Wood tai chi ball as seen in tai chi ball video series by Dr Yang and David-Dorian Ross. 4-5 lbs Medium/Intermediate weight. Handmade in USA by skilled woodworkers. Tai Chi Ball (Taiji Qiu) training used to be common practice in both external and internal martial arts. Unfortunately, due to its secrecy, fewer and fewer people have learned it. Today the art of Tai Chi Ball Qigong is growing again. HOW DO I BEGIN USING THE TAI CHI BALL? It is recommended that you start with a ball that is a comfortable weight to train with for 15 minutes. Over time, you will increase the duration of your practice to one hour (or as long as you have available). When you’re ready, you can progress to a bigger ball, which adds weight to your practice, and increases the distance between the palms. HOW WILL THIS BENEFIT ME? With continued practice, your physical body will become stronger and more flexible, which relieves many health issues, especially back pain. In addition, your energetic circulation will improve, giving you more energy. Ultimately, your higher goal is to feel the energy between your palms through the ball. WHAT ABOUT TRAINING VIDEOS OR BOOKS? YMAA is a leading publisher in tai chi training materials. Books and DVDs on tai chi ball training are available here on Amazon from YMAA. Wood balls harmonize with your body’s energy, allowing qi to pass through, whereas plastic or rubber balls act as an insulator and block your Qi. Made in Maine USA by our skilled woodworkers.