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About Us

Therapoi was created by Dr. Lori Sirs, DSW, LICSW and Julie “Jewels” Meek, LCSW. Therapoi is the therapeutic application of Flow Arts practices into the counseling session, supercharging the therapy experience with elements of learning, fun, creative expression, and physical movement, supporting faster and longer lasting positive changes for the client. Flow Arts practices are inherently calming and regulating and have been used by thousands of people as a source of stress-relief and enjoyment. These practices have also been shown to improve cognitive, attentional, social, and emotional functioning while engaging in rhythmic, fun movement!

Jewels offers 1:1 and group therapy, therapeutic Flow Arts, and integrated services to the community of Boise, Idaho and beyond. Lori offers therapy and therapeutic poi from her practice in Lacey, Washington and nearby communities. Thanks for your interest in this revolutionary approach, and keeping exploring this website to learn more! You’re also welcome to complete the contact form (see Contact Us) to connect with Jewels directly to ask questions or schedule an appointment.

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Testimonials

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Jewels and poi spinning have been a bright spot, a resting place, and a guide forward for my daughter. Poi class is a place that’s safe for making mistakes and trying again, for being the best kind of weird, for creative and personal expression. As a parent, I especially appreciate the balance of acceptance and accountability that comes with being part of such a group. It is also like magic to see her go into class with her perfectionism and anxiety in overdrive, and come out relaxed and refreshed! There’s something about the physical activity itself combined with the culture fostered by Jewels that brings out the best in her. Flow arts have turned out to be a wonderful tool for managing her anxiety; it’s like a reset button for the brain. We look forward to continued mentorship from Jewels and a lifetime of flow!

Parent of current poi student

Julie (Jewels) is currently my supervisor as I pursue my LCSW. I have already learned so much from her and I get excited for each meeting we have. Julie allows me to work through my questions and concerns with her guidance and support. I feel as though I am able to learn and grow as my own clinician with her extra helpful expertise. Julie is thoughtful and kind and I feel very fortunate to have her as my supervisor.

Former supervisee

I have known Jewels for 4 years and over the course of that time have learned so much from her.  Not only has she been my supervisor but she has also done individual counseling with my daughter. Her intuitive approach to working with clients (of all ages) immediately builds rapport and puts the client at ease.  She has that same gift for relationship building when it comes to supervision and she teaches with a wisdom beyond her years. I highly recommend working with Jewels for clinical supervision or in a counseling capacity. She is truly one of the kindest people I have ever met and cultivates an atmosphere of warmth, creativity and safety.

Former supervisee

For our daughter Serena, learning poi with Jewels in and out of the therapeutic setting has been a significantly rewarding learning experience. With Jewels’s on-going tutelage, Serena gained proficiency, then considerable mastery of that art.  Although Serena would be regarded as an “introvert” by many measures, and often found it difficult to connect verbally when meeting new people, Serena discovered that spontaneous public demonstrations of poi created a previously unavailable avenue of connection.  While many young people would have been inhibited by the fear of making very public mistakes – and mistakes always happen – Serena was fearless about performing poi in public.
Serena had a much deeper understanding of the potential of poi than I (her father) did.  Serena, who at that time her life greatly struggled to create and follow through on personal goals, even worked diligently to save up enough money to purchase her own set of LED poi and accompanying necessary costuming items for her debut performance in a 7th grade talent show, which inevitably resulted in an up roaring applause by her peers and educators. This trend for Serena to fiercely pursue her artistic and creative goals has persisted ever since.
Keep up your work with students and poi, Jewels!

