Forums > Beginner Staff Moves > Personal Styles
Login/Join to Participatestranger
9 posts
9 posts
Posted:
Allright, I've been staffing for about five monthes now and have this question. What are your styles? Do you stay in one place or move around. Do you like to stick to simple moves with maximum flow or do you like to go for more complex moves? Do you like throws and catches or prefer to keep close contact with the staff at all times? Who likes short staffs, how about long ones? What do you find more appealing? The reason I ask this is that I watch very few videos and have only seen one other staffer, so I'm curious about what other people enjoy.
Allright, I've been staffing for about five monthes now and have this question. What are your styles? Do you stay in one place or move around. Do you like to stick to simple moves with maximum flow or do you like to go for more complex moves? Do you like throws and catches or prefer to keep close contact with the staff at all times? Who likes short staffs, how about long ones? What do you find more appealing? The reason I ask this is that I watch very few videos and have only seen one other staffer, so I'm curious about what other people enjoy.
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 like 1m staves, i like silly style, i like long walks on the beach and sunsets
i like ham radio.
i like 1m staves, i like silly style, i like long walks on the beach and sunsets
i like ham radio.
Laugh Often, Smile Much, Post lolcats Always
GOLD Member
addict
625 posts
Location: Aotearoa (NZ), New Zealand
addict
625 posts
Location: Aotearoa (NZ), New Zealand
Posted:
LMAO @ Bender
To me its like music...somedays i like rap, dance/trance, metal, rock...just what ever mood your in on the day.
I really love aggressive staff (And in my world Bender is king for that) but i also like watching contact, or just seeing peoples own styles. Thats what makes us all different Just watching and finding inspriation...then running off like a madmad with a 6' long staff and trying it in my own style 
EDITED_BY: Dragon7 (1091582026)
LMAO @ Bender
To me its like music...somedays i like rap, dance/trance, metal, rock...just what ever mood your in on the day.
I really love aggressive staff (And in my world Bender is king for that) but i also like watching contact, or just seeing peoples own styles. Thats what makes us all different
Just watching and finding inspriation...then running off like a madmad with a 6' long staff and trying it in my own style EDITED_BY: Dragon7 (1091582026)
BRONZE Member
Satisfying HOPs Lust For Fire
308 posts
Location: Salem, Oregon, USA
Satisfying HOPs Lust For Fire
308 posts
Location: Salem, Oregon, USA
Posted:
I haven't figured out my own style. I've only been doing this for two months & I thought I had a good style until I saw some other long staffers & I liked their styles better, but I can't just duplicate their style & call it my own, but at the same time I feel my current style is limited & boring, doing the same things over & over again. I feel like I pale in comparison to others, but maybe once I have some more time under my belt & if I can find another long staffer to teach me some more moves I be able to develop a style all my own. And yes I've tried to look up moves in these forums, but I can never understand peoples descriptions especially when the use acronyms instead of spelling stuff out.
OK, I'm done with my pity party.
I haven't figured out my own style. I've only been doing this for two months & I thought I had a good style until I saw some other long staffers & I liked their styles better, but I can't just duplicate their style & call it my own, but at the same time I feel my current style is limited & boring, doing the same things over & over again. I feel like I pale in comparison to others, but maybe once I have some more time under my belt & if I can find another long staffer to teach me some more moves I be able to develop a style all my own. And yes I've tried to look up moves in these forums, but I can never understand peoples descriptions especially when the use acronyms instead of spelling stuff out.
OK, I'm done with my pity party.
Never settle for normal.
Average thinking brings average results.
member
74 posts
Location: Kamloops, BC
74 posts
Location: Kamloops, BC
Posted:
I think it depends a lot on your own ability to work with the staff and how you are most comfortable.
I find I do a lot of spinning like Bender--very quick, yet definately Bender has some amazing flow and grace with his movements.
Flow and movement are probably the defining aspects of your own personal style. How you move your feet and how the staff moves over your body is your own way. That's hard to copy.
My own style tends to be a lot of finger spinning work, though I'm not got the mad skills yet to do dual staves like Bender (lol in a few years more of practice, then maybe) however I do a lot of foot work and let the flow take me where I need to go.
