Sharing experience
So this started out as part of a project I had for school. The project's over, but it's not a bad thread and I'd love to see it keep going. It's really simple. There are questions. You answer them. And we learn things from it. It's really cool, trust me. 
Here are the questions:
1. What's your name? (Real name or username, whichever you prefer)
2. How long have you been spinning poi?
3. How would you describe poi?
4. How did you first find out about poi? How'd you get into spinning?
5. What ways did you learn stuff early on?
6. What was poi like for you when you were starting? What's it like for you now? Have your ideas about it changed much?
7. Have other people made an impact on your spinning? What kind of impact have they made?
8. Why do you spin? What keeps you coming back?
9. How would you describe your spinning style?
10. Any advice for new spinners?
11. What do you think is the most important thing about spinning poi?
Here is the original post:
I have this project in school. We're supposed to pick a topic, research it, and come up with multiple writings, etc. from it. Since we're supposed to pick something we have an interest in, I chose poi as my topic.So, the request part:
I'd like to do an interview-type thing of other spinners. I figure the simplest way to do it is to post a bunch of questions here and then if anyone wants to answer them they can go right ahead.And if you feel like answering the questions but don't feel like being part of my little project, just say that you don't want your answers to be used and I won't use them. And if you'll answer them for the project but don't feel like posting them here publicly feel free to PM or email me.
Thanks and love in advance to anyone who's willing to help me with this.
Without further ado, the questions:
1. What's your name? (Real name or username, whichever you prefer)
2. How long have you been spinning poi?
3. How would you describe poi?
4. How did you first find out about poi? How'd you get into spinning?
5. What ways did you learn stuff early on?
6. What was poi like for you when you were starting? What's it like for you now? Have your ideas about it changed much?
7. Have other people made an impact on your spinning? What kind of impact have they made?
8. Why do you spin? What keeps you coming back?
9. How would you describe your spinning style?
10. Any advice for new spinners?
11. What do you think is the most important thing about spinning poi?Thanks again to anyone who answers these. :42
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Sharing experience
1. What's your name? (Real name or username, whichever you prefer)
Reagan/Sauce
2. How long have you been spinning poi?
1 1/2 years
3. How would you describe poi?
sexy, challenging, fun, beautiful
4. How did you first find out about poi?
My ex-boyfriend saw me playing with glowsticks on string at a club one night, and told me about it, and about fire spinning.
How'd you get into spinning? He bought me a pair of zunis - I was instantly hooked.
5. What ways did you learn stuff early on?
solo - reading the little xerox paper that came with teh zunis - after my first Burning Man trip, I met others.
6. What was poi like for you when you were starting? What's it like for you now? Have your ideas about it changed much?
No - I'm still completely fascinated and enjoy learning new things all the time - I will be a newbie forever and really don't mind. The only thing that's changed recently is that people have started asking me to teach them things - and it turns out, I'm a TERRIBLE teacher.
7. Have other people made an impact on your spinning? What kind of impact have they made?
Yes, definitely. I dated a spinner briefly - and after just a few weeks, I picked up a lot of his style (a little bit more "raver" and less fire-spinner) without even noticing.
8. Why do you spin? What keeps you coming back?
I think it's the same reason someo people do yoga or run or whatever - it's got a peacefulness about it, but it's also a challenge to always be trying to learn new moves. Oh - and don't underestimate the sexiness factor - what's hotter than a girl spinning flames around her body????
9. How would you describe your spinning style?
"newbie"
10. Any advice for new spinners?
Find someone who enjoys teaching, be really really really nice to them. Oh, and DEFINITELY go to events where you can meet other people.
11. What do you think is the most important thing about spinning poi?
enjoying yourself. Oh, and SOCKS!!
Sharing experience
1. What's your name?
Rev.. that's what i go by and that's what all but my students know me as.. well.. some of my students..
2. How long have you been spinning poi?
1.5 years..
3. How would you describe poi?
Thrilling, entrancing, soothing, medatative, erotic (at times), energetic..
4. How did you first find out about poi? How'd you get into spinning?
I saw it at a party WAY back in the day.. back around '99.. my girl spun, and I thought 'that can't be hard.. so while she was taking a bath i picked them up and learned the weave, corkscrew, windmill, bf and a few other things.. and got bored after 2 weeks.. then.. at the end of febuary 2003, Homeofpoi got posted on one of my forums.. and I've been an addict ever since.. finally there was something more then just a 2bt weave and a butterfly..
5. What ways did you learn stuff early on?
save the tutorial vids on HoP.. all I had was reading text and experimenting on my own.. you'd be amazed at howe much you uncover if you just learn things both (sometimes all 4) ways and then mix little nuances together.. leanring to stratch for the 5bt weave taught me a straight arm weave.. and so forth.. but yeah experimenting and text..
6. What was poi like for you when you were starting? What's it like for
you now? Have your ideas about it changed much?
Poi was just something to do.. I was good at it.. so I figured why not see what I can learn.. noone else does it, so it would be a neat hobby to have.. now its not a hobby.. its a lifestyle.. Its a lot like what frankie bones says about techno.. "I wake up in the morning.. I eat, I sleep, I shit poi <techno>.." its all I think about.. It as evolved from just spinning into this whole fathomless entity.. ever time I think I hit a wall whether in practice, in moves, in knowledge, in understanding, I look and there's always something more baiting me.. The deeper I go the bigger the hole gets you know.. When I was still naive I thought I had learned most of the things through HoP then I got to reading all of the text and learning somuch.. and my ego swelled again.. and again I reached a point where I thought I knew it all (not necessarily could do it.. but knew what was on my plate..and knew what was or wasnt possible..) for the past 8 months my world has been turned upsidedown.. I eventually had to just give in and let it take me over.. and now I don't see limits, only obstacles..
