Size

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Depending upon the manufacturer, rulers generally have a shaft 11-12 inches (30 cm) in length, and 1.5-2 inches (5 cm) in diameter  at the knob ends. Size doesn’t matter as much as weight. If you can pick up and hold your ruler before purchasing it, this is a ideal. But if not, a reputable manufacturer should be able to provide you with a ruler that falls into the general size guidelines above.

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Weight

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Weight is the most important element to consider when selecting a ruler. Weight can range from as little as 6 ounces (170 gm) all the way up to 16 ounces (450 gm) or more. As a rule of thumb, if you only plan to use your ruler for qigong exercises, a lighter ruler will suffice. But if you want to perform Ruler T'ai Chi™, a heavier ruler is more appropriate to enable you to work up the momentum necessary to flow from posture to posture.

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Matching

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If you plan to learn the Two-Ruler T'ai Chi Form, you may wish to purchase a pair of matched rulers. A professional ruler artisan should be able to match your rulers so that they are the same length and width, and within an ounce or two of each other. Many ruler boxing practitioners have told me that having a matched pair of rulers makes the execution of two-ruler boxing movements smoother and easier.

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Color

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Color is probably the least important element of ruler selection. This is a purely aesthetic decision, and you can pick a ruler ranging from the dark richness of Gaboon Ebony to the translucent quality of Holly. Be sure to select a natural wood ruler which is unstained or painted, simply sealed with a good-quality oil.

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