For incoporating moves. . . after seeing one of Dragon's videos (OSS I think) I saw some interesting moves and have incorporated variations of such --most of Dragons was firm hand stuff, but now I do an under the leg pass like he does, however it rolls in from a fingerspin btb under the leg and out into a flat finger spin that lets me incoporate a few very nice moves that I haven't had the pleasure of being able to do. And it just works--not the same move, but definately an inspiration and variation there of.
If you see something you like. . .try working it into your routine, but use your *own* intuition as to how it should be used, you might be surprised at how you interpret someone elses moves. We can all learn from each other.
I think it depends a lot on your own ability to work with the staff and how you are most comfortable.
I find I do a lot of spinning like Bender--very quick, yet definately Bender has some amazing flow and grace with his movements.
Flow and movement are probably the defining aspects of your own personal style. How you move your feet and how the staff moves over your body is your own way. That's hard to copy.
My own style tends to be a lot of finger spinning work, though I'm not got the mad skills yet to do dual staves like Bender (lol in a few years more of practice, then maybe) however I do a lot of foot work and let the flow take me where I need to go.
For incoporating moves. . . after seeing one of Dragon's videos (OSS I think) I saw some interesting moves and have incorporated variations of such --most of Dragons was firm hand stuff, but now I do an under the leg pass like he does, however it rolls in from a fingerspin btb under the leg and out into a flat finger spin that lets me incoporate a few very nice moves that I haven't had the pleasure of being able to do. And it just works--not the same move, but definately an inspiration and variation there of.
If you see something you like. . .try working it into your routine, but use your *own* intuition as to how it should be used, you might be surprised at how you interpret someone elses moves. We can all learn from each other.
BRONZE Member
Classically British
5,689 posts
Location: Epsom, Surrey, England
Classically British
5,689 posts
Location: Epsom, Surrey, England
Posted:
Variety is the spice of life
Home of Poi is a very large spice rack (and the spices are often in the wrong place)
Variety is the spice of life
Home of Poi is a very large spice rack (and the spices are often in the wrong place)
Burner of Toast
Spinner of poi
Slacker of enormous magnitude
SILVER Member
slack rating - 9.5
2,216 posts
Location: Suburbiton, Yoo-Kay, United Kingdom
slack rating - 9.5
2,216 posts
Location: Suburbiton, Yoo-Kay, United Kingdom
Posted:
your style is just whatever comes natural to you. for example mine is probably:
'wave things around your body while trying to remember what it was you were trying to do in the first place but still making it look like you might know what you're doing' ...
on a more sensible note though i find that you assimilate a little bit of style from everyone that you spin with so that in the end you have something representative of everyone that's influenced you with a lot of you're own ideas thrown in!
your style is just whatever comes natural to you. for example mine is probably:
'wave things around your body while trying to remember what it was you were trying to do in the first place but still making it look like you might know what you're doing' ...
on a more sensible note though i find that you assimilate a little bit of style from everyone that you spin with so that in the end you have something representative of everyone that's influenced you with a lot of you're own ideas thrown in!
It is our fantasies that make us real. Without our fantasies we're just a blank monkey' - Terry Pratchett
GOLD Member
member
73 posts
Location: Reno, USA
member
73 posts
Location: Reno, USA
Posted:
hmm - my style seems to be agressive single or double staff with flowing martial-arts moves thrown in (none of that stop-start stuff
), combined with butterfly kicks and other aerial moves. The juxtaposition of slow and fast is often interesting too...
One of the principles I've been teaching in my classes lately is that beauty can be achieved without large, obvious body movements. Subtle, graceful movements, multiple spins, and lots of fire are the most beautiful to me.
throws and catches always seem to get the most "oohs" from crowds.
Long staves are easiest to do convincing martial arts moves with.
