Fire Poi
The word Poi means ball in Maori. The art form originated in Maori New Zealand in an attempt to keep the wrists, arms and shoulders of warriors supple in times of peace, ensuring they remain fit for battle. The Maori women then took on the art and turned it into a dance. It developed into a ritual dance of symbology of reproduction and fertility.
My personal history with poi is not nearly as exciting. . .but i do enjoy the rhythmic movement for both meditation and performance.
The pictures below were taken in Yosemite (shhhhh). Now, normally one would not go flinging fire about in a National Park (unless it was with a drip torch on a prescribed fire). Fear not, there were two Yosemite fire crews watching, ready with safety!
