Tai Chi
Tai Chi students of
all levels will improve every aspect of their art by practicing with a
wooden ball. Regular practice with a ball will improve:
- Dan tian/whole body connection
- Postures, refining the four gates
expressions in all of the postures
- The students understanding of the many
axes and how they are connected to the Dan tian
- Improve Qi cultivation, circulation and
extension
Training balls made of wood are the
best choice for the Tai Chi player.
This is because they are natural and have the best feel for
practicing ball Qigong. Many of the Tai Chi postures require the arms to
be extended away from the body. For this reason it is better to start the
practice of the various ball patterns with a lightweight ball. This will
prevent lower back strain and allow the practitioner to practice many
exercises in one session without injury.
Hollow Balls
The hollow mango wood balls are made from one piece of wood that
has been cut into two halves and then hollowed out to achieve a weight of
just over two pounds. These lightweight balls are also a much better
choice for the beginner's energy circulation, because the movements can
be performed with very little muscular tension enabling a smoother Qi
(chi) circulation. The hollow
balls or a smaller sized solid ball are best for Tai Chi players who are
in their first couple of years of Tai Chi training and are also the best
choice for seniors.
Solid Balls
Once the student can perform the various patterns, or the ball
form smoothly with a lightweight ball, then it is time to try with a
heavier ball. We recommend the 8" solid mahogany ball for the
average sized men or 7” solid mahogany for the average sized woman
when practicing at an intermediate level of training. The 9”
mahogany ball is available for men with large hands. When the
practitioner can perform the various patterns and or the ball form with
the solid ball without using muscular tension, it would be time to
consider the larger size Redwood ball. The Redwood ball has the best
conductivity and is best suited for the ball Qigong (Chi Kung) training.
The solid one piece Redwood balls are intended for the advanced
practitioners.
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Tai Chi
Beginners & Seniors:
Recommended Ball = 8” Hollow Mango wood or 7” solid
Mahogany
Tai Chi Intermediate:
Recommended Ball = 8" Solid Mahogany or 9” for those with
large hands
Tai Chi Advanced:
Recommended Ball = 9" Solid Redwood (one piece)
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Hsing Yi Chuan
The balls are an excellent training tool for
any martial art. The
foundation of Hsing Yi is built on San Ti Shih (Three Body Posture). The
standing San Ti Shih training is enhanced when the practitioner holds two
6" or 7" solid balls.
The balls can also be
incorporated into the five phases and can be used while training the
linking form. Many practitioners have experienced greatly
improved hand strength while developing a better hand form. It is
recommended that the practitioner first practice with the balls and then
without. This type of training will expedite the practitioner's progress.
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Hsing Yi Chuan
Beginners:
Recommended Ball = Two 6"or 7" solid mango Wood
Hsing Yi Chuan Intermediate
to Advanced:
Recommended Ball = Two small solid balls (6 to 7") and introduce
the 8" solid ball while using the different sizes to improve the
practitioner's understanding of the various animal forms.
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Baguazhang
Usually the smaller
size solid wood balls are used while practicing the circle walking but
can also be used as a training tool with many different exercises. See Ymaa
and Jiang Jian-ye's ball videos for more ideas about how to train with
the wooden balls.
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Call 978-388-1322