With swords, contemplative/meditative, sprinkled with bouts of agressive.
hmm - my style seems to be agressive single or double staff with flowing martial-arts moves thrown in (none of that stop-start stuff
), combined with butterfly kicks and other aerial moves. The juxtaposition of slow and fast is often interesting too...One of the principles I've been teaching in my classes lately is that beauty can be achieved without large, obvious body movements. Subtle, graceful movements, multiple spins, and lots of fire are the most beautiful to me.
throws and catches always seem to get the most "oohs" from crowds.
Long staves are easiest to do convincing martial arts moves with.
With swords, contemplative/meditative, sprinkled with bouts of agressive.
Sometimes, you just have to believe.
BRONZE Member
member
25 posts
Location: Vancouver BC, Canada
member
25 posts
Location: Vancouver BC, Canada
Posted:
I personally like to move around as much as possible i would not say i am a firedancer but music certainly helps whenever i can i use it
I personally like to move around as much as possible i would not say i am a firedancer but music certainly helps whenever i can i use it
Pooh-Bah
1,810 posts
Location: London
1,810 posts
Location: London
Posted:
Staff and Gymnastics work for me and heaps of contact.
I find I'm a lot slower when I move around with the staff now, gone are the days where I spin as fast as I can (I tend to burn my energy out to quickly).
It's all about the love of playing
Bammy
Staff and Gymnastics work for me
and heaps of contact. I find I'm a lot slower when I move around with the staff now, gone are the days where I spin as fast as I can (I tend to burn my energy out to quickly).
It's all about the love of playing
Bammy
A kiss blown is a kiss wasted, the only kind of kiss is a kiss tasted.
I'm a woman. We don't say what we want, but we reserve the right to be pissed off if we don't get it. That's what makes us so fascinating and not just a LITTLE bit scary.
old hand
1,024 posts
Location: london
1,024 posts
Location: london
Posted:
i dont think ive devloped a style yet a just a mismash of tricks but its sonthing ive been giving alot of thought to hmmmm im working on it tho
i dont think ive devloped a style yet a just a mismash of tricks but its sonthing ive been giving alot of thought to hmmmm im working on it tho
BRONZE Member
Returning to a unique state of Equilibrium
3,289 posts
Location: Adelaide, South Australia
Returning to a unique state of Equilibrium
3,289 posts
Location: Adelaide, South Australia
Posted:
You got it Bammers
Its all about the love, and I love to play longer - so I take it at a more relaxed pace
Flowing and chillling with it is my style.
A dude at a trance party the other night described my poi twirling as a really good example of someone projecting chi energy. I was well chuffed with that.
Josh
You got it Bammers
Its all about the love, and I love to play longer - so I take it at a more relaxed pace
Flowing and chillling with it is my style.
A dude at a trance party the other night described my poi twirling as a really good example of someone projecting chi energy. I was well chuffed with that.
Josh
--
Help! My personality got stuck in this signature machine and I cant get it out!
SILVER Member
slack rating - 9.5
2,216 posts
Location: Suburbiton, Yoo-Kay, United Kingdom
slack rating - 9.5
2,216 posts
Location: Suburbiton, Yoo-Kay, United Kingdom
Posted:
wow, that's nice. i've always liked to think that neat planes an clean spinning could be linked to what reiki people describe as energy fields and that's why it feels so good!
wow, that's nice. i've always liked to think that neat planes an clean spinning could be linked to what reiki people describe as energy fields and that's why it feels so good!
It is our fantasies that make us real. Without our fantasies we're just a blank monkey' - Terry Pratchett
member
66 posts
66 posts
Posted:
I consider the staff as a weapon, and that is how I treat it, although some of the moves have nothing to do with martial arts.
My style is "Extreme martial arts", martial arts used for show only, I like an agressive long staff, I turn around and move allot, spin with power, but not always with speed, and from time to time I add an "attack" and an air kick.
I consider the staff as a weapon, and that is how I treat it, although some of the moves have nothing to do with martial arts.
My style is "Extreme martial arts", martial arts used for show only, I like an agressive long staff, I turn around and move allot, spin with power, but not always with speed, and from time to time I add an "attack" and an air kick.
starring Skippy the green llama
1,148 posts
Location: Seattle, WA
1,148 posts
Location: Seattle, WA
Posted:
I dunno if I'd even call it an example, because in the right mindset, you _are_ projecting alot of energy.
