The Tai Chi Ball and Ruler are two simple training devices made of wood and are used to develop one’s practice of Tai Chi.
The Ruler is first used to learn the proper distance to keep one’s hands apart during practice, especially when performing the move known as “holding the ball.” It is also used during initial conditioning for Tai Chi ball, so that one can learn the method of moving the ball with the Dan Tien/center/abdomen and stretch the muscles used without excessive weight.
Once one is experienced in moving the lightweight ruler with one’s center, the 4 pound Tai Chi ball is gradually added to one’s practice in increments. The modest weight will rapidly condition your core muscles, convert fat to muscle in your legs, and tone your arms without adding bulk. The intensity can be adjusted to one’s own goals by pace, ball weight, and degree of expression.
This conditioning is the underpinning of Tai Chi power, where you see people flying across the room off their feet from deceptively simple moves. The practice of Tai Chi Ball has been described by Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming as more substantial for health and energy development in and of itself than the Tai Chi Long Form alone. However, learning to direct this power is continued in the Tai Chi Long Form, and applied in Push Hands and the 2 Person Fighting Set.