Lost Art of Hand Balancing - Page 58 of 65 - Hand Balancing and Acrobatics Training for the Everyday Man and Woman

Foundational Rolling Skills

By admin on April 17, 2008 in Tumbling

How we got on the subject I can’t tell you at this point. I was at a birthday party and one of my friends told me they couldn’t do a somersault. Really!?! Maybe I was naïve but I thought EVERYONE could do this basic move.

But the truth is not everyone can. I’m sure you have no problem with this skill but the reason I am teaching it here in this video is to set up the idea of using and actually working on your tumbling skills. Everyone should be able to do the somersault. Not everyone necessarily has to do handsprings or front flips.

[youtube:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSUUFXhf5XU]

But if you want to it begs the question; how to you move up to the more difficult skills?

The easiest method is by taking the basics and adding twists to them. This will build your control and make you a better tumbler.

This is just the tip of the iceberg. But it should give you something to play with and start sparking your own creativity.

More on this subject later but if you haven’t already, be sure to take this really small survey. Only three questions total. Won’t take much time but it’ll really help me out. Take the Survey here. Thanks!

Good Luck and Good Tumbling,
Logan Christopher

Comments { 0 }

Gymnastic Bridge Turn-Over

By admin on April 15, 2008 in Bridging, Flexibility & Contortion, Tumbling

Going to step away from hand balancing today and a bit more in the coming weeks to focus on related acrobatics and various tumbling moves. And I’ll be sharing many of them in video form like today!
First up is a bridging movement that I’ve been throwing in my routine the past few weeks.

This move involves going from a back bend or gymnastic bridge than turning face down. In order to do this you support yourself on one arm and turn to come on all fours. From here you continue the movement turning back into the bridge.

I’m calling it the Gymnastic Bridge Turn-over.

Just doing a single one of these moves is great. It requires great shoulder flexibility and strength. Can you say stability? In addition it will engage just about every other muscle in your body especially your abs, back and legs.

If one is no problem for you then do as I do in the video, stringing a bunch together to complete an entire circle. If you want a real challenge try to do five full circles each way.

Don’t feel bad if you can’t do this one. If this is a hard move for you it means one thing…you need to work on your gymnastic bridge. By improving your shoulder flexibility in this movement you can work up to doing the move shown here with ease.

So get on your back, press up, straighten the arms, and try to extend your chest over your hands.

You may also find that you can flip one way but not the other. Keep working at it until you can move seamlessly in and out of position in every way.

Good Luck and Good Tumbling,
Logan Christopher

P.S. Got another video next time that covers the very basics and why they’re so important regardless of who you are. In this and all things the fundamentals are of highest importance.

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Secrets of the Handstand Comments

By admin on April 12, 2008 in Handstands

The first comments have come in as Secrets of the Handstand Quickstart packages have arrived. Here’s a great one:

I really liked your quick start guide. I have been hand balancing for a while now and can perform a half dozen variations of the head stand as well as hold a gymnastics style hand stand. I am currently working the start and stop method to learn how to walk on my hands.

But one thing that seemed to always elude me was the tiger stand. I practiced this move a lot against the wall but after weeks of practice I could never consistently find that “sweet spot.” After seeing you do a tiger stand in the video, that same day, when I went to the gym it took me 2 tries and now I can easily and consistently find the “sweet spot” hold the tiger stand. I must of unconsciously picked up something when I watched you kick up and hold the tiger stand.

Another thing I learned from the video is that the kick up is way more important than I originally thought. I was basically muscling the handstand back from my kick up (which was way to hard). I could do it but it took a lot of energy. For the past few days I just worked my kick up over and over again. After only 2 days of working my kick up I am hitting my “sweet spot” 8 times out of 10 when before I was only hitting it 1 or 2 times out of 10 and the other hand stand attempts I was muscling back from an over anxious kick up.

So, your videos were helpful to even someone like myself who has been practicing handstands successfully for several weeks. Just seeing someone else do the move and step me through the process, which is something I have read about and knew all ready, helped me greatly.

Thanks a lot,
Ricky
aka “Nifty”

I’m glad to see you got a lot out of it ‘Nifty’ and you aren’t the only one.

If you haven’t checked it out, you might’ve been under the impression that it was only for beginner’s.

And you’d be right…partially.

That guide is to get beginner’s up into a free standing handstand as soon as possible. I’ve spent much time and effort helping the beginner’s because, well there are more of them, and its harder than anything to get started.

But its just the start. The launching pad for a program that will help out all but the very best in this art.

