Chinese medicine balls, or Baoding balls, are small metal or stone balls designed to be rolled in the hands either for medicinal or meditative purposes. These balls can also be used simply to develop strong hands and manual coordination. With a little practice, you will be able to spin your Chinese medicine balls in a smooth motion, helping heal your mind and body or simply to impress your friends.
Step 1
Pick up both baoding balls in one hand. As a beginner, you'll want to use your dominant hand, but as you get better with the balls, you may want to try to switch to your non-dominant hand for the challenge and to exercise evenly.
Step 2
Roll the upper ball over your fingers by moving them one by one and using your thumb to keep the balls from falling. You can move the ball in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, depending on which way is more comfortable for you.
Step 3
Slide the second ball up to your fingers as the first ball moves down into your palm.
Step 4
Continue spinning the balls in this direction until you are comfortable with the motion.
Step 5
Attempt to reverse the direction of the spin without stopping or using your other hand.
Step 6
Move the balls farther apart in your palm as you gain mastery so they no longer touch.
Step 7
Add more baoding balls. Some people can rotate four or five at a time, but it will depend on the size of your hands and the size of your balls as to how many you will be able to fit in your hand comfortably.
Tips and Warnings
- Take a break if your hand becomes tired or you find that you are dropping the balls frequently.
- You may experience some hand cramping if you attempt to spin the balls for too long in the beginning. Simply take a break and let your hands rest before continuing.
Things You'll Need
- Baoding balls
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