We happened across a new and, in my opinion, very intriguing activity the other day – poi spinning. Poi has its roots with the Maori of New Zealand and if you’ve been to Hawaii, you’ve probably seen it there, too, at a luau or other traditional festival.
Poi spinning is better seen than described. This is Maori poi. Looks easy enough, right? This is a more modified version of poi spinning. This lady is good!
You can purchase poi spinners, or you can make a really cheap pair of sock poi (Google ‘sock poi’) by putting a juggling ball or tennis ball or small bag of rice into a long sock. You can also put a cord through a tennis ball for an inexpensive poi.
We’re excited to get started – not only the two of us, but the kids as well. We spent an hour or two watching poi videos online this weekend and the kids (okay, and us, too) kept exclaiming how cool it looks and how they want to try it.
Hey… it’s cheap, it’s something everyone can try, it improves flexibility and coordination, and it’s a workout at the same time. All that from tennis balls and socks – go figure.