And of course that is the Acrobat Accelerator program. In the monthly DVD and newsletter I will delve into various hand balancing topics in more depth.

This month the first issue covered everything you could possibly want to know about kicking-up into a handstand. I share my story of holding a handstand for 30 seconds for the first time ever but then relate the fact that I was able to hold only about one out of every ten handstands.

The kick-up is of utmost importance to really dial in if you want consistency in your handstand ability. Even if you don’t get this DVD you need to understand this concept.

But once again that’s just the beginning.

From there I cover advanced variations that will make you even better. When you learn to control your body from any angle that it comes up in your hand balancing ability shoots through the roof.

How to do the One Hand Handstand by Professor Orlick

The variations I cover in detail are opposite leg kick-ups, two leg kick-ups, raised kick-ups, and the cartwheel stall. Are you able to do all of them?

There’s about 30 issues left. If you want in on a trial membership just get your free order (except shipping) to try it out.

If you miss out, it’ll be your last chance to get the April issue.

Good Luck and Good Hand Balancing,
Logan Christopher

P.S. Next week I’ll post some new videos up on the blog on some moves closely related but outside of hand balancing which I am putting together right now. Stay tuned.

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Do you know your Hand Balancing Terms?

By admin on April 10, 2008 in Uncategorized

A few things for you today.

First up is another article. I had an idea for this a little while back. It’s a glossary of all kinds of hand balancing terms as well as alternative names for many moves.

You can check it out here: Hand Balancing Glossary.

Instead of finishing it up myself, why don’t you help me out? There’s quite a few terms up there but it’s by no means complete. At the bottom you can submit your ideas on terms to add.

So why don’t you help out and make the glossary full?

Secondly, in my last message I encouraged you to comment on the blog.

I was happy to see many people sign up but there was only one comment.

You can read what Ari thought here:

https://lostartofhandbalancing.com/blog/comment-on-the-hand-balancing-blog/

Thanks Ari. If there was any difficulty in the process let me know and I’ll look into making it easier.

But don’t worry if you didn’t post your thoughts, I’ll be sharing plenty of great stuff in the future that you’ll want to comment on.

Here’s a question to think about?

Are you spending more time upside down these days than you were last year or less? If you want to get good it should be the former.

Good Luck and Good Hand Balancing,
Logan Christopher

P.S. The Secrets of the Handstand Quickstart Guide should be hitting your mailbox soon if it hasn’t already for those of you who ordered. I’m anxious to here your initial impressions so send your thoughts my way. Just click reply and let me know what you think.

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Comment on the Hand Balancing Blog

By admin on April 8, 2008 in Handstands

I wanted to share with you an interesting debate I had with one of my subscriber’s and than I want to encourage you to add your own comments.

So here is part of Nathan’s comments:
“I take issue with some of the things you say on this site, also I do not believe you should be creating videos and tutorials that teach people handstands when you yourself use the technique deemed improper by Gymnasts and Circus Artists alike.

“Handstands should not be taught over the internet as it is an incredibly precise discipline that requires constant feedback and personalized training, something which with this medium you cannot deliver.”

And my response:
Deemed improper? Perhaps the straight body style is better but its not easier to learn. Having an arch is natural which is why it ‘use’ to be the only way up until about the 70’s. All the gymnasts (don’t actually know any circus artists myself) I’ve talked to say its just a matter of style anyway. In the end you should be able to take any position and balance right. After all look at many contortionists. Are they doing straight handstands?

I agree with you partially here. Yes personalized instruction would be best but its not really feasible. But isn’t some instruction better than nothing? Not all the people that come to my site are looking at this as a career, just something they’d like to be able to do.

And his comments back:
“Just to add to the perfect handstand discussion that’s going on. I believe the straight bodied handstand came around when people were trying to emulate the standing up normally position on their hands to create a more stable position. Hands below shoulders below hips below feet, in essence standing up but reversed.

“The arched position handstand is the beginners preference as the body naturally falls into that position and requires less core strength. The scorpion handstand common among contortionists is an entirely different type as this is a handstand trick rather than a base handstand. As you said earlier both work and are fine, but the more solid and versatile handstand in my opinion is the straight body one.

“Just my two cents, was an interesting little debate to read.”

And now here is your chance to weigh in on the situation. You know blogs are made to be two-way communication tools. But I haven’t ever encouraged this in the past. Well now I am.

