Sunday 19 March and 2 April, 10am – 2pm NZST
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Two Day Virtual Course for Working with Poi and Seniors
Harness your full poi-tential in this comprehensive hands-on certification course. During the training you will learn the necessary skills to confidently and safely facilitate poi sessions for older adults at all levels of care. Upon course completion, you will achieve the Poi for Seniors SpinPoi Certification. Let’s get spinning!
Course Overview & Timeline
The SpinPoi Certification is an evidence-based qualification stemming from clinical research on the effects of poi on physical and cognitive function. The course involves 8 hours of hands-on training through two live Zoom sessions. Participants are also expected to complete 9 hours of homework outside of class. Please read the full course description for details on what is covered during the course.
Course Content
The following units will be covered during sessions one and two through presentation, discussion, and hands-on learning.
✔︎Unit 1: Poi in New Zealand and Beyond. The history of poi as a precious taonga (treasure) in New Zealand, the different styles of poi today, and the clinical research on the health benefits of poi.
✔︎Unit 2: Poi Movement Theory. The modes of movement and 3 building blocks which create the foundation for all poi movement.
✔︎Unit 3: Seed Moves. An exploration specific poi techniques and movements that can be utilized to challenge students of all levels in an aged care setting.
✔︎Unit 4: Session Facilitation and Pedagogy. Teaching methodology and best practices for structuring your sessions and maximizing student engagement.
Register Here! Space is limited to 8 participants.
What People Are Saying
“I have been able to learn and implement SpinPoi programs in the aged and disability sectors and have seen firsthand the joy and improvement for consumers in my classes. I totally recommend SpinPoi to anyone.” –Janine, Aged Care Lifestyle Consulting
“Poi went from an additional therapeutic activity on our ward to one of the most popular, and something prioritized on patients’ schedules. Now, other therapies are typically arranged around it.” – Jo, Middlemore Hospital
“SpinPoi inspired me to incorporate poi into my dance classes for the 50yrs+, and made the process of adding poi to an existing group fitness class very straight forward. The humour, creativity and sheer joy from participants has been fantastic.” – Hilary, Move Good Now
“Our residents are loving our SpinPoi sessions. We do get a good laugh along the way and I have noticed how well they follow instructions (something that they usually have difficulties with – and the concentration!)” – Elaine, Southlands Residential Home
“As a play-based specialist teacher, often working with youth with diverse and complex needs, I’ve found SpinPoi to be a great activity not only for the engagement and physical benefits but for the amount everyone enjoys it.” – Jesse, The Forest School
“During SpinPoi sessions we have seen our older residents smile or laugh out loud, socialize and develop new friendships, and engage both their minds and their bodies despite their age and physical or cognitive abilities.” – Orquidea, Summerset
SpinPoi Certification is perfect for…
anyone who would like to incorporate poi into their work as a tool for improving wellbeing and quality of life. Certified instructors will gain the knowledge, tools, and credibility to confidently lead safe and engaging poi sessions for their clients, plus join the community of Certified SpinPoi Instructors across the globe.
Meet Your Instructor
Dr. Kate Riegle van West is the leading global exponent in working
with poi as a therapeutic tool and the Founder and CEO of SpinPoi Ltd. Kate completed her PhD in the health benefits of poi at the University of Auckland, where she conducted the first study in the world to scientifically investigate the effects of poi on physical and cognitive function. She was awarded the Future Leader Award from the Royal Society of New Zealand for her work in the poi/health field, and has been featured across international media including BBC World News, ABC News, TVNZ, Radio New Zealand, and Maori Television. In 2021 she was named as one of the University of Auckland’s Top 40 Under 40 inspiring alumni.
Course Fee
The SpinPoi Certification course is $450 NZD per person. This includes the following course resources and training:
✔︎Poi for Seniors: Complete Facilitator Resources (valued at $60 NZD)
✔︎Poi for Beginners: Complete Pack (valued at $100 NZD)
✔︎ 8 hours of hands-on training through two Zoom sessions
✔︎ Ongoing support to ensure all coursework is completed and you are confident in your skillset and learnings
✔︎ Upon course completion – a paper copy of your certificate in the mail, access to the Instructor Portal with additional resources, and access to the Certified Instructors facebook group
Become Part of the SpinPoi Team
Upon completion of your certification you will join a highly skilled team of SpinPoi instructors who are working with poi across the globe to improve wellbeing, one orbit at a time.
