Forums > Social Chat > kinesthetics in twirling
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Keeper of the Spitfire
2,317 posts
Location: Calgary Canada
Keeper of the Spitfire
2,317 posts
Location: Calgary Canada
Posted:
OK, i'm sorry if what i'm writing here is obvious to some people. I've only ever met 3 people who do fire stuff, so i don't know if i'm saying what everyone knows already. If so, then sorry!
Alright, for what follows I DO NOT want sympathy. I've been through all that, and now try and look at the outcome as a positive experience. It has, in a way, helped to improve my kayaking, canoeing, juggling, and now poi.
Basically, a few years ago i had quite a nasty mountain bike accident. Cutting a long story short, it resulted in A LOT of bad injuries. One of these was that i put a piece of bone from above my right eye socket into my eyeball, causing internal bleeding. When the swelling went down and they realised what had happened, and could treat the eye, i was pretty much blind. (My sight eventually came back).
When i came out of hospital the one bit of me which still worked properly was my arms,so i refused to give up my juggling (which i was just getting into). Doing this whilst not being able to see the balls was unbelievably hard, but i had a lot of time on my hands. (fustrating though!)
This all gave me a new insight into the world of kinesthetics (an awareness of what is happening around you, and how your body reacts with it). I have since taken away the sense of sight to help improve myself in my other sports/ activities.
I forgot all about this until today, when i was out in the garden practising poi. Out of sheer delight of what i was doing, and having my chains back after they were nicked, i shut my eyes. What i was trying to do started to come much easier when i didn't have other distractions (like the dog). I was trying a sort of switch between a corkscrew, a btb corkscrew type thing, a butterfly on a horizontal plane at waist height and above the head sort of thing. Anyway, shutting my eyes helped.
This got me remembering about learning stuff whilst not being able to see.
If you cut off one of your senses (eg sight), then you seem to gain a greater awareness of what your body is doing.
When i started again today with my eyes open i could feel an improvement straight away.
To people who haven't heard of this (people just starting??), if you are struggling with a move then try it with your eyes shut (torches NOT burning), and get a perfect picture in your mind of what your body and your poi should be doing. Keep at it until you can do it with your eyes shut. When you open your eyes it should all come together more naturally.
I've used this for coaching a lot of paddle sports and it seems to work well.
Anyone got any views on this? Good or bad? Let me know as the whole subject quite interests me.
--------------------------------------------------
It used to seem to me that my life ran on too fast, and i had to take it slowly just to make the good times last. But when you're born to run its so hard to just slow down.
OK, i'm sorry if what i'm writing here is obvious to some people. I've only ever met 3 people who do fire stuff, so i don't know if i'm saying what everyone knows already. If so, then sorry!
Alright, for what follows I DO NOT want sympathy. I've been through all that, and now try and look at the outcome as a positive experience. It has, in a way, helped to improve my kayaking, canoeing, juggling, and now poi.
Basically, a few years ago i had quite a nasty mountain bike accident. Cutting a long story short, it resulted in A LOT of bad injuries. One of these was that i put a piece of bone from above my right eye socket into my eyeball, causing internal bleeding. When the swelling went down and they realised what had happened, and could treat the eye, i was pretty much blind. (My sight eventually came back).
When i came out of hospital the one bit of me which still worked properly was my arms,so i refused to give up my juggling (which i was just getting into). Doing this whilst not being able to see the balls was unbelievably hard, but i had a lot of time on my hands. (fustrating though!)
This all gave me a new insight into the world of kinesthetics (an awareness of what is happening around you, and how your body reacts with it). I have since taken away the sense of sight to help improve myself in my other sports/ activities.
I forgot all about this until today, when i was out in the garden practising poi. Out of sheer delight of what i was doing, and having my chains back after they were nicked, i shut my eyes. What i was trying to do started to come much easier when i didn't have other distractions (like the dog). I was trying a sort of switch between a corkscrew, a btb corkscrew type thing, a butterfly on a horizontal plane at waist height and above the head sort of thing. Anyway, shutting my eyes helped.
This got me remembering about learning stuff whilst not being able to see.
If you cut off one of your senses (eg sight), then you seem to gain a greater awareness of what your body is doing.
When i started again today with my eyes open i could feel an improvement straight away.
To people who haven't heard of this (people just starting??), if you are struggling with a move then try it with your eyes shut (torches NOT burning), and get a perfect picture in your mind of what your body and your poi should be doing. Keep at it until you can do it with your eyes shut. When you open your eyes it should all come together more naturally.
I've used this for coaching a lot of paddle sports and it seems to work well.
