Flow arts is a broad family of movement practices centered on the idea of “flow” — that state of absorbed, effortless attention you find in peak performance. Props become tools for exploring geometry, rhythm, and expression.

Why Flow Arts?

The vocabulary of flow arts — planes, weaves, isolations, throws — sounds technical, but learning it is largely physical and intuitive. You develop spatial awareness, timing, and a sense of your own movement signature.

Many people find flow arts uniquely grounding. The prop demands your full attention. You can’t be elsewhere when you’re spinning poi.

Core Props

Poi are weighted objects on cords or chains, swung in patterns around the body. They’re the most common entry point into flow arts — forgiving to learn, endlessly deep to explore.

Staff (or bo staff, contact staff) is a solid rod manipulated through balances, spins, and contact movements. Ground and overhead styles both exist.

Fans are held in the hands and create visual planes and blooms. Especially popular in performance contexts.

Hoops (hula hoops) combine body movement with the hoop’s own momentum — spinning on the waist, arms, legs, or manipulated off the body.

Getting Started

KAA maintains a prop lending library. Beginners start with practice poi — soft-headed, light, safe for indoor and outdoor use.

Skill floor: Low to medium depending on prop. Poi basics are accessible in a first session; staff requires slightly more body coordination to start safely.