Ten years ago, Chrissy Cox picked up a broomstick and began to teach herself how to fire dance. “I would make the same movements with the broomstick with one hand for five minutes to build up muscle memory, and then switch over to my other hand for five minutes,” says Cox, who would continue the same process for about an hour. It worked. A week later, she had moved on to poi, the ball-and-chain instruments lit by fire dancers for their routines. “I guess you can say that I am kind of a pyro,” she explains. “I have always been fascinated with fire, and I have danced ever since I can remember. The two were a perfect match for me.”
After moving from Santa Cruz to Long Beach in 2003, Cox quickly connected with the artists’ community, starting a fire-dance troupe—comprising a team of dancers and a drum squad—called Sirena Serptina. Cox finds that the live drum beats ground her, allowing her to stay focused on her dancing. “At the beginning, I would get so caught up in the music that I would forget that I was even performing in front of an audience,” she recalls.
Cox imagines fire dancing will always be a part of her life; she can easily see herself old and grey, continuing to challenge her mind, body and soul and entertain—and instruct—those around her. “My destiny is being a teacher,” she says. “Whether it is teaching yoga, poi or belly dancing, I find my joy and passion in helping to inspire a student—which in turn quite often inspires me.” SCOTT JONES
Bernadette Says:
Way to go Chrissy! You are officially a celebrity.