7. Have other people made an impact on your spinning? What kind of impact have they made?
Lots of people have impacted me.. Almost everyone I meet.. because when I first learned of poi, Noone around here did it.. and even around the communitiesthere we people but not tons.. now..I find so many sites and meet so many people.. I mean its in highschools and stuff now.. Now there's such a community that everyone I meet has an impact on me.. whether its ways of looking at poi (ala GG) , just inspiring (ala poikid), crazyness (matt and some of these glokids), challenging thought (spiral, nx, simian, etc. )
8. Why do you spin? What keeps you coming back?
If you hadn't gethered form my posts.. I don't give up.. Rehab is for quitters.. (and yes I feel some people need poi rehab).. I keep coming back because you cant master it all.. its that paradox that you want to learn it all and know you can't.. that's why I keep coming back.. I have to see what it might become you know.. and I have to help get it there..
9. How would you describe your spinning style?
experimental.. I like to try things whether they work or not..
10. Any advice for new spinners?
Go To WWW.SPHERCULISM.COM... sign up.. learn.. discuss.. enjoy.. Be all that you can be in a spherctacular society...
11. What do you think is the most important thing about spinning poi?
don't give up... the cooles thing about poi is that its perfection in motion.. so its not easy..but damn... perfection feels good...
Sharing experience
1. What's your name? Jim
)
2. How long have you been spinning poi? 8 months
3. How would you describe poi? balls on string
4. How did you first find out about poi? How'd you get into spinning?
House party two years ago where some friends had come fresh back from beach parties in thailand with a staff and some poi, they were crap at both but i'd seen the potential, started spinning after moving into uni halls with someone who had some fire poi but hadn't much to teach.
5. What ways did you learn stuff early on? Learnt 2 bt weave + butterflies from flatmate, then self-taught a lot of butterfly variants, then HoP then here and realised i was nowhere near as good as i thought i was before (didn't look at forums at HoP much
6. What was poi like for you when you were starting? - Amazing, how are they doing that?
What's it like for you now? - Amazing, understand almost everything i've seen and just trying to learn how to implement it (a few exceptions!)
Have your ideas about it changed much? - Lots but far too much for a post, now have a nearly psychic ability to correct errant poi from hitting me
7. Have other people made an impact on your spinning? What kind of impact have they made?
My flatmate Tom for being the first spinner i saw, all the lovely girlies at Tribe of Frog spinning on stage, all the bristol peeps at college green spinning a variety of fire, my student/friend Trina who keeps me spinning so I can keep on teaching new stuff almost every day, also I'd like to thank the summer sun for coming out so I can spin in the park... lots of big ups to everyone I've borrowed poi off...
8. Why do you spin? What keeps you coming back?
Now pretty much have a group of 5/6 spinners who I've had some part in teaching so going to the park I don't have to spin till my arms fall off (tho i still do sometimes) cuz I can sit down and watch them. I spin as another way of enjoying my favourite types of music (in addition to clubbing and mixing)...just can't get enough music
9. How would you describe your spinning style? Cocky newbie
10. Any advice for new spinners? Get some light poi and try to spin in time to music and if it hits you just change the direction it's spinning to carry on 'flowing'
11. What do you think is the most important thing about spinning poi? Music, dancing, people, fire and entertaining people who can't be arsed to do anything themselves....erm.... last thing, I'll never be bored again if I have a piece of string and any two bits of (solidish) matter
Sharing experience
ok just read spiralx's w00t post and now feeling that maybe i don't understand a LOT of stuff....but I understand all I've seen mano a mano around bristol but 5bt buzzsaw weaves, box weaves, atom weaves and the like i've not seen thus far... hopefully will see a lot more spinning over the summer
Sharing experience
[quote="pollenski"]
now have a nearly psychic ability to correct errant poi from hitting me
Sharing experience
1. What's your name? (Real name or username, whichever you prefer)
Garthy / Garth
2. How long have you been spinning poi?
Around 8 months (really started when I found Spherculism which blew my mind)
3. How would you describe poi?
Relaxing, fun, good exercise. Damn good social fun or good on your own.
4. How did you first find out about poi? How'd you get into spinning?
Learnt the weave ages ago but never really progressed. Then at Glastobury last year had a go on some blokes fire poi, convincing him I could spin! I hit myself in the face http://cranbrookroad.homeip.net/gallery/Glastonbury2003/aah
and then vowed to learn how to spin poi. Didn't really start learning until I met a few people in Bristol Spinng in september. Then discovered Spherculism in Dec and went on a learning rampage.
5. What ways did you learn stuff early on?
Initially from HOP but they never show linking stuff together. Then Mots poi lessons (V good but gone now) The freestyle videos on Spherculism really helped show me what was possible with flow. And meeting other spinnners in Bristol really helped.
6. What was poi like for you when you were starting? What's it like for you now? Have your ideas about it changed much?
I started learning move separetly not really linking together them and not really understanding the moves. Got pretty fustrating at times.
Now I strive to understand the move and what's happening. Once I have an Idea of how to do a move more possibilitys seen to show themselves. It jut expands and grows.
