People all over the world are experiencing the power of poi, from physical to mental to emotional benefits and everything in between! Check out the amazing stories below for some intimate truths about the positive influence of poi, or click the button to share your own story.
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Being a graphic designer, I appreciate how even clumsily playing poi relaxes my wrists and fingers that spend a lot of time wrapped around a computer mouse. I can feel that I relax when playing poi, thinking about the poi itself and how do I get to do with it what I would like to do with it, which is mightily relieving and mind-detoxing. So far I am pretty clueless about what I am doing, but I am learning by doing and it's been a lot of fun!
8 years ago I tore a Rotator Cuff in my shoulder, I went to a Chiropractor first and decided against surgery. Man does that hurt, a couple months later I tore the other one. Shortly after that I went to see a band and a group of fire spinners performed, what struck me was the Poi. I just had to try it, made some the next day and never stopped. I found the shoulder movement was very similar to what the Chiropractor had me do when I was recovering.
I was introduced to poi by my friend, and quickly understood the movements as I noticed a correlation between martial arts and poi. A year and a bit later I have started doing performances with poi and have been opened up to an array of arts including juggling, staff and fire breathing. It's really inspired me and helped improve my mental and physical health as well as helping me become more fluid and technical in my martial arts.
Poi helped me achieve and maintain sobriety, and helps me remain stable and forward facing. I suffer from bipolar disorder and unfortunately, chose to self-medicate with illegal substances when I first got diagnosed. I was afraid. However, I got introduced to poi by a friend (who is now my significant other!) and after some practice, achieving the flow state just felt so right. Five years later I'm successful and spin daily.
I learnt to spin poi when I was dealing with all sorts of changes in my life. It absorbed the fear and hesitation, and gave me courage, possibility, and the thrill of something new. Since then, it’s always been something I can lose myself in, and find myself in. It’s one of the most valuable tools I have to ground my emotions, distract from anxiety, and refocus myself - a mental sanctuary.
Poi was a way to give my brain a break and get my body moving in between writing sessions. They were small, compact, and easy to use (at first). Little did I know that Poi was going to completely alter my life. It has allowed me to openly express my emotions, heal from a number of mental scars, and live a happier life.