Poi people...home of friendly fire
...by LTHf. Accept no limitations!
My Teacher and how I found fire...
I wanted to tell this story. It is a life saving story to an extent. It is a story about kind people and the things they can do ever from afar...
About 5 months ago I started searching for fire spinners. I didn't even know what a Poi was at this point. I typed in a search on MySpace for fire dancing and females. I got tons of hits. (Mainly professional women that spin and dance with fire.) I texted at least 12 and a few replied with no help at all. One of them told me to Google it and then I should be able to find some information. They were, in a nutshell, a waste of time. A month of wasted time at that. After joining here is about when I found women that were oh so nice. I do not suggest MySpace unless you are looking for professionals that are promoting themselves, not here were we promoted each other. So, I searched for men that did fire dancing. I found Synge. I sent him a message and let him know what I wanted. He was the kindest person about it all. He was not arrogant about anything and was more than willing to help me learn to spin even at a point in his life that he was extremely busy.
Synge went out of his way to tell me where to go and never did he fail to tell me what I was doing wrong and corrected it. He sent me to Nick, with PlayPoi.com, to look at his videos online. I learned alot that way but not even close to what I learned from Synge. I guess I just clicked with Synge's words more. As a teacher he is a no nonsense man. Tells it like it is and was always there for questions. He helped me find a part of myself that was lost for a long time. I can never tell him enough how much he did for me. I told him this story, the one I will tell you below, and he understood. He understood and helped. He was the one thing that helped me and I can't thank him enough...
This is how I became a lover of fire.
In Feb., of 2003 I had the opportunity to visit Venice with my two girlfriends for Carnevale'. It was lovely and something I can say I did forever but it really sucked as far as a person that is outgoing and hyper like I am. So, if you are in the market for looking at some pretty costumes and snotty people, do go to Venice and place yourself down town. You have to ask for a photo or you may get the universal sign sent to you instead, so make sure to ask. They will pose for you if you let them. If you don't ask your photo may not be appropriate for living room use. LOL
As fun loving hippies, smokers, we wandered off in search of quiet and dark. We walked around the corner of San Marco Plaza and ran smack into this huge group of lovely people, they were gypsies and they were right up our alley. With a hello and a smile we were in. We sat around for an hour talking and smoking with our new found family. As I was sitting there a couple of the girls got up giggling and ran off. I thought it was great, had no clue what they were up to but was having a nice peaceful time with extremely interesting people. Before I knew what was going on, those two girls came running to the center of the group with maces. Actual maces! I just sat there waiting as I know gypsies love to do things with music and art. I expected music, what I got was so much more.
They ran right to each other and slammed the two maces together over this small flame that reminded me of a small outdoor torch for the backyard. The maces exploded into fire the second they hit. Before I knew what was going on people were up and running around and the small intimate circle became a large stage made of human bodies with me as a link. I was excited by now. The fire, the drums, and the sound of flames roared everywhere. The black clad bodies jumping and spinning away combined with the beats of several drums created for me an atmosphere of pure sense. I could literally feel, smell, and taste the flames. Every nerve on my body was paying attention. I noticed that at once and the feeling was very calming to me. A sense of fulfillment overcame me. I am not saying the smoke was not the reason it was so incredible at that time but I get the same feeling every time so don't really think it was that.
The scene only got larger. More maces along with staff, swords, ropes, and fans appeared. I honestly thought i would get sense overload watching so closely. I melted into the fire. Sitting there for about an hour straight I thought to myself the entire time that to be able to control fire the way these awesome people did had to be some sort of magic.
After leaving this place life has a tendency to take over. We forget most of what we see and hear too often. We never forget the way we felt. That feeling was literally burned into my memories. The actual act that was performed remained obscure for the next three years till I had a fire pit placed in my backyard. That is when I knew I was going to find that feeling again. I didn't think I would able to pass it along to others but with Synge's help, that is exactly what I get to do. For myself and for my family. I bring them peace in the form of fire.
When I first started to post here, what better place, I asked a similar question. It was “how you connected with your poi?” but I think I should have asked “how did you connect to your senses?”. In the end I am happy with what I have found. I want to share it with others and be accepted for it, not harassed for it. You would think I was a circus performer with the reactions I get sometimes but I always remember for every person that has no sense there are 10 others ready to take their places.
Peace
Titan
About 5 months ago I started searching for fire spinners. I didn't even know what a Poi was at this point. I typed in a search on MySpace for fire dancing and females. I got tons of hits. (Mainly professional women that spin and dance with fire.) I texted at least 12 and a few replied with no help at all. One of them told me to Google it and then I should be able to find some information. They were, in a nutshell, a waste of time. A month of wasted time at that. After joining here is about when I found women that were oh so nice. I do not suggest MySpace unless you are looking for professionals that are promoting themselves, not here were we promoted each other. So, I searched for men that did fire dancing. I found Synge. I sent him a message and let him know what I wanted. He was the kindest person about it all. He was not arrogant about anything and was more than willing to help me learn to spin even at a point in his life that he was extremely busy.
Synge went out of his way to tell me where to go and never did he fail to tell me what I was doing wrong and corrected it. He sent me to Nick, with PlayPoi.com, to look at his videos online. I learned alot that way but not even close to what I learned from Synge. I guess I just clicked with Synge's words more. As a teacher he is a no nonsense man. Tells it like it is and was always there for questions. He helped me find a part of myself that was lost for a long time. I can never tell him enough how much he did for me. I told him this story, the one I will tell you below, and he understood. He understood and helped. He was the one thing that helped me and I can't thank him enough...
