Q. Where did the idea of ChiBall Method come from and how has it developed since the initial concept?
A. The idea to use a small ball with exercise was born following recommendation by a physiotherapist in 1993 to lie on a ball to relieve symptoms of sciatica. Initially balls, purchased from a local Big W were used to improve proprioception and quality of movement in low-impact fitness routines. One year later I began studying Shiatsu massage and Oriental medicine in Adelaide, South Australia. Learning about the philosophy of Oriental medicine was a revelation. From the very beginning I wanted to ensure that the exercise based programme I was creating was not just another fashion trend in Fitness. It had to offer more.Chinese medicine was the perfect vehicle to help people learn more about themselves and their state of health. I realised that this philosophy could be beautifully applied to general movement and that a ball would bring greater purpose, meaning and understanding to every exercise executed.

Q. You maintained your own battle against Chronic Fatigue Syndrome using the ChiBall Method.  What additional benefits does the ChiBall Method give to you personally over and above your standard dance and fitness background?
A. Oriental medicine is the foundation of the ChiBall Method™. Dance and fitness kept me strong, flexible and in great shape. However it did not address balance from an energetic perspective. The missing component to all that I did in Dance and Fitness was the art of relaxation. How important it is to re-balance after placing excessive stress on both the mind and body. 

Q. The ChiBall Method is a completely new exercise technique to many. Tell us briefly what people should expect from a ChiBall session?
A. The ChiBall Method™ uses a synergy of six exercise systems reflect the four key components of traditional Chinese medicine; chi, yin & yang, the meridian system and the five elements theory. Every class includes a sequence of Tai Chi & Qi Gong, ChiBall Dance, Yoga, Pilates, Feldenkrais Method and Meditation.

What makes a ChiBall class truly unique is that it changes with the seasons and uses a particular exercise element to reflect the energy of the season. The ChiBall class format will also emphasises the yin/yang cycle, cultivates chi and harmonises and balances the organ and meridian system. Certain organ partnerships present themselves each season for their 'annual service'. Attention and intention is given to these organs by observing imbalances that may be present using meridian tapping and specific exercises to relieve stiffness, tension and any other signs of stagnated chi that may be held in the body.

Q. Do you find that the ChiBall Method attracts a particular age demographic or is this something that fits everyone?
A. The ChiBall Method has appealed to all age demographics. It can be adapted to suit all ages, interests and situations from children, elderly, professional dancers, athletes and corporate health.

Q. Is the main theme for ChiBall as an exercise regime or as a method for combating chronic disease or are these two facets interlinked?
A. Through the exercises and its philosophical foundation the ChiBall Method™ is a holistic therapeutic programme that can promote general health and wellbeing, aid healing and be tailored to specific health challenges.

Q. Away from your personal experience what benefits in terms combating ailments have you seen in people that partake in ChiBall?
A.

Some testimonials from the past 14 years of ChiBall teaching include:

Q. Is there a right and wrong way to practice the ChiBall Method?  In answering this does this therefore make the ChiBall Method better in a group (with a teacher) or at home activity?  
A. There are many teachers out there who claim to be teaching ChiBall. Their classes are fast paced, do not include Oriental philosophy and the most important component of all - deep relaxation and meditation. Beware! This is not ChiBall. Classical ChiBall is a concept that embraces the philosophy of the Tao, respects universal energy, and is authentic in its intention. It is an internal journey to self-awareness. The participant should leave a ChiBall session feeling deeply relaxed, centred and rejuvenated with a sense of having ‘come home’ energetically.

