Pre- newbie

Serenity · Posted: Sun 02nd Sep, 2007 2:29 am Post subject: Pre- newbie

Hi everyone, I have only recently discovered about poi, and find this activity incrediably beautiful, graceful and mind blowing. I do kind of worry if I'm a bit too old for this, I'm 40 and far from being a teenager, but I thought - what the heck, go for it!

I didn't know about this site, recently was at Camden market in London - searched and searched and finally was able to buy poi from a stall, unfortunately, lost 'em!!! Shocked

No shops in my area sells them, finally ordered a pair from Amazon, but will have to wait to until they arrive.

I'm going to order another pair, as the ones I ordered apparently are weak and break easily. Can anyone reccomend which type to start out with first? There seems to be so many different kinds.

Also, does anyone know what's the best way to start? Which is the most recomended book and dvd to get? Knowing that would be a great help. Any help much appreciated.

Thank you

Serenity
verrückt

Serenity · Posted: Sun 02nd Sep, 2007 10:36 am Post subject:

The instruction videos are really good!!! But the demonstrator in the videos is holding the string by by her index finger, is this an advanced way to hold the string, or the propper way???

Also, I don't have an ipod, but I do have a psp, does anyone know how to transfer the intruction clips onto a psp? I'm aware you have to download software (apparently) any link would be appreciated. Seems awful expensive to buy an ipod when a psp (apparently) plays vids also. Thanks xxx

sxylou123 · Joined: 27 Mar 2007 Posts: 481 Location: Margate, Kent

HaHa Imtoo video converter, you can change them to mp4 videos which I think work on the PSP although my formats are a little sloppy. Or 3gp if you have a mobile. Great stuff! (I knew that knowing this would come in useful one day)

Welcome to the forums, the tutorials are great here and everyone is so friendly, don't be afraid to ask people about moves and other general random chit chat..

If I had to suggest a starter set of poi they would just be plain socks with tennis balls.
The elasticity in them helps you to achieve moves like wraps and isolations which i find very difficult with stringed poi. I started with mice (stringed tail poi) which are great for weaving, butterflies and reels.

How you hold your poi is of preference to you, how do you feel more comfortable? I like to hold them with my index finger and thumb for moves that require a static movement like the buzzsaw. Moves like weaves i just hold them in my hands as these moves can be as sloppy and as wide as you like.

If your having trouble finding software, I can send some via e-mail.

Anyways welcome to our little poi family!

Louise

Serenity · Posted: Sun 02nd Sep, 2007 3:45 pm Post subject:

Thanks Louise!!! I managed to find a psp converter, but didn't come with instructions, or worked on Windows ME Confused

I cut up a pair of tights and put the tennis balls in, wow, this really is fun to practice. Just working on the Butterfly technique first, I think it's better to learn one full technique, rather than bumble lots of others on my first day of practice. I think I could become quite good at this...

Thanks for the welcome

Serenity xxx

sxylou123 · Joined: 27 Mar 2007 Posts: 481 Location: Margate, Kent

Its really quiet here today....damn weekend getting in the way of business.

Mix it up, it will be worth it in the future.

There are many different types of move that can be done with butterfly like reverse butterfly, angelwings, low and high splits, thread the needle (TTN) and reverse TTN not to mention butterfly buzzsaw, wrist wraps and various stalls/takeouts that can be thrown in.

The best thing about mixing it up is that some moves can build into prerequisites for others. An example of this is reels, I would have never learnt reels without having learnt the low split butterfly first. I imagine it would have been alot harder because my arms were already used to the actions of previous moves that I have done.

Also dont forget that everything can be done in a backwards/reverse manner as well. I made the mistake of only learning some moves in a particular direction. I can do butterfly turns from right to left but when i try to go the opposite way, I hit myself almost every time. Learn everything both ways as it gives you more options and freedom of movement in the future.

I'm gonna start a column I think called "Aunty Louise's Experteases" (or lack of) LOL

Oh yeah and the age thing, my mum often gives my poi a go in the garden when I'm around, she can do the butterfly and some sorta hula move that she made herself (dunno how she does it). Shes 61 this year and loves it, of course she hates watching me do it with fire because im her baby but then im safe and kinda earily good so she lets me do it. Damn it im 24 mum, set me free LOL!

