Jonathan Alvarez - Bending Light 

Dude, you're my favourite super hero ever!

I feel like your story is so important and could reach others who are looking for inspiration, not only with poi but in life. Just finding the music interferes with hearing it on this video. You are absolutely brilliant, stay awesome.

That was so amazing. I was introduced to poi while I was still in the midst of a 13 year addiction to substances. Now through Poi and meetings I've been clean/sober for a year. Now when I wanna use, I pick up my poi and go spin, its become my meditation. Thank you Jonathan.

I come back after hitting that plateau, needing inspiration and I watch this video and cry missing the person you are and the things you do. You are a huge inspiration to me not just with poi but in life. It’s been a long time since we’ve had a conversation but I’d truely like to reconnect and just talk about life and how things are going. Miss you Jonathan. 💜🌈🐺

Can you please not *make me cry and blow my mind so much at the same time. My antlers can only handle so much!!!! Thanks dad!!!

I didn't know there was someone else who truly understands how I feel when spinning until now. Thank you

Watching this in 2024 and still some of the prettiest patterns I have ever seen INSANEEEEE

Dear Mr. Alvarez, thank you so much for this video. You are a beautiful individual a beautiful soul. The smile you have when you are spinning shows the truth of your light. Keep spinning and stay beautiful Light-Bender. That is your superpower. You have and will continue to change the world.

You're incredible, I feel like you're telling my story. I've been spinning for 10 years, learned from Nick, practiced with bags of dirt in socks and now I'm spinning fire with a community! So grateful you chose this path.

Jonathon Alvarez you have always been like a superhero to me... since the first day i met you that day on August 7, 2010 when you got on the bus on our way to Lowndes High School... the atmosphere around you was confident... stubborn... and positively wonderful... and then I saw you spin for the first time... and the sheer beauty of your movements... the peace in your face brought a tear to my eyes... when you left GA i was heartbroken... but i knew you were destined for greatness... I started spinning after you left... you opened me up to a brand new world of absolute beauty and peace... im not nearly as good as you... but I'm working on it....

Carry on. Dont stop. Its that simple. Inspiration to me and so many more. No more words...

Love you and miss you. I hope you're thriving, wherever you are.

So sad I missed meeting this guy years ago but happy he can still be such an inspiration

You're the BEST, Jonathan! Love your video and love your MESSAGE!!! So happy you found something that truly brings you happiness and in so - brings happiness and joy to others! I do poi ball - just the regular poi ball I learned at a young age since I am a Polynesian dancer. So I was doing some research on glow poi balls and found your video. I hadn't seen these ones before you are you using. They are very cool. Thank you for the video and major props for pursuing spinning and bending light!!! Love it!

I damn near cried when I saw this. I can relate to not having many friends, and it's not fun being judged because you're you. You can't be someone you're not. But you're story, the journey that led to ultimate happiness in spinning poi, is the most epic part of the video. I'm 40 years old, have only started swinging poi (and hitting myself, a lot), and I say with great pride that I look up to you. You're the best super hero on RU-vid!

Amazing quote: "That's all impossible is, It's something you've not practiced enough" Those words are an inspiration to me. Thanks Jonathan.

Priceless Talent, Priceless Drive, Priceless Speech, PRICELESS VIDEO!

I would love to meet Jonathan one day. He's inspired me so much just by watching his videos

I wanna be the very best, Like no one ever was. To spin them is my real test, To train them is my cause. I will travel across the land, Searching far and wide. Each Poi'kemon to understand The power that's inside Poi'kemon, (gotta spin them all) its you and me I know its my destiny Poi'kemon, oh, you're my best friend In a world we must defend Poi'kemon, (gotta spin them all) a heart so true Our courage will pull us through You teach me and I'll teach you (Poi-ke-mon) Gotta spin 'em all!!!!!! Every challenge along the way With courage I will face I will battle every day To claim my rightful place Come with me, the time is right There's no better team Arm in arm we'll win the fight It's always been our dream Poi-ke-mon! (Gotta spin 'em all) It's you and me I know it's my destiny POI'KEMON!!!!!