The principles of the ChiBall Method™ can be practised anywhere:

10 minutes of very simple Qi Gong sequences to regulate the breath after working on a computer for several hours will disperse stress, clear the mind and enhance concentration Basic yoga postures will strengthen, tone and improve self-awareness Pelvic tilting on the ChiBall will relieve low back pain, relax the breathing, calm the mind and bring us back to centre Neck Circles with your head resting on the ChiBall disperses mental and emotional stress and aids deep restful sleep

Q. The ChiBall Method appears multi faceted with other existing exercise and health related practices.  However can you explain the Feldenkrais Method and how this integrates into the ChiBall Method?
A. The Feldenkrais Method represents the Metal element in ChiBall. The associated organ partnership is the lung and large intestine. Exchange and elimination are their tasks both physically and metaphorically. This relates to receiving new information and ideas into our lives and the ability to let go of long term habits and patterns that no longer serve us. Feldenkrais Method re-educates the motor cortex of the brain to chose new effortless and more efficient pathways for movement - to make movements that have become stiff and awkward, easy and elegant. In this respect, it is a perfect metaphor for ChiBall. The gentle, subtle, enquiring Feldenkrais lessons are an ideal preparation for the meditation practise that follows this section of the class.

Q. In what way is the ChiBall Method connected with Traditional Chinese Medicine?
A. The ChiBall Method incorporates the philosophy of Chi, yin & yang, the meridian system and the five elements.  Chi is cultivated through mindful movement. Yin and Yang is balanced by using movements and exercises that are slow then fast, forward/back, right/left, soft/intense, energetic/calm, large/small, gross/subtle, standing/seated, with intent and focus on external/internal, etc. The meridian system is fundamental to understanding why certain movements and exercises can heal and rejuvenate. The six exercise disciplines represent the five seasonal elements:

• Tai Chi & Qi Gong represents spring and wood– a rising yang energy;
• ChiBall Dance and Yoga is summer and fire– a radiant yang energy;
• Pilates is late summer and the earth element – a descending yang energy;
• Feldenkrais is autumn and metal – a rising yin energy and finally,
• Deep relaxation and meditation is winter for water – condensed yin.

Q. Your ChiBalls come in different colours and fragrances. What benefits do these fragrances and colours have on our mind and what are they?
A. The ChiBalls and their associated fragrance are used for mood enhancing effect:

	Red for energy, stamina, passion and vitality. FRAGRANCE: Cinnamon to relieve physical and emotional exhaustion and depression. It stimulates the circulation and aids digestion and is emotionally warming.
	Orange for confidence, playfulness and spontaneity, happiness and joy. FRAGRANCE: Sweet Orange helps us express physical enjoyment, and promotes self-confidence, courage, positive mental outlook and creativity.
	Yellow for personal power, self worth, self-knowledge, self-discipline and courage. FRAGRANCE: Lemongrass refreshes, fortifies and enlivens the spirit, brings concentration and focus to the mind and disperses emotional confusion.
	Green for abundance, love, friendships, wealth and good health. FRAGRANCE: Geranium balances, nurtures, soothes the spirit and helps us to feel stable, tranquil and secure in life.
	Blue to restore courage, resourcefulness and will-power. FRAGRANCE: Juniper Berry helps dissolve fear, boosts our sense of self-worth, consolidates our will power and restores Kidney ‘chi’.
	Purple for peace, inspiration, faith and recognition of our true nature. FRAGRANCE: Lavender promotes calmness, serenity and harmony of the mind and spirit.

Q. Do you find that some of your students alternate ChiBalls in accordance with how they feel when exercising on a particular day or are there set ChiBall sessions to avoid conflicting states of mind and activity within a group?
A. The students are encouraged to select a ChiBall that perfectly suits their mood/frame of mind on that particular day. The teacher however, when observing the overall class selection adjust the energy of the movements or exercises to suit. For example: a class that has selected more than 60% of yang colours (red, yellow, orange) are requesting a class that is more energetic in nature. A predominance of yin colours (green, blue, purple) are demonstrating a more reflective mood. The class then becomes more internal, calming and meditative.

Q. What are the steps in becoming a qualified instructor and in which countries do you run courses at the moment?
A. There are currently two levels of training for becoming a teacher of the ChiBall Method™:
- LEVEL 1: an introductory training of both philosophy and practise
- LEVEL 2: aims to advance teaching skills, technical know how, understanding and appreciation of each exercise discipline use within the ChiBall Method™ to cultivate harmony, balance and well-being.

