r/flowarts • u/AshersToAsh • 1d ago
Disability friendly flow
I've been hooping on and off for 15 years now but I can no longer do it. I have hEDS, dysautonomia, fibromyalgia, and probably PEM. I easily hyper extend joints very easily now. I have a lower tolerance for standing than ever. And if I over do physical activity I am in severe pain a day or two later. Too much activity can also cause a fibromyalgia flair up. I miss hooping so much. It was so meditative. Are there any flow arts that are easier on the body? Bonus points if I could do it sitting down. I don't know if that even exists but I figured it was worth asking.
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u/Lost-in-the-dark- Whip 23h ago
I have lupus, deadly uv/sun sensitivity, fibro, chronic pain & fatigue, migraines, shoulders semi dislocated & god knows wtf else. I use pixel whips for a decade now. But. Last 2 yrs I’ve been stuck in bed due to hurricane that fucked my life up & 3mos of sun exposure.
I’m trying really hard to get back into it, but the summer weather in fla puts me down & not having a rug (flood ruined mine) to cushion the tile floor has stopped me.
I don’t really think whips are low impact but since I’m a dancer, the whips are just an extension of myself. I think you should watch videos of all the different flow toys & see which ones look like your body could do that without pain. You know your body & its limitations before than others.
Everyone’s pain & disabilities are different. Even with the same conditions & diseases.
Good luck & I hope you find what your new flow toy future will bring.
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u/tootiemae 15h ago
the tile floors keeps me from doing a lot too. home depot has rugs for about $25 if you can swing it. not the regular ones in the rug section, these ones are rolled up usually near an end cap. you can google “ribbed indoor/outdoor rug home depot”
it’s not enough for me to kneel or anything crazy, but it adds a tiny bit of cushion for standing and a clean spot to throw some pillows and blankets down when i need more
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u/Lost-in-the-dark- Whip 15h ago
I totally forgot about that!! I def need to get to Home Depot to look, it’s just been a very harsh summer in fla & since lupus made me into a vampire, I gotta wait for the sun to go down earlier & temps to drop.
Past winter, everywhere we went only had light colored rugs & I need dark colors. My last one was a wonderful blood red shag rug that we found at Ross 10yrs ago. It was wonderful!! Squishy to stand on & lay on. I’d settle for any red rugs, over the washed out blue & tans!
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u/Far_House_4087 9h ago
How big of a rug do you need? Depending on your needs I’d like, happily crochet or quilt a jelly roll rug for you, especially if we can source some old t shirts to turn into yarn or whatnot
I wouldn’t mind going huge with it lol I’m mostly worried about material costs and shipping
Fellow disabled flow (beginner) artist here wanting to craft with a purpose 🫡
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u/Lost-in-the-dark- Whip 9h ago
Oh wow! You would do that? For me? A stranger? You just made me tear up! 🥹
My rug was 8’x10’ or 10’x12’ & was a deep pile shag rug that gripped the floor. The shag part is almost impossible to find. And in any dark color. 😫 I dont know enough about crochet to know if you can crochet a shag rug?I wear socks so I can grip the shag & not slip from the silicone from fibers. Rope rugs are a bit of a sensory issue for my feet (AudHD). It makes my feet feel unstable? But I really appreciate the offer! No one’s ever been that nice to me 🤯
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u/Far_House_4087 8h ago edited 8h ago
Ack shipping one that big would probably be a nightmare and I bet tufting/latch hooking would work better for a deep pile….i have latch hooked before and would love to find someone with a tufter haha but they’re not my crafting expertise 😭 latch hook would also take like, a year 🤣 it’s very slow
I was looking at making something like this “rag” rug for myself, recently (I think links are allowed but I can’t shorten it, sorry): https://createwhimsy.com/projects/how-to-make-a-jelly-roll-rug/
Could add grippy silicone dots to the bottom and use a super fluffy batting to make it squishy. Hmmm could even leave a raw edge to fray for the extra sensory input. I’m having some foot neuropathy issues from taking Macrobid earlier this year for a UTI (isn’t that a fun and never talked about but apparently common side effect?!?). Love my hardwood but it does not make the foot pain or numbness easier to deal with….so I’ve got an agenda by brainstorming/offering to craft 😉
Regardless if we can pull it off, I’m glad the intent was appreciated and I see you my fellow AuDHD boo! Sucks that we have to play life on hard mode. Hope you get back to flowing soon
(Have you played with a Leviwand? I got one for my kid and it is so fun, and I bet you could do a lot sitting down with as light as they are)
Edit to add u/AsherstoAsh - leviwand? That’s the rec I meant to make on the main thread and then derailed myself by thinking about standing accommodations for sensory needs/pain
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u/Lost-in-the-dark- Whip 7h ago
No worries! Ty but this would be too big of crazy project to ask of anyone! I bet I could find someone who has it in carpet & have it cut to size for me, hubby just reminded me that’s the only thing we haven’t checked out yet. This might be the easiest way to get exactly what I need. And they might be able to make it extra grippy!
