on Johnson's original text. It appears that Johnson did not train anyone to carry on this unique art as the next Grand Master. Because of this, apart from the basic exercises, the remaining 190 exercises, more esoteric practices and knowledge, are probably lost. "I am the last of the Grand Masters [of Chinese Wand]. When I go, the secret goes with me." The Future Although Johnson is the last Grand Master his book opened the art up to the wider population. He wanted his book to be in every nursing home, every hospital, every physical therapy room, every doctor's office for the doctor to prescribe the exercises to patients - in every home so families could practice together; he also hoped that workers in offices and factories could practice the exercises together to increase productivity and health of workforce and that physical fitness instructors in schools and colleges would adopt the system. Some in the Chinese martial arts and Qigong community are now taking a serious interest in the Chinese Wand and promoting its use as a social exercise the way Johnson envisaged. A new book on the subject examines the esoteric aspects of the art and its origins and influences - and encourages dialogue within China itself. The link with China was very much in Johnson's thoughts. He was curious whether someone was still practicing in a remote region of China and intended to take the art back to China himself:- "In China they now do Tai Chi, but my one ambition is to return there and bring their ancient Chinese exercises full circle." Similar tools Tai Chi Ruler and Tai Chi Bang (Stick) are similar tools that are used in Tai Chi. The Ruler and Bang Stick are considered a Yin and Yang pair. The Bang Stick is Yang. It works more on the external joints, ligaments, and muscles. The Ruler is Yin, and works on the internal. The Ruler is light, while the Bang Stick is heavy. The Bang Stick is straight, about the length of the forearm and diameter of the wrist. The Ruler is typically about 12" long with a contoured diameter largest at its ends. Both the Bang Stick and Ruler have a unique feature - a ring on the Bang Stick and a small sphere on the Ruler. There are adaptations of those tools: the Long Bang (Tai Chidu), a two person version