for hoarding moves or the like, I don't agree with it per se however I can understand it.
But I'd also like to whole heartedly agree with Glass, that the whole point of poi (in my eyes) i.e. the movement, timing, dance aspect is seldom mentioned on here other than "Oh wow - you move really well".
But then again, this can't really be explained on a message board, nor should it be. One of the nice things about poi, is that you can take 4 people who know exactly the same moves and everyone will look different.
If people start discussing how you should move, then all the freedom is lost.
Teaching vs. Performing? Everyone is giong to be different, some love teaching (myself included) and as NYC nicely put it the satisfaction from helping someone learn a new move is great. But then others really enjoy giving someone that WOW factor of a truly beautiful performance, which is probably what started 90% of the board spinning in the first place (meself also included )
I love HoP, I think it's a great resource, both socially and in terms of developing our art, but I happily admit that it isn't THE resource for developing our art, just one of countless avenues.
Hmmm, I'm not going to start ranting at people for hoarding moves or the like, I don't agree with it per se however I can understand it.
But I'd also like to whole heartedly agree with Glass, that the whole point of poi (in my eyes) i.e. the movement, timing, dance aspect is seldom mentioned on here other than "Oh wow - you move really well".
But then again, this can't really be explained on a message board, nor should it be. One of the nice things about poi, is that you can take 4 people who know exactly the same moves and everyone will look different.
If people start discussing how you should move, then all the freedom is lost.
Teaching vs. Performing? Everyone is giong to be different, some love teaching (myself included) and as NYC nicely put it the satisfaction from helping someone learn a new move is great. But then others really enjoy giving someone that WOW factor of a truly beautiful performance, which is probably what started 90% of the board spinning in the first place (meself also included
)I love HoP, I think it's a great resource, both socially and in terms of developing our art, but I happily admit that it isn't THE resource for developing our art, just one of countless avenues.
Burner of Toast
Spinner of poi
Slacker of enormous magnitude
geek, level 1
5,300 posts
Location: everywhere
5,300 posts
Location: everywhere
Posted:
at old chestnuts.
each to their own....
at old chestnuts.each to their own....
Holistic Spinner (I hope)
BRONZE Member
Classically British
5,689 posts
Location: Epsom, Surrey, England
Classically British
5,689 posts
Location: Epsom, Surrey, England
Posted:
Amen to that
Amen to that
Burner of Toast
Spinner of poi
Slacker of enormous magnitude
veteran
1,376 posts
Location: London, UK
1,376 posts
Location: London, UK
Posted:
Surely though the whole point of learning new "moves" is that it opens up more opportunity for dance and flow? Every time I learn something new it's a way for me to move with my poi in a different place, direction or style, thus giving me more freedom.
As Durbs says you can't teach dance or flow, and shouldn't, but by opening new possibilities by showing new moves you're letting people find new ways to express themselves.
Surely though the whole point of learning new "moves" is that it opens up more opportunity for dance and flow? Every time I learn something new it's a way for me to move with my poi in a different place, direction or style, thus giving me more freedom.
As Durbs says you can't teach dance or flow, and shouldn't, but by opening new possibilities by showing new moves you're letting people find new ways to express themselves.
"Moo," said the happy cow.
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