As hinted on in my previous post, I've been keeping busy and learning new tricks and skills on land whilst the sea is cool and paddleboard trips are less frequent. Luckily for me, I have a friend close by who is a demon with the Staff, an awesome teacher of things, and kind enough to lend me one of theirs towards the end of last year.
And since the beginning of November there have only been a couple of days where I didn't touch a Staff at all!
Starting Out
In the past couple of months my guru (soon to appear on Hive perhaps?!) has passed on 20 years of 'spinny knowledge' to me in bite-sized chunks. These chunks have been in the form of short videos (that I have slowed down to the max to see what's going on with the hands) and 1-2-1 tuition, which also involved slowing everything right down so my snail-paced brain could see what was the hands were doing.
With this encouragement and a nice place to practice in front of me, where I dropped the Staff it would not be harmed, I'm fairly impressed with my progress thus far.
Anyone seen my other Flip-flop?
To start though, the staff spent much of the time on the sand and I even took to wearing gym gloves to protect my hands. Happily, for those who like a bit of no pain no gain like me, the staff has also felt like a workout at times, particularly for the arms, shoulders, and neck. Some days I've spent at least an hour practicing over a couple of sittings, and that would be definitely be noticeable on the body parts mentioned above.
Proof of Progress
Those body parts no longer ache the next day, and the solid amount of video footage recorded over the past couple of months has shown to me that I've improved so much - which of course encourages me more. You will be seeing more Staff/spinny related posts as I hopefully improve!
Nice edit job here / I could do this all day!
In the GIF above, the Staff goes around each hand/write whilst I sorta draw a semicircle with each arm, which then makes a circle when the Staff is passed across. The nice thing about having recordings is that (I can show ya!) they provide awesome feedback and show me what I need to improve upon - I want my arms much straighter (above) to make the overall circle bigger.
Where did the bird go!?
All GIFs today show a single plane. I think that is the right word and spelling to describe where the staff is spinning in relation to your body? The above is single direction and one plane, whilst the staff flows around me. Yeah, I think I'm going to give up trying to describe what's going on and leave that to the experts!
Being Brave!
The Staff I borrowed initially and owe a great deal to my progress is wooden. Since then I've bought an LED Staff from Australia via https://www.homeofpoi.com/ which has a silicon cover for grip and a little cushioning, and this has helped reduce injury somewhat. Unfortunately, one of the LED bits arrived almost broken (didn't work at first and then died after 1st use), but HomeOfPoi confirmed just this morning (after my proof of brokenness video) that they will be sending me an LED replacement for free.
I've taken a couple of smacks around the head and even cut the corner of my eye a little, but that's little to what could potentially happen if I fuck up spinning this bad boy!
See, smell, and hear the fire!
It's just the same as the other Staffs Asher, ya big fanny!
I disagree! For starters, you can feel the heat from the lit Kevlar and the flames are bright making everything else darker. The most unnerving part for me though is the sound of the flames roaring (more like growling at my current speed) as they move through the air.
This Staff I've had about 2 minutes on in total, and I'm happy with my lot thus far. I remember it being exhilarating and I'm looking forward to another go soon, but I'll be certain to keep practicing with my less visually pleasing, but safer Staff, for now....
Addicted
I am. The experts make Staff and flow look effortless, and it would be really cool to improve to the point where I could pass on what I have learned and perform a little with others. Perhaps Flow Staff on a Balanceboard will become a thing in time :)
Did you learn anything fun last year, or have some plans for a new hobby this time around the sun?
Cheers
Asher
That's cool as feck! The minor injuries gained remind me of my Kung Fu days where we fought with a staff and did a fair bit of twirling. That and nunchuks, they were always good for a self inflicted injury!!
I still have a pair of nunchucks and still injure myself every single time.
They are bastart things. Right enough, I still wish I had mine for a bit of a morale boosting self punishment beating now and then 😀
Dude! Show us your spinny skills! (whilst drinking a 9/10 BOOM brew if ya like!).
I've never held a nunchuck and have no plans but my friend has fire poi's which could get me into trouble :D
I think I could still give them a whirl, lots of satisfying clacking noises especially when they donk you on the side of the head :D
It'd be cool to see you and others that have mentioned previous whirling abilities dusting off the gear for a go!
That would be quite the dust! :OD
Assssssshhher!!! Whenever I see your name come up I thinky eyes are playing tricks!
I've never heard of staffing (?) But looks like a relative of, or training ground, for fire twirling! Plus you'd be even more deft in the water with a paddle now!
Me, no new tricks so much except I taught myself how to make paneer, a short lived go at archery, and a few other short lived ventures between SUP surfing and long boarding as much as RIVERly possible!!!
Hope you are doing well.
Hi!
Your eyes playing tricks on you? 😜
I've watched my teacher spinning her paddle whilst boarding - I'm having some of that next year and maybe the LED Staff will meet my board on a summer evening next year.
When you got this going on, do you need anything else in life. Totally awesome! We just don't get waves like that here in Mallorca, but one day when I'm better (thanks to the Balanceboard and staff!) I hope to go SUP surfing, or even surfing :D
Wait, you can make Cheeeeeese? 😍
We are in Spain next year! Maybe not Mallorca... The vintage Land Rover is en route to UK! So that's taken up a fair few skills this year...
You'll love SUP surfing. Good practice for would be standing on the tail and spinning the board 180. I did hear you do get surfable waves on the med side?
Paneer is stupid easy.. I don't know why I haven't made it before. You only need milk and a lemon! Crazy!
Well done you! Great post about your progress and achievements, and i absolutely loved being called your 'guru' ;-* Keep up the good work, you'll get that 'Steve' move soon enough at this rate! So proud of you. xx
Well hello there! :D
Damn Steve, well tricky!
