If you’ve seen films like The X-Men, The Pacific, or even the Chinese film called Fearless, then you’ve probably noticed a set of steel balls in those films. In the real world, they’re called Baoding Balls. What makes them so popular and what benefits can you get out of them?
The Baoding balls have their roots in Baoding, China during the 1300’s Ming Dynasty. They were created as a kind of meditation and relaxation tool that targets the acupressure points on the hands. The original Baoding balls were crafted from solid iron, which also made them quite heavy. In those days, they doubled as a relaxation tool and a weapon.
Modern Baoding balls are made from a wide range of materials, such as jade, marble, and wood. Most of them are hollow and contain a small piece of metallic material inside in order to generate a chiming sound when shaken up. Baoding balls also vary in size. For a beginner, a 50mm ball is a good starting point.
Here’s a short video on how to use Baoding balls: