Chinese Meditation Balls (Baoding balls) are small metal spheres used to practice qi gong, a form of Chinese massage. Their ancient history is rooted in the city of Baoding, north-west China, and today they can be fashioned from a variety of materials including stone, stainless steel, jade, and chrome.
Practicing qi gong is believed to help relieve tension in the body, enhance energy flow and increase overall health and well-being. Chinese meditation balls are a popular tool for practicing this healing practice, which uses repetitive movement and gentle pressure to activate the acupuncture points in the hand.
They can be a good tool for meditating, especially if they are paired with sound or movement, but it is important not to use them during formal sitting practices as they could become distracting. You should also be sure to focus on your breathing during a meditation session, as this is one of the most effective ways to calm the mind.
Some Chinese Meditation Balls include a bell inside them which adds to their soothing sound. Typically one ball has a higher tone, while the other is lower in frequency. This helps to balance the yin-yang principles of the body, and can encourage relaxation and sleep.
Meditation balls come in a wide range of sizes to suit different hand size and skill levels. You can start with small-sized balls that fit in the palm of your hand, and then progress to larger sized options when you are ready for a challenge. Some meditation balls also sport textures like ridges and ripples which can add to the experience of using these Chinese fidget toys.
