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Advice for beginners

Tuesday, July 3, 2001

We really shouldn't have to tell you this but, just in case, we're going to tell you anyway: Kids, for crying out loud, do not try this at home.

When it comes to fire spinning, fire eating or any of the fire arts, extreme caution is the order of the day. There's a good reason why you've been warned all of your life not to play with fire.

However, for those of you who really, really want to learn how to work with fire, the experts have a few words of advice.

"It's like scuba diving -- it's probably a good idea to learn it from somebody who knows what they're doing," says Wally Glenn, who performs as Pyro Boy in Cirque de Flambe.

Donia Love, for instance, teaches fire-spinning class on Monday evenings -- but without the fire. She has beginners exchange balls of fire for balls made of cloth (that way you don't get hurt when you smack yourself upside the head -- and you will smack yourself upside your head as you're learning).

Love offers these other safety suggestions:

  • Do not practice with fire when you're learning. Wait until you're completely confident that you can spin fire without hitting yourself. Test yourself by spinning with your eyes closed.

  • Glow sticks and streamers are a safe alternative for beginners and for those who simply don't want to deal with the dangers of fire.

  • Don't spin fire alone.

  • Always have someone with a fire extinguisher or a wet towel keep an eye on you.

  • Never work with fire while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

  • Do NOT use gasoline.

  • Always wear clothes made of natural fibers -- 100 percent cotton, jeans or leather. Polyester is bad. But we already knew that, right?

    -- Winda Benedetti

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