Practitioners of “Tai Chi” believe that if your “Chi”, or life energy, is blocked, you won’t be balanced physically, mentally, or spiritually.  Here’s a new twist on this ancient Chinese martial art form.

A unique way  to get in touch with your “Chi”—the “Chi-Ball” Method.

BK:
“This is the chi-ball, First you pick the color and scent. This is lavender. Then you blow it up with this little straw.”

Instructor Monica Linford came up with the idea of using this lightweight inflatable “ball” to help people perform these movements more smoothly, because after all, directing your “chi” isn’t a familiar concept to everyone.

Monica Linford/”Chi-Ball” Creator 
“I realized that people were uncomfortable with purist forms of yoga, tai chi. And I found by integrating these concepts and introducing the ball, gave them the focus and made them a little more comfortable with trying these different aspects.”

BK: 
“I found it much easier to have than the ball, than if I just had bare hands, trying to do those motions.” 

Monica: Right. And also, slowing the movement down. Most people are so fast (snap snap snap—fingers) in their lives and in their exercises and to suddenly go into a Tai Chi class and move so slowly is very disorientating, and they find they get very impatient and irritated. But suddenly, with this ball in the hand, they welcome the slowness.”

For Fitness Magazine, I’m Bonnie Kaye.