Poi is a form of dance, where weights on the ends of tethers are swung through rhythmical patterns. It is rooted in the culture of the Maori people of Aotearoa (aka New Zealand), who dance with poi poi in traditional ceremonies.

Poi was popularized throughout the world largely by fire spinning, spawned when traditional poi met modern day dance parties. In time, poi enthusiasts turned to flag poi, LED poi, and other tools that express the beauty of poi without the health and environmental risks of fire.

A Blast from the Past

In his book ”The Extraordinary Origins of Everyday Things,” Charles Panati wrote that hoops made from grapevines existed in ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome and that wood and metal hoops created a craze in 14th-century England. Egyptian children played with  hoops by rolling them with sticks or whirling them around their waist. The ancient Greeks used them to exercise, but there is no evidence relating them to the Olympics. In the Louvre there is a vase dated 500-490 BC showing Ganymede rolling a hoop. Hoops were used in Great Britain in the 14th century in religious ceremonies but also as a form of recreation. Documentation of doctors treating dislocated backs and heart attacks attributed to hooping were found in the medical records of that time...

Juggling clubs, or simply clubs are a prop used by jugglers, as are other props such as balls or rings. A typical club is in the range of 50 cm (~19.7 in) long, weighs between 200 and 300 grams, is slim at the "handle" end, and has its center of balance nearer the wider "body" end. The definition of a club is somewhat ambiguous; sticks or rods are allowed under the current Juggling Information Service (JIS) rules for juggling world records.[1]

The term "juggling club" can also mean a social organization where jugglers meet to practice and socialize.

Clubs are sometimes referred to as "pins" due to their resemblance to bowling pins. However, the two vary greatly in construction, weight and weight distribution, and are not interchangeable for most purposes.

The origin of the floating wand is somewhat of a mystery.  If anyone has valid citations or references for historical use of the levitating wand effect, please send us an article at your earliest convenience!

Article authored and edited by Brandon Tyson, Banyan Gallagher, Thom Thumb, Jason Goethals and Carisa Hendix

Buugeng and S-Staffs involves the spinning and manipulation of one or more S shaped objects. The art of S-Staff borrows many moves from traditional staffs spinning with the addition of the curved S shape to create an optical illusion known as the “visual kaleidoscope”. In addition the S-Staff also requires a lighter touch than straight staff, as well as a detailed understanding of plane mechanics. If your planes are slightly off with a staff the only conscience is that the planes will look a messy; however if your planes are off when working with S-Staff, you are likely to hit yourself with the prop. Its sudden popularity has lead to an explosion of new performances and styles with this unique prop including Fire Buugeng.