Damien Walters

Meet Damien Walters, one of the very best acrobats in the world. Combining tricking, parkour, trampolining, free running, and all manner of acrobatics along with a big dose of creativity.

This guy knows how to practice and get good.

If you want to get started tumbling like Damien Walters can you got lots of practice ahead of you. But let me recommend something to set you in the right direction – Tumbling Illustrated and the Parkour Tutorial DVD.

How to do the One Hand Handstand by Professor Orlick
ow to do the One Hand Handstand on Amazon

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How to do a One Hand Handstand Against Wall

“How to do a one hand hand-stand? I can do a two handed hand-stand on the wall(to keep balance) but when I lift one hand away I fall, any tips?”
Sisi

The first time I did a one handed handstand against the wall I used a corner where to walls meet. This makes it easier to balance as you can press into the sides.

The one hand handstand even with a wall takes a strong core plus coordination. Make it easier by spreading the legs out wide. Make it harder by keeping them together.

And another tip is to not lift your hand instantly off of the ground. Instead as you shift more and more of your weight onto the one hand start using the other less.

Tumbling Illustrated
Tumbling Illustrated on Amazon

So there you have three tips on doing the one hand handstand against the wall.

Good Luck and Good Hand Balancing,
Logan Christopher

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Kicking Up into a Handstand Problems

“Okay, so I have been trying for about 3 weeks to learn how to do a handstand. I often psych myself out and end up stopping. And then when I [sometimes] go to kick up, one leg will stay down then when I go to pull it up it bends and I loose my balance. Any help?”
Shelby

“As I go into a handstand I get one of my legs right up but cant seem to bring the other leg up far enough and then drop back down any advice???”
Ami

Its sounds like there are some troubles kicking-up into the handstand position. The first thing I’d say to do is to get out of the open and go to a wall.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. The freestanding handstand is too difficult to jump right into. You should practice several easier skills before going at it. Check out the Secrets of the Handstand Quick Start DVD.

How to do the One Hand Handstand by Professor Orlick
ow to do the One Hand Handstand on Amazon

If you can kick up against the wall without problems all you have to do is recreate it out in the open. Fine tune your kick-up so that you kick hard enough to get both legs up but not so hard that you go over.

And it you want more you can check out this recent video on kicking up into a handstand against the wall

And this one on kicking up into a handstand out in the open

Good Luck and Good Hand Balancing,
Logan Christopher

Comments { 0 }

Most Flexible Ross Sisters

This is footage from the movie “Broadway Rhythm” (1944). The Ross sisters, Aggie, Maggie and Elmira, sing and move in ways that’ll make your average contortionist blush.

Just watch past the minute mark to see the moves begin. And my favorite is at the 2:50 mark. That has to be the most impressive back bend ever.

Good Luck and Good Acrobatics,
Logan Christopher

P.S. Thanks to Mike for pointing me to this video!

How to do the One Hand Handstand by Professor Orlick
ow to do the One Hand Handstand on Amazon
Comments { 0 }

How to do a Straight Handstand

Lots going on today. So I wanted to keep you on top of everything in this email.

First off there’s a new article just uploaded to the site. This one covers working on a straight style of handstand. How to get into the right position and practice it using the wall. Go check it out.

As of writing there are 3 days and 14 minutes left before the price of The True Art and Science of Hand Balancing goes up. Many people have already stepped up and ordered themselves a copy at the old price. Won’t you join them?

Trampoline Handbook
Trampoline Handbook on Amazon

And an update about what’s coming down the road.

Unfortunately, I had problems with my video editing software. For some unknown reason its throwing the audio out of sync with the video. Looks plain terrible. Since I cannot solve the problem I went ahead and purchased a new program. Once that arrives I’ll have several new videos I want to share with you.

And there are some big projects in the works too. As always stay tuned.

Good Luck and Good Hand Balancing,
Logan Christopher

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Bad Handstand Habits, Training Frequency + More

Thanks for all the suggestions after my last message. Going to answer a number of them today.

“I am just started handstands and I notice that my arms are bent it seems I have a bad habit, ideas?”

You know this is something I battled with for a long time. When doing a handstand you want to have your arms locked out the entire time.

Should you overbalance you can bend your arms to save yourself but this should only be used as a last resort. And when you’re starting out you are better off not doing it so that you learn to use your hands to balance.

So how do you break this habit? Returning to the wall and doing handstands there with locked out arms would certainly help.

Also, any time you kick-up into a handstand have your arms straight from the very start. Extend them fully and imagine they have a splint wrapped around them that forces you to keep them that way.

“Actually I am interested in high wire walking or rope walking. And in the future also slacklining. I live in Finland and I would like to know where I could buy a slackline? Sorry my bad english. Thank You for your inspiring messages.”
Taina

Its funny that you should mention this, Taina as a friend just brought to my attention trying out slack lines.