I have a few different styles in staff spinning I like to use, some high energy fast stuff, much much slower contact/in close spinning, and then just a mishmash of different martial arts staff forms. I'd like to add some fire knife dancing styles in, but I've never seen any to base anything on
Can anyone help? Even if it's a dvd I have to buy.
I dunno if I'd even call it an example, because in the right mindset, you _are_ projecting alot of energy.
I have a few different styles in staff spinning I like to use, some high energy fast stuff, much much slower contact/in close spinning, and then just a mishmash of different martial arts staff forms. I'd like to add some fire knife dancing styles in, but I've never seen any to base anything on
Can anyone help? Even if it's a dvd I have to buy. First intention, then enlightenment..
Ars Pyronomica
" Life is programmed. Whether death is programmed or not is yet to be determined."
SILVER Member
sleeping with angels
508 posts
Location: anaheim CA usa
sleeping with angels
508 posts
Location: anaheim CA usa
Posted:
ok i use a 5 foot staff and spin to death metal
ok i use a 5 foot staff and spin to death metal
SLEEP WITH ANGELS muckieha
BRONZE Member
Returning to a unique state of Equilibrium
3,289 posts
Location: Adelaide, South Australia
Returning to a unique state of Equilibrium
3,289 posts
Location: Adelaide, South Australia
Posted:
Yeah there is a spiritual balance that is the synergy between person and poi / staff / etc. samurai used to talk about it in regards to swordwork. all the Zen 'the poi are just an extension of your body' stuff links in nicely to the styles that I'm going for (with poi at least) I reckon.
Josh
Yeah
there is a spiritual balance that is the synergy between person and poi / staff / etc. samurai used to talk about it in regards to swordwork. all the Zen 'the poi are just an extension of your body' stuff links in nicely to the styles that I'm going for (with poi at least) I reckon.Josh
--
Help! My personality got stuck in this signature machine and I cant get it out!
starring Skippy the green llama
1,148 posts
Location: Seattle, WA
1,148 posts
Location: Seattle, WA
Posted:
guess this is wayy off topic, so sorry..but almost all eastern sword arts involve _alot_ of energy work. There alot you can do to throw an opponent off or strengthen your attack using energy, for a couple of examples. I used to come home from kendo practice all the time with headaches from all the energy that was being 'projected' in the room. I notice myself 'projecting' alot more when I have that synergy that you're talking about, indeed alot like moving meditation. 
Written by: Josh
Yeah
guess this is wayy off topic, so sorry
..but almost all eastern sword arts involve _alot_ of energy work. There alot you can do to throw an opponent off or strengthen your attack using energy, for a couple of examples. I used to come home from kendo practice all the time with headaches from all the energy that was being 'projected' in the room. I notice myself 'projecting' alot more when I have that synergy that you're talking about, indeed alot like moving meditation. First intention, then enlightenment..
Ars Pyronomica
" Life is programmed. Whether death is programmed or not is yet to be determined."
GOLD Member
member
73 posts
Location: Reno, USA
member
73 posts
Location: Reno, USA
Posted:
I love the energy flow that goes with subtle martial arts moves combined with regular staff moves - just enough edge to make it a weapon, just enough flourish to make it art. Kinda like wushu...
I love the energy flow that goes with subtle martial arts moves combined with regular staff moves - just enough edge to make it a weapon, just enough flourish to make it art. Kinda like wushu...
Sometimes, you just have to believe.
SILVER Member
15,417 posts
Location: South Wales
15,417 posts
Location: South Wales
Posted:
Would you consider someone who, for every performance, copies someone elses style?
Would that not be an individual style in itself?
Would you consider someone who, for every performance, copies someone elses style?
Would that not be an individual style in itself?
