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History
The Baoding ball, Also known as: Worry Balls, Stress Balls,
Relaxtion Balls, Melody Balls, Therapy Balls, Therapeutic Balls,
Exercise Balls, Chiming Balls, Baoding Balls, Qigong Balls,
Meditation Balls, Cloisonne Balls, Iron Balls, Miracle
Balls, Reflex Balls, Baichi (valuable balls), Baodjan Chu
(health balls),is originated in Baoding, China, a small
city in Heibei province. They were also called "Iron Balls"
because they were originally made from solid iron.The heavy solid ball has been replaced
with a hollow, chrome-plated steel version... usually with
an sounding plate inside that makes a that chimes when
turned. Several of these modern companies also manufacture
aerospace products. However, many sold today are Cloisonn└
models with Chinese symbols designed on the surface and more
recently Western logos have appeared. The hollow chrome
balls are by far the most popular and are manufactured by
several large factories in China.
Mass production of the Baoding Iron Ball
dates back to the Ming dynasty (1368-1644), and Baoding
craftsmen still meticulously produce them in my city
--Baoding, China.
What¨s the Theory?
The balls work on the meridians much like acupuncture or
shiatsu massage. According to Chinese traditional medical
theory, these meridians (Jingluo) are channels or pathways
through which vital energy (Qi) circulates within the body.
Acupuncture points are also distributed along these Jingluo
meridians. By means of the Jingluo, the ten fingers are
connected with the cranial nerve and vital organs of the
human body including heart, liver, spleen, lungs, kidneys,
gallbladder, stomach and intestines. By stimulating these
points with the Baoding balls, each meridian is stimulated
which in turn can create better circulation of vital energy
and blood within the body.
It can cause the jingluo unblocked and
thorough, the vital energy and blood to function in harmony.
The muscles nimble, the bones strong, the mind sober, can
invigorate the circulation of blood, and can prevent and
cure hypertension and various chronic diseases. If you keep
on taking exercise every day for months and years, you can
get the fine results of keeping your brain in good health
with high intelligence and good memory, relieving your
fatigue, drowning your worries, and moreover, prolonging
your life.
One Size Fits All?
Baoding balls do come in many sizes. It is recommended that
a person start with a size that can be handled easily, then
perhaps work up to the larger sizes. The most common sizes
range from a diameter of 35mm to 50mm. The 35mm is small and
is usually used by children or an adult less than 5'2". The
55mm is best reserved for either the experienced user or
someone who is over 6'2".
We now have sizes of 30mm, 35mm, 40mm,
45mm, 50mm,the most popular sizes are 40mm and 45mm in
diameter.
Xiao Xin: Be Careful
The chrome-plated steel balls are easy to care for,
especially if you are an active practitioner. If you are
going to leave the balls inactive for a time, treat then
like you would the chrome on your car. Just use a light oil
or automotive wax on their surface to prevent rust from
forming. They usually come in a case.
Getting Started
Begin your practice with two balls. Rotate them clockwise
and counter-clockwise within your palm --two balls one palm.
This first step is easy.
After you feel comfortable at this level,
you can proceed to more difficult exercise. Try rotating the
balls smoothly, without them coming apart and clashing
together again. As an alternative, you might try rotating
them without them touching ... this will work your fingers a
little more, and is difficult if the balls are a little
large for your hand size.
Another alternative is to turn your palm
downwards and rotate the balls. This will build some finger
strength and dexterity, much like rotating the balls without
touching. Be inventive and try cascading them one over the
other, etc.
If you practice for more than fifteen
minutes with one hand, you will soon notice that your
forearm, shoulder, and hands are receiving a substantial
workout.
The Physical or Mechanical Approach
The logical and obvious way of moving the balls is to push
them around with your fingers. When one ball pushes against
the other, it replaces it and the other ball must move. If
your palm is curved, the second ball moves into the position
that the first ball occupied and the rotation is begun.
Repeating this one simple movement is enough to begin your
practices with the balls. There are many variations of this
theme, and you can use three balls to increase the
difficulty. With enough practice, you can even work them
around your fingers like a magician.
The Mental or Martial Arts Approach
The next step is like learning an internal martial art. You
must begin to concentrate on what makes the balls move
around in your palm. When you see someone who is good with
the balls, they seem to rotate like magic, with almost no
external effort. The obvious way is not always the most
efficient way of doing things.
The "other" way of moving the balls is by
making space for them to roll into. You can practice this by
rotating one ball in your palm. By manipulating each muscle
of the palm, and by putting your palm very flat so gravity
does not affect the movement, you can make the ball more
about. Once you can make one ball move, you can usually get
two balls to rotate slowly. Keep in mind that you are not
pushing the balls, but giving them a space in which to roll.
With practice, you will be able to rotate the balls smoothly
and seemingly effortlessly within your palm.
This method requires small, minute
adjustments of the muscles, which takes quite a bit of
concentration and relentless practice.
Relax, concentrate on the body, movement
within stillness, stillness within movement... sounds like a
meditation, taijiquan, calligraphy, massage, qigong, or yoga
class. Once you realize that the concept is the same, you
can practice any of these disciplines while you are working
with the balls.
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