These tips are not intended to be some step-by-step crap! The world would suck if we all did the same thing. Have you ever been at a club or rave where someone was tearing up some unreal move? But it was the same move over-and-over! I designed the “Techno Trainer” so that I could swing glows like the pros. And I wanted to do it all, Liquid-to-Poi and back with out missing a beat. TechnoMoves.com is here to supply Rave Dance Gear at great prices, and promote the love of this sport.

Use the “Techno Trainer”…

Practice with something soft. 

Try with and without a mirror. 

Try liquid with eyes open and close.

If you “mess up” just go with the flow.

The Techno Trainer Parts:  Experiment with spinning different configurations of the Techno Trainer's parts.  Try longer and shorter leads.  Longer ones are easier to spin, because you can swing slower with the same centrifical force. The shorter ones (the two leads removed from a “Stick Trainer”) are better for tight spaces, and changing directions.

3-inch Techno Trainer Key Rings: Spinning some Glow Sticks or “Streetlights” on the Three Ring Trainer, like Nun chucks. To change from spinning to holding them: Swing slow in a big downward arch with your hand at the base on the stick (just fast enough to keep up the centrifical force and tension). At the bottom of the arch the tip of the stick should be pointing down, continuing though the upward part of the swing slow down even more. This will cause the free stick to follow gravity down to the stick your holding. At this point your still swinging up with the free stick loose next to the one you are holding.  With one or two fingers on the hand that is holding the spinning stick, grab the free one. POW!!!  Now, your holding to sticks that where just spinning. Perfect time to slow it down for some killer loose Liquid, then release back into your spin.

Stick Trainer Center Hold, Great to get the Feel: It's harder to spin shorter leads, but when space is tight. The “Stick Trainer” works well to get the feel of a smooth spin. Hold it in the center (by the black stick) and get both Glows Sticks or LEDs swinging. This is done with a back and forth rolling motion of the wrist and hand. The light will start to swing in an offset small round.  Looks great with “X-Lights in the X-Color”. This move is limited, but is a great way the start.

Stick Trainer Modified into Short Leads: I take the two leads off one of the "Stick Style Trainers" and spin four Glow Sticks (better balance) or two glow sticks and two LEDs. This way I can spin inside without hitting my chin and still go outside for large circle moves. And if I hold both the glow sticks in one hand in a "V shape" with the leads facing out it will spin just like the "Stick Style Trainer." It is easy to change from the "V shape" to holding both glows side by side with leads facing out with one hand (as if they where one lead). Do some hard-core fast moves like it was one lead. Then keep swinging both together, until you can follow your free hand up your spinning arm and grab one of the glow sticks without losing a beat. At this point you should have one glow in each hand, the tangle free design of the "Techno Trainer" will allow the two leads separate in one or two swings.

Short Leads Liquid-to-Poi Big Round: Using the two leads off one of the "Stick Style Trainers" with four Glow Sticks (better for balance). Holding two glows in each hand each set connected by a short lead, keep one finger between them for the transition release (I also hold the loop in the lead so it doesn’t get snagged). Do some Liquid and bring both your hands to the center mass of your body (about 12-inches off your lower chest). When the music hits, though your hands out to the sides and back (elbows pointing out and your hands drop down. Out, and back). Follow this motion back (like a swan dive); at the same time release one of the glows in each hand (and the lead if holding it). Keep this arch and go into a “Big Outer Round” (small circles with your arms out at the sides like a “T”). Do a few of these outer rounds, then transition into the inside.

Short Leads on the Inside Small Round into an X: Use 4 glow sticks or 4 six-inch Ilumix LEDs (best for balance). Hold a glow stick in each hand closest towards where the lead attaches and your arms extended out in front of you and your elbows bent (like making a basket ball hoop). Now by spinning hand-over-hand get the glows at the end of the leads swinging, be careful not to hit your self in the chest or chin (make sure the lead is short). Now spin in front of your body (about mid-chest). This should make a smooth small round, by changing the angle of your hand-over-hand you can make this “Small Round” into an”X”.

Spinning two Leads Back to one, Then into Liquid: If you are spinning one in each hand, bring both hands together and continue with an “X”, “Round” or “Figure 8”. If your leads get twisted on the Techno Trainer, no problem they will come apart just keep up a smooth spin. At this point you can Poi as if it was one set of leads, (do some tricks). Now time to “Catch the Sticks” and go back into some loose Liquid.  Your dominant hand should be holding two Glows while the other two swing off their leads. Take you free hand and move it to the pivot point of the swing arm (this should be your should or elbow depending on how big you are swinging). Now move down your arm to the spinning hand (to go back into spinning two, you would take one of the glow sticks into your hand and spin until there separated). Pass by the two glow sticks and make the “OK” sign with your finger and thumb around the leads. To “Catch “ the spinning glows, just pull them with the spinning hand into the “OK” sign and close the hand around them. Now you should have two glows in each hand with two leads connecting them. Now pull the leads tight and move your arms in big, smooth, rolling motions. If this is to hard do some “small rounds” with both hands in front of your body at chest level (as if you where holding a broomstick across your chest with your hands about 15 inches apart or rowing a boat). What ever looks good (Liquid works well also)! The goal here is to get the two leads parallel and untwisted, (like railroad tracks) while being smooth so it looks like the glows are still swinging. The length of the leads limits your moves. Now put a finger between the glow sticks in each hand so that there are ready to be handed off. Bring your hands together and make the transition, so that each hand has one set of glows and leads (two glow sticks in each hand connected by one lead). Now your can get loose with some sweet Liquid (while you are doing Liquid hold the lead so it will not flop around and get snagged). When the music or your aching arms tell you to swing some Poi, just release one of the glows in each hand!

