Dec/080
How to Walk on Your Hands and How Not to
In a previous blog post I wrote about changing positions in the handstand and how you can do that to increase your balancing skill.
Similar in many regards is walking on your hands.
Let me preface this by saying, that walking on your hands can be easier then standing still or harder and that depends entirely on how you go about it.
Stumbling around, that is catching yourself from falling by stepping with your hands, is easy to do. But it does not exhibit the control you want and it doesn’t really help you get better.
Most any fit person can manage at least a few steps in this manner. But as I’ve said before, I think its important to learn how to stand still before you begin walking.
The other side, the harder way, is through walking and staying in control the entire time.
If you think about it, all you’re doing is shifting your weight to a single hand for a moment as you take a step with the hand. And then you repeat the process.
That bit makes the move harder than just standing still. You have to constantly correct your balance with every little movement.
At the same time it should serve to work your body better at maintaining its normal position in the handstand. If you allow yourself to get into a place where you can’t balance from you haven’t kept control.
Walking on the hands in the many ways you can do it will make you a better balancer.
Good Luck and Good Hand Balancing,
Logan Christopher
P.S. In Professor Orlick’s Walking and Jumping on Your Hands you’ll find all you need to know on taking your first steps, running, dancing, leaping and much more. By far the best guide to this grouping of hand balancing skills.
Dec/080
Moving Handstands
When you first get started with the handstand all you want to do is strive to hold it for a longer and longer time. In the beginning that may just be five seconds.
As you get better you’ll eventually reach half a minute, a full minute and even beyond that too.
But is that the best way to make progress in hand balancing? Probably not.
At a certain point to improve your game you should be go outside of the regular handstand. Instead of holding the regular position without moving, purposefully move your legs around. Arch your back more or straighten it out. Break that shoulder angle.
You see its one thing to balance standing still but another thing to keep that balance as you change your position.
So focus on not moving when you’re starting out, but after you’ve hit 30 seconds or so start moving with purpose.
When you can balance from any position you are well on your way.
Good Luck and Good Hand Balancing,
Logan Christopher
P.S. If you want tons of positions for you to practice be sure to check out Hand Balancing Made Easy by Prof. Orlick.
Dec/080
Freestanding Handstand Pushups
One of the moves that got me into hand balancing in the first place was the freestanding handstand pushup. I had built up to doing handstand pushups against the wall and I always wanted to do them balancing on my own.
Well, having the strength to press yourself up and the balance to maintain the handstand are two completely different things. And to do the free handstand pushup you need both.
I hadn’t practiced this move much, at least not in recent times. But, just over a month ago I decided to really go after it. In my training I used three different methods to work on the move. Below you can watch one of those three.
Freestanding Handstand Pushups
This clip is from the December issue of Acrobat Accelerator. On top of the three primary methods of training you’ll learn about little shifts you can do in your position to make this move much easier or harder to suit your level.
I wouldn’t say I completely mastered the move yet, but that’s just a matter of more work. Stay tuned for next time when I’ll be sharing a story of someone who has.
Plus in this month’s Acrobat Accelerator, I share a warm-up routine I’ve been using everyday before hand balancing. Plus some startling studies on stretching that may have you re-thinking what you’ve been doing.
If you’re not already a member you can get this month’s issue for free with any of the following products:
Hand Balancing Mastery Course
Secrets of the Handstand Quickstart Guide
Tumbling Course
Or just by itself here – Acrobat Accelerator
But there’s only a few copies left and when its gone its gone. If you want to master the freestanding handstand this is the one to get.
Good Luck and Good Hand Balancing,
Logan Christopher
Dec/080
Focusing on One Skill
Recently, I haven’t had a lot of time to devote to hand balancing. What with family visiting, traveling around and all that entails.
So I had to cut down on the time I practiced hand balancing. Especially when you factor in that hand balancing is just one aspect of training I’m going after.
I know there are some that want to become world class and are willing to train hours each day. They are the ones that will get to the top. All the more power to you, if that what you’re going after.
Then there are those who just think hand balancing is fun and a challenge. Something they’d like to get better at, but its not a major thing they do.
Even in this second category, over time you can reach skills that most people would never think of doing.
The point of all this is that even with limited time and practice you can still progress.
I’ve come to the conclusion that when you do, you’re better off focusing on one or at most two different skills.
When you got plenty of time you can work on everything. But when you only spend 10 minutes a day you need to go after one thing and go after it hard.
Make it your goal and you’ll get there quickly without being distracted by all the other things you could be doing.
This same idea works behind everything, not just hand balancing. The more you focus the better results you’ll get as your energies won’t be spread too thin.
So if you’ve been working on every different possible skill, now may be the time to pick one and really go after it. What can you accomplish before the year is over?
After all, you can always change your goal later on after you‘ve hit it. And since all the skills require balancing they will carry over to the other exercises.
Good Luck and Good Hand Balancing,
Logan Christopher
P.S. Even if you focus on one skill there are multiple ways to work towards it. This Quickstart Guide will give you all the tools you need to reach the basic handstand quickly.
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