This is how I became a lover of fire.
In Feb., of 2003 I had the opportunity to visit Venice with my two girlfriends for Carnevale'. It was lovely and something I can say I did forever but it really sucked as far as a person that is outgoing and hyper like I am. So, if you are in the market for looking at some pretty costumes and snotty people, do go to Venice and place yourself down town. You have to ask for a photo or you may get the universal sign sent to you instead, so make sure to ask. They will pose for you if you let them. If you don't ask your photo may not be appropriate for living room use. LOL
As fun loving hippies, smokers, we wandered off in search of quiet and dark. We walked around the corner of San Marco Plaza and ran smack into this huge group of lovely people, they were gypsies and they were right up our alley. With a hello and a smile we were in. We sat around for an hour talking and smoking with our new found family. As I was sitting there a couple of the girls got up giggling and ran off. I thought it was great, had no clue what they were up to but was having a nice peaceful time with extremely interesting people. Before I knew what was going on, those two girls came running to the center of the group with maces. Actual maces! I just sat there waiting as I know gypsies love to do things with music and art. I expected music, what I got was so much more.
They ran right to each other and slammed the two maces together over this small flame that reminded me of a small outdoor torch for the backyard. The maces exploded into fire the second they hit. Before I knew what was going on people were up and running around and the small intimate circle became a large stage made of human bodies with me as a link. I was excited by now. The fire, the drums, and the sound of flames roared everywhere. The black clad bodies jumping and spinning away combined with the beats of several drums created for me an atmosphere of pure sense. I could literally feel, smell, and taste the flames. Every nerve on my body was paying attention. I noticed that at once and the feeling was very calming to me. A sense of fulfillment overcame me. I am not saying the smoke was not the reason it was so incredible at that time but I get the same feeling every time so don't really think it was that.
The scene only got larger. More maces along with staff, swords, ropes, and fans appeared. I honestly thought i would get sense overload watching so closely. I melted into the fire. Sitting there for about an hour straight I thought to myself the entire time that to be able to control fire the way these awesome people did had to be some sort of magic.
After leaving this place life has a tendency to take over. We forget most of what we see and hear too often. We never forget the way we felt. That feeling was literally burned into my memories. The actual act that was performed remained obscure for the next three years till I had a fire pit placed in my backyard. That is when I knew I was going to find that feeling again. I didn't think I would able to pass it along to others but with Synge's help, that is exactly what I get to do. For myself and for my family. I bring them peace in the form of fire.
When I first started to post here, what better place, I asked a similar question. It was “how you connected with your poi?” but I think I should have asked “how did you connect to your senses?”. In the end I am happy with what I have found. I want to share it with others and be accepted for it, not harassed for it. You would think I was a circus performer with the reactions I get sometimes but I always remember for every person that has no sense there are 10 others ready to take their places.
Peace
Titan
Add a Comment
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Comment by Avicus on May 2, 2008 at 6:19pm - your story is truly inspiring, and i cant help but agree with you on how empowering and tantalizing fire can be, and i too have been helped my synge but not as in depth as you have, for me it was my struggle with straight jackets, but after he explained it to me it took about 10 minutes of practice and i was doing it. He really is a remarkable teacher isnt he. I wish you good luck and safety, and may fire continue to inspire and change lives
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Comment by Purple Cat on April 4, 2008 at 5:21pm -
I love your story! I just discovered poi a month ago. Had also seen the fire spinners, but in my previous situation it just seemed like some far fetched fantasy. Now after a divorce and a new job and new friends I've been re-born! I love music, having a classical piano background, and isn't it just so coincidental that I found a job in the graphic arts where my boss plays piano and sings, and my co-worker, now my roomate is a DJ! I have a BA in Fine Art with a background in theater. I love music, dancing, performing and of course I'm obsessed with lights. LED's, fiber optics, anything that glows and moves. I like my art to be interactive, not a static statue or painting. I want my audience to be a part of it! do you have a myspace? mine is myspace.com/purplecatworld.
Nice to meet you!!
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Posted by She phoenix fire & light productions on May 21, 2009 at 3:19pm
I am on the Radio
We are going to be interviewed on Three Counties Radio on Lorna Milton’s afternoon show 2pm – 4.30pm Friday 27th February. http://www.bbc.co.uk/threecounties/local_radio/
You can listen online.
The interview is becasue my owner has a book ‘Travels With My Teddy Bear’ – (sub-title ‘Travelogues Of A Woman With Asperger’s Syndrome With Her Teddy Bear). It covers trips to America, Italy, Switzerland,Spain, Sri Lanka, Holland, Hungary, Croatia, Slovenia, Germany, Poland, Japan, Estonia, Latvia, Russ… Continue
You can listen online.
The interview is becasue my owner has a book ‘Travels With My Teddy Bear’ – (sub-title ‘Travelogues Of A Woman With Asperger’s Syndrome With Her Teddy Bear). It covers trips to America, Italy, Switzerland,Spain, Sri Lanka, Holland, Hungary, Croatia, Slovenia, Germany, Poland, Japan, Estonia, Latvia, Russ… Continue
Posted by Bearsac on February 26, 2009 at 10:35pm
hey everybody!!
im new 2 this site n thort id say hi n that im really easy 2 talk 2 lol..
Posted by Kimberley on October 26, 2008 at 11:14pm — 1 Comment
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