Flowarts Teacher
Nick Woolsey
55
Lessons
5
Free Lessons
4
hours
Week / Phase 5
Lesson • Poi • Same Direction • Split Time • Wall Plane • Circle • Turn • Plane
Turning through a full circle, arms split-time same direction on a wall plane
Poi drill for turning smoothly through a full circle while keeping split-time, same-direction circles on the wall plane. The movement keeps the circle pattern consistent as the body pivots through the turn, using steady hand spacing and alignment.
Lesson • Poi • Split Time • Poi Fu • Opposite Direction
Poi-fu: Introducing split-time opposites
An introduction to poi-fu using split-time opposites, with the arms moving in opposite directions. The focus is on keeping clean inwards and outwards circles, with one hand consistently above the other as they pass close through the center line.
Lesson • Poi • Split Time • Reel
Learning the split-time reels
Split-time reels in poi, starting from shoulder reels and shifting from same-time into a stable split-time rhythm. The pattern is practiced in front and back positions, with an optional connection toward windmill and hip reel variations.
Lesson • Poi • Mexican Wave
Getting started with Mexican Wave
An introduction to the poi Mexican Wave pattern, also known as opposite shoulder reels. It focuses on a front-to-back hand path with a raised “scarecrow” arm position to keep the poi in clear planes and maintain shoulder alignment while spinning inward and outward.
Lesson • Poi • Windmill
Getting into windmill from poi passing the toes
A poi windmill entry starting from swinging the poi past the toes. The pattern brings one poi up and behind the head, then adds the second poi following, shifting from same-time to a lead-and-follow split-time windmill on either side.
Lesson • Poi • Corkscrew
Learning corkscrew
An introduction to the poi corkscrew: a two-handed horizontal spinning pattern where one poi leads and the other follows in the same rotation. The movement focuses on passing across the belly and over the top while keeping the spins in a clean, flat plane.
Lesson • Poi • Corkscrew • Windmill
Corkscrew and windmill... are basically the same thing!
In poi, this lesson compares corkscrew and windmill as the same circular pattern on different planes, with corkscrew on a horizontal axis and windmill on a vertical axis. It shows switching between them by gradually leaning forward or backward to shift the plane.
Lesson • Poi • Weave • Turn
Turning between the weaves from hanging poi (if the last approach didn't work)
Turning between forward and backward weaves from a hanging poi start, using a central matching point to switch directions. Focus is on the over-and-under hand crossing pattern while rotating body orientation to alternate the weave.
Lesson • Poi • Weave • Turn
Turning between the weaves... by hugging little teddy bears
Poi weaving drill focused on turning between forward and backward weaves. The pattern uses side-to-side movement and the brief uncrossed hand position as a cue, described as “hugging” a teddy bear on each side while rotating.
Lesson • Poi • Weave • Turn
Turning between the weaves: Troubleshooting a common mistake
Troubleshooting poi turns while staying inside the weave pattern, focusing on clean direction changes between forward and backward weaves. Highlights common habits that momentarily leave the weave and uses a simple crossing drill to keep timing and planes consistent.
Lesson • Poi • Same Time
Q&A: More on keeping poi same-time
Q&A on keeping poi in same-time, with a focus on maintaining matched speed during same-time patterns like shoulder reels to avoid collisions. The topic includes noticing when one poi speeds up and how that affects timing between the two hands.
Week / Phase 6
Lesson • Poi • Poi Fu
Epic poi-fu warmup and exploration of the modes
A poi-fu warmup using small-to-large finger circles and relaxed posture, followed by exploring basic movement modes. It includes same-direction timing and opposite-direction patterns where each hand circles in a different direction while staying level together.
Lesson • Poi • Split Time • Poi Fu • Turn • Opposite Direction
Poi-fu: Split time opposites: getting ready to turn (the secret!)
Poi-fu split-time opposites are practiced in opposite directions, switching between inward and outward arm paths. The lesson focuses on keeping one hand above the other, passing close at the sides, and setting up the timing and orientation needed before adding a turn.
