Myachi, Juggling and Drumming

This year, I discovered Myachi. 

Myachi was invented by Steven Ochs, and is a combination of Hacky Sack, Juggling and Thai Chi. It's a small rectangular bean bag (a "Hand Sac") that you catch on the top of your outstretched fingers. You can play catch with a group of people, or perform freestyle tricks by yourself, or a combination of both. The key is to make the motions smooth and fluid (the Thai Chi part).

I'm a big fan of 3-ball juggling, and have been using it as an excuse to take a stand-and-move break for years. For those of us strapped into our office chairs, or hunched over our work for hours at a time, it's really a great idea to stand up and move around every hour or so.

Besides being fun and getting us moving, practicing Myachi or Juggling uses similar neural functions as playing the drums. Keeping a three ball pattern going smoothly, or a sequence of Myachi moves fluid is very similar to performing a Tumbao pattern on Conga drums.

Playing the drums, Juggling and Myachi are all great activities that promote Neural Plasticity. These activities use your brain in new ways, giving it some mental exercise. They are fun, active and they make you smarter! How cool is that!

If you find yourself in New York City, visit the FAO Schwarz toy store, and get a demo from the fulltime Myachi Masters who jam there regularly.

Fun things to do with Myachi and Juggling include:

• Juggle or practice Myachi to music! Besides being extremely fun, it will sharpen up your skills really quickly (it's like practicing with a Metronome.) I recommend the recording "Dis Is Da Drum" by Herbie Hancock: 

• Play Myachi with your kids. Stand around in a circle. Everyone gets to do one trick, then pass the Myachi to the person to their right. Have kids invent their own tricks.

• Practice outside, or practice inside if it's raining!
• Consider starting an informal gathering at work in which people juggle or play Myachi. 15 minutes at lunch time might well do wonders for productivity in the afternoon!

Resources:

Myachi HQ Website

Videos of Myachi Tricks

Gballz - My Favorite Juggling Balls

A Great Juggling Book by Charlie Dancey

John Arrucci - Excellent NY Area Percussion Master

Comments

[Aaron "Crazy Ivan" Davies]

So it's been a year. Do you still Myachi? (I ask because I've been at it for about 7 years now. Been juggling for about 21)

[Steve Schreiber]

Oh Man!!! *THE* Crazy Ivan? As in Grand Master?? Wow - Dude!! Thanks for reading this article!!

I am still at it, although I haven't been really practicing lately. I think I'll use your reach-out as an opportunity to raise the bag to a new level.

I almost always have a Myachi on me, and I have given tons away to many friends and family members. I also enjoy three-ball juggling, but it's in a somewhat dormant state, (kind of like this blog.)

Time to dust off that which needs dusting. Woo Oooo!!!

- Steve