DiaboloFL - [)-(] 扯鈴/ Chinese Yo-Yo / Taiwanese Yo-Yo / Diabolo

The best way to learn new tricks is to watch videos on Youtube (or other site) and see how they do all the tricks. If you are having trouble with a trick, ask others (in forums) for help. A useful forum is diabolo.ca. Also check the links section of this website.

In the US:
You might be able to buy Chinese Yo-Yos/Diabolos from your local Chinese school or juggling shop. Also try searching online.
In Taiwan:
I buy all my diabolos/Chinese yo-yos in Taiwan. Check the respective Taiwanese manufactures' website for location and pricing.

I recommend Sundia Sun diabolos [long axle, non bearing]. It's axle is technically a wide/long axle but it is tapered making it both a wide and narrow axle yoyo. A narrow/short axle is usually good for multiple diabolos and for greater stability. A long/wide axle is good for grinds, but is not as stable. Ultimately, it depends on your personal preference.

The Chinese yo-yo is the yo-yo which is usually made from plastic with 2 wheels and an axle. Each wheel has slits on the side; when the yo-yo is spinning really fast, these slits create a whistling sound. Chinese yo-yos are generally a light brown color.
Diabolos on the other hand cannot make whistling noises. They are shaped like the mathematical x squared and negative x squared when sideways. The colors vary. Some believe that diabolos are more safe than Chinese yo-yos when they hit someone.
A Taibolo is a specific brand's Chinese yo-yo. it has a traditional Chinese yo-yo's whistling capability and the less dangerous parabola shaped exterior. The Taibolo maker's website is as follows: http://www.diabolo-at.com/

Practicing the Chinese yo-yo has it's risks. The Chinese yo-yo is not any risker than learning to ride a bike. For both learning to ride a bike and playing the Chinese yo-yo, you may receive various scrapes and bruises. With the Chinese yo-yo, these injuries mainly happens when you lose control of the yo-yo and the yo-yo hits your body at from various heights while rotating. To reduce injuries, "safe yo-yos" are recommended.
Treat Chinese yo-yo as a sport where muscle injuries and other problems are possible to occur if you do not properly warm up or over exert yourself.

Yes, however please give yourself enough space. If you lose control of the yo-yo, the yo-yo may fly out and break anything fragile. Preferable, you should practice outside, away from people so your Chinese yo-yo does not accidentally fly out and hurt anybody or anything.

I occasionally perform Chinese yo-yo as community service at various culture events and for Chinese and Taiwanese non-profit organizations. I have never been paid to perform.
You can also see Chinese yo-yo in action at juggling or circus events such as Cirque de Soleil.

Chinese Yo-Yo is classified as Chinese culture, Taiwanese culture and juggling, a form of performing arts. Diabolo would represent Western performing arts culture.