What you say, Jonathan, is quote quality. What a great soul you are, glad you are here with us!

wow, never seen anything like that...and I have seen many spinners. And your Message is amazing. Jonathan, thank you! Living a life of excellence! My Superhero, too .

You've always been beautiful, so glad you we've finally able to see it!! Thanks so much much for your inspiration

My god this video gave me goosebumps. I've just ordered my first pod poi set online to get started :D

The expression of pure happiness on his face...wow. That along with the voiceover is too much man I'm legit sobbing. What a beautiful video.

i keep coming back to this video. your style is so amazing and beautiful. i've never seen anything like it. when you smile you shine. you radiate love and joy.

YES, YeS, and Yes!!! That is Exactly what it is like!!! You hit the nail right on the head with all of it. Thank you for this incredible video!!!

You are absolutely inspiring to witness! I've recently been teaching the city kids where I just moved to how to flow and it's amazing to see them light up when they "get it", flow arts brings the community together ❤️

you are an amazing human being, this is so inspiring! you ARE a super hero

Dude you are such a beautiful soul. Thank you.

Absolutely stunning. Way to go Super Hero!

He is amazing! His skills are mind blowing. But, his words are even better.

you are beautiful and that message was amazing. you are a true inspiration to me and i know many people will agree. plus that 4 poi was unreal, way to go dude. we love you :)

This is great Jonath!!! Great video and great talk about everything! You are truly cool. Thanks for such a inspiring me with your words and your LIGHT, Thanks for being YOU. Love makes the Lights go round! Peace

This made me tear up I'm not gonna lie. This is so relatable in so many ways. Thank you for this. Thank you!

You sir have so much light (other than poi ) surrounding you . Thank you for sharing your gift with me and to the world. Keep doing what you are doing

Totally amazing!

You are absolutely amazing!

Wowowowow! What a treat. That was epic.

THAT WAS WONDERFULL. MY THANKS. I began spinning many years ago in the UK, dont spin much these days, inspired me again. Quite amazing to see the evolution of this art and life enhancer tool. x

i cant get rid of these goosebumps!!!!!!!! what in the world you nut!!!!!

Absolutely crazy, thumbs up!!

Wow! Thank you for sharing dude. That was so inspirational and hit home like nothing has in a while. Human connection and self-expression are definitely key parts of spinning.

YES!!! Jonathan... you are my hero!! As something of a camp Mom for you guys, I want you to know how proud I am of your important accomplishment here. You can take this piece to EVERY elementary school in the country and make a real difference!! Way to go you!! Superhero... indeed!! Muchlove...

This video has helped me through so many stuggles with my journey of poi spinning, it brings me back to when I first started spinning and the reasons I started spinning, it aways helps me get through time when I want to do is through my poi out the window because of move, but this always helps bring me back to my flow, Thank you so much!

I admire you. You found something some people will never feel.

Your message in this video is truly beautiful and inspiring. Thank you for this.

A huge thanks for this Jonathan!

Yes!!!!!! You are the ultimate spinning hero by far!!!!!

Every time I see you spin I get inspired.

Amazing! :) Incredible spinning! Incredible message! Very inspirational! Thank you! :)

..just wow. that almost made me cry.

beautiful and inspiring video, brother. thank you for sharing your love and light with the world.

Thank you so much for your art.

I think I'm going to cry. You will always be a hero in my eyes.

Aw this is so sweet and genuine. Very nice video. 💜

Just now watched this and it was amazing not just because of your beautiful flow but also your inspirational story. I feel very enlightened. Now I must learn and practice a flow of my own, Thanks!

Just saw you on reddit. When you move it's like you express the flow of the universe. Seriously got goosebumps.

This video is so inspirational. Thank you so much for putting this out there. Poi has really helped me find peace.

I am a fellow flow artist and I understood, felt and appreciated every single word you said. Replace "poi" with "hooping" and you have summed up my entire life. :D SO WELL DONE!!

