THE revolution will be joyful!
In many cultures, Chi (or Qi) is known as the life-force energy that flows through all things. When we play Chi Ball, we’re tuning into that flow together—moving our bodies, focusing our energy, laughing with each other, and leaving every rally more alive and energized than when we began.
We’re Mike and Bradley, two dads from the Pacific Northwest who believe that fresh air, good friends, and play are the real keys to a joyful life.
What began as a fun way to pass the time while hanging with our kids, has grown into a joyful uprising. Chi Ballers are popping up everywhere, bringing the power of play to the streets, beaches, schools, parks, workplaces, and anywhere you can keep a ball in the air.
This little handwoven rattan ball has become a doorway to freedom, flow and fun for so many people.
But its roots run deep…
An ancient obsession:
keep it up
Since the dawn of time, humans have been obsessed with keeping an object in the air! Across cultures, people invented their own versions of this timeless joy:
In Japan, Kemari players dressed in ceremonial robes to keep a ball aloft with grace & honor.
In Brazil, Peteca—a hand-played shuttlecock with a feathered crown—has been volleyed back and forth for centuries.
In North America, the 1970s saw the birth of the modern Hacky Sack, where friends circled up to juggle a small footbag together.
And in Southeast Asia, the legendary Sepak Takraw took the challenge to new heights—using acrobatic kicks, flips, and teamwork to spike a handwoven rattan ball over a net.
And the list of games goes on and on. Through every version, one truth has echoed through history: keeping a ball in the air unites us—to our bodies, to each other, and to joy itself.
Honoring the Sepak Takraw Ball -
Honoring the Sepak Takraw Ball -
The ball we use in Play Chi Ball is directly inspired by the Sepak Takraw ball, a cultural treasure woven from rattan and played across Thailand and Southeast Asia for centuries.
This style of ball carries stories, sweat, laughter, and legacy; passed hand to hand, foot to foot, across courtyards, beaches, and villages—bringing communities together in play.
Play Chi Ball honors this lineage.
Our ball is slightly larger, woven for play with the hands, but carries the same spirit of simplicity, connection, and joy. We bow in gratitude to the traditions that came before us, sharing our version as a bridge between worlds.
THE Origin Story:
Born from Play, Built for Joy
While the ball’s history is ancient, Play Chi Ball’s modern spark was lit in the late 1970s on the lush island of Maui. There, a Tai Chi master and playful wizard named Phill Merkel created a game of presence and flow with nothing but a tennis ball… eventually upgrading to a rattan ball.
Though Phill passed away in 2024, he will always be honored as the original Chi Baller.
In 2012, Bradley discovered Chi Ball through two friends (Elijah and Thalyn - who learned from Phil) at a retreat in Arizona. Five years later, he synchonistically discovered a dusty old Chi Ball beneath his home while cleaning out a bunch of garbage … he took that as his message from the universe to “Go forth and Play!”
From that day forward, Bradley carried a Chi Ball everywhere with him: beaches, retreats, parks, men’s circles, family dinners, conferences, and festivals. Every rally broke down barriers. Every laugh turned strangers into friends.
The Evolution
To make Chi Ball easy for anyone, anywhere, Bradley and a local crew of Salt Spring Island, BC Chi Ballers developed the simple rules (AKA - Chi Baller’s Code) for casual or competitive play.
Then after years of Dadventuring together, Mike stepped into the scene. Together, Bradley & Mike wove their love of fatherhood, friendship, and fun into Play Chi Ball, as a business and a movement. Circles grew, rallies spread, laughter echoed, and communities began to unite around one simple goal: KEEP IT UP.
A Beautiful Biodegradable Ball
Each Play Chi Ball is handwoven from natural rattan that’s been sustainably harvested. Chi Balls are biodegradable, durable, vegan, and gluten-free (But don’t eat them!).
Chi Balls are as natural as a child playing.
When you Chi Ball has finally bounced through its last rally, it can be returned to the earth—composted back into the soil it came from. But you’ll get at least several hundred hours of play before that day shall come.
The Revolution Will Be Joyful
We’re not just players—we’re media makers. With cameras rolling and laughter flowing, we’ve been sharing epic, funny, and inspiring videos to welcome new Chi Ballers into the fold. The game spreads person to person, Chi Baller to Chi Baller, circle to circle.
What started as a backyard rally is now a global revolution of joy.
This is your invitation. Whether you’re 5 or 95, whether you’ve been playing for years or just picked up your first ball—the Chi Ball Revolution is yours to carry forward.
Bring it to your school, your workplace, your park, your kitchen, your street corner. Wherever you go, bring your Chi Ball with you.
Because life is a game—and Chi Ball reminds us to play it.
Play Chi Ball — Anytime, Anywhere, with Anyone!
Our Bigger Mission -
Our Bigger Mission -
We live in a world full of division, disconnection, and screen-zombies staring at glowing rectangles.
Play Chi Ball is the antidote.
It gets us moving, breathing, laughing, and joyfully celebrating life again.
It breaks down social barriers, turns strangers into friends, and reminds us what it means to be human.
Instead of zoning out—we’re tuning in.
Instead of competing—we’re collaborating.
Instead of isolating—we’re creating community.
Play Chi Ball is an inclusive game where, together we win!
