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.
Filed under Hand Balancing Tips, Walking on Hands by on Dec 20th, 2008. Comment. 
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.
Filed under Exercises, Hand Balancing Tips, Handstands by on Dec 15th, 2008. Comment.
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
Filed under Exercises, Hand Balancing Tips, Handstand Presses, Handstand Pushups, Strength, Videos by on Dec 9th, 2008. Comment.
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.
Filed under Hand Balancing Tips by on Dec 6th, 2008. Comment.
Here’s a short clip from November’s Acrobat Accelerator. In the full issue I cover much on bent arm presses like the straddle press and frogstand press.
Making Handstand Presses Easier
This clip shows you how you can make the straddle press easier by adding momentum with a little hop. This same concept can be used in other moves too. Because of the momentum the press will not take as much strength.
There’s still a few issues left. If you want to grab this issue to learn more about these presses, plus hanging leg raises and nip-ups, you can get it free along with the Secrets of the Handstand Quickstart Guide.
Good Luck and Good Hand Balancing,
Logan Christopher
Filed under Exercises, Hand Balancing Tips, Handstand Presses, Videos by on Nov 19th, 2008. Comment.
Yesterday morning, I decided to do something a little different from my normal morning routine, which involves spending some time upside down.
I had come across this yoga video of some fairly advanced stuff including a few arm balances. So I popped it in the player and did my best to follow along.
I’d like to think I did fairly well considering I don’t actually do yoga and this was an advanced program. But there was a number of skills I could not do, mostly involving flexibility.
The lotus position, forget it. And doing it in a handstand was way beyond my level.
But I picked up some interesting moves I hadn’t done before. Not to mention the video helped me to identify a few weak points.
Try this one out. Its similar to a frogstand except both your legs are going to be to one side. So bend your elbows, put both legs to the outside of one knee and lift up onto your hands with the legs stacked on top of each other resting on the knee.
From here, drop your head to the ground and press from this side position up into a headstand.
Its just one move that stood out to me. Give it a try and see if you can do it.
The point is that you should look outside your discipline at many things similar but also far different. For hand balancing you’ve got gymnastics, capoeira, yoga, break dancing, parkour and more.
It can help you change it up and look your practice through some different eyes.
Anyone coming from a gymnastics background can learn a lot from the origins of hand balancing. That’s why getting The True Art and Science of Hand Balancing can show you tons of moves you‘ve never even thought of doing.
And maybe in the future I’ll find some more resources to further help you branch out.
Good Luck and Good Hand Balancing,
Logan Christopher
P.S. Do you have your costume ready for Halloween? Just finished mine and I’m pleased with the results. I’ll try to snap a few pictures tomorrow and post them on the blog. Whether I can manage a handstand in it or not, is debatable
Filed under Exercises, Hand Balancing Tips, Handstand Presses, Handstands, Strength by on Oct 30th, 2008. Comment.
Going to answer a few more questions today.
“I can do a handstand for about 15 seconds now and I can also walk on my hands a bit thanks to this website but when I try to press into a handstand my arms die on me. is they any good exercises that will help me build up to a handstand press. btw this site rules lol”
Mellon
First off your welcome for the help. It really doesn’t take much strength to balance on the hands, but pressing up into a handstand is another matter. And of course, the amount of strength you need depends on the type of press you’re doing.
There are several ways to build up your strength. Really any manner of pressing. Any exercise that strengthens your arms and shoulders can be beneficial.
It’s a good idea to make sure you are strong enough before really working on the skills of doing handstand presses. If your max is somewhere around your weight you aren’t going to get much practice as you’ll be too fatigued.
“Well, I’ve been following your videos for a little while, particularly the handstand videos. The video to learn to do a handstand was what got me started and I’ve been doing them since. “Unfortunately, I don’t understand why, but I get a lot of disrespect when I do them in public places (I.E. School (High School Senior)), but I’m still sticking to them proudly. Handstands for life, thanks for ultimately opening me up to the art of them!”
Greggory
Yeah, kids can be cruel. But don’t worry about what others think. After all is said and done, they’ll likely be jealous of the skills you’ve gained from your practice.
“How can you do a handstand if your scared.”
Quade
Get over the fear. How do you get over the fear? it’s a matter of working at it step-by-step doing easier skills until you feel comfortable with the handstand.
That’s why I created the Secrets of the Handstand Quickstart Guide. To give you the lead-up stunts that will build your abilities so that you can handle the handstand.
I didn’t think of it before but these same skills are going to get you comfortable being upside down and ease your way up to the handstand.
Often times its just a matter of doing it. I was at the beach the other day and decided to do some backflips which I hadn’t done in over a month. That period of time had made me a little rusty and brought back a bit of fear in me.
What did I do? I warmed up with a few back handsprings and other drills then moved on to the back flips. No problem after that.
