04.24.07
Playing with Fire
I’ve wanted to learn something special for a very long time. Poi. To be more specific, I’ve wanted to learn the art of Fire-Dancing. I’ve been on a class schedule mailing list for the last 18 months for the Portland area and I just haven’t worked up the nerve or the backbone to commit. Since changing my diet and starting to work out, I’ve developed a lot more energy as well as some new courage these last few months – so yesterday I went and purchased a starter set for beginners.
No fire, yet. That won’t come until I learn to spin the poi and dance without braining myself with the weights or igniting any vital body parts. I went into the back yard where there’s a large flat stretch of paving and practiced for about 40 minutes last night and by the time I finished I was dripping sweat and I thought my arms would fall off.
I barely managed in that time to keep flat planes and concentric circles. It was a lot harder to look graceful than I thought. I bought the video as well and spent the evening admiring the beauty that is fire dancing. I’ve wanted to do this for years so it’s about damn time that I get started.
For anyone in the Portland area who is interested in Poi, there’s a spin-off at Dante’s on Sunday night and I plan to be there. It’s one of the most passionate, erotic and energetic forms of dance that I’ve seen.
I have to admit I can’t wait to get home tonight and take my little beanbag practice Poi out into the yard and break a sweat again. With some serious work and a lot of luck I hope to be playing with fire by the end of summer.
Epiphany said,
April 24, 2007 at 3:20 pm
I’ve always wanted to learn that! Where did you find a video? All the ones I’ve seen are only on VHS and I was hoping to find something in DVD…it always looks amazing, and sounds incredibly fun too!
Jeffy said,
April 25, 2007 at 6:17 am
Please dont play with fire. Please.
Harley said,
April 25, 2007 at 3:53 pm
I saw some flaming bull-whips on a web site that was selling fire dancing equipment - how cool would that be? All crazy looking in a leather cat woman outfit and a FLAMING BULL-WHIP. YEEHA!! …um, I have to go now.
Athena said,
April 26, 2007 at 8:26 am
Harley, you kill me!
I also really like your idea…. I’ll have to see what I can do about it, cuz you know - I actually know how to use a bullwhip. One of those funny things I learned in highschool (long story). And the cat woman outfit? LOVE.
This is gonna be fun!
yeeeeehaaaaa!
Athena said,
April 26, 2007 at 8:27 am
Jeffy, haven’t I always? I guess this step is the next logical progression for me. I’ll try not to singe you, kay? Come on, this will be fun!
Epiphany said,
April 26, 2007 at 8:29 am
If you want to see one of the fire whips in action, there’s a video on YouTube of a bellydancer named Amy from a group called Unmata. I’m not on my home computer just now so no linkies, but if you search “unmata” there should be one called “Amy’s fire whip” or something like. The amazing part is how loud it is! It sort of…flares, when it cracks. Neat stuff.
Athena said,
April 26, 2007 at 8:31 am
Epiphany, welcome to the BlissQuest! I got the DVD for ‘Poi Spinning Basics with Pele’s Element’ at a local juggling store.
This is what the cover looks like
http://www.pinkgypsy.com/firedancing/index.html
It’s a great video so far for helping to develope good habits and start from the basic steps and movements. I like it!
Good luck! Also there are lots of events in the Portland area for spinners. Are you in the Portland area?
Athena said,
April 26, 2007 at 1:45 pm
Epiphany, that was such a cool video. I might have to really consider the whip thing. That was hot! Thanks!
Epiphany said,
April 27, 2007 at 7:42 am
Not a problem. I’m not in the Portland area…really. I’m more in the north-of-Seattle area actually. Unmata is in Sacramento, so I guess you’re between the two
megan said,
April 28, 2007 at 7:49 pm
there’s a free group of all my friends who believe in teaching it and sharing it for the sake of it that meets every tuesday, even if you keep with the class you should join..I’ll find out what park its in (I think the one by Chance of Rain in SE) and if I’m not working Tuesdays now I plan on going too..pre buffy flamey goodness!
Athena said,
April 28, 2007 at 10:07 pm
Megan!!! That’s AWESOME! There’s also a group that meets on Wednesdays at Reed College. But Pre-Buffy Flamey goodness - yes, yes yeeessss!
Perhaps that sounded too enthusiastic…. :p