All you have to do to post your comment is register here:
https://lostartofhandbalancing.com/blog/wp-login.php

And then go to the post itself to leave your comments:
https://lostartofhandbalancing.com/blog/comment-on-the-hand-balancing-blog

Think you can do that? I’d be happy if you took the time to give it a shot, so you can let me know what you think.

Good Luck and Good Hand Balancing,
Logan Christopher

P.S. It really sounds harder than it is. I’ve resisted this blog stuff in the past but once I got into it, its actually a lot of fun.

Comments { 4 }

Handstand Positions, One Hand Balancing and more

By admin on April 5, 2008 in Handstands, One Hand, Planche

Dipping into the mailbag today to answer a few questions. If you’ve got something on your mind, send it my way. You can easily click here to ask away.Here’s a good one from Rose talking about the new 10 Handstand Mistakes report.

“I really love the guide, but some things, to me, are a little confusing. Like where exactly should you bend your back, and what will it feel like when you hit that perfect thing? Is that just something that should be experienced simply by experience? And also, on my hands, I have a hard time really keeping the balance depending on the position of my hands…if I’m leaning forward slightly, or if my fingers are even the slightest moved…Is there anything you can write in there about your experiences with hand positions? Other than that, I can’t really think of anything. Thanks! :D”

Where you bend your back will be dependent on you. Yes you have to experience it but you can learn a lot from looking at pictures and of course watching video.

Most of the bend is in the low back, and personally I feel like I get ‘locked in’ to the right position whenever I do a handstand. Keep at it and you’ll get the feel.

As for the hands, there is much you can do with them. Honestly any position you take with your hands is doable for the handstand, whether its on the fists, hands backwards, or just the thumbs.

But the standard position is hands flat on the ground with either the middle or index fingers pointing forward. Work on this position first and foremost until you have build up your balancing ability.

Once you have a decent handstand feel free to mix up your hand positions. Professor Orlick gives you 25 different hand positions and 10 different finger positions to work on it Hand Balancing Made Easy. Many of these I had never even though about trying.And here’s one from Aldy.

“I can do straddle planche well enough, but I cant do one handstand balance. what is d secret of one hand handstand and one hand planche. for notes, I am not learning gymnastic, because in my country gymnast is not popular. Thank You!!!”

The secret? Alright you asked so I am going to give it to you. The secret is…You have to work up to it progressively.

First off, congratulations on doing the planche. That is a move few can do. But there is a big difference in the planche and the one hand handstand. One requires more strength while the other requires much more balance. And you have to be progressive in your balance training.

Jim Bathurst and I talked at length about this in the interview for the Hand Balancing Mastery Course. Basically you are going to have to train a bit differently for each. Just like you would train the free standing handstand and handstand pushups against the wall differently you should do the same here.

And like the normal handstand, the way I teach it, you have to work on a series of lead up stunts that will give you the ability to balance on one hand. There are many helpful variations that lead up to the one hand handstand. Professor Orlick lays them all out in as easy to use manner in How to do the One Hand Handstand.

I am working on my own plan, exactly what is working for me, but details on that another time.

Since this is already running long I’ll have to save more for next time.

Good Luck and Good Hand Balancing,
Logan Christopher

P.S. If you want to get all of Professor Orlick’s works plus the interview with Jim and more than click here.

Comments { 0 }

What is the Perfect Handstand?

By admin on April 3, 2008 in Handstands

There are two new articles up. But first a question from Larry in Hawaii.

“I am a little confused on the perfect handstand? which from what Ive read leads up to the one-handed handstand…Is it maintaining a perfectly straight body shown on page 92 or is it what is pictured on page 78 of “the true art and science of hand balancing” in fig.4 showing correct body position?? My goal is to balance on one hand. I have drawn out the diagram pictured on 16 of ‘how to do a one handed handstand’…hands seem kinda close…but above all what kind of body position am I striving for??”

Are you confused too? The first article answers this question in detail. If you‘ve ever thought you had to have a straight bodied handstand to do a one hand handstand the answer might surprise you.

Either way thought there are a few drills revisited that can help you alter your position.

Check it out: The Perfect Handstand

The second article is actually a small download. This one is for beginners.

The Ten Biggest Mistakes People Make When Learning the Handstand

And a small housekeeping note. The first Secrets of the Handstand Quickstart Guide packages will be mailed out tomorrow. If you want yours to go out with them order today.

The True Art and Science of Hand Balancing

Good Luck and Good Hand Balancing,
Logan Christopher

P.S. If you’re having any trouble with the download just go to Hand Balancing Articles page and you’ll see it there.

