A couple days ago, I posted a message on Facebook asking for suggestions on who I could do a future "Profiles in Poi" video on and Rob "Bluecat" Thorburn replied with a very intriguing breakdown. Rob cited a number of spinners whom he classified as old, middle, and new school poi spinners. I dug the idea, but thought a division into four instead of three groups made more sense. Here's my perception of how the eras of poi break down and why. Quick note: this is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every influential spinner in poi history, just a few examples to demonstrate the qualities of each of these groupings.

Era Name: Classic Poi

Years: ?-2004

Begins with: Who knows?

Primary Characteristics: Heavy influence and integration with dance or circus. Favors simpler tricks with greater emphasis on presentation than difficulty. Ideas primarily traded in person at juggling events or via rudimentary online forums. What little video is available is generally only available on DVD.

Example spinners: Bluecat, Nick Woolsey, Ronan, Yuta, Arashi, Burning Dan, Andy House, Sage, Glittergirl

Era Name: Tech Poi

Years: 2005-2008

Begins with: The founding of Sphericulism, Poi Tribe.net groups, and YouTube.

Primary Characteristics: Proliferation of online poi communication through a variety of avenues. Emergence of pattern spinning and emphasis begins to slide from body movement to trick complexity. First generation of poi “virtuosos”.

Example spinners: Thomas Nevisoul, Zan, Alien Jon, Chris Rovo, Noel Yee, “Flowers Reflect”-era Cyrille, Rev, G, Pineapple Pete, Maelle, Aileen Lawlor, Krissy Humphreys

Era Name: Post-Tech

Years: 2009-2011

Begins with: “Manipoi” and “Poi Transmission: Spinning in Arizona” posted to YouTube.

Primary Characteristics: Explosion of ideas traded via YouTube. “Tech Blogs” become the dominant format. The peak of pattern spinning occurs, with a nearly complete focus on complexity of tricks over body movement. “Planted feet syndrome” becomes common in performances. The vocabulary of contact poi diversifies. Online poi discussions switch from Home of Poi/Tribe to Facebook.

Example spinners: Rastaxel, Drex, Teddy Petrosky, Kate McCoy, “Manipoi” and later-era Cyrille, Asaf PoiBoi, Charlie Cushing, Mel, Gina McGrath

Era Name: Neo-Classic

Years: 2011-Current

Begins with: “Antiphon” and “Brainstorming” on YouTube, proliferation of fire festivals.

Primary Characteristics: Return to heavy circus and dance influence on poi, rediscovery of niche techniques from first generation poi spinners. Throws and contact poi widely practiced, with a renewed interest in traditional forms of juggling and cross training with club swinging and glowstringing. The vocabulary of 3-poi diversifies. Negative space returns.

Example spinners: Keith Marshall, Marvin Ong, Jon Alvarez, Tim Goddard, Michael Parisi, Tom Grinyer, Tori Johnson, Dave Statik, Ellie Sorokin