Serenity · Posted: Sun 02nd Sep, 2007 9:32 pm Post subject:

Thanks for your advice, Louise, it's all good.

aawww mums always worry about their littlen's, no matter how how they are, it's what mums do best Very Happy

Psychotic Neurotic · Posted: Mon 03rd Sep, 2007 11:45 am Post subject:

WELCOME Serenity! You're never too old to start poi!
The poi sold on this site mostly have finger loops. The poi that Ms Doodles is spinning in the videos have a single finger loop and she's just looped it over her first finger ^_^

Others are double finger loops for your first and middle finger, others are bizarre or just material you grip.

Glad you're getting on with the butterfly!

Jayne

Daedra · Posted: Mon 03rd Sep, 2007 3:39 pm Post subject:

howdy howdy serenity!!
and welcome to the forum (^_^) glad to have you aboard!!

-daedae-

Serenity · Posted: Mon 03rd Sep, 2007 6:02 pm Post subject:

Thank you so much for the welcome. Rushed back from my new job so I can practice!!!

LewisM · Joined: 22 Jul 2007 Posts: 110 Location: UK > Bristol

Welcome to the forums mate, like others have said, your never to old ^^

as for which book to buy, THIS book is something i can personaly vouch for, its got clear instructions and takes you through quite a few different moves Smile

Which poi to buy? For how easy they are to spin id say the glowballs, for how cool they look id go for cobra II's, but the glowballs will hurt when they hit you, so personaly id go for the cobra II's Smile

Serenity · Posted: Tue 04th Sep, 2007 11:30 pm Post subject:

Hi Lewis, thanks for the advice, I've ordered the book and ordered Cobra II from this site. I was rather looking for a single finger loop, but both cobra are double finger loop. I'm still waiting for the £3.50 ones I ordered from Amazon, which I expect wont last long by what I've read. Besides, will give 'em to friend if they dont break apart before I recieve the cobra.

I've decided not to move on to the light effects until I can at least practice without looking silly. Will order them in the next few weeks. I do actually have my eye on these http://www.hyperlight.co.uk/support/faq/ but not available yet, apparently newbie friendly, and will be able to download stuff into 'em. Price? £150, although might just go for the atom LED, lot more cheaper, but once I get to grips with the cobra, the skies the limit. Best just learn the basic stuff first Wink

Thank you all for your kind words and advice.

Serenity

P.S. yes, age isn't an issue with Poi, I am 40, but don't look it Very Happy

Besides, I'm a trained black belt martial artist (now given it up), and poi is just as good an excercise regime. Not got me walking stick just yet Laughing

Felixwah · Posted: Wed 05th Sep, 2007 10:50 am Post subject:

mmmmmm hyperlights every poi'er who knows about them is gonna want a pair. Yeh you can link them up to your comp and programme in light sequences or download pre made ones from the site itself. I had a play with them at play and they are soooo bright words cant express Smile

welcome to poipoi btw Smile

bono2804 · Joined: 07 Sep 2007 Posts: 3

Hello,
Thought I'd do the respectable thing and introduce myself. I just bought some poi's back from Spain with not a clue what to do. Thanks to this website I'm now able to do butterflies angel wings and 3 beat waves!!! Excellent site wouldn't of managed any of it with out you, keep up the good work.

Colin

Serenity · Posted: Sat 08th Sep, 2007 3:48 pm Post subject:

Hi Colin, yes, this is a great site, everyone's friendly Smile

Consider looking at the book as suggested in one of the above posts by Lewis, ok, if you can get passed the drawings of the little girl, it's actually an excellent book.

Poi is addictive, I actually took my Cobra into work to practice during lunch, which isn't really a clever thing to do considering the nature of my job Laughing

Ive managed to inspire one other person into being interested.

Good luck with your new moves,

Serenity

LewisM · Joined: 22 Jul 2007 Posts: 110 Location: UK > Bristol

Heh, yea the pictures of the girl in that book brought a smile to my face, but its still well worth buying Smile

And wow, those Hyperlights look amazing! Christmas prezzie i reckon Very Happy

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