Anyone got any views on this? Good or bad? Let me know as the whole subject quite interests me.
--------------------------------------------------
It used to seem to me that my life ran on too fast, and i had to take it slowly just to make the good times last. But when you're born to run its so hard to just slow down.
Lets steal a spaceship and head for the sun, and shoot the stars with a lemonade ray gun.
member
1,591 posts
Location: Nova Scotia, Canada.
1,591 posts
Location: Nova Scotia, Canada.
Posted:
I learned to run through increadibly difficult and rough terrain (new growth forest) in pitch black in scouts while playing capture the flag and stuff, I could actually run at full speed and sense tree's ahead of me before I hit them and since I have pretty good night vision anyways I was really excellent at the game of capture the flag in the dark.
I think at some level I could feel the air currents/air pressure off the tree's on my skin and react to it. It's amazing what your mind can do, we are taught that only animals with very sensitive whiskers are supposed to have this ability (like cats)
I learned to run through increadibly difficult and rough terrain (new growth forest) in pitch black in scouts while playing capture the flag and stuff, I could actually run at full speed and sense tree's ahead of me before I hit them and since I have pretty good night vision anyways I was really excellent at the game of capture the flag in the dark.
I think at some level I could feel the air currents/air pressure off the tree's on my skin and react to it. It's amazing what your mind can do, we are taught that only animals with very sensitive whiskers are supposed to have this ability (like cats)
SILVER Member
member
52 posts
Location: Iowa, USA
member
52 posts
Location: Iowa, USA
Posted:
you're so right. i started twirling blindfolded (in the dark, even less distraction) a while back in order to break out of the rigid trick-transition-trick-transition pattern you often get into when all you practice is individual moves. You can feel what the staff/poi is/are doing to a remarkably greater degree when doing this because your entire world is simply your tactile sense, it's great to get lost in. The fire is great and all but if you haven't tried twirling blind, go for it, it's zen.
you're so right. i started twirling blindfolded (in the dark, even less distraction) a while back in order to break out of the rigid trick-transition-trick-transition pattern you often get into when all you practice is individual moves. You can feel what the staff/poi is/are doing to a remarkably greater degree when doing this because your entire world is simply your tactile sense, it's great to get lost in. The fire is great and all but if you haven't tried twirling blind, go for it, it's zen.
SILVER Member
All the neurotic makings of America's lesser known sweetheart
9,831 posts
Location: body in Las Vegas, heart all around the world, USA
All the neurotic makings of America's lesser known sweetheart
9,831 posts
Location: body in Las Vegas, heart all around the world, USA
Posted:
Mand...you're so awesome for bring this up. i think your experience is phenomenal, and it brought back the concept for me. i do a lot of self-defense classes, and in one class i fought blindfolded. i had to learn how to be aware of my surroundings with the loss of sight, and it was one of the best experiences ever. i had completely forgotten about that until you brought this concept up. i think i'm definately gonna have to go practice blindfolded. i've been struggling with some new moves and now i think this may be a good way to learn them! i've been so discouraged that i'm not practicing as much as i should, so now i'm motivated to get back to practicing!
thanks!
Mand...you're so awesome for bring this up. i think your experience is phenomenal, and it brought back the concept for me. i do a lot of self-defense classes, and in one class i fought blindfolded. i had to learn how to be aware of my surroundings with the loss of sight, and it was one of the best experiences ever. i had completely forgotten about that until you brought this concept up. i think i'm definately gonna have to go practice blindfolded. i've been struggling with some new moves and now i think this may be a good way to learn them! i've been so discouraged that i'm not practicing as much as i should, so now i'm motivated to get back to practicing!
thanks!
I was always scared with my mother's obsession with the good scissors. It made me wonder if there were evil scissors lurking in the house somewhere.
Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons for you are crunchy and good with ketchup.
**giggles**
GOLD Member
ZORT!
3,045 posts
Location: Brisbane, Australia
ZORT!
3,045 posts
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Posted:
when teaching others the basics of poi i always ask them to close their eyes. realistically the poi are moving so fast that seeig them wont make much diffrence!!
when teaching others the basics of poi i always ask them to close their eyes. realistically the poi are moving so fast that seeig them wont make much diffrence!!
"Here kitty kitty...." - Schroedinger.