7. Have other people made an impact on your spinning? What kind of impact have they made?
Matt - for producing Spherculism
The Spherculism community surrounding it (That's all you lot) ;-)
Bristol Spinners
Laura (Elasta on HOP) - For showing me how beautiful and flowing poi could be
Tim (T&B on HOP) and Mike (PSI on HOP)- For exciting the poi geek in me
8. Why do you spin? What keeps you coming back?
For that rush when you get a new move. Nothing like it. I normally bouce around with a grin on my face and force my housemates to watch. There really is nothing else like it.
9. How would you describe your spinning style?
I'm not really sure as I've never seen myself spin. I guess I'm quite static with a bit of my dancing style added in. (Used to dance to alot of Hard House!) I seem to flick my leg out a bit in turns?!?
10. Any advice for new spinners?
I'd echo Rev and say come to Spherculism. Also take those tails off or get some socks! And when you hit that move drought don't worry. Just keep spinning and sooner or later a whole new avenue will be opened up.
11. What do you think is the most important thing about spinning poi?
Enjoyment
Sharing experience
[quote="garthy"]I seem to flick my leg out a bit in turns?!?
Sharing experience
1. What's your name? (Real name or username, whichever you prefer)
Stefan (Swedish name btw)
2. How long have you been spinning poi?
...some two months
3. How would you describe poi?
Beautiful, simply beautiful. Not only to look at but also for the fluidity and harmonic movement. Pure fun!
4. How did you first find out about poi? How'd you get into spinning?
Once in a while someone on a party or on the street stood spinning strings with weights on 'em. Then suddenly I found a friend who had a pair..
5. What ways did you learn stuff early on?
My first poi-friend, he'd been spinning for some months and knew all the basics so to say.
6. What was poi like for you when you were starting? What's it like for you now? Have your ideas about it changed much?
Early on: Challanging, it looked so easy and it was easy once you got to know what to do.. and the time you spend getting to know what to do, well, nothing else exist...
Now: Even more challanging now than ever, you see I thought the basics was IT. I thought you seriosly could learn poi and then be done - I was wrong...
7. Have other people made an impact on your spinning? What kind of impact have they made?
The birth: My first poi-friend - introduction to the world of poi.
The life: My two friends who I live with for everyday poi-talk/spinning.
The evolution: Spherculism (matt's that you in those videos?) - my imagination is simply not great enough for me to come up with all this on my own.
8. Why do you spin? What keeps you coming back?
Same reason I do most other things I do in my life.. I love to live and learn. Pushing limits, evolve, train my mind and body. Snowboard, poi, skate, studies... When you start learning new things you die!
9. How would you describe your spinning style?
Time A: Frantic.. I wan't speed and action - Techno-poi!
Time B: Fluid, beautiful... Peaceful - Mind-poi!
10. Any advice for new spinners?
Find friends!! It all gets so much more fun with other spinners close by!!
11. What do you think is the most important thing about spinning poi?
Well, nothing, Poi is not important!! It can be many different things for many different people and thats what important...
..do spellcheck my eng. if you want to pub this, haha...
Great thread!!
Later / Allian
Sharing experience
1. Chris / Rovo
2. I've been spinning glowsticks for almost two years, spinning non-flaming poi for about a year and have just recently been spinning fire for the past month.
3. Poi is a wonderful form of expression that inspires awe in spectators and influences the lives of the people who enjoy this joyous artform. Poi relaxes, excites, entertains, calms, and sooths.
4. I found out about poi via the internet through the HoP website. I got into spinning because of my interest in raves and freehand glowsticking. One of my friends that i met could spin glowsticks and i started learning after i saw him spin.
5. I first started learning by trial an error. I just spun whichever way i could figure out to. Then i started using the tutorials on the internet to learn new moves. After i mastered those moves i started particapting in online forums to learn more advanced techniques. Now i use anything i can tutorials, text and my own head to further my spinning skills.
6. In the beginning poi was something i did when i was bored every once and while or to show my friends. Now its a huge part of my life. It is my favorite hobbie and i spend alot of my time spinning now. For me it helps build my self esteem and it helps relax me when i am angry or tense. Now that i have spun fire i understand how you can get lost in the flames. It's one of the greatest experiences of my life and i know i will spin till i am too old to hold my poi. When i first started spinning alot of it was to show other people and entertain them. Now i spin for myself. I don't care if nobody's watching when i spin or if people think its a waste of time or its stupid. I'll keep right on spinning to my hearts content.
7. I havn't spun with many people so in that respect people havn't influenced me. Lately though i made some new friends at a festival and they couldn't believe this shy guy they neevr met who sat thier quiet most of the time would coem to life like that and spin orbs of fire around in ways they couldn't comprehend in fron of about a hundred people. They have really made me want to push myself to the limits of my ability.
8. I spin for the sheer joy of spinning. It helps me relax and increases my self-esteem. I keep spinning because its so much fun and brings alot of joy to my life. Poi kicks ass. I hope everyone finds something in their life that means as much to them as poi means to me.
9. I don't know.....
10. First just for guys: you WILL get hit in the one spot every guy hates to get hit in but don't let that discourage you. To everyone just keep practicing and use the resources available to you.
11. Spinning for your own enjoyment.
Sharing experience
I'm going to sticky this for a little while because I think its helpful for people to fill out.. not only for raven but for the community...
