The use of Chinese exercise balls is based on the theory of jing luo (merdians) and xue (acupuncture points). Two or more balls are placed in the palm and manipulated by the hand and fingers. As the balls are rotated clockwise and counter-clockwise, manipulated by your finger movements, vital acupuncture points in the hand are stimulated.
Healing Purpose
Exercising with Chinese health balls is intended to restore energy and blood flow to the brain, muscle, and bones, and as a result, improve overall health and ultimately prolong life. According to Chinese medicine, the ten fingers are connected to the cranial nerve, and the body's vital organs (heart, liver, spleen, lungs, kidneys, gallbladder, and stomach).
Traditional Chinese exercise balls date back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Original balls were solid. Later the balls were made hollow and were generally made from metal. Sounding plates are housed inside a paired set of metal exercise balls creating chime sounds when they are handled. One sounds high representing "yin" and the other sounds low representing "yang."
Other Names for Chinese Exercise Balls
- Baoding balls
- Chinese Therapy Balls
- Chinese Stress Balls
- Chinese Health Balls
- Yin and Yang Balls
This pair measure 1.5 " Diameter