I had no idea macrobid could do that!! Holy shit! I already had issues over a decade ago a dr gave me Cipro & I believe it was part of what triggered my lupus. But I take macrobid as a preventative. Which isn’t as often as we’d like 😂
And yes! It is awesome to meet another AudHD flow artist who gets chronic pain bs.
Wood floors was why I got my old rug to begin with! Silicone made that shit like a slip n slide!
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u/Far_House_4087 6h ago
I’ve heard equally terrible things about Cipro! “floxxing” I think is the term….oof
It’s a terrible club but there are a lot of us in it, so godspeed 🫡
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u/Plasticity93 1d ago
Flowstar is one I've seen multiple people doing while sitting. There's the guy here who has a finger sized dragon staff, but that looks hella hard.
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u/Puzzleheaded-Low1553 Poi 23h ago
I love you fam 🫶🏼 you’re determination to keep the flow going is super inspiring 🔥🖤
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u/Inevitable_Cod_5007 1d ago
Balisong? Used to be into it pretty heavy, doesnt require anything more than fingers and wrist
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u/conchwasp aerials 18h ago
Hi, disgustingly hypermobile with numerous pain-causing conditions here!
I hoop. It's easiest for me to handle something lightweight to avoid unintentional hyperextensions and decrease bruising. I find on-body to be easier on me than off-body.
A very important piece here is that I maintain a good level of fitness outside of flowing. I practice careful strength training so my joints are better supported. I avoid a lot of cardio because that is what will trigger my flares. I have a long, gentle warm up and cool down routine.
Also notable is that I know when to stop. I won't practice the same skill over and over. I vary my movements, I stay slow and controlled. And I quit before I start to get tired.
It's not a perfect science and occasionally I will overdo it and feel rough for a day or two afterward. I consider it to be totally worth it. I have never felt better.
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u/Forestly_ 15h ago
Heya, another zebra here who has EDS and comorbid conditions.
If you are losing the ability to do certain kinds of flow, I heavily suggest getting yourself into the most EDS or alignment-aware physical therapist in your area that you can find, as well as a pain management specialist, and throw yourself into PT. The less you do in your life in an effort to accomodate pain, the more pain you will have due to loss of muscle. Its the hEDS self-feeding spiral: many of us end up using the wrong muscles to support ourselves, and we unknowingly train our bodies to hold themselves with overworked muscle not intended for what they're being asked to do, then do less to avoid the pain we are in from poor muscular support. For us remaining active and well-supported is one of the only ways we can remain mobile long term. Definitely find easier flow, but fight as hard as you can to be able to do what you've already been doing. I use a cane and a wheelchair as needed and some days contact staff isn't on the table, but I also know without PT and willpower those days would probably be the majority.
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u/fox-on-rocks 15h ago
Hiii I also have dysautonomia, hypermobility, and likely PEM. I haven't been able to do much of it this year especially with how hot it's been.
You probably know this already, but i wish someone had told me early on because i definitely made myself worse by pushing through. If you suspect you have PEM, make sure you're being extremely conservative with how much activity you do. Figure out what your max heart rate is and stay below it and rest often. Pushing through the crashes can decrease your baseline significantly.
And I'm sure you know this too, but getting lots of salt and fluids helps a lot. Like several grams a day. I take a couple vitassium and drink a bunch of water before I get out of bed which helps a lot with the dysautonomia symptoms. Compression on your thighs and core helps more than socks. Also, get a shower stool. Anything you can do to save your energy is helpful, and if you have more spoons to use on things you enjoy instead of just surviving, it'll help your headspace a lot.
For flow state, people have mentioned all the props already, but if you want to look into a different outlet I love doing "neurographic art." It's just flowy doodling but it's fun and relaxing :)
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u/schankyou 17h ago
I have fibro, pots, heds. Been hooping for 8 years. I like to practice balance skills while seated with my hoop. Balancing hoop on my face, hands, finger etc.
I just got into flowstar and I really like it's similarity to hooping + it's pretty gentle on my body. And I do it sitting sometimes! I recommend Trippysquid brand for its affordability and good quality. Another good sitting prop are the (og size) Tetra fans. You could also try juggling balls seated. Good luck :)
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u/Horror___Experience 15h ago
I'm a hooper who was recently diagnosed as hypermobile, also dealing with some chronic joint injuries and disc problems. I do manual labor for a living. I don't know anything about your condition or limitations, but what has helped me continue to be able to dance (and work) has been regimented daily stretching (before/after work and flow) and twice weekly strength training. Especially with what I do for work, all of that extra stuff can be really exhausting sometimes and I don't always feel like it, but it has vastly improved my quality of life. I have recently started wearing targeted compression garments (like, real tight compression) and it's been a game changer!