Sharing experience
1. What's your name? (Real name or username, whichever you prefer)
Catherine May Palma, better known as poikid
2. How long have you been spinning poi? Two years, this may
3. How would you describe poi? Ah man... it's intensely fun... luvly to watch, very exhilerating or relaxing depending on mood. Great
4. How did you first find out about poi? My sister's friend Seth was spinning a pair that had little stuffed animal fish on the end. How'd you get into spinning? I wanted to be better than my sisters and seth finally at something. Terrible way to start....but I feel I've made up for the lack of respect early on
5. What ways did you learn stuff early on? Well me sis taught me the weave and corkscrew, then the basics (butterfly, ttn, etc) I learned on HoP. Then, I came here to Spherculism and tripled my skills
6. What was poi like for you when you were starting? Painful 0.0 Lol but I really thought of it as just something my sisters did, and it annoyed me greatly, tho , I wanted to be better. What's it like for you now? Hehe I adore it
I love spinning, it's so satisfying. A nice challenge when learning new stuff too. Overall, it's one of the best things I've discovered for myself 
I never considered it being danceable hehe. I just thought it was a wacky wierd thing ... now I know it's alot more.
Have your ideas about it changed much? Yup
7. Have other people made an impact on your spinning? Definitally What kind of impact have they made? Miscellaneous people have influenced my style, both visual and actual spinning. Not as tho I was trying to copy someones style, but if you like something, it's kinda hard not to look like it after a while when you watch the videos over and over whilst drooling
8. Why do you spin? Cause I like it! Is there some oher reason? What keeps you coming back? Everything about it really. The look , the feel, everything
9. How would you describe your spinning style? I haven't seen myself, but my sister describes me as a panther. In her words, I'm graceful and smooth but shivering with a hidden power. And only when the music hits a certain note the power is unleashed in a display of ..well just that. Think of a panther running through the jungles or in the fields. She says I spin like that so I'll take her word for it
Lol that was long..
10. Any advice for new spinners? Dont get discouraged in any way, either by other spinners or the unnaturally large bruises you find the next day
Just keep at it , and have fun! Ah, and practicing your very first moves with glowsticks hurts unbelievable so I wouldnt suggest doing that. Atleast pad them a bit.
11. What do you think is the most important thing about spinning poi? Enjoying it. Always do it for yourself, not for anyone else. Just have fun with it man. [/b]
Sharing experience
1. What's your name? (Real name or username, whichever you prefer)
James Skinner aka spiralx. I tend to answer to both... I've been spiralx for about 5 years now
2. How long have you been spinning poi?
Must be close to three years now since I first picked up poi. Although I did give up for ages just after starting.
3. How would you describe poi?
Beautiful, challenging, relaxing and fun
4. How did you first find out about poi? How'd you get into spinning?
Saw people doing it at various parties and my friend Haze had been doing it for a while. Loads of my friends started and then so did I.
5. What ways did you learn stuff early on?
When I started I had a rubbish teacher who couldn't explain anything at all and nobody else to learn from really... which is why I gave up for ages shortly after.
Badly!
6. What was poi like for you when you were starting? What's it like for you now? Have your ideas about it changed much?
Somewhat frustrating the first time around, but much more fun when I picked it up again and had things to learn and people to learn from and with. Now it's a big part of my life - it's the only thing I've ever stuck at and more than that, been good at. I use it to relax, for exercise or just to pass the time. My ideas about it haven't hugely changed, although I now see it as being far more open-ended than I'd ever realised before.
7. Have other people made an impact on your spinning? What kind of impact have they made?
Most definitely! Firstly my friends who I learnt with, and then the people who have inspired me and taught me... some of the most amazing spinners. Without them around pushing their limits and coming up with new stuff I don't know I'd've ever been challenged to go as far as I have, and to really understand what I'm doing.
8. Why do you spin? What keeps you coming back?
Because it's fun, and it's a challenge to improve myself!
9. How would you describe your spinning style?
Flowing but with odd jerky bits as well
10. Any advice for new spinners?
Learn the moves, but pay as much attention to the transitions between them! Moves are just the basis for playing around, not something to be rigidly adhered to.
11. What do you think is the most important thing about spinning poi?
I wouldn't say poi was important... just fun
Sharing experience
[quote="Allian"] Now: Even more challanging now than ever, you see I thought the basics was IT. I thought you seriosly could learn poi and then be done - I was wrong...
Sharing experience
How does one pronounce Spiralx? Is it Spiral - Ex?
Sharing experience
Yup! You win the prize!
Although there's no capital at the start... it's all lower case
Sharing experience
ooo oooo a prize???? whatever could it be???? a hug? a poi lesson? I can't wait.
Sharing experience
It's a hamster picture!
Sharing experience
:4
Sharing experience
Yay! Hamster pictures are SO MUCH better than actual real live hamsters. I have this inexplicable fear of all rodents. Even cute little bunny rabbits kinda freak me out.
Yay for prizes. We should give them out more often.
<<<runs off to look for good gifts >>>
Sharing experience
You don't like rodents? You shouldn't come to our place then
Between the rabbit, guinea pig, 9 chinchillas, 2 Syrian hamsters, 10 Russian hamsters and 2 rats you'd probably be cowering in terror!
FEAR THE CUTE LITTLE ANIMALS! 8O
Sharing experience
I apologzie for hijacking this thread ... but EEEEEEEEKKKKKKKK!!!
:55
remind me to never visit spiralx - at least not without my dog to protect me from the cute furries.
:57
Sharing experience
:slaps spiral with the naughty mod stick: bad sprialx.. stay on the paper...
LOL.. but seriously guys.. I thought this would be helpful to raven and others.. can we try a little harder to stay on topic please..
thanks..
Sharing experience
:oops:
sorry. it IS a great thread. We just need to get more peeps to answer it.