I wish I could like this video more than once

So Great...Awesome video and Amazing skill set. Radiate the Love the brother!

I'm 18 and have been spinning for 11 years but let me tell you, you inspire me The best spinner is the one havering the most fun

great video, you are truly an inspiration!

I have no words, man. I look up to you completely - thanks for sharing your story :)

the wraps you were doing with 4 poi just completely blew my mind

Amazing!

You are amazing!

Truly inspiring

Nice video.. Seeing Your background puts a face to the dancer.its hard to judge a character by his RU-vid videos...Keep up the Good Work man. I grew up with shoe strings attached to glow stix..Its really Good to see people like you Keep it Alive.

That was awesome

Amazing dude!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for the inspiration!!!

I felt the same way when I first saw fire poi and I was addicted from the start. I've played for over 20 years now and taught a lot of people over the years. I got so excited when I first saw pixel poi. I'm getting a set soon and I can't wait :) keep spinning and keep smiling. Much love x

Johnny, you continue to impress and inspire me in your beautiful story telling and poi super powers! I am so very proud of you. Continue to shine your light upon the world. Believe, develop and share your super powers with us - it's a gift to the world! - Uncle Mikey

Thank you.

An absolute inspiration. Scary talented and confusing but an inspiration none the less :P

You gave me the gift of love for poi and I hope your life is going the way you want

You are awesome.

6 years later you are still a few decades ahead! Amazing my friend!

You inspire the hell out of me!

You are my biggest poi inspiration, I love you john.

WHY ARE YOU SO PERFECT THIS SUMS UP MY LIFE *falls over* Never fangirled so hard over anyone (or at all for that matter) until now. You are the reason I started spinning in the first place

I get it, dude. I started after seeing spinners at Bonnaroo. It's hard to put into words the joy that spinning provides. Gnarly moves and a nice narrative...keep it up!!!!!

Im glad you love your life of poi spinning. You seem so happy to have found it and so pleasant you are. I felt the same way when I first seen someone spinning poi it was so beautiful the raw expression of art and just like you said such peacefulness in their flow. I have been practicing practicing I cannot wait until a sense of natural flow comes out. I love feeling of progression too.

Everything that Jon said in this video, that was exactly how I felt my whole life!! But as soon as I got my Poi in the mail 4 days ago, studied Poi for 2 years, I knew that this was my calling!

GOD OF POI!!!!!!!!! no more words

Dude you are sooo talented! And your work is so inspirational. Iv only been spinning for a few months now so i still gotta long flow journey 😊 when you said nick woosly, i was so happy cause hes was who i learned from ☺

Beautiful!! :) You are ! Inspiring :)

Significant!

I just pick up my first poi last night for the same reason wow your awesome and I have no idea what I’m doing but I’m not gonna stop practice practice practice is what I have to do

wuahwu :) simplethe best, i love it! thank you a lot :)

You're a monster! I practice poi everyday and you are my master! Continues like this. I espect too see you on Ozora this summer !

Totally loved this video, Jonathan. Super inspiring life messages are the new 3-poi! ;)

.... You are my hero

oh man... I can't find the words... aside from the year worth of three-poi inspiration, your words just make me so happy, I do not know how to even start describing! hope to meet you one day!

Jonathan I dont post comments on youtube ever. But this video breathe taking bro I started spinning a year ago and you spoke how I feel the connection the flow. And you have inspired me even more ive watched your videos over and over showing feiends and all most my friends make fun of me for poi but I just laugh and say they have no flow but I get it cause I use hospital socks as poi lmao. But I want you to know your lake tahoe poi is my all time favorite. And then from there ive watched nick and yall are amazing I watch yalls moves over and over pausing starting over and over and yall have made me a good spinning and connected to the flow so I just wanna say thank you for the inspiration and keep it flowing.

Thankyou, I love you.

you have SUPER FLOW!

I fucking love how he grins when he is pulling of a super sweet almost unreal trick :)

BADASS!!!!!!!!! BEST POI VIDEO!!!!!