How to Start Learning Poi

Get your poi. Poi can be either made or purchased. Poi can be made by using a stocking sock filled with balls or rice, or tennis balls and rope. Put the rope through the ball and tie a knot in the end. Tie a loop in the other end of the rope. You should have two of these. Another option is the use of football (soccer) socks. If you buy poi, then it's advised to start with soft poi, rather than glow poi which tend to be harder. Fire poi are very dangerous and should only be attempted after a lot of practice.^[1]

Slip the looped ends of the rope over your hands. If you have bought poi they will probably have two loops at the end, put your index and middle finger through these.the string should be roughly the same length as your arm.^[2]

Find a good space. The ideal place to practice poi is either outside in good weather, or in an open space with a high ceiling indoors.

Hold your arms down by your sides and swing both poi to get a bit of momentum going, slowly. Aim for about a second per rotation; it doesn't sound slow but its very tempting to try to go faster, at which point its harder to control. Rotate your wrists so the ball spins forward. Keep practicing this trying to keep the movement equally timed on both sides ("in beat"). It can often help to practice to music to keep this beat. If possible watch your reflection to make sure the poi are parallel, not crossing in front of you or spinning out.

Learn the different planes and timings. In planes, there is wall plane, with the poi spinning in a circle in front of you, there's wheel plane, with them alongside you and there is floor plane, with the poi spinning in a circle over your head or under your arm (going parallel to the ground). These are the three basic planes. As well as planes, there is timing. They are used in almost every trick and are split time, with them reaching the top and bottom points at opposite times, there is same time, with them both going at the same speed and same time, there is opposite direction and same direction (self-explanatory). All of these timings, directions and planes can be used in conjunction with each other.^[3]

Try weaving. This is the most basic trick. Practice with one poi first. start by spinning as you have been doing then cross your arm in front of your chest, if possible try not to move the whole arm but focus the movement in the wrist. Mastering this helps to greatly control your movements and is essential for harder tricks. Try to move the poi in a figure of eight shape (practice without the poi first if you're scared of hitting yourself) so it crosses in front of you, circles on the opposite side, then returns to the start.^[4]

Master weaving with the other side. Once you feel you have mastered this repeat with the other poi. Then try with both. Don't cross them in front at exactly the same time or they will tangle up and hit you. Instead, move them across a beat after each other(it helps if you see one as following the other).^[5]

Try the butterfly. This is a basic trick that looks amazing. With the poi going in opposite direction and same time, bring your hands together. Be sure to have one hand slightly in front of the other so the poi don't hit each other. If done correctly, it looks like the heads of the poi hit and bounce off of each other.^[6]