Flowers & Antispin

Technique

Flowers are patterns where the poi heads trace petal-shaped paths. They are created by combining circular hand movement with rotational prop movement.

Types

  • Inspin flower — poi and hands rotate in the same direction. Creates rounder, softer petals.
  • Antispin flower — poi and hands rotate in opposite directions. Creates sharp, geometric petals. The most visually striking version.
  • 4-petal antispin — the most common flower. Looks like a clover or plus sign.
  • 3-petal (triquetra) — resembles the Celtic knot symbol.
  • CAP (Continuous Assembly Pattern) — semicircular hand paths creating closed loops.

How to learn

  1. Master the butterfly and reverse butterfly first
  2. Start with a 4-petal antispin in wall plane
  3. The key insight: your hand moves in a small circle while the poi spins the opposite direction
  4. The petals emerge from the interaction of these two opposing circles

Flowers are one of the first "wow" moves. Once you can do one, the rest of antispin opens up.

Applies to

Poi (primary), hoop, fans, staff.