BRONZE Member
Insert Champagne Here
13,215 posts
Location: without class distinction, Australia
Insert Champagne Here
13,215 posts
Location: without class distinction, Australia
Posted:
i have never thought about doing it with poi, cut my old rowing coach used to get me to row with your eyes closed. i found it really made me feel what i was doing.....however it DID make steering a bit of a problem! lol!
i have never thought about doing it with poi, cut my old rowing coach used to get me to row with your eyes closed. i found it really made me feel what i was doing.....however it DID make steering a bit of a problem! lol!
i would have changed ***** to phallus, and claire to petey Petey
Rougie: but that's what I'm doing here
Arnwyn: what letting me adjust myself in your room?..don't you dare quote that on HoP...
BRONZE Member
old hand
1,107 posts
Location: In a test pit, Mackay, Australia
old hand
1,107 posts
Location: In a test pit, Mackay, Australia
Posted:
I tend to shut my eyes while spinning simply because I feel like it gets me into a sort of trance state where I sense nothing but the play of my muscles. Everyone should do it once in a while, just let the sensation take over.
I tend to shut my eyes while spinning simply because I feel like it gets me into a sort of trance state where I sense nothing but the play of my muscles. Everyone should do it once in a while, just let the sensation take over.
There is a slight possibility that I am not actually right all of the time.
SILVER Member
Keeper of the Spitfire
2,317 posts
Location: Calgary Canada
Keeper of the Spitfire
2,317 posts
Location: Calgary Canada
Posted:
Pounce - self defense blindfolded?! Cool.
Wish i was good enough to do stuff like that. Thats really being aware of your surroundings! Nice one.
Pounce - self defense blindfolded?! Cool.
Wish i was good enough to do stuff like that. Thats really being aware of your surroundings! Nice one.
Lets steal a spaceship and head for the sun, and shoot the stars with a lemonade ray gun.
SILVER Member
All the neurotic makings of America's lesser known sweetheart
9,831 posts
Location: body in Las Vegas, heart all around the world, USA
All the neurotic makings of America's lesser known sweetheart
9,831 posts
Location: body in Las Vegas, heart all around the world, USA
Posted:
ya it was awesome, the most fun self-defense exercise i've done. it was crazy hard and emotional, but once i did it one or two times, i couldn't wait to do more. it gives you such a keen awareness of what's going on around you.
ya it was awesome, the most fun self-defense exercise i've done. it was crazy hard and emotional, but once i did it one or two times, i couldn't wait to do more. it gives you such a keen awareness of what's going on around you.
I was always scared with my mother's obsession with the good scissors. It made me wonder if there were evil scissors lurking in the house somewhere.
Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons for you are crunchy and good with ketchup.
**giggles**
SILVER Member
Keeper of the Spitfire
2,317 posts
Location: Calgary Canada
Keeper of the Spitfire
2,317 posts
Location: Calgary Canada
Posted:
All this happy cheery nice stuff i been feeling lately from improving my twirling (through closing my eyes, playing music, etc.) has suddenly disappeared. let me explain...
When i started doing poi when i was staying at my parents place, my mum really liked it and said it looked 'pretty' (she was watching out the windows!).
Everything was going well, and i bought my first set of fire poi. My mum went mental. She said they were dangerous and i would kill myself with them. (She also didnt like the fact that i'm epileptic through flashy light, and was about to flash lots of fire in front of my eyes - can see her point on that one though).
Anyway, i had to go back to work in wales before i got a chance to light them. When i got back from wales i showed her some photos of me with fire, and she loved it again. She even stuck the photos up on the kitchen door!
Well yesterday my new fire poi arrived after my other ones were nicked, and i was the happiest bunny on earth. I went out in the garden tonight, to have a spin with them lit, and my mum came out to watch.
She REALLY didnt like it, and went mental. I'm now banned from doing fire stuff near the house or my mum.
As i dont know many people here, i'm scared this could be the end of my fire twirling, until i start instructing again in february.
What do i do? Do i try and talk her round? Do i just go and find some dark field to spin on my own? Do i patiently wait till february till playing with fire again? (please say no to that one!!!) Or do i find somewhere else to live for the winter? I'm 23 - surely she cant take away the thing i care most about!
All this happy cheery nice stuff i been feeling lately from improving my twirling (through closing my eyes, playing music, etc.) has suddenly disappeared. let me explain...
When i started doing poi when i was staying at my parents place, my mum really liked it and said it looked 'pretty' (she was watching out the windows!).
Everything was going well, and i bought my first set of fire poi. My mum went mental. She said they were dangerous and i would kill myself with them. (She also didnt like the fact that i'm epileptic through flashy light, and was about to flash lots of fire in front of my eyes - can see her point on that one though).
Anyway, i had to go back to work in wales before i got a chance to light them. When i got back from wales i showed her some photos of me with fire, and she loved it again. She even stuck the photos up on the kitchen door!
