How to maximize the health benefits and minimize the chance of injuries with poi

Here we give an overview of the ways you can maximize the benefits of poi spinning while reducing the risk of injury. 

Ever wondered what "good posture" really means? Kinesiologist Sarah Hamilton answers that question and explains how it will help us avoid injuries. 

A good warm up is possibly the single most important way to avoid injuries. In this video Sarah and Nick go through the basics of warming up for poi.

And here's the first of our example warmups: Nick's Walking Warmup!

It's generally best to let your shoulders stay relaxed and down when you raise your arms above your head, but many poi spinners practically hike their shoulders up to their ears when doing windmill and other high moves. Here we look at how and why to keep your shoulders in the sockets.

Any exercise program has the potential to benefit your health, or to cause more harm! It all depends on whether you take a safe approach. Watch this video to learn the keys to healthy strengthening and conditioning for poi.

Poi spinning tends to require a lot of inward rotation with the shoulders, and not much outward rotation. This can lead to an imbalance in the strength of stabilizing muscles, which in turn can make the shoulders vulnerable to injury. In this video we look at some exercises for strengthening outward rotation.

Poi spinning tends to include a lot of reaching into extreme ranges, such as around the back, behind the head, etc. This can put the shoulders in a vulnerable position if the muscles aren't strong enough. In this video we show you how to do some simple strengthening exercises. 

In this video, Nick collaborates with Physiotherapist Jamie Dunnett to talk about maximizing the benefits of skill toy use and preventing injury.  We use poi for the demonstrations, but all the information applies to all skill toys. 

It's all too easy to injure yourself in a practice like poi.  We hope you'll take the time to watch this video, for the good of your health!