You’ve seen those rock stars out on the burn field, dancing with fire like they were born to it. You’ve gotten ahold of your own tool and you’ve had your first lesson--now the important question: when are you ready to spin fire?

For so many of us, the fire is the hook that draws us in. It is a primal element that makes us stand up and go: Wow, I want to do that! Many of us, when we first light up, want to look like the people who inspired us--spinning effortlessly and beautifully to an adoring crowd.

The truth is, however, most of us look more like this when we first start up.

The reason for this is very simple: we are biologically wired to be afraid of fire--all animals are. The moment we find ourselves attached to an object that’s been lit on fire, there’s a moment of panic that sets in. This isn’t because we didn’t train hard enough or we’re lacking a certain je ne sais quoi that is necessary to make a good fire dancer--it’s because we’re human and fear of fire is as much a reflex as coughing when you’ve got something caught in your throat.

Spinning fire is a battle between our fear of it and joy at using it in a controlled manner. The adrenaline rush you get when you’re in control of such a dangerous thing is addictive--and let’s face it, the sound it makes is awe-inspiring!

I’ve taught hundreds of people over the course of my 8 years in the fire and flow arts and in that time, I’ve come up with a very simple criteria for when a person is ready to try spinning fire for the first time: they need to be able to spin their prop for 5 minutes without hitting themselves.

What? It can’t be that simple!

It is...at least it is for me. Part of the issue I find with people lighting up for the first time is that in that first moment of panic, they completely forget all the tricks that they’ve learned up to that point anyhow. They’re fixated on demonstrating the diversity of technique they’ve acquired--the thing they’re unprepared for is just how long their first burn is going to last. They can’t just put down their tool to take off their sweater, adjust their hair protection, or even when they just get bored.

While many expect it to be a cathartic or transformative experience, I think the healthier expectation to set is that your first few times spinning fire are really a process of training your body and mind not to go into fight or flight mode when you light up. It’s only after you’ve cleared away that panic that you’re capable of doing the tricks you have in your repertoire and really trying to make what you’re doing look beautiful.

I will insert the HUGE proviso here that I believe in this rule on the condition that whomever is lighting up is doing so under the supervision of another experienced fire dancer with a good grasp of proper safety techniques. For one: the habits a newbie fire dancer learns those first few burns are going to stay with them for much of their spinning career. When I first learned to spin fire at Confluence Park in Denver many years ago, there were essentially no safety protocols (we’re quite lucky nobody got injured) and the habits I learned during those fire jams nearly got me kicked out of several others when I moved to the East Coast. Another consideration is that if a person is going to have a catastrophic failure, it’s likely to happen when they’re trying out a technique they’re unfamiliar with their first few times on fire. Finally, many people won’t want to spin for the full length of their first burn and should have someone experienced watching them to help put them out when they’ve reached their limit.

So, if you are interested in spinning fire--the good news is this: the threshold you need to cross to get there isn’t as high as you may think. I know you want to look dynamite out there, and trust me that will come, too. But first you have to get used to the fire. This is just like how a sword swallower must train themselves not to engage their gag reflex.

Spinning fire can be hugely transformative, but it is also a process. Be safe out there and make sure you’ve always got a spotter on hand to help out with whatever you may need. Make sure you always adhere to the following guidelines:

1. Make sure the container you keep your fuel in is airtight and sealed when you are not using it.
2. Avoid wearing synthetic materials (ie, wear only cotton, wool, leather, etc) with the exception of aramid-based fabrics (nomex, kevlar).
3. Use safer fuels such as white gas, lamp oil, or kerosene. Do not use gasoline, alcohol, etc.
4. Have an experienced safety spotter ready to step in if anything goes wrong with a safety cloth--this can be either duvetyne or a wet towel. Always follow this person’s advice and instructions!
5. If you are getting fatigued, bored, or are concerned for any reason whatsoever, get your spotter’s attention and have them put you out.
6. Have fun! Even if you’re not doing every trick in the book, spinning fire is a rush. Enjoy your time with the fire because it is fleeting.

If you’re interested in learning more about fire safety, the Flow Arts Institute has a very helpful video series covering the topic including the science behind fire, appropriate fabrics, and proper safety protocols. You can view this video series here.

Be safe out there!