Poi
Officially Poi Spinning
Skill toy / performance art — spinning tethered weights (poi) in geometric patterns around body. Originated MĀORI PEOPLE of NEW ZEALAND (spiritual + practice for wrist flexibility). Modernized globally 1990s+ as flow art. Fire Poi = flaming variant popular at festivals. Non-competitive typically; performance + personal flow.
What is Poi?
Poi is SKILL TOY + PERFORMANCE ART where practitioner spins TETHERED WEIGHTS (called POI) in geometric patterns around body. ORIGINATED with MĀORI PEOPLE of NEW ZEALAND — traditionally used by women in ceremonial + storytelling dances (kapa haka); reportedly practiced by Māori men for WRIST FLEXIBILITY improving with weapons. Traditional poi are FLAX/HARAKEKE with soft rounded weight. MODERNIZED GLOBALLY 1990s+ as FLOW ART community — spread via burning man + festivals + fire performance. TYPES: (1) PRACTICE POI (small soft weights for learning). (2) FIRE POI (Kevlar wick soaked in fuel — spectacular but dangerous). (3) LED POI (glow patterns; popular at raves + festivals). (4) SOCK POI (crocheted with ball, for beginners). (5) CONTACT POI (long tether, poi rolls on body). SKILLS include: SPIN (basic), WEAVES (patterns crossing arms), FLOWERS (multi-petal patterns), STALLS (temporary pause), THROWS + CATCHES, EXTENSIONS (poi wrapping arms/body). NON-COMPETITIVE typically — considered PERSONAL FLOW ART + PERFORMANCE not sport. Some flow-art conventions with informal contests. HUGE overlap with STAFF + ROPE DART + HULA HOOP + FANS in flow arts community. TEACHERS: Nick Woolsey (Play Poi), Vivo Barnes, Zoë Fitzgerald (Poi Legacy).
Quick facts
Category
Skill Toys
Type
Individual
Players
1–1
Duration
~5 min
Where played
both
Field / court
any open space
Country of origin
🇳🇿 New Zealand
Estimated origin
Traditional Māori poi centuries old; modern global flow art community developed 1990s+ (via burning man, festival culture)
Olympic
No
Popularity
regional
How it works
Objective
Personal flow art expression; performance at festivals; skill mastery.
Rules
Basic rules
Not competitive — personal flow
No formal rules or standard scoring.
Fire poi safety: fuel outdoors + spotters + fire blanket
Never light indoors; never spin near people/property; safety spotter mandatory.
Progressive skill development
Master 2-hand spins → weaves → flowers → advanced patterns.
Community-taught via workshops + festivals
'Playpoi.com' online community + YouTube tutorials.
Scoring
Not scored typically. Some flow art convention informal contests judge creativity + skill difficulty.
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| Personal skill development | Individual progression |
| Performance at festivals | Reputation + community recognition |
| Flow art convention contests | Judged creativity + technical difficulty |
Win condition · Not applicable — personal expression + flow.
Playing area
Called
any open space
Dimensions
~2m diameter clearance for arm-span + poi length
Any open indoor/outdoor space; fire poi requires open outdoor area + safety spotters.
Equipment
Practice poi (soft weight)
€15-30; safe learning
Sock poi (crocheted with ball)
€10-20; beginner-friendly
Fire poi (Kevlar wick + chain/leather)
€40-80; requires training + fuel + safety kit
LED poi
€30-100; glow patterns for night performance
Contact poi (long tether)
€20-40; body-rolling variant
Fuel (fire poi: kerosene, lamp oil)
€10-20/gallon
Fire blanket + gloves (fire poi)
€30-50 safety kit
Strategies
Start with soft practice poi (no fire)
Learn safely; fire poi only after months of mastery.
Master 2-hand spins first
Basic weaves + planes before flowers or extensions.
Music helps timing
Practice with rhythmic music to develop flow.
Fire safety non-negotiable
Fuel outdoors, spotter present, fire blanket ready, natural fiber clothes.
Terminology
- Poi
- The tethered weight (also the practice).
- Spin
- Rotating poi in circular motion.
- Weave
- Poi crossing pattern (typically 3-beat, 4-beat).
- Flower
- Multi-petal geometric pattern.
