- Spin a Fem beginner: Master weight management and body control first
- Core movement: Use your core, not just arms, to move the Poi
- Energy conservation: Use minimal energy to maintain control
- Safety tip: Spin slowly to avoid hitting yourself
- Flow state: Treat Poi as an extension of your body
Understanding Poi Fundamentals
Spin a Fem introduces the art of Poi spinning, focusing on creating a relationship between your body and the prop. Rather than forcing an object to move, you must learn to treat the weights attached to tethers as extensions of yourself. The primary goal is to understand the weight and momentum of the Poi through specific fundamental movements.
Do not focus solely on spinning an object around your body. Instead, focus on how your body moves to accommodate the Poi. This connection is crucial for progressing to advanced flow arts.
Preparation Checklist:
- Ensure clear practice space
- Check tether length for comfort
- Wear comfortable clothing
- Remove hazardous jewelry
- Focus on relaxation
| Concept | Description | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Extension | Viewing Poi as part of the body | Natural movement |
| Weight | Feeling the tether's gravity | Better timing |
| Tether | Connection line between hand and weight | Momentum control |
| Flow | Seamless transition between moves | Aesthetic appeal |
| Planes | Invisible walls for Poi travel | Precision |
Mastering the Pendulum
The first technical movement to master is the pendulum. This involves swinging one Poi forward and backward in a controlled manner. The objective is to get the Poi completely flat to the ground on either side of the swing, also known as "side stalling." Ensure your entire body moves with the Poi, originating the motion from your lower abdomen or core belt line.
Avoid using only your arm to swing. Using your whole body helps you connect with the weight of the Poi and makes the movement feel easier through muscle memory adaptation.
Video Highlights:
- Introduction to weights on tethers
- Body movement versus arm movement
- Achieving the "side stall" position
- Originating motion from the core
Start with One Hand
Hold one Poi and swing it forward and back. Keep the movement parallel to the floor.
Engage the Core
Open and close your chest as the Poi swings. The energy should come from your lower abdomen.
Side Stalling
Pause momentarily when the Poi reaches the furthest points, keeping it flat against the ground.
Switch Hands
Repeat the process with the other hand to build symmetrical muscle memory.
Combine Hands
Practice swinging both Poi simultaneously, maintaining the pendulum rhythm.
| Phase | Action | Focus Point |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Single Poi Pendulum | Flatness to ground |
| 2 | Core Engagement | Hip belt line |
| 3 | Hand Switch | Symmetry |
| 4 | Dual Poi | Synchronization |
| 5 | Control | Minimal energy |
Transitioning to Spins
Once comfortable with the pendulum, introduce controlled circles. Add one full circle to your pendulum motion before returning to control. This practice helps you manage energy levels, preventing the Poi from creating uncontrolled circles or flopping tethers.
You are ready to move on when you can transition smoothly from a pendulum to a circle and back without adding excessive energy or losing control.
Add Energy
From a pendulum, add a small amount of energy to create one full circle.
Return to Control
Immediately reverse the motion to bring the Poi back into a stable pendulum.
Opposite Direction
Practice circling in the opposite direction and returning to control again.
Four Directions
Combine these to master four movement directions: forwards same time, forwards split time, reverse same time, and reverse split time.
| Move Type | Description | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Pendulum | Back and forth linear motion | Low |
| Stall | Pause at extremity | Medium |
| Circle | Continuous rotational motion | Medium |
| Transition | Switching between states | High |
Planes and Safety
Understanding "planes" is essential for technical spinning. Imagine a wall to either side of you; your Poi should spin comfortably between you and these walls. There are two primary planes: wheel planes (side walls) and wall planes (front walls). Spinning within these defined areas ensures cleaner movement and prevents tangles.
If you use only enough energy to get the job done, you will hardly hit yourself. Injury occurs most often when spinning too fast and losing control. Go easy and use minimal energy.
| Plane Type | Orientation | Visual Cue |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Plane | Walls to left and right | Poi beside body |
| Wall Plane | Wall in front of chest | Poi in front of body |
| Floor Plane | Parallel to ground | Low circular moves |
| Buzzsaw | Inside arms | Center body |
Advanced Progression
As you master the basics, you will begin to explore "tech poi" and flow sequences. Tech poi focuses on specific, difficult technical manipulations, while flow involves weaving these moves together seamlessly. Always prioritize maneuvering the Poi around your body with precision over speed.
Proficiency Milestones:
- Clean wheel plane spins
- Clean wall plane spins
- Smooth plane transitions
- Controlled speed changes
- Simultaneous split-time moves
Q: What is the best way to learn Spin a Fem basics?
Start slowly with pendulums to understand the weight of the Poi. Do not rush into spinning fast. Focus on using your core body rather than just your arms.
Q: Why do I keep hitting myself while practicing?
You are likely using too much energy or speed. Spin slower and use only the minimum energy required to keep the Poi moving. Control prevents injury.
Q: What are the four directions of spinning?
The four directions are forwards same time, forwards split time, reverse same time, and reverse split time. Mastering these creates a solid foundation for advanced tricks.
Q: How do I treat Poi as an extension of myself?
Stop thinking of the Poi as a separate object you must force. Move your body so that the Poi follows naturally. Adapt your muscle memory to the weight so it feels like part of you.