I'm out practicing most days as you know, thank you Guru! x
Is this like baton twirling? I used to do some of that back in my cheerleader days in school! Your routine is fancier!
They are like batons but bigger I guess - my LED staff is 140cm and the ones in the GIFs are 120cm. The site I bought mine from has lotsa batons too! https://www.homeofpoi.com/en/shop/listItems/Staff-Poles
I remember clunking myself in the head more than once while learning to toss the baton in the air and doing twirls before I caught it! 😂
Yes I've done the same with the Staff trying to make 1 turn! I can do it most of the time now :D
I came here to comment the same thing about how similar spins looks to baton twirling! @melinda010100
Fun memories! 😍
Dealing with discus was one thing, javelin almost killed myself, sword dancing was fun, thanks, no thanks this would have me tied up in knots in no time!
Keep going, having fun that's life/living....
Discuss and Javelin, i feel there is a story to share here!
Oooh sword dancing... my staff teachers favourite skill is sword dancing - I'm trying to persuade Hive to her.
Too right! Thank you Joan 😊
Javelin never ended up, well where it should! Sword dancing was fun, if it didn't come flying across a room accompanied with toe stabbing pain, dangerous they are....
So it's really you in these GIFs! I remember playing and learning how to use "Poi flowers", as we use to call them, back in 2009. I was never good at it, but I was fascinated. I still am...fascinated. I suck these skills. Nice job!
Yes ☺️ hopefully enough people can recognise me with longer hair!
I have tried briefly with Poi and do prefer the staff- my friend makes Poi look cool though!
Thank you!
I’m sure something must have prompted you to learn this
I love how you held the staff though and it made you look like one who is fully skilled
Keep it up!
Yes! Winter 🤣
I would normally be paddleboarding but dont fancy falling in this time of year!
If life were wishes, I will definitely wish I have few moments with you to teach me how to spin, I use to learn how to spin while I was in the girl brigade, but now I can't even spin a thing 🤦🤦
aww, how sweet! 😍
I have found the only way to learn this is to start doing! You can use a brush handle for starters!
Really? Never thought of a brush handle, I am going to start practicing often with it. Thankyou
While paddleboarding was a completely new thing for me, I have to say that I've seen spinning a staff activity before but appreciated those who managed to do it whether they had fire on it or not. It's funny how most of the activities seem so easy when being handled by someone else than you. The single spin activity I can handle is using a fidget spinner when focusing or trying to lower the stress level, lol
The staff can look great even if you arent wrapping with around your hands or leg or whatever, I have so much to learn!
Show us your fidget skills then!?
Not really a skill, just being able to spin it with one hand while with the other one I'm working, lol. Not the actual playing you can have with one 😅
ahh. Yeah the staff won't really work when you are sat at a desk!
...only if you don't mind having things running and falling all around you while playing with the staff 🤣
I do mind because these things are important to me!
Wow, you have some mad skills there! That takes a good bit of finesse I'm guessing. The closest I have come to that was a pugil stick when I was in the army. We didn't twirl it though, we just beat each other over the head lol. Enjoyed watching that!
Isn't that something?...you gotta have a proof of brokenness video lol.
Thanks! I'm really just a beginner though and my friend who may appear soon is finesse and flow personified!
Pugil Sticks you say - that takes me back to my teenage years 😋
(Sign me up for the JET fan club!)
Vasectomy brokenness? 😳 😅
You keep training and you too will be finesse and flow personified. Maybe you can teach the first Hive spinny classes.
Can't say why but the phrase 'proof is in the pudding' came to mind lol
Something is in mind, maybe with me involved :D
No pudding for me!
I used to train swing poi and flag poi but I haven't done any training for 1decade +- in 2023 I wanted to come back but the rush didn't allow it I hope I can now in 2024! Congratulations on your training and progress...
If you have a vote left over for Hive witnesses, consider voting for our witness by clicking on link . This way you help onboard new Hivers and enhance art and culture which are the main focuses of our community!
In sure you'll pick it back up in n time 😊
I think I'm on 30 votes but will keep you in mind, good luck!
thank you for your kind words and thank you in advance for supporting our project! i hope to see more of your training and fun with the staff
Wow! Super cool 😎
aww thanks! Long time no read, I hope LUNA didn't wipe you out!
A few things wiped me out but I am here once again and my collapsed spine fixed, I am back in balance….tough times behind me
Good to catch your awesome post
nopainnogain 😜
oh wow, a collapsed spine does not sound good at all. I guess your rehabilitation has been slow and lengthy :( Glad to hear you are on the mend though!
Thank you!
Back in Balance! Trying to catch up on “life” 😜☺️🙏
How are you?
You've had a lot of time on your hands sir
Evenings and weekends mainly! But there's always, before work and lunch break too :D
Omg! Your very cool.Im sure you experience injury or bruise in your training it's very risky my friend but I hope you are always safe.Enjoy doing good things and have a wonderful friend.
Hi Melcakes :)
I must admit I can't remember ever being called cool, so thank you very much!
No major injuries so far, but always carrying a few minor ones. Thanks for stopping by!
!WOC
Your hard work has paid off on Woc, @abh12345! kairke(3/8) is grateful for the passion and commitment you've put into this post. Keep up the amazing work.
Creating quality content has paid off! @kairke has sent you 0.3 WGOLD as a thank you for your efforts.
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Your enthusiasm and aspiration to reach a level where you can share your knowledge and perform with others are commendable. It's always wonderful to explore new hobbies and skills, and your dedication to staff spinning is truly admirable. Cheers to your progress, and here's to many more exciting experiences and learning adventures ahead
That's some awesome skill you've learnt, at least for the purpose of amusement of oneself or others. I do hope your injury is completely healed.
That's impressive :) How many months did it take from your first try to when you made the fire gif???
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