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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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.
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!
I decide to play Poi everyday. Sometimes I turn on the music and flow with it. Since then, I feel myself better. Some parts of my body are just being more "active" (because I don't play any sports - which is bad, I know). My mind becomes more clear and relaxed. Thoughts become more positive. I normally feel an empty mind with Poi in hands. And to me this is the most interesting part: when I perform to my friends, they feel magical too.
Poi helped me a lot with social anxiety. It helped me to feel more comfortable in my skin while people are looking at me, mainly because of practicing poi in public places and showing off my poi skills to friends. Now I don't get as clumsy as I used to when I feel I'm being watched. It also helped me gain confidence in speaking and explaining things, as people ask me to teach them some poi tricks.
There's not been a single day that I haven't wanted to be poiing. Its taught me how to hold my posture, flow to music, given me something to give back to the world, helped me meet and become friends with hundreds of other people who spin, shown me a confidence in myself that helps in any other situation, and brought a harmony in my household because now we're all spinning :)
It was at a low point in my life that I discovered juggling, staff, and poi. Even with all my troubles, I still progressed. The motion and satisfaction of getting a move down filled my heart with joy. These skills came with powerful "magic", indeed. Playing with poi and the flow arts can make "magical" changes in you too, and I encourage all no matter where you are in life to give it a go.