LEVEL 1: The Fundamentals
Purpose: to achieve a basic understanding of the philosophy of traditional Chinese medicine and how to apply it philosophy to teaching the ChiBall Method™. Level 1 includes three modules:

Module 1: Theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine
This module is an essential pre-requisite for the ChiBall Method™ and Dance of the Dragon™. The module can be undertaken either face-to-face or through distance learning.
• Face-to-Face Training
This module involves two days of theoretical training and culminates in a multiple choice exam.
• Distance Learning*
Students who elect to undertake distance learning will receive an instructional DVD and two study manuals and are required to pass a multiple choice examination.

* Wherever possible, it is recommended that students participate in the face-to-face training. This training involves group interaction and activities which reinforce and clarify the individual’s understanding of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Generally students acquire a better comprehension of the philosophy through this involvement.

Module 2: Putting Theory into Practice
In this module, we put the theory acquired in module 1 into practice. Each of the six exercise disciplines which are incorporated into the ChiBall Method™ are covered. The principles, movements and techniques are currently taught and practised over four days. The module concludes with a choice exam.

Module 3: Assessment
Attendance at a pre-booked practical assessment workshop, and passing a final multiple choice exam results in a ChiBall Level 1 “Certificate of Achievement”

ChiBall training is currently being offered in:
• Australia
• UK
• France
• Switzerland
• Sweden
• Finland
• Portugal (2008)

Q. Do you have any particular pre-requisites to attend the instructor course?
A. Pre-requisites to becoming a teacher or trainer of the ChiBall Method™ is to have qualifications in one or more of the following are:

• Group Exercise • Community Fitness • Yoga • Tai Chi /QiGong
• Pilates • Dance

OR, one to one trainers and complementary health professionals of:
• Physiotherapy • Personal Training • Osteopathy • Chiropractic • Pilates

Q. Are there any books that you recommend with regards to the ChiBall Method and its related philosophies?
A. Yes, as listed below:

AWAKEN YOUR BODY, BALANCE YOUR MIND. Monica Linford (Thorsons, London) Heaven and Earth – a Guide to Chinese Medicine - Harriet Beinfield, L.Ac., O.M.D. – Ballantyne Publishing Yin & Yang - Understanding the Chinese philosophy of opposites and how to apply it to your every day life. Martin Palmer – Piatkus Nine Ways to Body Wisdom. Jennifer Harper (Thorsons, London) Mastering Miracles DR HONG LIU – Warner Books The Art of Qi Gong. Wong Kiew Kit – Element Books Anatomy Trains, Thomas Myers Awakening The Spine Vanda Scaravelli YOGA The Iyengar Way Silva, Mira & Shyam Mehta How to use YOGA Mira Mehta Body, Mind & Sport John Douillard The Spirit and Practice of Moving into Stillness. Eric Schiffmann The Mind/Body Workout with Pilates & Alexander Technique. Lynne Robinson & Helge Fisher Awareness Through Movement. Moshe Feldenkrais The Potent Self - A Guide to Spontaneity. Moshe Feldenkrais The Master Moves . Moshe Feldenkrais Mindful Spontaneity. Ruthy Alon Awareness Heals: The Feldenkrais Method for Dynamic Health. Steven Shafarman The Feldenkrais Method: Teaching By Handling - A Technique for Individuals Yochanan Rywerant Breathe! You Are Alive THICH NHAT HANH The Breathing Book DONNA FARHI The Healing Power of the Mind TULKU THONDUP Everyday Zen CHARLOTTE BECK Taoist Ways to Transform Stress Into Vitality MANTAK CHIIA

Q. Top Tip for readers of this interview:
A. This tip is an enduring one that is so simple yet continues to elude us all. When we do live from this perspective life becomes magical. We attract, people, opportunities, invaluable experiences, vibrant health and life just flows easily and effortlessly.

Summed up in one word - the answer to all our much wanted goals, plans, aspirations, pains, problems, issues and challenges is:

“RELAX ”

Many Thanks for taking part in this interview Monica!

Web Interview with Monica Linford October 2007

To Top^

Home