Lesson • Poi • Reverse
Keep working on reverse right, reverse left patterns
Poi drill focusing on reverse right and reverse left patterns, alternating direction changes between hands. The sequence is practiced in wheel and wall planes, working toward controlled reversals with both same-time and split-time timing.
Lesson • Poi • Poitruvian • Turn
Turning with poitruvian poi
Turning while maintaining Poitruvian poi patterns, switching between clockwise and counterclockwise as you rotate your body. Focus is on open and close turns and timing the turn with the back hand’s path to keep the movement continuous.
Lesson • Poi • Split Time • Reel
More in-depth video for learning split-time hip reels
An in-depth look at split-time hip reels in poi, focusing on the reel pattern around the hips with a front-to-back crossing path. It highlights the thumb-in hand position and consistent arm pathway used to keep the split-time timing clean.
Lesson • Poi • Split Time • Reel
Split time hip reels, counterclockwise!
Split-time hip reels in poi, rotating counterclockwise. The pattern focuses on coordinating both hands in split time while keeping smooth hip-level reels as the poi pass in front of and behind the body.
Lesson • Poi • Chase The Sun • Reel • Extension
Playing with reels, chase the sun, and extensions
Poi lesson exploring reels, including hip and shoulder reels, and linking them into the chase the sun pattern. It also adds simple extensions while maintaining same-time, same-direction spinning and light body turning.
Lesson • Poi • Mexican Wave
Further with Mexican Wave
Further variations of the poi Mexican Wave from opposite patterns, with alternating hand crosses behind the body. The movement is explored with different pathways such as over the head, over the shoulder, or out to the side while keeping a steady rhythm.
Lesson • Poi • Thread The Needle
Further with thread the needle
An expansion of the poi “Thread the Needle” pattern, focusing on a larger reach-through and pull-back pathway to highlight the illusion of punching through the circles. The lesson explores timing the reach and switching sides while keeping the circle motion consistent.
Lesson • Poi • Corkscrew
Slowing down and beautifying corkscrew
A poi corkscrew variation focused on slowing the pattern and making it look smoother and more flowing. It explores turning with the corkscrew and refining hand rhythm and alignment, including a thumb-pointing shape to create a wave-like hand motion.
Lesson • Poi • Info
Keeping your shoulders safe during big movements
An overview of shoulder safety for large poi movements, focusing on relaxed breathing and long, floating posture. The lesson highlights turning the body with big arm circles so the arm stays in front of the shoulder line to reduce strain.
Lesson • Poi • Poitruvian • Turn
Q&A: More tips on poitruvian and turning
Tips for adding body turns while keeping poi in the Poitruvian pattern. The lesson focuses on timing the turn at a consistent point in the swing and staying oriented to the lead arm during the rotation.
Week / Phase 7
Lesson • Poi • Safety • Turn
Thoughts on knee safety when turning on cement
Practical knee safety tips for turning while doing poi on high-friction surfaces like cement. The lesson describes adapting turns and pivots to reduce knee strain when shoes stick, using small weight shifts during stepping and turning.
Lesson • Poi • Safety
Knee safety on cement continued
Safety tips for poi practice on cement, focusing on knee-friendly turning and direction changes. The lesson highlights leading turns with the feet, avoiding twisting on a planted foot, and using light step-and-pivot or small leaps to reduce knee torque.
Lesson • Poi • Wall Plane • Spinning • Plane • Stall
Stalling and reversing one poi inside a spinning poi on wall plane
Explores a wall-plane pattern where one poi spins steadily while the other poi stalls inside it, then reverses direction to move over and under. Focus is on controlling inside/outside position and clean stalls while maintaining a consistent spinning plane.
Lesson • Poi
Once you start reversing left, reversing right... let go of picking-a-direction
Explores how reversing to the left and reversing to the right changes the overall direction in poi patterns. Focuses on using stalls and reverses to switch from same-direction weaves into opposite-direction butterfly-style movement while tracking the new forward orientation.