- Stall
- Brief pause in poi motion.
- Plane
- Flat orientation of poi's circle (wheel plane, wall plane).
- Extension
- Poi wrapping arm/body then unwinding.
- Buzzsaw
- Fast spin close to body.
- Fire wick
- Kevlar burnable material for fire poi.
- Flow arts
- Community + practice of prop-based movement (poi, staff, hula hoop, fans).
Major competitions
Not competitive traditionally
n/a · worldwide
Fire dance conventions (informal contests)
annual · worldwide · since 2000
European Juggling Convention (skill contest)
annual · Europe · since 1978
Where it is played
Governing bodies
No official governing body
n/a
Home of Poi (community + shop)
Founded 2000 · New Zealand
Official site ↗Play Poi (Nick Woolsey teaching community)
Founded 2010 · online
Famous names & records
Famous athletes
- Traditional Māori practitioners (unnamed historical)
- Nick Woolsey (Canada/NZ) — Play Poi teaching community founder
- Zoë Fitzgerald (USA) — Poi Legacy educator
- Vivo Barnes (New Zealand) — Home of Poi
Learn this sport
beginner
- 1
Buy practice poi ($20) + watch Play Poi YouTube tutorials
Nick Woolsey videos considered gold standard.
- 2
Learn basic 2-hand spin + wall plane + wheel plane
Foundation of all patterns.
- 3
Master 3-beat weave + butterfly
First 'real' patterns after basic spins.
intermediate
- 1
Flowers (2-petal, 3-petal antispin, cateye)
Geometric complexity.
- 2
Attend fire dance meetup or festival
Community learning + performance opportunity.
- 3
Consider fire poi TRAINING (with instructor)
Never attempt fire alone; take formal safety training.
advanced
- 1
Contact poi + extensions + advanced flowers
Body-integration + complex patterns.
- 2
Perform at festivals (Burning Man, Firedrums, etc.)
Community recognition path.
- 3
Teach workshops or open flow art studio
Professional path.
Frequently asked
What is poi?+
SKILL TOY + PERFORMANCE ART where practitioner spins TETHERED WEIGHTS (poi) in geometric patterns around body. ORIGINATED with MĀORI PEOPLE of NEW ZEALAND — traditional women's ceremonial dance (kapa haka) + men's wrist flexibility training. Modernized globally 1990s+ as FLOW ART community. Types: practice poi (soft), FIRE POI (Kevlar wick with flames), LED POI (glow), sock poi (beginner), contact poi (body-rolling). Non-competitive — personal expression + performance. Popular at festivals + burning man.
Is fire poi dangerous?+
YES — SIGNIFICANT FIRE INJURY RISK if unprepared. HAZARDS: burns to face/body from hit poi, hair fires, fuel spills, spinning into people/property. SAFETY REQUIREMENTS: (1) MASTER practice poi FIRST — 6-12 months minimum before considering fire. (2) FORMAL TRAINING from experienced fire spinner mandatory. (3) SPOTTER present ALWAYS — with FIRE BLANKET + FIRE EXTINGUISHER. (4) NATURAL FIBER CLOTHES (cotton, wool — never synthetics which melt to skin). (5) OUTDOOR ONLY away from people/flammables. (6) FUEL: kerosene/lamp oil (never gasoline — explosive). (7) SEPARATE fueling area far from spinning area. Considered artistic practice — RESPECT for fire required. Community strongly enforces safety norms.
How long does it take to learn poi?+
BASIC SPINS: HOURS to days. RECOGNIZABLE FLOW: 2-4 WEEKS practice (20+ hours). SOLID PATTERNS (weaves, flowers): 3-6 MONTHS regular practice. PERFORMANCE-READY: 1-2 YEARS. MASTERY: 5+ years. Fire poi only after 6-12 months + formal training. Slower learner-friendly than juggling — soft poi safe for beginners. VIDEO TUTORIALS abundant (Play Poi 100+ free tutorials). COMMUNITY meets weekly at fire jams in most cities worldwide.
Sources & provenance
- Wikipedia — Poi (performance art)— Wikipedia
- Home of Poi— Home of Poi
- Play Poi (Nick Woolsey)— Play Poi