Well yesterday my new fire poi arrived after my other ones were nicked, and i was the happiest bunny on earth. I went out in the garden tonight, to have a spin with them lit, and my mum came out to watch.
She REALLY didnt like it, and went mental. I'm now banned from doing fire stuff near the house or my mum.
As i dont know many people here, i'm scared this could be the end of my fire twirling, until i start instructing again in february.
What do i do? Do i try and talk her round? Do i just go and find some dark field to spin on my own? Do i patiently wait till february till playing with fire again? (please say no to that one!!!) Or do i find somewhere else to live for the winter? I'm 23 - surely she cant take away the thing i care most about!
Lets steal a spaceship and head for the sun, and shoot the stars with a lemonade ray gun.
GOLD Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,252 posts
Location: sheffield, United Kingdom
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,252 posts
Location: sheffield, United Kingdom
Posted:
It's best not to do fire alone anyway, in case something goes wrong.
Maybe explain to your mother that fire spinning is pretty safe, especially if you have someone to act as a safety person, then convince her to be your safety.
Don't despair even if fire isn't practical, most of the joy of spinning is in learning the moves; fire is just a bit of visual 'icing on the cake'.
If I had to choose between only spinning with fire, and only spinning without fire, I'd go for without.
quote:If there's a risk that they could trigger epilepsy it wouldn't be good to spin fire on your own.
Originally posted by Mand:
(She also didnt like the fact that i'm epileptic through flashy light, and was about to flash lots of fire in front of my eyes - can see her point on that one though).
...Do i just go and find some dark field to spin on my own?
It's best not to do fire alone anyway, in case something goes wrong.
Maybe explain to your mother that fire spinning is pretty safe, especially if you have someone to act as a safety person, then convince her to be your safety.
Don't despair even if fire isn't practical, most of the joy of spinning is in learning the moves; fire is just a bit of visual 'icing on the cake'.
If I had to choose between only spinning with fire, and only spinning without fire, I'd go for without.
"You can't outrun Death forever.
But you can make the Bastard work for it."
--MAJOR KORGO KORGAR,
"Last of The Lancers"
AFC 32
Educate your self in the Hazards of Fire Breathing STAY SAFE!
GOLD Member
addict
674 posts
Location: Ohio, USA
addict
674 posts
Location: Ohio, USA
Posted:
Haha I do this with a staff all the time too. Got the idea from Fireninja back when I was just starting out, and I still usually ending upo closing my eyes when spinning. It does highten the senses, though after a while I can zone out my sight even with my eyes open and just use my other senses. I must say, though tosses are quite difficult without sight.
With poi its even better Id say though because its coordinating two things at once and the experience of being able to track them in your head is very keen. Oh I gotta try this with my double stalvs... bet that'd be cool...
Haha I do this with a staff all the time too. Got the idea from Fireninja back when I was just starting out, and I still usually ending upo closing my eyes when spinning. It does highten the senses, though after a while I can zone out my sight even with my eyes open and just use my other senses. I must say, though tosses are quite difficult without sight.
With poi its even better Id say though because its coordinating two things at once and the experience of being able to track them in your head is very keen. Oh I gotta try this with my double stalvs... bet that'd be cool...
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:
Mand
thanks for the first post.
I'd forgotten this stuff in the bustle of london
As for the parent problem.
:sympathy:
I have no advice,
but i have faith that
it will be alright,
I don't know how,
but it always is.
I'm sure you'll find a way.
glass
Mand
thanks for the first post.
I'd forgotten this stuff in the bustle of london
As for the parent problem.
:sympathy:
I have no advice,
but i have faith that
it will be alright,
I don't know how,
but it always is.
I'm sure you'll find a way.
glass
member
313 posts
Location: london,uk
313 posts
Location: london,uk
Posted:
wonderful advice,i tried it the other night and it really helped,especially with btb butterfly....i was getting bored with doing same old stuff,kind of in a rut.....thank you
wonderful advice,i tried it the other night and it really helped,especially with btb butterfly....i was getting bored with doing same old stuff,kind of in a rut.....thank you
SILVER Member
Keeper of the Spitfire
2,317 posts
Location: Calgary Canada
Keeper of the Spitfire
2,317 posts
Location: Calgary Canada
Posted:
Hey guys.
Onewheeldave - yeah sorry, i was having a bit of a strop when i said i was going to go and spin on my own. I have a deep respect for fire and what it can do, and i know the worst place to have an epileptic fit would be on my own with two burning torches in my hands!!! For that one reason i ALWAYS have somebody to cover me as a safety.
