[roman]

I'm new to the hold glowsticking scene, I just tied up some strings today actually and hit myself in the nuts/face, actually I cut my forehead while trying a couple times already just doing the basics. For some reason I find when I spin, my help hand doesn't spin parallel, maybe I need more practice?

Also, where can I buy glowsticks that are really bright and stay bright for the duration of the night? I bought ones at the dollar store for a dollar each, but they aren't that bright and they don't stay as bright as when you first crack them for a long period.

Third, I looked at the Spinning 101 video and was practicing those moves. I also sort of got used to crossing the sticks while spinning them forward, like when you jump rope and you cross your arms, don't know what this is called. What videos would you guys recommend I watch next?

Thanks in advance, and hello glowstickers~!

[Osmosis9]

First off you are going to get hit a lot with the glowsticks especially when you are just starting out. One thing that I found helpful when I first started was instead of using glowsticks I used sock poi ( a sock with a tennis ball or something in the end) for learning moves when I was just starting, it doesn't hurt nearly as much so you can practice with a little more confidence. Not everyone likes sock poi though.

Generally the brighter the glowsticks the shorter they last. They have 5 min, 30 min, 6 hour, 12 hour etc. Here are some sites that you can check out to give you an idea www.extremeglow.com or www.glowproducts.com .

I would start with practicing just one hand at a time, so that you can improve your control with each hand then move to controlling 2 hands at once then the basic moves. There are tons of threads here on GXG with great tips for beginners, I would do a search and try and find some because they will help you out a lot.

You can watch videos here on GXG as well as youtube and other places.
Here is the link for the GXG tutorials: Tutorial Requests and Available Tutorial Index (just copy and paste)

[Daisy]

I usually get my glowsticks in the camping section at walmart. They don't have as many pretty colors but they usually glow all night. I've had a pair glow well into the next night so I actually got to practice with them again =)
I wouldn't break sticks every night though. Just cause that gets kind of expensive.
Good luck with the spinning though.

[dancefloor]

Welcome to GxG! Glad to have another spinner aboard! =) I see someone else already posted all the links and stuff, so I'll just go ahead and say hi! "Hi!" =P

I hope you enjoy the site as much as I do.

[RAV3R4EVR]

honestly, use a cup and\or pillow for your nuts...
use a mask of some sort for your face...
i hit my eye the other day and it looks all blood shot, you can see all the red veins and crap... and as far as the balls i think any guy or tranny has hit themselves too many times to count in the balls, matter a fact i did last night trying to learn full body crossers... lol

[roman]

how long did it take you guys to get to a level where you could perform at a rave and/or club

[LilRaverBoi]

Okay, you will hit yourself when you learn.....it's inevitable. However, you'll soon learn how to tolerate the pain better, have more control and to maybe dodge/stop spinning when you know it's gonna get messed up. Try spinning slow and smooth rather than fast and frantic.....it will hurt less and you have more time to react to situations.

Your basic 8-12 hr glowsticks will glow all night. They're not the brightest glowsticks possible, but they're the best all-around value. They will be somewhat diminished by the end of the night, but if you wait a little while before cracking them, they'll last no problem. Here's the low-down on the three different types of glowsticks from another thread.

The jumping-rope arm cross-like move is called a 2 beat weave (this instance is done in regular timing, but can also be done in split time). Try doing it with either hand on top and changing the timing to split time by lagging a hand a little and doing a figure 8 motion (on its side) with one hand (top) always leading.

Other basic moves are 3 beat weave, windmill, corkscrew, basic wraps (wrists, biceps, legs, etc) and the butterfly. Check out the Home of Poi tutorials for some clarification on some of these names if you need it.....they have vids of a lot of the basic moves and also intermediate/advanced as well. The beginner stuff is in a logical order of progression (or at least it was a few years ago). www.homeofpoi.com We also have awesome tutorials here, but many are intermediate to advanced more than some of the beginner stuff.

[Osmosis9]

Also, http://www.feuershow.de/shop/workindex_en.html has some great clips. Go to Poi and Friends on the left side of the page.

[Daisy]

Originally Posted by roman

how long did it take you guys to get to a level where you could perform at a rave and/or club

It's just when ever you feel comfortable.
I'm just now semi comfortable spinning in front of people. I still mess up unless you're like my closes friends and then I still mess up =)

[ukeyouee]

I really don't spin in front of people, even my best friends - stage fright and all...even cameras freak me out. But since I don't really spin so that I can spin for people, it's ok. For me, it's about meditation and moving my body.

I am also gonna jump on the sock poi bandwagon - I use rice in mine, and it hurts waaaay less than sticks. The extra weight also lets you spin more slowly, making it easier to get the movements of your hands and strings correct and ingrained. It also will help you build up strength in your arms and shoulders so you can spin faster longer when you do go over to sticks.