GOLD Member
addict
446 posts
Location: Järvenpää, Finland
addict
446 posts
Location: Järvenpää, Finland
Posted:
i'm going for the circus-style. throwing doubles as much as i can and try to put a few pirouettes there. no acrobatics though. i stick to what i'm good at.
but then again learning a bit of contact staff has given me a change to just relax and put on music and play with the staff for a long long contact session. it's nice. doing more style than technique.
and yeah.. the circus style seems to get more and more honest to what i really am.. pretty much due to doing a lot of street performing, where making people laugh works better than just amazing tricks.
i'm going for the circus-style. throwing doubles as much as i can and try to put a few pirouettes there. no acrobatics though. i stick to what i'm good at.
but then again learning a bit of contact staff has given me a change to just relax and put on music and play with the staff for a long long contact session. it's nice. doing more style than technique.
and yeah.. the circus style seems to get more and more honest to what i really am.. pretty much due to doing a lot of street performing, where making people laugh works better than just amazing tricks.
Point your toes.
geek, level 1
5,300 posts
Location: everywhere
5,300 posts
Location: everywhere
Posted:
that's cause you're slack, antti
i'm currently working lots on what you are doing with the other hand when spinning.
this i find changes style muchly.
R
that's cause you're slack, antti
i'm currently working lots on what you are doing with the other hand when spinning.
this i find changes style muchly.
R Holistic Spinner (I hope)
GOLD Member
addict
446 posts
Location: Järvenpää, Finland
addict
446 posts
Location: Järvenpää, Finland
Posted:
Non-Https Image Link
Non-Https Image Link
Talking about personal styles. Which one is which...?
Non-Https Image Link
Non-Https Image Link
Talking about personal styles. Which one is which...?
Point your toes.
GOLD Member
addict
446 posts
Location: Järvenpää, Finland
addict
446 posts
Location: Järvenpää, Finland
Posted:
and yeah i'm a slack.
and you people have the strangest effect on me. Got me jumping in the pool, getting on stage half naked and so on.. a style that the audiences loves fa sho.
and yeah i'm a slack.
and you people have the strangest effect on me. Got me jumping in the pool, getting on stage half naked and so on.. a style that the audiences loves fa sho.
Point your toes.
PLATINUM Member
Flying Water Muppet
5,276 posts
Location: Edin-borrow., United Kingdom
Flying Water Muppet
5,276 posts
Location: Edin-borrow., United Kingdom
Posted:
more importantly: RHD t-shirts? Can we get some?!?
more importantly: RHD t-shirts? Can we get some?!?
"the now legendary" - Kaskade
"the still legendary" - Kaskade
I spunked in my friend's aquarium and the fish ate it. I love all fish. Especially the pink ones. They are my bitches. - Anon.
geek, level 1
5,300 posts
Location: everywhere
5,300 posts
Location: everywhere
Posted:
bit disturbing that it took me a coupla minutes to realise they weren't both pictures of me.
yes when do we get RHD tshirts? i'll send you some pook ones if you promise big 'fro shirts...
hugs
R
(sorry for off-topic-ness, i promise to post something about personal styles soon...)
bit disturbing that it took me a coupla minutes to realise they weren't both pictures of me.
yes when do we get RHD tshirts? i'll send you some pook ones if you promise big 'fro shirts...
hugs
R
(sorry for off-topic-ness, i promise to post something about personal styles soon...)
Holistic Spinner (I hope)
Pooh-Bah
2,354 posts
Location: Away from home
2,354 posts
Location: Away from home
Posted:
your confusion is because you can't see your baby-filled belly in either picture
(which obviously contributes to your personal style so on-topicy-tastic)
your confusion is because you can't see your baby-filled belly in either picture
(which obviously contributes to your personal style so on-topicy-tastic
) geek, level 1
5,300 posts
Location: everywhere
5,300 posts
Location: everywhere
Posted:
Holistic Spinner (I hope)
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:
you scottish twirlers disturb and inspire me in equal measure
you scottish twirlers disturb and inspire me in equal measure
Laugh Often, Smile Much, Post lolcats Always
NYC
9,232 posts
Location: NYC, NY, USA
9,232 posts
Location: NYC, NY, USA
Posted:
I would comment but I don't do staff.
I would comment but I don't do staff.
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:
or poi.
or poi.
Holistic Spinner (I hope)
© 1998 - 2025 Home of Poi
All prices converted to United States dollars using XE.com