I'll do my bestest to stay OT.
:57
Sharing experience
1. What's your name? (Real name or username, whichever you prefer)
John or Achluo
2. How long have you been spinning poi?
11 months
3. How would you describe poi?
exciting, fun, and like Rev a bit erotic sometimes.
4. How did you first find out about poi? How'd you get into spinning?
Found out from reading about electronic music, then found HoP. Got into spinning from using glowsticks at home.
5. What ways did you learn stuff early on?
I leanred through watching the tutorial videos on HoP.
6. What was poi like for you when you were starting? What's it like for you now? Have your ideas about it changed much?
Well it was kind of mechnical, and I stayed in one place, no flow at all. felt really limited. Now I at least bounce around a lot more, and I feel like anythign is possiable. So yeah my idea's have changed a lot.
7. Have other people made an impact on your spinning? What kind of impact have they made?
yes, once saw someone spin fire and that's pretty much the reason I move around while spinning. That and I like to mimic people in videos, User 9 probably has been the most influencial.
8. Why do you spin? What keeps you coming back?
I spin because I think it's fun, and it's probably good exercise, cardio maybe? I keep coming back because I just love pogressing in the art and it something I'm good at. It makes me feel creative and good about myself.
9. How would you describe your spinning style?
I try to be techy but that probably doesn't work to well, since I dance about like an idiot quite a bit.
10. Any advice for new spinners?
Yes, make some sock poi and never be competive.
11. What do you think is the most important thing about spinning poi?
having fun. lame answer but that's all I could think of.
Sharing experience
Well for those of you who are wondering, the project was turned in. A couple days ago in fact. I've been kinda busy. :roll:
So from this point on nothing that gets put on here is being used for anything projectful. Thought I should let you know.
And in case you were wondering, there's around 12 pages of questions and answers depending on how you format it.
And since the project's over I figure it's time I answer my own questions. Here goes nothing:
1. What's your name? (Real name or username, whichever you prefer)
Harrison, known around here as Raven/Raven7421
2. How long have you been spinning poi?
About 2 years. It was an off again, on again thing for a fair chunk of time, though.
3. How would you describe poi?
Beauty, entertainment, joy, art, relaxation, emotion, technique...
What poi can be changes from person to person. It can be an exquisite art form or a dazzling technical display...or even both! It can be a way to release anger and tension, to express joy, love, passion--any number of things. I hesitate to put any limits on what we as individuals and as a community can bring poi to be.
4. How did you first find out about poi? How'd you get into spinning?
These are pretty much one and the same for me. I was at a high school dance (spring formal, I believe) and one of my friends was messing around with glowsticks on string. I was interested, tried some myself and got hooked. My friend was just starting to learn too, and he pointed me to Home of Poi. Unfortunately he stopped spinning a couple months later.
5. What ways did you learn stuff early on?
I learned pretty much all of my early stuff from HoP's lessons section. Also picked up some stuff from videos. And practice. Yeah, that helped too.
6. What was poi like for you when you were starting? What's it like for you now? Have your ideas about it changed much?
Well, it was a different kind of novelty. It was a cool new thing to learn. Something that pretty much no one I knew did, aside from those mysterious people on the internet. Now there are less completely new things. But there's the joy of learning to move in ways I couldn't before, to spin more and more beautiful patterns. And it's a lot easier, too. Just like anything else it's a lot harder to do things when you start out. Weaves and butterflies take some amount of concentration. But then you practice, and more moves become easy to do. Then you start picking up a flow.
It used to be that all my spinning was practice to get better. Now I also spin for the pleasure of spinning.
Something else that changed is that people have asked me to teach them things. I still haven't taught a lot but I hope to meet with these people over the summer so I can get to showing them everything I know.
7. Have other people made an impact on your spinning? What kind of impact have they made?
Lots of impact, even though I almost always spin alone. There's Max, who got me into it. There's those responsible for the lessons on HoP that I learned with in the beginning. And the people who've put videos on the net where I can find them.
Matt and all the folks on Spherculism. This site's helped both to cement my interest in spinning and to improve my ability to do it. I'm looking at things in new ways and it's wonderful.
8. Why do you spin? What keeps you coming back?
. Now...it's more multifaceted. I spin for the challenge, I spin to perform, I spin to relax, I spin for the pleasure of spinning. I used to alternate between spinning a lot and not spinning at all, but I've been more consistent since finding Spherculism. Part of that was finally becoming part of the community, rather than a guy out on the fringe. But it's also that I understand all the things that keep me coming back a bit better know, and I see other people sharing the interest and the passion for similar or even completely different reasons and it just makes the whole thing that much more.
At first it was the novelty. Then it was the challenge, and to some extent the desire to perform (show off :lol
9. How would you describe your spinning style?
Hmm...I'm not sure really. I mostly try to flow with whatever music I happen to be listening to. Of course, that doesn't cover all the times I've spun without music. My style is (in my mind) still evolving, and I want it to stay that way. Stagnation is a bad thing.
10. Any advice for new spinners?
The point is: try anything and everything.
Don't ever think something can't work. Well, unless you're planning to break the laws of physics or something. Actually, you probably can't be sure then, either.
Try to balance learning from other people with learning through your own experimentation.
Have fun! Enjoy spinning!
Go to www.spherculism.com!!
11. What do you think is the most important thing about spinning poi?
Giving and receiving. Give a little effort and get something back. Be it relaxation, meditation, or just plain old fun.
Oh, almost forgot--I changed the first post and the name of the thread. Figured that the old name wasn't quite right anymore.