I guess until i find somewhere else to live i'm just going to have to live without fire
At least at the worst it will only be till february, and not forever.
--------------------------------------------------
It used to seem to me that my life ran on too fast, and i had to take it slowly just to make the good parts last, but when you're born to run its so hard to just slow down.
Hey guys.
Onewheeldave - yeah sorry, i was having a bit of a strop when i said i was going to go and spin on my own. I have a deep respect for fire and what it can do, and i know the worst place to have an epileptic fit would be on my own with two burning torches in my hands!!! For that one reason i ALWAYS have somebody to cover me as a safety.
I guess until i find somewhere else to live i'm just going to have to live without fire
At least at the worst it will only be till february, and not forever.
--------------------------------------------------
It used to seem to me that my life ran on too fast, and i had to take it slowly just to make the good parts last, but when you're born to run its so hard to just slow down.
Lets steal a spaceship and head for the sun, and shoot the stars with a lemonade ray gun.
SILVER Member
Mumma Hen
6,391 posts
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Mumma Hen
6,391 posts
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Posted:
Tell your mum that its a form of meditation and it helps you to relax and that You would love her to enjoy it with you... That may work...
I think you should use practise poi for a while in front of her and show her how much fun you have when you are twirling, then comment about how few times you have been hit ... explain to her about flash point of fuel and that its the fuel that burns... and show her the safety advise on this site. It should help her keep her worries at bay.
What does concern me mand, is the epilespy due to the flashing lights...Fire and epilepsy... thats quite a dangerous combination, sweetheart and that worries me. Prehaps practise poi/ staff would be better for you? I know thats really not what you want to hear but at the end of the day it is much better to feeling well and enjoying the poi, than having fits etc... Please be careful
Tell your mum that its a form of meditation and it helps you to relax and that You would love her to enjoy it with you... That may work...
I think you should use practise poi for a while in front of her and show her how much fun you have when you are twirling, then comment about how few times you have been hit ... explain to her about flash point of fuel and that its the fuel that burns... and show her the safety advise on this site. It should help her keep her worries at bay.
What does concern me mand, is the epilespy due to the flashing lights...Fire and epilepsy... thats quite a dangerous combination, sweetheart and that worries me. Prehaps practise poi/ staff would be better for you? I know thats really not what you want to hear but at the end of the day it is much better to feeling well and enjoying the poi, than having fits etc... Please be careful
TAJ "boat mummy." VALURA "yes sweetie you went on a boat, was daddy there with you?" TAJ "no, but monkey on boat" VALURA "well then sweetie, Daddy WAS there with you"
SILVER Member
Keeper of the Spitfire
2,317 posts
Location: Calgary Canada
Keeper of the Spitfire
2,317 posts
Location: Calgary Canada
Posted:
Valura- yeah i showed her all that. I just come to conclusion i can't do fire at home- its not the end of the world. About the whole epilepsy stuff, please dont worry about me honey! I know about five to thirty minutes before i have a fit, and always have someone with me that i can hand my torches to if the worst did come to the worst. I've only had one fit in the last year and a half, so i think i'm starting to grow out of it.
I'm not going to give up fire, i just need to be responsible and sensible about using it and know when to stop.
As for the idea about staff...i'm just starting to learn.
Later mate.
--------------------------------------------------
It used to seem to me that my life ran on too fast, and i had to take it slowly just to make the good parts last. But when you're born to run its so hard to just slow down.
Valura- yeah i showed her all that. I just come to conclusion i can't do fire at home- its not the end of the world. About the whole epilepsy stuff, please dont worry about me honey! I know about five to thirty minutes before i have a fit, and always have someone with me that i can hand my torches to if the worst did come to the worst. I've only had one fit in the last year and a half, so i think i'm starting to grow out of it.
I'm not going to give up fire, i just need to be responsible and sensible about using it and know when to stop.
As for the idea about staff...i'm just starting to learn.
Later mate.
--------------------------------------------------
It used to seem to me that my life ran on too fast, and i had to take it slowly just to make the good parts last. But when you're born to run its so hard to just slow down.
Lets steal a spaceship and head for the sun, and shoot the stars with a lemonade ray gun.
GOLD Member
now available in "advanced"
6,086 posts
Location: Cornwall, United Kingdom
now available in "advanced"
6,086 posts
Location: Cornwall, United Kingdom
Posted:
Buy some beamers!
Once your mum has seen you hit yourself with those babies a couple of times she will be lighting up for you!!
Buy some beamers!
Once your mum has seen you hit yourself with those babies a couple of times she will be lighting up for you!!
My state of mind is not yours to define!
There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
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