SpinPoi and Trauma Aid Aotearoa have teamed up to facilitate the first poi and EMDR groups for supporting the processing of trauma.
What is International Poi?
International Poi is a movement practice that involves spinning a weight on a flexible cord in circles around your body. It has been scientifically proven to benefit physical and cognitive function for older people, and is practiced globally as a form of exercise, play, and self expression (Riegle van West, 2018). The study will investigate a specific International Poi movement, the Figure 8, which involves making circles on either side of your body in an 8 or infinity sign pattern.
Why Poi and EMDR?
We hypothesize that poi may be as or more effective than the traditional forms of bilateral stimulation (e.g. lateral eye movements) used in EMDR. Similar to eye movements, poi is a bilateral activity that produces double attention or distraction. In addition, poi is an intrinsically rhythmic, repetitive, movement that crosses the midline, qualities which have all been proven to positively affect trauma and/or wellbeing (Petersen, 2013; Saidmamatov, Rodrigues, & Vasconcelos, 2022). We also hypothesize that the physicality of the movement, with the poi acting as an extension of one’s body, may help restore interoception, or the skill of sensing and interacting with signals from the body (Farb, Daubenmier, Price, Gard, Kerr, Dunn, Klein, Paulus, & Mehling, 2015). This is a necessary skill in EMDR, and one that is often compromised in trauma survivors by the experience of trauma itself, which can erode one’s connection to one’s body.
Where can I learn more?
We are still in the early planning stages of this project. More information will be posted here as the study progresses. You can also email Kate at [email protected] with any inquiries.
References
Farb, N., Daubenmier, J., Price, C. J., Gard, T., Kerr, C., Dunn, B. D., Klein, A. C., Paulus, M. P., & Mehling, W. E. (2015). Interoception, contemplative practice, and health. Frontiers in psychology, 6, 763
Petersen, O. P. (2013). Rhythm as an intervention for health and mental health difficulties: a comprehensive literature review. Alliant International University.
Riegle van West, K. The effects of International Poi on physical, cognitive, and emotional health in healthy older adults (Doctoral dissertation, Doctoral dissertation, University of Auckland]. University of Auckland Research Repository, 2018. URL: https://hdl. handle. net/2292/37338).
Saidmamatov, O., Rodrigues, P., & Vasconcelos, O. (2022). Motor skills training program reinforces crossing the body’s midline in children with developmental coordination disorder. Symmetry, 14(6), 1259.