Sharing experience
don't have to break physics.. we are the pride of physics... string theory lol.. right on.. hope everything works out on that project..
Sharing experience
This is a really cool thread and so useful for someone like me who hasn't been spinning for long. It's really good to read everyone's little stories. Nice one. x
Sharing experience
Glad to hear you like this thread. I think this it'd be even better, though, if more people actually answered the questions. It's been a while since that happened.
Sharing experience
1. What's your name? (Real name or username, whichever you prefer)
My name.... Neotik.... I like it...
2. How long have you been spinning poi?
I've been spining poi for..... 2-3 months...
3. How would you describe poi?
Poi.... Is more than a sport or a hobby, it allow me to liberate myself and go somewhere else (That's when it's late and my brain is smoked).
4. How did you first find out about poi? How'd you get into spinning?
THere were 2 phases.... The first was in Holydays last year, we were (with a good friend) at a Reggae festival and a guy was spining.... And a so good spining, he got chain and 500gr weight ! ! !
From this moment I decided to spin.... And I've forgotten... 9 months later I was going to a party with friends and a friend was spining.... From that I never stoped! ;o)
5. What ways did you learn stuff early on?
Solo and at the begining with HoP.
6. What was poi like for you when you were starting? What's it like for you now? Have your ideas about it changed much?
It changed a lot ! ! ! When I was starting, poi was just something impressive to watch and then fun...
Now Poi is more than this.... I really like to go in a field with my poi, smoke a little and then go away spining ! I really feel good when spinning and finding new tricks....
7. Have other people made an impact on your spinning? What kind of impact have they made?
A friend, a GOOD friend... He's boastful(but I like him lol) and when I spin he confess that he can watch me some hours.... That's great ! ! ! lol
I thing he's the only one.... Or maybe my girlfriend who spin a little by the way ;o).
8. Why do you spin? What keeps you coming back?
Ahh.... I start to lack the words.... I'm french ! ! ! Make easy question ! ! !
I'll try...
I like to feel the poi spinning and doing tricks but I really like to do tricks without any block... Just letting the poi spining (Like 3/5 bt fw/bw or windmill turning on myself....)
9. How would you describe your spinning style?
2 diferents style.... I like to spin as softly as I am
A bit like Nick Woolsey of course ! ! ! !
And I like to release me.... With fire it's just amazing to spin like hell just some secondes.... (After I'm out of breath lol)
10. Any advice for new spinners?
TAKE CARE OF YOUR BALLS ! ( and your nose ;o) ) And just let the poi spinning , don't force it ;o)
11. What do you think is the most important thing about spinning poi?
That ! Just answering to an anonymous people and to be happy to do it !
Just spin and be happy !
I've tried my best to answer....
Have fun guys, I need to work, but I'll come back to see your answer after ;o))))
Sharing experience
[quote="Raven7421"]Glad to hear you like this thread. I think this it'd be even better, though, if more people actually answered the questions. It's been a while since that happened.
Sharing experience
No-one in the office this morning so :
1. What's your name? (Real name or username, whichever you prefer)
Tim
2. How long have you been spinning poi?
2-3 months
3. How would you describe poi?
Like playing with toys, crossed with a martial art
4. How did you first find out about poi? How'd you get into spinning?
Friend I climb with saw some people doing it in fontainebleau (france) and started trying to do 3bt with chalkbags every time we went climbing. I thought I'd give it a go and got totally hooked
5. What ways did you learn stuff early on?
3bt + butterfly from friend teaching,
corkscrew from hop,
windmill weave thing, just thought it should be possible so tried it
all else (5bt, turns, ttn, double ttn, bf weave etc...) from HOP/Spherculism/experimentation.
6. What was poi like for you when you were starting? What's it like for you now? Have your ideas about it changed much?
First I just wanted to be able to do a few cool tricks (3bt, butterfly, maby some turning) then I saw some fire poi vids on the net and decided I really needed to get good enough to do that. Now I'm trying to spin with as few repetitions of any one thing as possible, trying to be constantly changing, kind of like the music I like.
7. Have other people made an impact on your spinning? What kind of impact have they made?
Well the guy who started me off obviously. Other than that- the people I've seen vids of on the net.
8. Why do you spin? What keeps you coming back?
It feels good.
And I like learning intricate movement skills like this (same with rock climbing)
9. How would you describe your spinning style?
Not really had time to develop one yet and don't know anyone to compare it to.
Maby erratic.
10. Any advice for new spinners?
I think it's easier to learn a whole load of different tricks asap and then refine them as you go rather than learn one thing and get it smooth then try learning something new.
11. What do you think is the most important thing about spinning poi?
I don't think there is anything important about spinning poi!
Thats the best thing about it. :51
Sharing experience
1. What's your name? (Real name or username, whichever you prefer)
Manu.
Didnt want to do an intro so i thought id post in here.
2. How long have you been spinning poi?
To long...im looking at retirement. 10 years fire poi...umm alot longer staff. Started young. Dont hate me. Its not like im some grandmaster or something.
3. How would you describe poi?
The ultimate path to enlightenment.
4. How did you first find out about poi? How'd you get into spinning?
Im Maori you know, born into it, but started fire poi when my gurl friend brought some home. (she's the MAN)
5. What ways did you learn stuff early on?
Had afew of Maori gurls show me stuff. My gurl friend and her friends all brought me up to speed with modern stuff. Gurlz rawk!
