What’s in Your First Aid Kit?

   In this article, we took to crowdsourcing to gather information on what is common in fire performer’s first aid kits when they are out performing.  We asked members of the Fire Performance Safety Discussion Facebook Group what are some things they always carry in their kit and the results are below. Although there is not one solid answer and everyone …

Spinning Fire in New Hampshire

Spinning Fire In New Hampshire   As we get into the warmer months, people are already dusting off their gear getting ready to either spin fire for the first time or the five millionth time. The first warm days make us think of warmer nights when spinning can happen outside without the limitations of thick coats. For both the seasoned …

Firetoys: Vendor Spotlight

The Flow Arts Institute is interested in supporting businesses who have contributed to the Flow Arts community and offer products which may be of interest to our community. We were able to talk to Chazz Parham who maintains the Firetoys website and works with the mothership operations in the UK. Master Pokes is the manager of the US operations. Master Pokes …

A Look at Poi Research: A Spin on Ageing

    For many of us in the Flow Arts, we are aware there is a connection between spinning and our personal wellness. Now, we are reaching a place where the effects of these arts can be studied to obtain scientific evidence supporting these longtime held beliefs. One of the people leading the way in this area is Kate Riegle …

Staying Healthy and Well During a Festival

      Summertime is the time of year many people wait for in preparation. The change in weather results in packed weekends as people are able to enjoy going outside and move around without many layers. For many flow artists, this is also the busy performance season. Festivals and spinning retreats seem like distant dreams in cold winter months, but …

Shoulder Health

     This is the first edition in a series about taking care of our bodies while spinning. For both professional and casual spinners, the movements we do while spinning can have a long term effect on our bodies. The first step in injury prevention is being aware of what is going on with our bodies when we spin. Although …

Disabilities, Self Regulation & Flow Arts

There has been quite a bit anecdotal evidence about the benefits of Flow Arts in various mental health spheres since the beginning. Only within the past few years have we turned toward the larger scientific communities to more fully understand “why” it is beneficial for so many. For those diagnosed with either physical or mental disabilities, there are various aspects …