Its something I’m looking into and may feature on the site in the future. As an informal poll how many out there are potentially interested in learning this art? And who out there currently does it?

“I would like to know some good ways to build up to walking up stairs on my hands.”

Before starting to walk up stairs you need to have a good base. You should be proficient in walking on flat ground, walking down stairs, and be strong.

Because you’re walking up the stairs on your hands you are having to push your bodyweight up with mostly a single arm at a time. I’d say being able to do three freestanding handstand pushups in a row is the bare minimum.

If you’re there its just a matter of starting small and working your way up. Literally. Find small stairs and master those before moving up to large steps. The more incremental you can make it the better.

“I started trying some headstands and handstands today after perusing this site + I really enjoyed it. I lift weights regularly and was wondering how frequently i should train hand balancing, do I do it as with weights(every other day) or can I practice every day?
Thanks very much.
Stuart

This is a fairly common question. Because hand balancing requires very fine skill it is best to practice it every single day. A little practice each day is much better than a two hour session once a week.

Of course starting out you’ll need to give some time for recovery, also depending on what moves you are practicing and how tough your other workouts are.

But once you have a foundation some practice every day is the best way to go. If for some reason you are unable to train everyday, not to worry cause you can still make progress with less practice.

Well that’s plenty to chew on for one day. So until next time…

Trampoline Handbook
Trampoline Handbook on Amazon

Good Luck and Good Hand Balancing,
Logan Christopher

P.S. Many of these topics are covered in much more detail in Professor Paulinetti and Bob Jones’ hand balancing book.

Comments { 2 }

What Trampoline should I use?

With the release of the Trampoline Handbook I’ve received a few questions on what type and size of trampoline I recommend.

To do the tricks in the book you’ll need to be able fully layout on the trampoline. For this reason I recommend a trampoline that is at least 10 feet wide. And the bigger the better. Just gives you more room to do the tricks safely.

Walking and Jumping On Your HandsWalking and Jumping On Your Hands on Amazon

As to shape the standard round trampoline works fine, but the square or rectangular versions are great too.

As far as brands or where you get them a simple search on google for ‘trampolines’ will find you many places selling them. Or most likely you can buy them locally in your area.

And once you have it set up the real fun begins. See the Trampoline Handbook to find out how you can get started in tons of beginner and intermediate trampolining tricks.

Good Luck and Good Trampolining,
Logan Christopher

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Handstand Visualization

You may have heard me mention it before. I’m talking about visualization and how it can help you do better in hand balancing and acrobatics.

There’s a new article on the site telling my story of how I reached my first ever 30 second handstand.

Walking and Jumping On Your HandsWalking and Jumping On Your Hands on Amazon

How Visualizing Can Help Your Handstands

Make no mistake about it, this is powerful stuff and can be the difference between success and failure. You even got scientific proof backing it up.

Go check it out – Handstand Visualization

Good Luck and Good Hand Balancing,
Logan Christopher

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How to Kick-up into a Wall Handstand

It’s important to have a strong handstand against the wall before you ever try balancing yourself in the open.

And in order to train that you have to be able to get into the handstand. This video shows you the easiest way to kick-up against the wall.

Learn How to Back Flip in 31 Days
Learn How to Back Flip in 31 Days on Amazon


How to Kick Up into a Handstand Against the Wall

The most important point is to keep your arms locked the entire time. That makes them strongest and you’ll be least likely to collapse to the ground.If you don’t quite get it on your first attempt keep at it. If you’re worried about injuring yourself put a pillow or something soft beneath your head to build your confidence.

Also, you can have a partner assist you. After you kick they can guide your feet to the wall.

As for how much kick to give, you need enough to get your hips above your body but not so much you plow into the wall. With practice you’ll be able to touch lightly on the wall every time.

Good Luck and Good Hand Balancing,
Logan Christopher

P.S. This is just the first step of many in the Secrets of the Handstand Quick Start DVD. If you want to work up to balancing on you own this is the DVD to get.

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What's Stopping Your Handstands?

Today’s message is just for beginners. That is people still working on holding the regular freestanding handstand. If that’s you then keep reading.

I’d say two thirds of the people that come to my website are just getting started and trying to learn the handstand.

Even though it’s the basic foundational move of all hand balancing it still can prove to be frustrating, especially when you first get started. I know it was for me.

I’m going to be releasing a few videos in the upcoming days that will help you along. The thing I always tell people is that you don’t want to start with the handstand itself but more on that topic later.

For now I want to hear what’s holding you back? If you can’t hold a freestanding handstand for more than 5 seconds what’s stopping you for holding 10 or 20 seconds?

Tumbling Illustrated
Tumbling Illustrated on Amazon

Or do you not know why you can’t get the balance?

Before you comment down below just know that I’ll try to answer your problems in these new videos.

Plus you’ll hear about my first handstand attempts, what others have done and more. I think you’ll get a kick out of them.

Good Luck and Good Hand Balancing,
Logan Christopher

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