6. What was poi like for you when you were starting? What's it like for you now? Have your ideas about it changed much?
Was alot more interesting...now its boring...someone plz show me something cool that id like
7. Have other people made an impact on your spinning? What kind of impact have they made?
Yea uber girls doing btb and crazy stuff when i was coming up, just talking to people and hearing about legendary moves and finding inspriation.
8. Why do you spin? What keeps you coming back?
I spin for pure spiritual reasons, finding myself and sharing, mostly like my ancestors...to learn how to better myself as a warrior with traditional weapons.
9. How would you describe your spinning style?
Aggressive with style. (in my dreams)
10. Any advice for new spinners?
Dont hate. Find your own style. Take stuff you like and evolve it. And most improtant "Its not how fast you learn, its how long you can stay in the game"
11. What do you think is the most important thing about spinning poi?
Improving myself physically. Finding that "other" level and stying there.
Sharing experience
[quote="Taniwha7"]And most improtant "Its not how fast you learn, its how long you can stay in the game"
Sharing experience
1. What's your name? (Real name or username, whichever you prefer)
Soul
2. How long have you been spinning poi?
Three years
3. How would you describe poi?
An art descended from a Maori tradition, poi can be performed with a weight at the end of a length of rope/cord/chain. The more daring swing balls of fire at the ends of metal chains around and off their bodies - a dazzling display of fluidity and form.
4. How did you first find out about poi? How'd you get into spinning?
A girl in my training class at work played with tailed poi outside during break times. She saw me dancing and offered to teach me poi. I took her up on the offer and absorbed her knowledge of the art in a little over a month. Since then, I've been exploring on my own and scouring the internet for more ideas.
5. What ways did you learn stuff early on?
Repitition... "Just keep spinning." For concepts I didn't understand, it helped to put a phrase with what my hands were doing, repeating it aloud or in my head as I drilled.
6. What was poi like for you when you were starting? What's it like for you now? Have your ideas about it changed much?
When I first started, it was all about individual moves - how many could I do, what were their names, etc. Now, I'm more concerned with what happens between the moves and applying what I know about one move to every other one out there, finding new possibilities and pushing the limits.
7. Have other people made an impact on your spinning? What kind of impact have they made?
Other people have showed me movement possibilities. I make an effort to learn all of these, then to incorporate it into my style and my flow.
8. Why do you spin? What keeps you coming back?
I spin because it's one of those things that while you're doing it, time flies and stops at the same time, and when you're done, it's like you're floating. I'm able to connect to the music with poi as I can in no other way. I'm able to express things that cannot be expressed with words. It makes me feel free.
9. How would you describe your spinning style?
Fluid and full of accents
10. Any advice for new spinners?
"Just keep spinning..."
Always spin for yourself.
11. What do you think is the most important thing about spinning poi?
Forgetting that you're spinning poi, becoming one with the music.
Sharing experience
1) Name:
Psylent Lizard
2) How long spinning poi?:
spinning poi for 3 ish years
3) poi description:
balls on string that you swing around the place: tricks: patterns: addictive.
4) How did first findout about poi? how get into spinning?:
I started with staff as there all the girls seemed to do poi and I wanted to be different. Then I found that I wanted to learn this poi stuff too, the grass is greener, but found the first 6months+ really tricky in that everyone was better than me and at the time found it difficult to approach people and get them to show me how to do stuff.
5) early one how did you learn stuff?:
I learnt one move from a good friend of mine and linked that withthe only other moves(s) that I knew. Just keep practising did nothing for my poi skills at the time as I was adamant that I couldnt do it...
6)what was poi like when first started? And now?
When I first started poi, I found it mesmerizing although everything looked difficult but easy at the same time. but I wanted to play like they did. Now, after lots and lots of practise I have got over my fear of spinning in front of others and find it addictive and seriously good exercise for upper body flexibility.
7) have other people made an impact on my spinning? How?
Learning tricks off others, watchiing people, seeing how everyone has their own style. Learning to find my own style. Learning that loads of people all over the world do poi and we are all different standards and everyone, even the people who seem to be the best, all are wanting to learn more more more! And there is always more to be learnt!
Cos I enjoy it. I have a skill. I can share my skill with others. It means I always have something to do in environments when there are lots of people <not a psylent lizard for nothing>. I can entertain myself <and others but thats not the point> for endless amounts of time, without having to speak a word.
9) my spinning style?
Different heights, planes, 360 circles, speeds. try to concentrate on not concentrating! Just keep my balance <often doesnt happen on spins> <not very wonderful for spinning infront of others!>
10) advice for new spinners?:
Learn one trick at a time. Then you build up moves slowly but surely. Someone will wonder how you're doing the move you can do - we are all at different levels.
11) most important thing about spinning poi?
hmmmm letting it flow, however that works for you. If it's not flowing, throw cushions at the sofa <they bounce in a satisfactory way> pick up the poi and keep trying. Determination is a stubbornly good thing.
Sharing experience
1. What's your name? (Real name or username, whichever you prefer)
Firebreath :18
2. How long have you been spinning poi?
whats today? wednesday? about 4 months
3. How would you describe poi?
my favorite thing
4. How did you first find out about poi? How'd you get into spinning?
met up with a mate and a load of his mates and they had some poi. a few weeks later we went to a festival together(womad) and i had a three day poi lesson. been an addict ever since then. started doing fire poi 2 week later and purchased my first fire poi a week later.
