Please, please, please don't try to teach yourself to eat and breathe!

Kudos for trying to find a teacher on these. Bay area has a plethora of good fire instructors, so hopefully you'll fine something good.

For spinning arts I whole-heartedly recommend www.spinagogue.net/ They are some amazing spinners, and really good teachers as well.

For finding teachers/styles you like, I'd check out the repository of SF area Spin jams: tribes.tribe.net/bayareaspinjams -- Good thread to ask for teachers on as well.

Good luck in your searching!

I like these folks:

fireartscollective.com/faclessons.htm

I'd second the recommendation for spinagogue.net/
there is also Isa at templeofpoi.com/index.php

There is a fire jam in the Golden gate park aid's memorial grove on Tuesday and there is an indoor spin jam at the Vulcan (spinagogue) on Wednesday's

then for technique there is always playpoi.com/

All of the schools/people mentioned here are so far are excellent resources.

You can also check out The Crucible. It's right off the West Oakland BART station. www.thecrucible.org

Even if you don't end up learning at The Crucible, you should definitely consider checking out The Crucible's Fire Arts Festival, an open-air exhibition of interactive fire art, performance and the largest collection of outdoor fire sculpture on the West Coast. Dates are July 15-18 and tickets are on sale now. And we're always looking for volunteers which can get you in for free!

Some of the people listed above are performing in the festival too. Performance line-ups are at: thecrucible.org/events/fir...l/157#stage

Good luck and have fun, Penny!

i learned to eat from firepixie. fire.firepixie.com/classes/...ting.html she's a very qualified and good teacher. i can show you what i know about fire breathing but i do not feel qualified to formally teach you. check out the fire breathing tribe for some sources and assistance. neither of those should be taken lightly as they pose the most threat to your personal safety.