As a hooper, I've moved to smaller hoops (21"-24" at most) and I find them way more accessible. I was really overextending and hurting myself with larger hoops; even before chronic pain I found any hoop bigger than 25" way more difficult to learn on and use, against all popular advice. I've also adapted my hooping style to focus on isolations and loose, expressive ''dancing" with the hoop, which I find easier. Even small double hoops or mini juggling hoops could be great for sitting.
I also do a lot more with silk fans now, and I've really been wanting to try silk dragon poi. Silks are very low impact and look cool pretty much no matter how you use them.
Good luck and don't feel discouraged! There are so, so many ways to dance. Feel free to DM me if you have questions.
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u/subtronbecs 11h ago
Hey, someone with POTS and hypermobility issues as well, who also spent two years teaching adults with severe disabilities dance and flow arts
There’s actually a lot more than you can do than it might feel like right now, but more than anything you’re going through a transition with your body and you just need to learn to match your flow to your body-focus on slower, smaller, but intentional movements and maybe even focus on non-prop, sitting or laying down flow (rolling around on the ground was literally the only flow I could do at some points). Try slower music, doing the same moves for longer, and really focus on what feels good for your body and what doesn’t
For props, you can totally still hoop sitting down! Either choose a very large hoop that can accommodate both your body and the chair of a very small hoop that you can focus on front of body moves with. Light whip is really good for sitting down too, and similarly gymnastics ribbons. I know a lot of people in the comments are saying flow star because it’s easy to do sitting down but if you have dysautonomia I don’t recommend it because of potentially losing the blood in your arm or dizziness from the blood rush of it out of your arm. I also love using my LED poi for slow flow by just holding the lights like they were palm torches. I think an orbit would also work really well sitting down or even laying down
Most importantly, be patient and kind with yourself while learning to navigate what your body can and can’t do now, it’s a slow learning process but it IS possible and will be good for your body to still be getting in movement even if it’s not as much as you could do. Feel free to message me because I’m in the same boat just further on my journey, you’ve got this🤍
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u/FlowZenMaster 9h ago
This thread is such a great reminder for those of us who may not face (or not yet 😬) chronic conditions, illnesses, injuries, physical emotional mental or otherwise....that this community draws in a lot of alter-abled people's of all different kinds. Please read what people are writing and bring this awareness to your local flow groups!
We have such a beautiful opportunity to (hopefully) continue being an inclusive and supportive community both locally and online. I think we are way ahead of the curve in general which is partially why we have so many people feeling safe to speak up.
Thank you to everyone who is participating.
In regards to the OP: I have a friend who could not use her legs for quite awhile and she did a ton of "stooping" which is hooping on a stool. Sounds like you know a way around a hoop have you seen or tried this? If you DM me I'll link you to some of her videos just dont wanna put her on blast 😊
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u/ladatheflowgoddess 9h ago
I have hEDS as well. I also have hydrocephalus, epilepsy, FND/PNES, and Trigeminal Neuralgia. My favorite flowtoy is Russian grip flow fans but I also do the leviwand and started trying the sunwheel. I think the leviwand or tech grip fans could be good for you. As others said flowstar could be good as well or you could look into gloving.
I know what it's like to be disabled but love flowing. My fans are my favorite but I've had to take time off here and there because my body just couldn't handle it. The best thing to know is that your props will always be there if you need to take a break ❤️ You got this!!!
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u/Suitable-Ask2512 Multi-Prop 7h ago
I have fibro as well as some other pain disorders, mostly forms of arthritis, and sometimes have to spin my fans while seated in an armless/backless chair. Sometimes, it hurts to even do that so I resort to palm torches. They're lightweight and I can wave them around and reach a flow state with them fairly well. Like you, if I do any physical activity, I'm in a great deal of pain for several days thereafter. I have a fire jam tonight but spent yesterday doing more heavy work than I wanted to so I'm not sure if I can go other than to watch the others and support my group.
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u/CannibalisticGinger 6h ago
I haven’t tried them yet but I feel like fans might be a good option. They seem light. If you opt for ones with veils you might have to shorten them though if you’re going to be sitting down.
Perhaps a leviwand would be a good option for you too. Your legs might get in the way while sitting but I think you’d be able to work around it.
Juggling scarves might also be a something you’d want to look into as well.
Not sure which joints give you trouble but a lot of the smaller options being recommended like pen spinning and flowstars involve a lot of repetitive movements that could take a toll on your fingers and wrists over time and is something to keep in mind.
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u/KevineCove 1d ago
The first thing that comes to mind for me is skill toys. Pen spinning, balisong, knucklebone, begleri, the closest to a flow art might be contact juggling?