 

Parents of a previous client

Jewels and poi spinning have been a bright spot, a resting place, and a guide forward for my daughter. Poi class is a place that’s safe for making mistakes and trying again, for being the best kind of weird, for creative and personal expression. As a parent, I especially appreciate the balance of acceptance and accountability that comes with being part of such a group. It is also like magic to see her go into class with her perfectionism and anxiety in overdrive, and come out relaxed and refreshed! There’s something about the physical activity itself combined with the culture fostered by Jewels that brings out the best in her. Flow arts have turned out to be a wonderful tool for managing her anxiety; it’s like a reset button for the brain. We look forward to continued mentorship from Jewels and a lifetime of flow!

Parent of current poi student

Julie (Jewels) is currently my supervisor as I pursue my LCSW. I have already learned so much from her and I get excited for each meeting we have. Julie allows me to work through my questions and concerns with her guidance and support. I feel as though I am able to learn and grow as my own clinician with her extra helpful expertise. Julie is thoughtful and kind and I feel very fortunate to have her as my supervisor.

Former supervisee

I have known Jewels for 4 years and over the course of that time have learned so much from her.  Not only has she been my supervisor but she has also done individual counseling with my daughter. Her intuitive approach to working with clients (of all ages) immediately builds rapport and puts the client at ease.  She has that same gift for relationship building when it comes to supervision and she teaches with a wisdom beyond her years. I highly recommend working with Jewels for clinical supervision or in a counseling capacity. She is truly one of the kindest people I have ever met and cultivates an atmosphere of warmth, creativity and safety.

Former supervisee

For our daughter Serena, learning poi with Jewels in and out of the therapeutic setting has been a significantly rewarding learning experience. With Jewels’s on-going tutelage, Serena gained proficiency, then considerable mastery of that art.  Although Serena would be regarded as an “introvert” by many measures, and often found it difficult to connect verbally when meeting new people, Serena discovered that spontaneous public demonstrations of poi created a previously unavailable avenue of connection.  While many young people would have been inhibited by the fear of making very public mistakes – and mistakes always happen – Serena was fearless about performing poi in public.
Serena had a much deeper understanding of the potential of poi than I (her father) did.  Serena, who at that time her life greatly struggled to create and follow through on personal goals, even worked diligently to save up enough money to purchase her own set of LED poi and accompanying necessary costuming items for her debut performance in a 7th grade talent show, which inevitably resulted in an up roaring applause by her peers and educators. This trend for Serena to fiercely pursue her artistic and creative goals has persisted ever since.
Keep up your work with students and poi, Jewels!

 

Parents of a previous client

What are Poi and Flow Arts?

The word “poi” refers to any singular or plural set of tethered weights that may be held in the hands and spun around the body in a fun, rhythmic, and controlled fashion. More simply put, put some hacky sacks in a pair of socks and spin them around, and you’ve got yourself some poi! Poi is originally an ancient practice of the Māori people and other Polynesian indigenous cultures that has been adapted as a modern form of dance and exercise. Outside of traditional Māori culture, it has been modified into hundreds of variations and is practiced around the world. It is a kind of three-dimensional, kinetic puzzle that enhances muscle strength, coordination, stability, problem-solving skills, concentration, and the ability to self-motivate. It encourages social interaction and can be used as both a calming and energizing activity. It is safe, inexpensive, portable, endlessly progressive, and a lot of fun!

“Flow Arts” is a general term used to describe the intersection of a variety of movement-based disciplines including dance, juggling, fire-spinning, and object manipulation. The broad category Flow Arts includes a variety of pursuits that harmonize skill-based techniques with creative expression to achieve a state of present-moment awareness known as Flow. Common forms of Flow Arts include Poi & Staff spinning, hula hoop (or “hooping”), juggling, sphere manipulation (or “contact juggling”), and fan dance. New props and expressions are emerging all the time as flow artists cross pollinate with martial arts, yoga, circus, belly dance, and beyond. (www.flowartsinstitute.com)

A popular extension of Poi spinning and Flow Arts involves the use of fire. This activity is for TRAINED PROFESSIONALS ONLY and should only be attempted with the supervision of a fire performance safety expert! Contact us for professional fire performance training, resources, and information!

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