My friends learned to dance with fire a few years back. I was bored at a party once and picked up their practice sets, and started to learn to spin. When I got home I made my own set, and practiced some basic tricks for about a year.

I really wanted to be able to spin in Black Rock City last year, so I made these kevlar monkey fist poi. My friend told me the wrong size wick to get, so I have very large hefty ones! They burn hot and long. The chains are also quite heavy, so spinning is great exercise. I really haven't performed much, but practicing in my living room is plenty of fun. There are marks on the ceilings where the scorched wicks have grazed the white paint.

Right now I'm working on the reverse 5-beat weave. I've broken a pair of my eye glasses trying that trick with these heavy things. Now I also practice with a lightweight set made out of socks and shoestrings.