Lesson • Poi • Split Time • Poi Fu • Turn • Opposite Direction
Poi-fu: split-time opposites: Turning from inward to outward
Poi-fu split-time opposites that change from inward to outward circles during a turn. Focus is on keeping the same opposite-direction timing while rotating the body so the pattern flips as the hands pass near the side point.
Lesson • Poi • Buzzsaw • Circle • Plane
Developing circle and plane control while learning buzzsaw
Explores buzzsaw poi foundations through circle shape and plane control. Focuses on keeping clean circles while adjusting the size and direction of the motion, and how finger, wrist, and arm movement choices affect stability on a consistent plane.
Lesson • Poi • Split Time • Butterfly • Crossing
Split-time butterfly: crossing one poi out and back
Poi split-time butterfly variation where one poi crosses out and back while the other maintains the split-time pattern. Focuses on crisscross-style crossing on either side, starting from outward and inward split-time butterflies while keeping steady timing.
Lesson • Poi • Whirl • Reel
Beginning to whirl with the reels!
An introduction to whirling in poi using reel-based patterns, linking hip reels, shoulder reels, and the “chase the sun” variation. The lesson focuses on keeping the poi in consistent planes while the body shifts and begins continuous turning.
Lesson • Poi • Opposite Direction
Freedom with opposites
Poi lesson on finding freedom with opposite-direction spinning by changing orientation, switching between inward and outward patterns. It explores keeping direction consistent while turning the body and using simple crosses to support the opposite-direction feel.
Lesson • Poi • Thread The Needle
Q&A: Making sure thread the needle is smooth both ways
Q&A on poi Thread the Needle, focusing on keeping the pattern smooth in both directions (inward and outward). It highlights the lead-in and how the poi pass over and under each other as the hands come together, to avoid tangles.
Week / Phase 8
Lesson • Poi • Split Time • Butterfly • Turn
Turning 180º with split-time butterfly
A poi split-time butterfly pattern combined with a 180° body turn, switching between inward and outward butterfly planes during the rotation.
Lesson • Poi • Fountain • Windmill
Fountain with full windmill
A poi fountain pattern that combines weave timing with a full windmill at the top, alternating high and low planes as the hands cross and return. The sequence links forward and backward weave elements with turns to keep the motion continuous.
Lesson • Poi • Fountain • Windmill
Looping the fountain-with-full-windmill so you can follow along
A poi sequence that loops a fountain pattern while maintaining a full windmill, linking the two movements into a continuous cycle. The focus is on keeping the fountain action repeating smoothly within the windmill timing and plane.
Lesson • Poi • Split Time • Butterfly • Turn
Split-time butterfly: taking it further with turning
Split-time butterfly poi work taken further by adding turns, switching between outward and inward split-time orientations as you change facing direction. The pattern focuses on keeping consistent timing and tracking through half turns and building toward smooth full turns while maintaining the butterfly.
Lesson • Poi • Info
Crosspoints above the head close to a wall
Poi crosspoints are held above the head while standing close to a wall for spatial reference. The focus is keeping the crosspoint stable overhead and staying oriented as you turn, using the wall to track consistent side-to-side positioning.
Lesson • Poi • Butterfly • Behind The Back
Butterfly behind the back
Poi butterfly pattern performed behind the back, focusing on the hand and arm positioning needed to keep the two poi aligned while spinning out of sight.
Lesson • Poi • Butterfly • Behind The Back
More on butterfly behind the back
Further exploration of the poi butterfly behind the back, focusing on keeping a clean plane and smooth timing. The lesson highlights isolating one poi behind the back, using body alignment and relaxed wrist circles to maintain control before bringing both poi into the pattern.
Lesson • Poi • Weave • Turn
Sky Camera: turning in the weaves next to a wall
A poi lesson showing how to add body turns while keeping a continuous weave next to a wall, viewed from above. It focuses on maintaining the over-under weave pattern and consistent planes as you rotate in place and change turning direction.
Lesson • Poi • Info
Sky Camera: threading the needle
Sky camera view of the poi pattern “threading the needle,” shown in both inward and outward directions. The movement is demonstrated with exaggerated and subtle versions, highlighting how body turning supports the timing as one poi moves forward while the other pulls back.