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Magic Pill for Handstands

By admin on April 1, 2008 in Uncategorized

You know I’ve been searching for something like this for a long, long time. But I’ve finally found it.

What is it?

Why it’s a Magic Pill that’ll make you an expert hand balancer overnight. All you have to do is pop it in your mouth and the next morning you’ll be duplicating Professor Paulinetti’s One Arm Planche with ease.

You’ll be able to do a Thumb Stand. Heck, if you take a mega dose you’ll be doing a One Thumb One Arm Planche. Even if you’ve never held a handstand before.Of course now that I have this, I won’t need my hand balancing books and courses anymore. I’ll just let the remaining stock go at the current prices in case you want a keepsake.

Sadly, this makes my brand new Secrets of the Handstand Quickstart video obsolete less then a week after its released. Even at it’s ridiculous price there’s no more need.All that work down the drain but that’s alright because this Magic Pill will more than make up for it.

The thing is you have to take this pill every day if you want to keep your abilities. And the ingredients aren’t cheap. But that’s okay because people will pay any price as long as they don’t have to WORK at something.

For only $99.99 per month you can have all the hand balancing ability you want.

WARNING: In rare cases may cause dizziness, drowsiness, itching, projectile vomiting, limbs falling off, and spontaneous combustion. Did I have you going there for a little bit?

In case you can’t tell today is April Fool’s.

Anyone promising a Magic Pill is lying. But I like to think that my books and courses are as close as you can get short of personalized one-on-one instruction.

If you missed this weekend’s announcement about the release of the Secrets of the Handstand Quickstart Guide and the monthly Acrobat Accelerator program be sure to check it out.

Oh and maybe you’d like to see the new Lost Art of Hand Balancing home page.

There is going to be a lot of new activity on the site in the coming months and all this is just the start. Questions will be answered. New articles will be put up. And another product this month!

Good Luck and Good Hand Balancing,
Logan Christopher

P.S. The new DVD is flying off the shelves but there’s still room for several charter members. If you’re a beginner grab it now – https://lostartofhandbalancing.com/video.html.

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Secrets of the Handstand is ready to go!

By admin on March 29, 2008 in Uncategorized

It’s all ready to go. To find out about the program that’ll revolutionize hand balancing world check out the Secrets of the Handstand Quickstart Guide and Acrobat Accelerator program.

See you over there,
Logan Christopher

P.S. There’s a video on the page showing you ‘how’ to do a handstand. Find out what’s the joke only at https://lostartofhandbalancing.com/video.html

Comments { 0 }

Secrets of the Handstand DVD details

By admin on March 25, 2008 in Uncategorized

Here’s the full (or close to it) details on the new video product that should be ready to go this weekend.

The Secrets of the Handstand Quickstart Guide is a DVD showing you my system for working up to confidently holding a handstand.

A few of the clips I’ve put up on the blog are straight from the DVD. So if you’re expecting Hollywood level camera work then you may be disappointed. It’s just me talking and showing you how to do the moves. High quality information not graphics.

Along with the DVD is a newsletter delving into more detail about the specific moves and related tips and techniques. Obviously, this is for beginners.

But this is only the start. It’s the launching pad for my new monthly program Acrobat Accelerator – Insider Secrets for Hand Balancing and Acrobatic Mastery.

The definition of Acrobat is: an athlete who performs acts requiring skill, agility and coordination.

Therefore the goal of the Acrobat Accelerator program is to accelerate your acrobatic skills.

Each month will be a new DVD and newsletter covering more on hand balancing, tumbling and gymnastics feats, delving into related areas like strength training, yoga, Parkour, and many other fields. Whatever can help you get better.

Don’t worry if you’re just starting off or well practiced as there’ll be ideas and exercises for beginners and advanced Acrobats. Plus there’s more on top of the DVD and newsletter.

If you’ve invested in the Hand Balancing Mastery Course you’ll get the Quickstart and first issue as soon as they are ready.

But if you haven’t invested in the course you might be wondering how much it is?You can get the Secrets of the Handstand Quickstart Guide and a month in the Acrobat Accelerator program for…

…

Actually, I want to have a little fun with this. Why don’t you try and guess the price.

To make it more interesting the first person to guess the price correctly will win it and 3 months in the program for nothing.

Good Luck (guessing) and Good Hand Balancing,
Logan Christopher

P.S. Seriously, send an email ([email protected]) or reply to this blog post to shoot out your best guess. What’ve you got to lose?

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