Exercising with Chinese health balls builds strength and stimulates the acupuncture points in the palm of the hand. Relaxing muscles, relieving stress, promoting sleep and improving blood circulation are just some of the healthful benefits. While using the balls can be awkward at first, once you perfect the technique, Chinese health balls are easy to use. According to James McNeil, author and master of the martial arts, Chinese health balls have long been known for their healing effects on the body.
Step 1
Do warm up exercises by rubbing both of your hands together until they feel tingly. Interlace your fingertips. With palms outward, bend your wrists away from your body while stretching your arms. Next, make a fist with each hand, holding your thumbs against the palms. Stretch out your hands and make the fists again. Repeat these motions several times.
Step 2
Work with smaller balls to begin. Although Chinese health balls come in different sizes, start with ones no larger than the size of golf balls.
Step 3
Cup a single ball in one hand. Use your fingers to rotate the ball in a clockwise and then counterclockwise direction.
Step 4
Grip one ball between your thumb and index finger. Alternate holding the ball between your thumb and each of the other fingers on your hand. Holding the ball between your thumb and baby finger, reverse the order and alternate again until you reach the index finger. Repeat the exercise on the other hand.
Step 5
Clasp one ball in the palm of your hand. Tilt your wrist slightly downward so that the ball rolls toward the base of your fingers. Without dropping the ball, move it slowly to your fingertips. Tilt your hand upward and allow the ball to roll back into the palm of your hand. Repeat the exercise on the other side.
Step 6
Hold both balls in the palm of one hand. Move your fingers to rotate the balls around each other. This time, rotate the two balls in a counterclockwise and then clockwise direction. Do exercises with the balls for only 30 minutes to prevent cramping and muscle soreness in the hands.
Step 7
Exercise one hand at a time, or use a second pair of balls to exercise both hands simultaneously. Try not to let the balls touch each other as you move them around in your hand. Concentrate on gradually increasing the speed at which you rotate the balls.
Step 8
Place two balls in the palm of one hand. Cup the balls lightly with your fingers. Make a flicking motion with your thumb to flip one ball over the other.
Step 9
Use health balls that chime when walking. Hold a ball in the palm of each hand. Toss the ball back and forth from one hand to the other. The sound and rhythm the balls produce can have an energizing effect.
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