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Invader_Xan
Joined: 02 May 2007
Posts: 540
Location: In Space
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 Posted: Sat 08th Sep, 2007 3:52 pm Post subject: |
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Ouch! Hey, don't do yourself too many injuries there. Try starting with arms only, and every now and again, stop and make sure you're not about to stumble into any more shrubbery. 
Out of interest, what kind of poi are you using? I'm sure I could design you some more painless ones to practice with, if you'd like... |
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Miranda
Joined: 07 Sep 2007
Posts: 71
Location: Surrey
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| Posted: Sat 08th Sep, 2007 4:56 pm Post subject: |
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That is very good advice Xan...
Painful? *nods*... but my body is used to my ability to wound it on objects that were the other side of the garden, and must have come across just to batter me. Mind you, our tiny garden size isn't really helpful. I might try and find an empty field somewhere. The other place I practice is in the middle of the road at night, when there are no cars obviously.
Even then the kerb and I have an interesting relationship. 
The poi I am using are relatively safe, I am unsure how I manage to batter myself on them so much... I am using Spiral Poi pretty similar to these, only with the funky metal joint bit nearer the ball of the poi.
http://www.amazon.com/Spiral-Poi/dp/B000BF44FG/ref=pd_sim_sg_3/102-2329759-2488937
Still, the good news is that I seem to have got pretty close to sorting 'flowers'. I shall get dad to video it, and I shall youtube it to see what you think - eg which mistakes I have made.
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LewisM
Joined: 22 Jul 2007
Posts: 110
Location: UK > Bristol
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| Posted: Sat 08th Sep, 2007 6:33 pm Post subject: |
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Sorry to hear about your inuries 
And the "metal weight" in those doesnt sound too soft, you might be better off with some sock poi while you learn new things, then when you can do them try them on the harder, proper poi.
To make some sock poi buy a pair of long-ish socks (remember they will stretch once you start spinning them, so not too long!) and pour in some rice, i personaly like between 75-80 grams of rice, but experiment and see what suits you best.
Now even if you do hit yourself, it wont hurt nearly as much as your current ones |
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Miranda
Joined: 07 Sep 2007
Posts: 71
Location: Surrey
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| Posted: Sat 08th Sep, 2007 6:46 pm Post subject: |
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Hmmn
After about 15/20 attempts I got a video that accurately demonstrates my poi ability, thather than my ability to attack myself with them
I am just locating my poi video on youtube to link to for advice
*nods*
Aha!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcF_Sz2du3I
Yes
Lewis: They don't feel soft either, saying that, I didn't know they contained a metal weight, but I think they're slightly better than the sock poi I have made.
My mother's attitude is: "I refuse to let you ruin a pair of good socks by filling them with rice. What on earth are you talking about."
I have however put juggling balls in my socks, that's what appears on the video, but I swear it hurts more, not less!
I have the bug now, and aim to video all my poi practising... |
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ickle_kayleigh
Joined: 07 Sep 2007
Posts: 32
Location: leicestershire
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| Posted: Sat 08th Sep, 2007 7:16 pm Post subject: |
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| that looked cool especially as you have not been doing it for long, keep up the good work and enjoy yourself :D |
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Invader_Xan
Joined: 02 May 2007
Posts: 540
Location: In Space
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| Posted: Sat 08th Sep, 2007 8:26 pm Post subject: |
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Hey, now that's not bad! No stumbling or falling over either.
Though I do think you really need to teach yourself to slow down a little. No wonder you get such bruises! I know it's not easy, but it would be well worth the effort, I promise you.
I can see how both your tail set and you socks (if they're using juggling balls) could hurt... I'm sure I can come up with something much more painless for you (I'm kind of an inventor of these things on another forum...) -- then you can use your tails to show off when you learn new tricks! 
