"Poi" is the Maori word for a ball on a cord that is swung around the body. Pronounced like "Toy", "Boy" likes "Poi"(ie Poy). In New Zealand the Maori word "poi" means ball. Poi is used by  females and co-ordination training for the warriors (using rocks swung from flax ropes) before battle. You can do poi moves with many instruments. Homemade paper ball poi covered with plastic wrap, tennis balls, fluffy poi balls, raupo poi balls, those "dangerous" beaming poi balls or other LED lights on the end of cords.

A staff is used as a martial arts weapon in many forms. It's basically a wood or metal rod which is spun around your body in very similar movements to poi. When wick is added to the ends to create a "Fire Staff", moves become spectacular, however more dangerous.

Kinshira Bio's


Dave Seibring

Dave became hooked into fire arts 2 years ago (2006) while involved a valley wide show called pulse. He performed alongside two glow poi spinners who taught him poi during the down time of the show. Dave was so mesmerised that he got a poi set as soon as he could even though he knew no one who spun in his area. He taught himself as much as he could, until through way of facebook was able to meet up with what later would be named Kinshira fire troupe. Poi is his choice performance tool and is branching into staff as well. The other main passions of Daves are Latin dancing and overnight hikes. Dave enjoys diversity in his life and also runs a business as a ticketed carpenter.

Jennelle Brandel

Jennelle became inspired by the art of fire spinning in 2005 after watching a magical fire performance at a music festival in the Kootenays. To her, fire spinning is a beautiful way of expressing emotion and passion through a unique style of dance. What is so amazing to her is that everyone has a completely different style in their spinning, even whilst doing the same move. It is amazing to be able to share her love for spinning with others, and she hopes that Kinshira's performances will affect the audience on a deeper level. Show them that there is much beauty in our world, and send out a message that we as a society need to focus on a higher level of conciousness for the future.


Mark Eyjolfson

Mark Eyjolfson (aka. Pyrosomniac): Ninja by day, ninja by night. His weapons of choice when performing are staff, double staff, double sword, and rope dart. His performance styles are directed to appeasing the spirits of his fallen ninja brethren by bringing in aspects of martial arts, acrobatics, and zen worthy concentration. He entered into the world of the fire arts in college as a stress reliever from homework which has now taken over as his very passion in life. His fire spinning style ranges from the most adrenaline filled high speed drum and bass induced thrashing, to the most soothing melodic slow motion contact balancing akin to ambient style music. His favourite music to spin to is groovy funk (James Brown), heavy drum and bass (pendulum), intense rock and roll (tool), and calming psy dub (OTT). The message he wishes to convey through his art is for everyone to master their art with all their heart and beauty will follow, and that fire is still the greatest invention man has ever made!


Tait McGuire

Tait McGuire (* LuPo* ) has been spinning since 2005 and has been addicted to object manipulation ever since. Strong foundation with poi sprouted out into staffing, devil sticks and juggling. Favourite tunes for these activites are either the multicultural morphing melodies of Shpongle, Younger Brother and Hallucinogen, hard hitting impact of Tool and Karnivool, or the mellow chill out sounds of the Thievery Corporation.Its hard for this individual to go a day without some form of spinning, finding freedom, passion and creativity whenever he does so.
Other interests are snowboarding, painting and sketching, hiking and travel.


Will Tippelt

Will came to Kelowna from Peterborough and currently works as a network administrator. Will has been spinning for six years and performs with staff, poi and nun-chucks. Many years of martial arts have strongly influenced his spinning style. As with all members of kinshira, fire spinning is a true passion providing an outlet for stress and artistic expression. Will started with the staff and poi and has recently found a deep love for the nun-chucks.


Zoe Masters

Zoe came to the Okanagan from Queensland, Australia in 1998. She is studying at UBC-O in the Bachelor of Science program and her major is Earth and Environmental Science. Besides spinning, her passions include exploring the outdoors (underwater world included), travelling, the environment, music, photography, Tai Chi, of course spending time with family and friends, and just life in general.

She learned to spin poi in the summer of 2007 at a friend's birthday and quickly got hooked on the blissful connection between rhythm, movement, and the inner harmony that it creates. "You cannot think when spinning, you just are." Poi was her starting toy, however fans and recently hoop are her main focuses now. Spinning staff is on the horizon. "Spinning is much more than object manipulation. Like dancing, it is a chance for your soul to come out and play. To reconnect your body and spirit with the elements. It is an awakening."