Tamar Valley Tai Chi Balls

The Tamar Valley Tai Chi Ball was developed through a collaboration between local Tai Chi practitioner Adam Benjamin and John in the Tamar Valley. By combining Adam’s knowledge of Tai Chi practice with John’s passion for traditional woodturning, they created a beautifully crafted tool designed to support movement, balance, mindfulness, and connection.

Each Tai Chi Ball is handcrafted by John from sustainably sourced local timber gathered from across the Tamar Valley. Using local materials is a central part of his work, helping to reduce environmental impact while celebrating the character, beauty, and heritage of the surrounding landscape.

What John values most about these balls is the relationship that develops between the ball and the person using it. Through regular practice, the ball becomes familiar in the hands of its owner. Users learn its weight, balance, texture, and movement, while the wood gradually responds to their touch. Over time, each ball develops a unique patina shaped by use and care, becoming a truly personal companion in practice.

A percentage of every Tai Chi Ball sale is donated to the Dancers' Forest, supporting local rewilding and tree-planting initiatives. John hopes that one day the trees established through these projects will provide the timber for future generations of Tai Chi Balls, creating a lasting cycle of craftsmanship, conservation, and renewal.

For John, this project represents the coming together of traditional craftsmanship, community collaboration, and a shared commitment to caring for the natural world. Every Tai Chi Ball tells a story of place, purpose, and connection—crafted from the landscape, shaped by the hands that use it, and helping to support the future of the valley from which it came.

To find out more about ordering your own bespoke Tai Chi Ball, click here.