You’ve had your baoding balls for a while now. You are now good at swirling them in your hand. You’ve even worked your way up to three at a time and can do alternate hands. But while you are impressing your friends with your technique, why not also impress them with your knowledge of baoding balls as well.
Note: For recommendations on how to use and select Baoding balls, check out this article.
Fact #1: The first baoding balls were no more than walnuts.
Unlike today, when many of the baoding balls are made out of stainless steel, wood, or stone, the original meditation balls were crafted from iron. One story goes that the ancient Chinese people used walnuts to roll around in their palm. Once metalworking became more prevalent, the ancient Chinese switched to using iron ones.
Fact #2: The chime sound in the balls means something.
Baoding balls, also called Chinese meditation balls, are often hollow with a chime inside for noise as you spin them. Historically, the balls were used as part of spiritual practice. The two chimes were a matched pair, each with a different tone when struck. The higher tone represented the Yang principle and the lower tone represented the Yin principle. Together, they formed a balance within the balls that represented the balance you were seeking for yourself.
Fact #3: Doctors prescribe meditation balls for increasing energy.
Some doctors still prescribe daily practice with the meditation balls to help with a patients energy levels. There are acupressure points on the palm of the hand. These points connect through meridians to the vital organs in the body. When the meditation balls are used, this allows life energy to flow from the acupressure points on the palm to the rest of the body. This increases your overall life energy, or Chi.
Fact #4: Baoding balls help autism patients self-regulate.
Often, people with autism or ADHD rely on these stress relieving balls to help them calm their minds and ease anxiety. By using these as fidget toys, the balls can help with self-regulation by giving the person something outside of themselves that’s stable and rhythmic to focus on. Many teachers have encouraged students who are unable to focus to use simple fidget toys such as these balls to help them concentrate while learning.
Fact #5: There are a range of size options.
When choosing baoding balls, pay attention to the size before purchasing. They often range from 1.4 inches to over 2 inches in diameter. You’ll want to start out with the smaller size and gradually work your way up over time to the larger sizes as your hand strengthens.
Fact #6: They were invented in Baoding, Hebei
Back in the Ming dynasty in ancient China, the first baoding balls were created from iron in Baoding, Hebei in northern China. The city now boasts over 11 million residents as of the 2010 census and is the 7th most populated city in China.
Fact #7: Baoding balls have many names
In addition to the moniker of baoding ball, people also call them medicine balls, relaxation balls, meditation balls, therapy balls, harmony balls, and worry balls. Regardless of what they are called, they are a great tool for fidgeting.