I have always loved dancing and dance music. It is such a happy self indulgent exercise of self expression. I also discovered that bring giant balloons to dances and rave parties is a great deal of fun. The way the balloon vibrates to the bass beat is almost as if it is alive...and people have so much fun tossing them around. (you can read all about balloon dancing on my blog "Balloon Dancing". The very act of blowing up a balloon on the dance floor feeds my exhibitionist tendencies..so it was only natural that I develop a way of "dancing" with balloons. I found out later that spinning two balloons around me in patterns was known as Poi Spinning, and I became facinated and hooked on spinning Poi.

WHAT THE HELL is POI? "Poi" is a native New Zealand word for a ball on a cord that is swung around the body. The Maori are natives of New Zealand that use Poi in a dance for the females and co-ordination training for the warriors Poi can be swung and bounced off the hands, arms and body. Maori use single poi, double poi, 3 or even 4 poi at a time. The length of cord varies from short, medium and long depending on the required effect. More commonly today, the Poi is ignited and swung around the body in rythmic circles in endless sets of patterns that resemble juggling. The effect is mesmerizing. It also builds coordination and strength. It is amazing what a workout Poi spinning can be. It is also very gratifying to do the moves and feel them happen. You know when you are spinning correctly, as your entire body pivots and moves fluidly with the Poi. It is very much like high speed Tai chi.

There are many kinds of Poi, but the most common are burning wicks on the ends of short chains. There is also Flourescent glowing Poi with streaming tails, and glow poi that light up in lui of flames. I am still learning, but it has become a daily almost meditative exercise for me, one that also translates well to the music of the clubs.

Poi is very similar to Flagging, the Art and practice of spinning silk flags around the body in hypnotic patterns to dance music. I have also always loved the trance like effect of flags, and since learning to spin poi have also developed a deeper understanding and interest in flagging. The sound of the silk as it flutters by you, and the hynotic effect of the colors in black light is very much like sheets of fire. Flagging also makes you move your body in rythymic motion much like Poi spinning, but to me is much more relaxed. I am learning to make my own flags, by dying sheets of lightweight silk, and that itself appeals to my creative energies. I will be posting more here about my flagging experience as I gain more. I am looking for a local mentor.