If you asked me a couple of weeks ago what the flow arts were, I probably would have guessed that is was something involving the television show Avatar: The Last Airbender.
I wouldn’t have been completely wrong either: they both involve fire, martial arts and hours of practice.
The flow arts combine a variety of activities that include prop manipulation, dancing and fire. There are dozens of different props including poi, staff, wands, juggling clubs, hoops and so much more. You may have seen flow arts being practiced at events, restaurants and perhaps the circus.
There are many types of movement-based art forms that fall under the flow arts umbrella, but the most popular tool is likely poi. This involves artfully swinging tethered weights in patterns and commonly features LED lights or fire.
Many people in the flow arts community practice more than one tool, and many who start practicing as a hobby turn it into a lifestyle.
Tricia Moore is the owner of The Circus Farm in Mesa, a place where people can go to practice and learn about flow arts. Every second Friday, The Circus Farm hosts a circus jam, which is a free event for anyone that wants to experience flow arts. Moore and her boyfriend Brendon Hebert are professional performers who built this community hub in their backyard.
Moore started fire dancing in 2001, and noticed that there weren’t many places for people to practice in the Phoenix area. She dreamt of a place people of all ages and skills could go, and her dream became a reality with around 150 to 200 people attending the circus jams regularly. She also teaches classes in spinning and belly dancing and has noticed a change in people after taking lessons.
“From an adult perspective I feel like it’s something that they see as kind of like play, a way to learn something new, and it’s something that everybody can do no matter what shape you’re in, no matter how old you are,” Moore says. “I saw students that would be really covered up and really shy and nervous because they don’t have any background in anything. By the end of the class we put on a show, and their total attitudes change about everything, and so I feel like it’s one of those things that can really boost your self-esteem and make you feel like you have something special to show off to the world.”
The Circus Farm is a family-friendly environment, something that can sometimes be uncommon in the flow arts community. Although everyone must sign a waiver upon entering, the environment felt very safe and those practicing were skilled and helpful toward beginners. Many kids and adults were trying their hand at aerial silks, which is performing while hanging in suspended fabric.
Hollus Sturgis has been doing flow arts for almost two years and comes to The Circus Farm to practice a variety of tools including fire eating, staff, aerial, throwing knives and more. The flow arts have improved her physical and mental health, and she loves learning new skills every time she attends.
“I had some really bad addictions and I replaced them with some really healthy positive ones. I lost a lot of weight doing this and I feel a lot better about myself,” Sturgis says. “It’s all about new props, about what I can learn now.”
Hebert’s main tool is the rope dart, which is a 12 to 15 foot long rope with a heavy weight at the end that is used by wrapping around your body and shooting out fire at the ‘enemy’ spontaneously. He also teaches a variety of flow art tools that mostly involve fire.
“The tool that I am most recognized for is rope dart because it is such a rare prop. It’s a more obscure, traditional, martial art prop. I’ve taught that all across the Southwest and at fire festivals everywhere,” Hebert says.
The Flow Shop in Tempe is a place where many performers go to get props, outfits and advice on the flow arts. Anyone can come in and try the gear before purchasing it, and the owners are active flow artists themselves.
If you’re interested in visiting The Circus Farm or The Flow Shop, visit their website to find out more about lessons, events and hours: http://www.thecircusfarm.com/ and http://www.theflowshopaz.com/
