Modes: What are timing and direction

Learn the fundamentals of flow terminology like modes, timing and direction. Modes will help you learn movement quickly and help you communicate with other flow artists in a universal language.

What are modes in flow arts?

Modes are the different combinations of timing and direction that are possible when spinning 2 props at the same time. It explains the relationship the props have to one another and the visual aesthetic and patterns that they create.

Timing and direction

Timing defines the starting position of the props in relationship to the other. Direction clarifies the path the props will make in relation to each other. There are 2 types of timing and 2 types of directions which make 4 combinations of modes. 

Props that use modes

Modes are useful when learning to spin the following list of props but they can be used with any flow art discipline that uses 2 props.

• Poi
• Double staff or swords
• Buugeng
• Double hoop
• Fire fans
• Silk fans
• 8 rings

Why are modes important?

Modes are a fundamental part of learning how to spin 2 props at the same time. They are essential to:

• Learn movements quickly and more easily 
• Communicate better with other flow artists by creating a common language that can be used across props
• Learn how to transition between different modes to be able to use a variety of movements, tricks and combos.

Basic principles

Modes only apply if these 3 basic principles are fulfilled:

1. There are two spinning props, not more or less 
2. The objects spin at the same speed
3. The starting position of the props is either together or at 180 degrees opposite

Modes do not apply to single-props disciplines since timing would be irrelevant and clockwise and anticlockwise would be used to describe its direction.

4 flow art modes

The 4 main flow art modes are:

1. Together time – Same direction
2. Together time- Opposite direction
3. Split time – Same direction
4. Split time- Opposite direction

The different modes can be shortened to tog-same, tog-opp, split-same, and split-opp when you are taking class notes or when you are planning a choreography.

Timing

Timing defines the starting position of the props in relationship to the other. It can either be together or split time.

Together time

Together time, also sometimes known as “same time” is like the wheels of a bike. They start at the same time, spin at the same speed and finish at the same time. Another way to see it is the “downbeat” will be at the same time for both hands.

Split time

Split time is when the props are not starting at the same time. This is also sometimes known as “alternating time”. One prop will start and the other will follow half a beat later. Another way to see it is that the starting position of each prop is 180 degrees opposite.

I found that as a beginner, the easiest way to get into split time was to start in together time and slowly increase the speed of one of my props until I reached the correct tempo. 

How to know the timing you are using

One way to know which timing you are in is to count your downbeats. Downbeats are when your props reach the bottom of the movement. 

If you count your downbeat as 1-2-3-4, with both props downbeat falling on the numbers then you are in together time.

If you count your downbeats as 1-and-2-and-3-and-4, with one hand downbeat falling on numbers and the other hand downbeat falling on “and” then you are in split time.

Direction

Direction clarifies the path the props will make in relation to each other. The direction can be either same direction or opposite direction.

Same direction

Using our bike example again, both wheels are always spinning in the same direction when it is moving. If the wheels were going clockwise and you decide to reverse the bike and the wheels start going counterclockwise, the wheels are still going in the same direction. 

The same applies to props. It does not matter if your props are going clockwise or counterclockwise as long as both are “rolling” in the same direction.

Opposite direction

Opposite direction is when one prop is going in one direction and the other prop is going in the opposite direction. For example, the props in your left hand are going counterclockwise and the one in your right hand is going clockwise.

As a beginner, opposite direction was confusing for me to learn. I eased into it by practicing in wall plane, using together time, while keeping my hands 2 prop length appart. 

When practicing this way, the opposite direction feels like the props want to meet together on the center line of my body.  For example, the butterfly and thread the needle are 2 poi moves that are in “opposite direction”.

Visual example

If you are more of a visual learner, here is a great video demonstrating these principles made by the Flow Arts Institute.

How to practice different timings and directions?

It’s normal that different patterns are easier than others. We all have our preferences. Here are a couple of tips and tricks that personally helped me absorb the different modes. 

You can start practicing the different modes by sliding your empty hands on a flat surface like a wall or a table like karate kid. Then practice the hand paths of the different modes in the air as if you were spinning but without props. 

Then try changing the speed or the direction of 1 hand to try to transition between the mode you are in into another one, without stopping completely the other hand. It will be hard at first but slowly with practice your brain will get used to it.

Caveat: with more advanced patterns, you will learn that hands can move in a different direction than the props themselves, like with anti-spin.

Do not hesitate to ask questions in the comment section if you need further help with modes or leave tips and tricks for your fellow artists.

Happy flowing -Razz

This article was originally published on foreverflowarts.com. If it is now published on any other website, it has been done without permission of the original copywriter owner.