Jian Kang Qiu takes its place alongside wushu, taiji and other forms of traditional Chinese exercise. Jian Kang Qiu, or as westemers know them, palm rolls, are often done with two steel or jade balls.

This exercise, usually performed by older men, is believed to keep the person's hands nimble and because it is thought to benefit blood circulation.

Also in a recent television broadcast of hospital workers doing exercises to keep physically fit, juggling two balls with one hand took its place alongside jumping rope and situps.

To limit the discussion of juggling only to objects that are thrown and caught with the hands is to overlook much of the juggling that is done so exquisitely by Chinese performers. Chinese foot juggling is a category that deserves mention. This art is divided into two types: juggling light objects and juggling heavy objects. Both are performed with the juggler lying on his or her back.

Some of the lightweight things manipulated include umbrellas, rugs, fans, hollow boxes and cylinders. In the category of weighty objects are large jars weighing up to 30 pounds each. Sometimes round or square wooden tables are manipulated. And at times stacked chairs or a ladder with one or more balanced acrobats at the top are used. Perhaps the most difficult object that can be manipulated by a foot juggler is another acrobat.

Foot juggling routines are often done simultaneously by two performers to further heighten the visual beauty. Also, two performers can exchange objects to intensify their performance.

After discussing juggling that is done with the hands and feet, most people are finished talking about juggling. But to stop here would be to ignore three other types of manipulation in which Chinese performers show amazing precision.

First there is the devil stick. Oftentimes four or five performers will do the same routine in unison. Occasionally this will be done with each performer manipulating not one, but two sticks at once.

The diabolo is a top-like object that is usually spun on a string connecting two short sticks. Dance-like body movements coordinated with high throws and yo-yo­like lowerings make diabolo play a visual favorite of Chinese audiences. Again, several performers often work in unison, and occasionally three or four spinning diabolos can be seen whirling on one string as the performers engage in a game of catch that is itself a juggle.

Jar tricks are a form of manipulation that is uniquely Chinese. Although the jars used on stage usually weigh about 15 pounds, some performers can control up to three of them at once with considerable grace and speed. As with batons and diabolos, artists performing jar tricks will frequently performing synchronization. And, like foot jugglers, two performers may toss jars to each other using the head to make the throw and the catch.

So how does a young Chinese person become a juggler and a member of a world-class acrobatic troupe? Of course, like anywhere in the world, excellence stems from dedication, endless practice. expert coaching and the quality that can neither be taught nor bought - talent.

In the city of Xian where the Shaanxi Acrobatic Troupe has its practice gym and administrative offices, a young person can learn juggling or any of the acrobatic skills by becoming a student at what resembles a middle school and high school for acrobats .

The various specialties that can be studied there include: jumping through hoops on the ground, roller skating, cycling tricks, jar tricks, rope twirling, juggl­ing with the hands, handstands on movable blocks, foot juggling with light and heavy objects, calisthenics (bending the body backwards), rolling with a cup of water, kicking up and balancing bowls on a unicycle, swinging meteors, spring board stunts, lion dance, wire walking, comic performance, handstands on stacked chairs, the flying trident and magic.

Becoming a student with the Shaanxi Acrobatic Troupe is not easy. There are only 30 students at a time, so only a few are admitted from the many who apply each year. Every applicant must take a physical test. Natural physical beauty also seems to be a quality that all of the young students possess. They range in age from 11 to 17 in Shaanxi, but may begin as young as 7 in other Chinese troupes. There are about equal numbers of boys and girls. The coaches and/or teachers are all performers or retired performers representing all of the acrobatic disciplines and the ballet stage.

A typical day of practice at school for aspiring young jugglers begins at 8 a.m. First there is a workout with the primary props - balls, rings, cIubs and/or badminton rackets. They may also work with some ancillary props that will later fit into a routine, such as juggling on a unicycle, spinning a basketball on the toe or balancing a stick on the forehead. All of this is done under the watchful eyes of several coaches who supply encouragement, know how and discipline when necessary.

Performers (l-r) Dai Chun-sen, Chen Xiao-Wen, Dai Chun-sen and Li Xiao Ping. (All photos compliments of the Guangzhou People's Liberation Army Acrobatic Troupe).