Keep with it. I know you can be awesome! |
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Miranda
Joined: 07 Sep 2007
Posts: 71
Location: Surrey
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| Posted: Sat 08th Sep, 2007 8:38 pm Post subject: |
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It took multiple takes, but I seemed to get it eventually... don't worry, when I video my normal practicing, you will get far more falling over... >_<
I know I need to slow down, i have tried, only when I do the poi fall in towards me, and it doesn't seem to work. How best to slow my poi-ing down without that effect?
Please please do find something less painful... (at college I wore these three quarter lengths with some quite vibrant bruises and my Special Educational Needs (e.g. dyspraxia support) teacher asked "Miranda, you don't have to answer if you're not comfortable, but, is everything okay at home - your legs are a bit of a mess")... It took a lot of reassurance and an eventual demonstration before she was sure it was simply the poi Hence I need to make some that don't attack me quite so violently.
Aaanyway... what is going most wrong with my flowers, they just don't 'look' right, if you can tell me how to make them look better I'd be thrilled.
Humm, paradoxical - the dyspraxic poi artist... |
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Invader_Xan
Joined: 02 May 2007
Posts: 540
Location: In Space
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| Posted: Sat 08th Sep, 2007 9:26 pm Post subject: |
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Looking at your video, I think I see the problem with the speed... It's that you have trouble keeping them going, so you have to spin faster to compensate, right?
This is where it's probably going to be difficult for you and that why I think it'll be very helpful too. The trouble is a lot of speed control comes from the wrist. One simple thing that might help is to try relaxing your wrists a little. They look quite tense. Again, try with just one. Try relaxing your wrist and your elbow slightly, allowing them for follow the motion of the poi. Let the poi do the work for you.
Hopefully, you might find it easier training your muscle memory one arm at a time.
Your flowers aren't quite flowers yet, but your spinning with your arms fully stretched is great! Seriously, your planes are good. Step one complete.
The part about flowers you're probably going to find tricky is that your arms also need to move in circles. But you're doing great, so don't worry about that part yet.
Again, forget about timing and left/right. For now, just try this:
When your arms are stretched out like that, try moving them up and down. Don't worry about circles for now. Just practice moving your arms up and down, backwards and forwards. If it's tricky with both arms, just do one at a time until you feel confident with them.
Again, if anything I've said is difficult for you to follow, just say. I understand this isn't easy for you.
By the by, I found some poi you might like! |
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Miranda
Joined: 07 Sep 2007
Posts: 71
Location: Surrey
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| Posted: Sat 08th Sep, 2007 10:30 pm Post subject: |
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Yep, right
I think I get your point about letting the poi do the work... I was tenser than normal then though, having just come from a martial arts session that I left early, hence not warming down, and fast becoming stiff.
So for flowers, you have your arms fully extended and moving in circles in time with the poi?
Just trying to grasp what it should end up like...
Your advice sounds good, but I shall test / reply properly in the morning (as dyspraxic poi, in the dark, in a rather compact 2 level garden isn't necessarily smart)
The poi are amazing, I might have to get / recreate them...
2 foam balls and some thick cord methinks.... |
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Invader_Xan
Joined: 02 May 2007
Posts: 540
Location: In Space
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| Posted: Sat 08th Sep, 2007 10:47 pm Post subject: |
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Yeah, best to rest. It's always good to feel refreshed and relaxed for learning new tricks.
In your martial arts, out of interest, do you ever do any tai chi? If not, the kind of excercises it involves might really help you. I used to do tai chi myself...
And yes, flowers are where your arms are fully extended and moving in circles. Different timings determine how many "petals" your flowers will have (slower means more petals, basically). It's always easier to work on the motion first and worry about timing later though. That's how I started with them, anyway.
Oh, one other thing. Your poi are quite long!
That could have something to do with your difficulty keeping them going. I have difficulty myself sometimes if my poi are too long for me.
My practice socks are only a couple of inches longer than my forearms. Has the added benefit that if I hold my arms out straight, the only thing they can hit is my arm.