Joanne Paton
Auckland
Rehabilitation assistant at Middlemore Hospital primarily working with patients rehabbing from stroke or other neurological conditions. [email protected]
Certification: Older Adults
Jamie Moore
London, UK
Social arts facilitator specializing in circus and intellectual disability with additional qualifications in community theatre. [email protected]
Certification: Early Childhood
Eunice Te Rangiuaia
Auckland
Ko Ngāti Porou, ko Ngāti Kāhu ōku Iwi. Kaikokiri Ratonga Māori, passionate about working with tamariki, Kuia & Kaumātua.
Certification: Older Adults, Early Childhood
Janine Warne
NSW
Leisure and Lifestyle Coordinator with 38 years experience working in aged care facilities, 6 of those specializing in disability. [email protected]
Certification: Older Adults
Sarah Poepjes
Tasman
Activity Coordinator for Summerset Richmond Ranges Retirement Village. Bringing the joy of SpinPoi to residents of all ages and abilities, including rest home and memory care. [email protected]
Certification: Older Adults
David Bulger
Florida, U.S.
Licensed Massage Therapist and Registered Yoga Teacher with experience in fitness, personal training, and flow arts. [email protected]
Certification: Older Adults
Julie Rope
Auckland
Neurological Physiotherapist with a special interest in Parkinson’s & building a creative toolbox for neurostimulation and plasticity for people living with neurological conditions. [email protected]
Certification: Older Adults
Shanana Rain Golden-Bear
Arizona, U.S.
Stroke survivor passionate about sharing the benefits and fun of poi spinning with fellow seniors in Quartzsite, Arizona. [email protected]
Certification: Older Adults
Natalie Humphris
Melbourne
As parent of neurodiverse children and the Founder of Nats Nest, I started poi to help my kids with their therapy goals. I now want to share the benefits and fun of poi with other families. [email protected]
Certification: Early Childhood
Amelia Rika
Rotorua
Member of Orange Tinana o Ue with a background in Specialist Education – passionate about improving the health and wellbeing of kuia and kaumātua in Te Arawa while having fun.
Certification: Older Adults
Dr George Thien
New Zealand & Malaysia
Combining his corporate, business, academic & community-service experiences, Dr Thien is motivated to help people achieve personal goals and promote wellbeing. Author of Just Do MORE and enjoys practising Taiji and playing erhu. [email protected]
Certification: Older Adults
Sharnie Riley
Katikati
Fitness instructor, mixed media artist and puppy foster carer. I very much enjoy teaching strength & balance classes to older adults of all fitness levels and abilities. [email protected]
Certification: Older Adults
Jodi Woolf
Melbourne
In the process of becoming a social worker, and hoping to integrate the art of play and flow arts into her work. Jodi has a passion and love for people, learning and aims to leave a bit of shimmer everywhere she goes. [email protected]
Certification: Early Childhood
Dori Maloney
Texas, U.S.
Dedicated flow artist, relentless problem solver, and empathetic advocate for poi as a fun and therapeutic tool in the wellness journey. [email protected]
Certification: Older Adults
Jocelyn Watkin
Auckland
Qualified instructor for mind/body flow arts of qigong and tai chi with specialist skills in teaching people who are blind/have low vision. [email protected]
Certification: Older Adults
Jesse Moran
Victoria
Disability Support Worker specialising in children and adults on the Autism Spectrum with a background in Outdoor Leadership. [email protected]
Certification: Early Childhood
Juliana Flaxman-Hendriks
Auckland
Tai Chi specialist offering a fun and unique fusion of Tai Chi and SpinPoi that is focused on boosting fitness, strength, balance and well-being. [email protected]
Certification: Older Adults
Karanjot Kaur
California, U.S.
Flow artist and research assistant at the Comparative Cognition Lab and Cognitive Science Department at UC San Diego. [email protected]
Certification: Older Adults
Heidi Madeira de Carvalho Che
Macau, China
Poi & Arts Workshop Facilitator for children and seniors since 2007, Kintsugi Artist. Love nature, hiking, meditation and playing with children from 0-99.
[email protected]
Certification: Older Adults, Early Childhood
Shaina Pietersz
Westland, Netherlands
Primary school teacher, poi dance teacher and macrame artist with a speciality in interpersonal relationships in the teaching environment. [email protected]
Certification: Early Childhood
Maria Niedermann
Uster, Switzerland
Physiotherapist specializing in rehabilitation for older adults post surgery or with neurological disease.
