I've taken up juggling as a new hobby, and i'm really enjoying it. It takes a lot of concentration, and a hell of a lot of practice, but its quite fulfilling. Its handy to have YouTube and a friend who juggles professionally to pester for tips!
I used to juggle when I was a kid, about 10 years old or so. I taught myself, by just copying clowns and such; yes, for a while I wanted to be a clown. I'd still take it up, honest job - always wanted to be an entertainer! Not fit enough to commit to pro-wrestling so i'll leave that one. Anyway, I knew I wasn't juggling "properly", since I had taught myself, but I bought some juggling balls (thuds) and practiced a bit. Apparently what I had been doing is known as a Shower, which is not what you start off learning as a juggler, apparently is hard for some jugglers to do :/. So, before my head swelled, I went to square one.
- First thing you do is look up. Look where you want the ball to go. Don't look at the ball in your hand. Then, throw one ball into your vision, in an elliptical pattern, and catch with the other hand. Do it 10+ times with each hand 'till you're comfortable. Then try two.
- Hold a ball in each hand, throw your dominant hand, and when it reaches its peak, just at the point when its about to fall, throw the other one a little to the side of that one. Catch this falling one, and repeat - throw, apex, throw, catch, apex, throw, catch. Do it 10+ times, mix it up, and master it. Move on from there!
The Shower is the passing of the balls in a circular patter, ie throw your right up, at the apex, throw the ball from your left to the right, catch falling ball with your left. It should resemble balls travelling around your upper body in a circular motion.
Much fun, and apparently good exercise for body and mind. Studies have shown juggling is the first pastime/activity proven to increase grey matter in the areas of the brain related to advanced functions, such as memory, cognition and coordination.