Shorter poi might save you a few more bruises. |
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Miranda
Joined: 07 Sep 2007
Posts: 71
Location: Surrey
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| Posted: Sat 08th Sep, 2007 10:55 pm Post subject: |
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Yeh... rest...sleep...that elusive thing hiding round the corner... must...catch...sleep...
Martial arts, I have doen Karate and fencing, I now do Kung Fu... I can't do tai-chi mainly due to dyspraxia, but also physically my body is a little messed up 
Surely though, when i tried, my arm traced a small circle, and my poi a big circle round it... what am I doing wrong?
I shall shorten them tomorrow, thanks, didnt think of that |
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Invader_Xan
Joined: 02 May 2007
Posts: 540
Location: In Space
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| Posted: Sat 08th Sep, 2007 11:16 pm Post subject: |
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Oh, I see. Sorry... I didn't realise.
Aha! Ok, so for flowers you need to trace larger circles, simply. Tracing small circles in time with the poi just makes the poi circles larger. This is good though. It'll also teach you some control. As you get better, you can start to trace lager circles. Don't worry, you're getting there!
Also don't be afraid to just do whatever comes naturally, or feels good. There's no reason why you should stick to a list of "moves". Remember to have fun! |
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Miranda
Joined: 07 Sep 2007
Posts: 71
Location: Surrey
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| Posted: Sun 09th Sep, 2007 9:50 am Post subject: |
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You weren't to know at all
Basically, I have CLPS or RSD... http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/conditions/rds1.shtml
(although mine is in ankles/knees/hips not hand)
Best case scenario (but unlikely) the RSD goes away and leaves me with messed up joints from years of compensating...
Worst case scenario (also not too likely) it gets increasingly progressive, and such...
At the moment, it seems to be progressive, but it could simply seem so due to injuries from compensating for the ankle it started in.
As a result, whilst I can do hard physical work, the balance and fluidity required by Tai Chi is now beyond me >.<
Aaanyway... glossing over that, back to flowers.
Should the circles my arms trace be bigger than the normal circles my poi make? or smaller?
I can't get it to work at all
*frowns*
Later I shall video it again, but I can't be bothered this minute - I'm tired.
ETA: One video... again carefully done many times to avoid multiple falls, stumbles and self-hitting-with-poi appearing with any regularity.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mq8l1QB2Mto
Thing is, I want to be able to do 'proper' poi... not just what feels good, but what is right... and thats sure not easy. |
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Invader_Xan
Joined: 02 May 2007
Posts: 540
Location: In Space
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| Posted: Sun 09th Sep, 2007 12:14 pm Post subject: |
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Right... Ok, I get it now. Awww, poor you. 
To be honest, the size of the circles your arms trace isn't really too important. It's the speed of them that counts.
Hey you're looking a lot more relaxed in this vid. And slower too! Nice going!
At around 1:30, you're getting a bit of the up down motion with your arm. That's good! Try and do some more of that. When you can manage up and down, you're halfway to full arm circles.
And of course you want to do proper poi. I'm not saying for a moment that you shouldn't! What I mean is, you need to give yourself a little encouragement to stop yourself from getting frustrated.
Myself, after I spend a while getting stressed out with a trick I just can't so, I'll just fool around and do something that just feels nice to do for a while (even if it doesn't look so good)... Y'know? |
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Miranda
Joined: 07 Sep 2007
Posts: 71
Location: Surrey
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| Posted: Sun 09th Sep, 2007 12:34 pm Post subject: |
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*nods*
I'm okay, just explaining stuffs slightly.
Hmmn, flowers.. okay, will video again when I find a camera charger :)so practice with moving arms up and down and poi in circles... riiiight
I do take your advice, and hence did try and slow down / shorten poi / relax.
As regards the whole proper moves thing, cos I can#'t watch myself, I'm 'not doing it properly' unless I am doign real moves. I shall try and improvise... will youtube it XD |
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