The 15-inch Techno Trainer Mid-Hold:  With some Glow sticks or LEDs on each end, hold the “lead” in the middle with one finger or your whole hand. Do the X, figure 8, Big Rounds, Small Rounds, or Spinning inside.

15-inch Techno Trainer Figure 8 to Mid-Hold: Try swinging one end of the 15 inch Techno Trainer in a figure 8 right hand.  Go as slow as you can without causing slack in the lead.  Now take your left hand and follow it up your arm to the light in your right hand while swinging.  At this point you can just hand off the light to your left hand and continue the figure 8.  Or keep moving up the Techno Trainer lead while pulling the spinning light into it.  If you stop in the center of the lead and hold it with one finger you can swing both ends. Like the “Mid-Hold” Or move all the way up the lead to the other light, at this point you should have a light in each hand.  Keep tension on the lead to keep them spaced equally apart, and do some liquid moves, then release one light and spin some more.

15-inch Techno Trainer, Need it even Stiffer? The (Long Leads) made even easier to spin slow and toss hand-to-hand. Try using a piece of black fuel hose cut to fit between the two rings, leave a little play in it. Remove one of the rings and slide the hose over the Trainer's black lead. Replace the ring, add some glow sticks or LEDs to the rings and swing! This makes the 15-inch Techno Trainer even stiffer and easier for very, very slow swinging and transitions. The “Mid-Hold” works great with this. Keep it wide by holding the center with your whole hand, or bend it in the center around your finger and you can control the space. Pinch it tight (a 180 degree bend) to bring both swinging ends together.  Also works great to learn how to catch behind your back. Add some more glow! Use clear vinyl tubing instead of the black hose. It needs to be large enough to slide over the Trainer's lead and still have room to slide an 8" glow bracelet inside. Replace the ring so it holds the 8" glow bracelet inside. Ya, you get it!

Protect your Streetlights!  Streetlights are not the best thing to start off spinning, unless very slow and on the 3 rings. To protect the streetlight from impact use 1 inch O/D 3/4 I/D clear vinyl tubing can be heated in very hot water and slid over the Streetlight.  Use a large key ring or wire through the light and the tubing for attaching.  The button still works fine through the tube, and when needed a hole can be cut to replace the batteries. Check out the Ilumix it is almost unbreakable!

The X-LIGHTS in the x-color work best or 6" glows for big POI.  When starting off go slow, the Techno Trainer was designed to make this easier.  Most people want to spin fast, but slow is safer, harder, and looks great when the music slows down. Save the speed for the buildup... and do one continuous motion, slowing down and speeding up.  Then change direction while going slow, lock in the motion, when you feel in control speed up.

Slow it down: I think most people have a hard time going slow...  Dancing liquid with "Rave Rings" looks great slow and is great when space is tight. Rub your hands over your body like your washing you self. Be smooth and fluid, changing speed and direction with the music. Try practicing with your eyes closed; it helps me to feel the music. Also try moving to the back ground beat, and speed up during the blowups. If you mess up just keep going, it all good!

Adding extra resistance with a cool FX:  White ribbons look cool under backlight, and work well to add some resistance to the leads when spinning. You can tie them to your glow sticks or LEDs.

Have-a-Ball? Go Liquid: For learning the smooth roll of Liquid, try using some different size balls between your body, hands, and fingers.  Use small and large balls that are rubber, or some kind of non-slip surface. Try to keep it rolling around and off the ground…

Moving Liquid Forward in Reverse: Move liquid with some glow sticks or LEDs. Pushing your hands away from your body, as your body (neck, chest, then hips) forward.  Try the same move, but move your body back away from your hands. 

Rave Rings best for Blowing-it-Up Liquid: I found that the "Rave LED Rings” are the best for clubs and raves where space is very tight. Put one on each four of your fingers and spin your hands in a circle. Once you got the spin, break it up with the music. If the beat slows way down go liquid by acting like your washing your body. Stay about 1/2 inch off your skin and try to stay smooth. Try not looking in the mirror, and chasing one hand with the other. Rave Rings are great to blow people up. Hold your hands out and move them right to left while wiggling your fingers. This is a lot safer then swing a Glow stick inches from someone's face, because you have more control of the LEDs.

Liquid Body Wash: To liquid, try pretending your washing your body with your hands or glow sticks. Rave Rings work the best, nothing to hold on to!  Face the LED lights out towards the palms of your hands. This way you can open and close your hands to hide the light. Also cupping both hands about 2" apart will make it look like your holding a ball of light.

Rave Ring Light Ball: Turn some or all or your “Rave Rings” inwards (lighting the palm side). Cup your hands tight, so no light is seen. Spread apart your fingers to let some Beams out (like a bright light cracking though a shell). Open and close, twist, and open the cup a little (like a throbbing energy ball expanding). Great for intro’s and cool downs!!!

Chase the Liquid light: "Chase” one light with the other light in your hand, try to be smooth and keep equal distance.  Sometimes catch up to the first light and "hit" it with the second one.  Making the first light accelerate and hide it behind your back.

Endless ways to hold and spin the Techno Trainer. The one I use the most is the 15 inch trainer with an ILUMIX stick on each end. I hold the end of the stick, the top of the stick, the middle of the trainer, two sticks in one hand (spinning two trainers), one stick in each hand, two sticks in one hand crossed....    The cool thing about the trainer is it can be held also most any way you like it, that's why its great for transitions. A lot for people can spin one way, but never change it up. The trainer helps make transitions smooth, without stopping...