Certification: Older Adults
Latasha Emery
Feilding
Mum of two young adults, Latasha has a soft spot for the elderly and is passionate about interacting with them to create magic moments.
Certification: Older Adults
Annemarie Bruin
Southland
Qualified yoga teacher offering Hatha yoga and yoga infused Strength and Balance classes. I am passionate about challenging people and adding fun to my classes
Certification: Older Adults
Karma Buckland
NSW
Flow artist, performer, mental health and disability support worker. Passion for movement, fun and challenges to be found in poi as movement therapy and performance art. [email protected]
Certification: Older Adults
Lien Chang Hsu
Taipei, Taiwan
Circus performer, poi teacher, elders counseling therapist, whole brain development rhythm workshop, and writer & international tour guide. [email protected]
Certification: Older Adults
Alexa Mamet
Cap Malheureux, Mauritius
As a self proclaimed dopamine distributor, I’ve always taken it upon myself to help others find happiness. When poi entered my life in 1999, I knew instantly that I found a treasure, and now it’s time to share that treasure with my community. [email protected]
Certification: Early Childhood
Maureen Mong Ying Sim
New Zealand & Malaysia
An experienced social worker and a keen cook who enjoys promoting and helping people to eat healthy food for better well-being, and specialises in co-facilitating of poi sessions with her husband. [email protected]
Certification: Older Adults
Jacqui Esber
Melbourne
Lover of nature, animals, crystals and now poi! A qualified horticulturalist with a background in management, Jacqui runs her own metaphysical supply shop/event space where she combines her passions and brings people together. [email protected]
Certification: Older Adults
Honora Jenkins
NSW
Creative Play Specialist, Community Artist and Disability Support Worker, using circus as a tool to engage and educate people of all ages and abilities. [email protected]
Certification: Older Adults, Early Childhood
Lesley Morrison
Rotorua
Kaiawhina with Dementia Lakes, Rotorua.
Certification: Older Adults
Juee Bhide
Auckland
Neurological Physiotherapist working with people with Parkinson’s, passionate about adding fun and challenge to therapy! [email protected]
Certification: Older Adults
Daria Pejic
London, UK
Aerobic instructor, flow artist, dancer, performer and fashion designer sharing poi with older adults and those with cognitive disabilities. [email protected]
Certification: Older Adults
Rebecca Frechtling
Taranaki
Diversional therapist working in aged care with a mix of Resthome, Hospital & Dementia level residents. [email protected]
Certification: Older Adults
Izabela Nurkowska
Dublin, Ireland
Owner of Flow Studio, fitness instructor, flow artist, and martial artist specializing in Shaolin Kung Fu.
Certification: Older Adults
Anja Lohoff
Haag in Oberbayern, Germany
Carer for disabled people, supporting those with Parkinson’s in a geriatric hospital. [email protected]
Certification: Older Adults
Hilary Williams
Mapua
Fitness instructor at Move Good Now specializing in the physical and neurological benefits of movement and exercise in a group environment. [email protected]
Certification: Older Adults
Deb Gully
Wellington
Nutrition Coach and Certified Natural Health Practitioner in Energy Kinesiology specializing in chronic health issues. [email protected]
Certification: Older Adults
Bruno Rubini
Auckland
Tai Chi instructor specializing in mindful movement with additional qualifications in massage therapy and nutrition. [email protected]
Certification: Older Adults
Patricia Tinoco
Panama & Venezuela
Certified yoga teacher FIYI200 and QiGong for yoga teachers. [email protected]
Certification: Older Adults
Tara Stratton
Saskatchewan, Canada
Inspires and promotes overall wellness and through prescribing poi; a coach and educator of life skillz in circus flow art culture with the goal of ‘poi mastery’. [email protected]
Certification: Older Adults
Kate Riegle van West
Auckland
Founder of SpinPoi, with a PhD in the effects of poi on physical and cognitive function for older adults. [email protected]
Certification: Older Adults, Early Childhood
Cancellation Policy
A cancellation can be requested at any time by emailing [email protected] Cancellation requests submitted prior to 15 days from the course date will receive a 90% refund. Cancellation requests submitted within 10 days of the course date will receive a 50% refund.
Questions?
Please get in touch with Kate directly at [email protected]