Isolations

An isolation is a technique where a specific point on the prop appears to remain perfectly stationary in space while your hand orbits around it. One of the most visually striking techniques in flow arts.

How it works

You change the center of rotation from your hand to a point along the prop. Your hand traces a smooth circle, while the poi head (or hoop edge, or staff point) stays fixed in space — as if pinned to an invisible wall.

Getting started

1. Place tape at the midpoint of your poi tether as a visual target
2. Try to keep the tape locked in one spot while your hand circles around it
3. Start slow — speed and smoothness come with practice
4. Clean plane control is essential for convincing isolations

Applies to

Poi, hoop (iso-hoop), contact staff, buugeng, leviwand. Isolations are a foundational concept across nearly all manipulation props.