5. What ways did you learn stuff early on?
the guys i knew were quite good teachers but mostly basics, 3bt chase, butterfly, reels. but after a week of practise i was 5 bt chase and btb 3bt chase
6. What was poi like for you when you were starting? What's it like for you now? Have your ideas about it changed much?
painful and knackering. now im used to being hit but still hate being hit in the face. my ideas have changed loads, i had no idea of the potential. always feel very confused when ever i try to think about what im doing. now i try to feel it out.
7. Have other people made an impact on your spinning? What kind of impact have they made?
big impact, havn't met that many people who spin so whenever i do im normally shown a whole other plane or pattern or style. but sperculism will have to take most of the credit for my improvement
8. Why do you spin? What keeps you coming back?
Addict. i like it when your head cracks and you can do the moves that your not supposed to be able to do. and lets face it the girls love it.
9. How would you describe your spinning style?
Frightened newbie but sometimes smooth and relaxed, recently iv been getting a bit tecky
10. Any advice for new spinners?
dont rush, learn everything in every direction. your arms will eventually stop hurting. get some deep heat.
11. What do you think is the most important thing about spinning poi?
:
the poi of course :!: how could you spin poi without poi
thankx great thread
Sharing experience
1. What's your name?:Astar or willis. No last name for you!
2. How long have you been spinning poi? 2 and 1/2 years
3. How would you describe poi? A hobby aswell as a theraputic routine
4. How did you first find out about poi? How'd you get into spinning? [b]I saw a small fire troupe named ash circle performing at the halifax busker festival, me and my friend decided to take it up.
5. What ways did you learn stuff early on? Tutorials on HoP
6. What was poi like for you when you were starting? What's it like for you now? Have your ideas about it changed much? When I first started it was frustrating and although fun, my limited ability limited me from freestyling and really enjoying the full potential. Now it's a daily challenge and a relaxing escape, depending on if im practicing or just having fun
7. Have other people made an impact on your spinning? What kind of impact have they made? My biggest inspirations are bluecat, PK, skunk and nick woosley all of who really opened my eyes to the depth of poi possibilitys
8. Why do you spin? What keeps you coming back? Why not? ive come this far, invested this much time into becoming the spinner I am. It has never ceased to be enjoyable and theraputic yet, I don't think it ever will. Poi seems to be like quitting smokeing, if I go for 3 months without a cigarette when I do have one it's the most enjoyable drug in the world to me, Poi is the same way only it's actually good for my health
9. How would you describe your spinning style?Ive yet to think of a way to describe my style, it's not particulary unique but it is certainly my style.
10. Any advice for new spinners? I can't give a whole lot of advice to a new spinner unless I know what poi means to them besides this. Find out what poi means to you and focus on it, don't be afraid to broaden your horizon if you find new meaning in poi, but don't forget what it meant to you from the start.
11. What do you think is the most important thing about spinning poi? I don't really know.
Sharing experience
1. What's your name? (Real name or username, whichever you prefer)
Magicmonkey (Ben)
2. How long have you been spinning poi?
about 3 months
3. How would you describe poi?
damned good fun man!
4. How did you first find out about poi? How'd you get into spinning?
First found out about poi at a fire in the woods with a few friends, bought my own set a few days after and never looked back.
5. What ways did you learn stuff early on?
from the internet, shame really, I'd like to know more spinners I could bounce ideas off.
6. What was poi like for you when you were starting? What's it like for you now? Have your ideas about it changed much?
when I was starting it was quite addictive, felt like there was something I'd be good at one day. Now it's pretty much the same, still addictive and my ideas now are that I'll never be as good as I want to be but I'll always enjoy learning
7. Have other people made an impact on your spinning? What kind of impact have they made?
the only (real life)people who have made a difference to the poi are the people who started me off.
8. Why do you spin? What keeps you coming back?
it's great fun, you can relax with it and completely loose yourself on the motion or you can really go for it and work off some energy, there's something there for all occasions.
9. How would you describe your spinning style?
Not sure really, disjointed at the moment I suppose!
10. Any advice for new spinners?
yeah, work on more than one move at a time, you can get bored and annoyed if you spend the whole day failing to do a move.
11. What do you think is the most important thing about spinning poi?
having something to spin, you're up the creek without that!
Sharing experience
1. What's your name? (Real name or username, whichever you prefer)
Mike
2. How long have you been spinning poi?
7-8 months
3. How would you describe poi?
An art, an intuition. Certainly a dance, maybe even a meaningful one. always fun
4. How did you first find out about poi? How'd you get into spinning?
A link to HoP from a friend in a gaming community
5. What ways did you learn stuff early on?
free lessons on HoP, now it's all vids, descriptions, and experimentation.
6. What was poi like for you when you were starting? What's it like for you now? Have your ideas about it changed much?
Began as an obsession almost, I was determined to get things down and make my wrists more pliable. Now it's just continual experimentation, and learning things from vids, trying to incorporate everything into a flow. My ideas about poi haven't changed much, always been a venture to increase coordination and flow nicely.
7. Have other people made an impact on your spinning? What kind of impact have they made?
Through vids and posts, yes. That's the basis for my knowledge and style, this has been a continuous process of watching and learning.
8. Why do you spin? What keeps you coming back?
It seems to be a part of life now. Nothing to do? I pick up the poi.
9. How would you describe your spinning style?
I wish I could see it on tape, but either way I won't judge myself thought I think I'm pretty loose.
10. Any advice for new spinners?
Always have fun, pursue the art of poi with a passion.
11. What do you think is the most important thing about spinning poi?
Besides enjoying it, I'd say dancing around and exploring new ways of body movement.
--
Mike.