And if you want to find out more about these and other tumbling drills get your copy of Tumbling Illustrated.
Good Luck and Good Hand Balancing,
Logan Christopher
Filed under Hand Balancing Tips, Handstand Presses, Handstands, Tumbling by on Oct 23rd, 2008. Comment.
Free to move and in control.
Isn’t that what hand balancing and all acrobatics is all about? Being able to move your body in any which way and having complete control.
Capable of hopping onto your hands and shifting one way or another, posting on a single hand then coming down to your feet only when you want to.
What separates the amateur from the pro is having charge of all movement and making it look easy.
I’m always on the lookout for anything that can help give me an edge and also to make life more enjoyable.
One piece of training that too many people neglect is mobility. The issue isn’t flexibility. The issue is being able to move each joint individually through a range of motion that it is SUPPOSE to be able to go through without hurting or stiffness.
This is the key to longevity. To living without aches and pains. And at the same time it will make you a better athlete more capable to handle your challenges.
Many people are familiar with some level of this training whether it was done for a warm-up back in school for physical education or some sports. Simple things like arm or ankle circles. Turning the head from side to side and the like.
But those most basic moves, if they’re done at all are not the complete picture. Too many joints are neglected. The mid-back, pelvis and individual fingers are just a few examples.
And like anything else mobility practice should be progressive. You gain better control by adding complexity to the movement.
To learn more about gaining control of your body and movement check this out.
If you have issues with your hands, shoulders or back this could be the one thing that helps you take back your body.
The newly-released book Free to Flow will guide you through the starting movements up to complex waves, diagonal infinities and clovers for each part of the body.
And it’ll give you much else. You can get this 390-page book right now for only $34.95.
Consider it an investment in your health and as a way to improve your performance whether in sports, martial arts, hand balancing, or just about anything else.
Click here to find out more about Free to Flow
Sincerely,
Logan Christopher
P.S. I don’t often make recommendations of other people’s products but when I do you know its good. Considering what this book can do for you I think it’s a steal at the current price. Click to read more about it including Sonnon’s amazing story.
Filed under Exercises, Flexibility, Hand Balancing Tips by on Oct 20th, 2008. Comment.
Time to answer some of your questions again. What with the new site and new releases I’ve let some of these pile up.
Here’s two asking the same thing.
“How do you do a lever up handstand. Starting feet on floor in straddle. Used to be able to do it when I was training 10 years ago-but even then it was a struggle & a skill I lost quickly. There’s got to be a technique I’m missing. can lever down but not up from feet on floor. Wait to hear…”
Chrissie
“I would like to learn how to go into a handstand the way gymnasts usually do by leaning over the hands with legs straight until the feet lift off and the legs hang then lifting up the legs into a sort of planche then straight up. Can you do this and what would be the stages in learning it? Surprisingly, I couldn’t find any information on this on the site.”
Ross
Thanks for asking. With a bit of different language both these questions are asking about the same thing. And that is the straight arm press.
It will be easier if the legs are straddled, but once that becomes easy you can keep them together in the pike position.
This move not only takes strength in the arms, shoulders and abs but a big degree of flexibility as well. You have to get the center of you mass over your hands if you want to have any chance of succeeding. This means your shoulders will come far over your hands.
Chrissie was on to something when she said she could lower down. Work the negative, staying under control and soon you’ll be able to lift up into the handstand.
Another way is to hold a Jack-Knife handstand. When you can hold this position low pressing up into the handstand should be no problem.
Some people have no problem doing this move. Others will have to do tons of work to get it based on there body leverages. If you fall into the later group just keep at it. A bunch of negatives, holds, and isometrics will get you there faster.
Good Luck and Good Hand Balancing,
Logan Christopher
Filed under Exercises, Flexibility, Hand Balancing Tips, Handstand Presses, Strength by on Oct 10th, 2008. Comment.
The one hand handstand is probably the most amazing skill in hand balancing. Sure there are more difficult ones and variations of the move but everyone can understand just how remarkable the one hand handstand is.
If you can hold a one armer you’re doing something right. If you can’t do it, you’re likely dreaming of the one day when you can.
On the following page you’ll find Bob Jones biggest tip for accomplishing this goal. Too many people gloss over this as it seems too simple (myself included).
Tips on the One Hand Handstand
This is just the tip of the iceberg. In fact The True Art and Science of Hand Balancing has not one but two chapters on this one arm balancing.
I received several comments from people who are loving the videos. If you want to add your name to the list you can go directly to the youtube pages and post your comments there. And while you’re at it, give it a good rating for me.
Here’s the videos from the previous three days:
One Hand Handstand
Handstand Pushup Tips
Handstand Shoulder Weaving
Good Luck and Good Hand Balancing,
Logan Christopher
Filed under Exercises, Hand Balancing Tips, One Hand Handstand, Videos by on Oct 1st, 2008. Comment.
