Chinese Emperor Qianlong (1711-1799) exercising with health balls
In China these balls are known as ‘health balls’ or 'bao djian tshou', ‘valuable ball’ or 'baici'. In the west they are commonly known as 'Chinese Health Balls', 'Therapy Balls', 'Energy Balls', 'Tai Chi Balls' or 'Baoding Balls'.
Manipulating Chinese Health Balls exercises and strengthens the hands and feet, improving dexterity and range of motion. It can also help prevent a variety of hand problems and chronic diseases, such as carpal tunnel, tendonitis and arthritis repetitive strain injury.
The movement around the hands and feet stimulates acupressure points, in turn stimulating each meridian. This creates a better circulation of vital energy (Qi) and blood within the body, and affects the internal organs. Their use also has a calming effect on the nerves, and is good for stress relief, relaxation and meditation.
They help stimulate the mind; keeping the brain active and learning, helping prevent cognitive decline, dementia and Alzheimers Disease. In our one hour introduction you will learn everything you need to know about Chinese Health Balls. You'll find out the many benefits of using Chinese Health Balls, and why they have a 2,000 year history. You'll see how they're made and learn the basic exercises.
Our three hour workshop greatly expands on the Introductory class; we look some of the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine, have an in-depth look at the benefits, history, manufacture, types and varieties available, and learn how to choose the best for you. We learn and practice the warm-up exercises and the basic exercises. Then we have time to practice, improve your technique and resolve difficulties. Participants also get the opportunity to try our steel, marble, jade and spiked balls. In the last part we learn some of the self-massage techniques they can be used for. Each participant in our classes receives a free set of Chinese Health Balls, and a guide booklet to help with their practice at home. Further sets, books, dvd's and much more are available to purchase from the instructor.
What do Chinese Health Balls stimulate?
Explore the hand to see how you can affect your internal organs by using Chinese Health Balls. Practicing the basic exercises and the massage techniques you will learn in our class will "keep your mind healthy with high intelligence and good memory, relieving your fatigue, drowning your worries, and moreover prolonging your life".
If you are a social worker, counsellor, teacher or massage therapist this workshop is worth 3 CEU’s.
What participants have said about our classes
“Thank you so much for giving me the Chinese Health Balls as a gift. I have been using them and have experienced immediate benefits. Your gift was very intuitive as my hands need improved circulation, flexibility, and strength. The only place that I have had with my body is my hands. I have broken two fingers and dislocated two fingers. I also have extremely illegible handwriting because of very poor finger dexterity. If there is anyone who can benefit from the Chinese Health Balls it is me. Your gift to me was right on." - December 2010
“I enjoyed the presentation & believe practicing will be useful and fun. Humor is always welcome!” - October 2010 “Very fun, informative and interactive! Thank you J” - October 2010 “Informative, well thought out” - October 2010
“Fun class, great ideas, I’m anxious to try this for a while and see the outcome. Thanks J” - August 2010
“John always explains things well & presents an interesting class, very knowledgeable and enthusiastic” - August 2010
“Very interesting topic and not one I would have access to anywhere else.”
“Exercises felt good.” “It was fun + I learned a great way to deal with stress.” “I really enjoyed it.”
”My arms and hands feel very good, thank you.”
“I enjoyed this program very much.”
“Even this quickly they have helped me relax.”
“Really good program.”
“Fascinating subject.”
“Very interesting.”
“I will be doing this for the rest of my life.”
“I use them all the time now, they really help me relax.”
“Excellent presentation/content. I’m looking forward to using what I have learned.”
“It helped that John wasn’t ‘a pro’ at it - wasn’t as intimidating when he dropped them.”
“Many thanks for the very useful Chinese Exercise Balls. I can learn to exercise with them. They do make my hands feel better, so many thanks for your thoughtfulness.”
“After practicing with the Chinese Therapy Balls, my hands were warm (& sticky) but could feel the blood circulating thru my fingers! Very interesting! Very ‘valuable’, thank you!”
“Instructor was excellent!!! My circulation improved in the little bit of time we had, my hand & wrist already feel warmer and the radial nerve in my wrist isn’t burning.” "The class exceeded my expectations. Not only did we learn all the exercises, but the video was very enjoyable."
"Excellent, very informative & relaxing."
"Well organized, thorough presentation. John is very knowledgable & has a nice presentation style."
"Until the class began I came in full of stress. I was calm and reklaxed within minutes."
“By the time class ended I felt like I had a vacation!!! I can't believe the amazing change in an hour. Thanks!”
"Great job John."
"This is really interesting. I'm a flute player so this will come in handy! Thank you!"
"Lots of fun, informative, nice instructor"
"It was very informational, interesting and relaxing"
"John has an excellent grasp of the overall principles and is passionate about the subject"
"Chinese health ball exercises help boost the flow of chi. By practicing daily you can accomplish mastery of self, thus, reaping the benefits of good physical, mental and spiritual health." Vitality - Toronto’s Monthly Wellness Journal ~ May 2007
