Learning Poi

Introduction to Flow Arts: Finding Your Rhythm

By: Kory

When I first came into the rave scene, all I knew how to do was headbang. It was easy, it was fun, high energy and had a small learning curve. The more I dove into EDM, I discovered that ravers did, in fact, know how to dance (contrary to popular non-EDM belief). I found shuffling, hakken, and very soon after, flow arts. I was a little overwhelmed by the sheer amount of flow arts at my disposal. I could do anything! I was intimidated by the fact that everyone seemed to be so much better at everything than I was (that may also have been because I'm a baby raver).

Whether you are new to the scene or an experienced member of the EDM community, it's never too late to pick up a new hobby! Flow toys can be a new, fun way to experience music. The hypnotic movements, the way LED lights trace patterns through the air, the meditative state you enter when you finally nail a trick—flow arts transform how you connect with the bass and the crowd around you.

Flow arts aren't just about learning tricks; they're about self-expression, meditation in motion, and becoming part of the festival experience in a whole new way. Plus, when you're spinning poi or flowing with LED gloves, you naturally attract a crew of curious ravers who want to share the moment with you. It's community building through movement.

Picking Your First Flow Toy: A Beginner's Guide

I had been talking about getting some kind of flow toy for about 4 months before I actually got my hands on one. I considered every possibility before settling on poi. I didn't want gloves because everyone had gloves and sometimes my fingers lock up even when just typing. Gloves were out of the picture. I didn't want a hoop because God knows I am the worst at hula hooping. That left whips and poi sets and wands. I wasn't very familiar with levitation wands and poi sets immediately captured my attention. They were unique and at first seemed to be the most simple. Boy, was I wrong!

For months, I talked about how much I wanted a poi set without really looking into it; then, finally, at LAN my partner bought me a poi set from GlowFx. That same night, someone in the crowd saw me playing with them and asked me to give them a light show with the poi set. I didn't know what to do and so I just shrugged and swung them around for about 30 seconds. My partner laughed at me the whole time after.

How to Choose the Right Flow Toy for You

There are so many flow toys out there! Don't do like I did, and try them out or research them before you pick one. Here's a quick breakdown of the most popular options:

• Poi: Great for creating geometric patterns and transitions. Best for people who love rhythmic, flowing movements and don't mind a learning curve.
• LED Gloves: Perfect for close-up light shows and finger tutting. Ideal if you want something portable that doesn't require much space to practice.
• Hula Hoops: Amazing for full-body flow and creating beautiful circular patterns. Best for dancers who want to incorporate their whole body.
• Levitation Wands: Creates the illusion of a floating stick. Perfect for precision movement and visual tricks.
• Orbit/Contact Poi: Advanced poi that creates more complex visual effects through contact movements.

If you're interested in poi, the best way to start is with two long socks and tennis balls. This will give you the hang of spinning and handling poi without the investment. Not everything you buy has to be expensive! GlowFx has some affordable options and once you've got it down and you've looked into the poi set you want, it will be easier to find an exact match.

As to gloves, whips, hoops, and other flow toys, GlowFx also has a lot of options! There are many more places that make these, but it is a good place to start. When you're ready to upgrade your festival look to match your new flow skills, check out our collection of rave outfits designed with movement in mind—because your clothing should flow as freely as you do.

Essential Resources for Learning Poi

During LAN, there were quite some flow artists with poi and it was amazing to watch more experienced poi spinners do their thing. They had a lot of control over their poi and I was in awe because I didn't know how I would ever get there. Watching experienced flow artists at festivals is one of the best ways to get inspired and see what's possible with dedication and practice.

Online Learning Platforms

After returning from LAN, I watched A LOT of Youtube videos to help me get a grasp on how poi works. My favorite channels on Youtube became DrexFactor Poi and playpoi. They both have great beginner tutorials with step-by-step instructions on how to achieve certain effects. I spent a long time watching a single video over and over again to better grasp it.

Here are some specific resources that helped me:

• DrexFactor Poi: Offers structured lessons from absolute beginner to advanced. His teaching style breaks down complex moves into manageable steps.
• Playpoi: Has an extensive library of tutorials organized by skill level. Great for visual learners who need multiple angles.
• Flow Arts Institute: Offers both free and paid courses with a community aspect for feedback and support.
• Home of Poi: A massive online community with forums, tutorials, and resources for every skill level.

The best part is that if you don't like learning from one channel, there are more channels for you to find that may help! The internet is your best friend, but so is practice and dedication. Flowing should not be a chore or homework; it's more fun and better when you genuinely enjoy what you're doing.

Practice Tips for Beginners

The best part to remember about learning poi or any flow toy is that it will take practice and you won't get it on the first try. Or the second or third or even the 50th try. Sometimes it takes A LOT of tries before you get the hang of one specific move but when you do get it, the satisfaction is worth it. And the EDM community is so kind and loving that they will support you at shows, whether you are a beginner or an experienced flow artist.

Here are some tips that helped me stick with it:

• Start with short practice sessions: 10-15 minutes is better than forcing an hour-long session that leaves you frustrated.
• Practice to music you love: Flow arts are all about connecting movement to sound. Practice to your favorite EDM tracks to make it more fun.
• Film yourself: It feels awkward at first, but video helps you spot mistakes and track progress.
• Join local flow jams: Many cities have weekly meetups where flow artists of all levels practice together.
• Don't compare your beginning to someone else's middle: That amazing spinner you saw at EDC has probably been practicing for years.

My Poi Journey: Setting Realistic Goals

Currently, I still haven't mastered poi. I am a slower learner (and that's okay!) and for now, I'm just learning to practice at home, not to flow at a show. I'd like to get better at poi so that I can take it with me when I attend festivals in 2026. It's easier when you set a goal, so for example, I have set a very loose goal of practicing for ten minutes every other day. If I get to it, awesome, but if I don't, that's okay, we'll try again.

Documenting your progress through videos is also a great idea! That is what I struggle with the most. I have a hard time watching myself look awkward or make mistakes, but it helps you point out those mistakes and correct them and you can look back at a video from months ago and see how much progress you've made.

Flow Arts Fashion: What to Wear While You Practice and Perform

One thing I didn't expect when I started learning poi: your outfit matters! You need rave clothing that moves with you, doesn't catch on your poi strings, and looks good under blacklights when you finally take your skills to the festival. I learned the hard way that loose sleeves and poi don't mix well—I nearly knocked myself out trying to do a butterfly in a baggy hoodie.

For practice sessions, I recommend fitted rave tops and rave shorts that won't interfere with your movements. When you're ready to flow at a festival, our rave bodysuits are perfect—they're designed to move with your body while creating that festival-ready aesthetic that matches your LED light show.

Final Thoughts: Your Flow Journey Starts Now

No matter what flow toy you pick, enjoy it, have fun! Don't think too much about how good or bad you are because, in the end, that's not what EDM is about. The rave community celebrates self-expression in all its forms, whether you're a first-timer fumbling through basic moves or a seasoned flow artist creating complex patterns.

Flow arts are a journey, not a destination. Every festival you attend, every practice session in your living room, every moment you spend lost in the rhythm—it all adds up to becoming the flow artist you're meant to be. The beauty of flow is that there's no "perfect"—there's only your unique expression of the music moving through you.

So grab those sock poi, queue up your favorite bass-heavy track, and start spinning. Your future self catching the sunset set at your next festival, poi blazing trails of light through the desert air, will thank you for starting today. See you on the dance floor, flow fam.