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Handstands and Hand/Grip Positions

By admin on January 3, 2008 in Handstands

First off I want to remind you that the New Year’s Sale is still going. Check Hand Balancing New Year’s Sale to see how you can save 20.08% off of everything. It ends Saturday so if you’re putting it off you better do it now before you forget.For today I’ll dig into the question bag and answer another one.

When I think of how handstands are done with flat palms, I think of how pushups are also done with flat palms. Similarly, both have been done on a bar (pronated grip) or on a set of parallel bars (neutral grip). I have seen variant pushups done with a reversed grip (supinated) and indeed, I think this is the position people take for doing planches. There are also pushups done on fists, on the back of the hand instead of the palm (wrists flexed instead of extended as usual) and on fingertips. While I did hear of some shaolin master doing a supported handstand (with wall) on two fingers, I have never seen these variations addressed in any guides. Are you familiar with anything like that, attempted any of the difficult variations, or have ideas about them?
-Tyciol

This is more than one question so I will break it apart.

Handstands can be done with a variety of grips. Of course you have the standard extended wrist position. But every other way you can move your hands is a way you can do handstands.

Parallel bars do add extra dimensions, and having something to grip can help you be stronger, but similar positions can be taken on the floor if you make your hands into fist.

The supinated grip, where your fingers are pointed back the opposite way of normal, makes a handstand much harder to do. Planches could be done like this, but more often you just turn them slightly out from the normal straightforward location.

Fingertip handstands is a big subject that I will cover in some more detail soon.

As far as do any of the books cover training for this stuff, the answer is absolutely.

In Hand Balancing Made Easy, Professor Orlick covers all of the various hand positions you can do in a handstand. In total I counted 35 exercises covering different positions for the fingers and hands.

When you master all these you can balance from just about any position. If you can do a normal handstand try turning your hands. Just a few attempts at doing a handstand with your hands backwards and you will understand the benefits. Great for flexibility too.

You can get this book alone at or as part of the Hand Balancing Mastery Course.And in The True Art and Science of Hand Balancing, Bob Jones brings you through the progressions he used to master his famous Thumb Stand.But don’t order any of these from the page itself. Get your discount at the Hand Balancing New Year’s Sale

. The sale ends on Saturday.Good Luck and Good Hand Balancing,
Logan Christopher

P.S. I dug up and old picture I had forgotten about of an interesting feat my friend and I performed. You’ll get to see it next time.

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Handstand Balancing, Positions and More

By admin on December 12, 2007 in Handstands

Here’s another question from John in England.

Hello Logan, I’ve just received your manual which I ordered, thanks for sending it so prompt. I’m just approaching 40 years old and have become determined to do handstands and a few other basic gymnastic exercises. I’ve been practicing against a wall for a few months and can hold a wall handstand for just under a minute but I’m having a lot of trouble transferring that skill away from the wall. I’m trying to concentrate on my fingers and wrists to balance without much luck. Any tips. Also how long should you be looking to hold a stationary free handstand before moving on to the next section of your course and handstands with unusual leg positions.

Well John first off I want to commend you for going after these skills at an age where most men are content with doing zero physical activity.

There are a few questions here so I will tackle them one at a time.

The article I wrote last week may help with the balancing aspect. You can read that here: Handstands and Scientific Balancing

Some of the lead-up stunts described in the Hand Balancing Mastery Course are a big help in teaching you the balance.Still it takes practice to get the ‘feel’ of the handstand.

There will be more on this subject soon since it seems to be everyone’s mind judging from the number of questions I‘m getting.

As for how long should you hold each position? This is up to you. At a bare minimum I would say 15 seconds. But 30 seconds would probably be better.

I can remember my first half minute handstand. It was quite exciting and perhaps I will share that story with you another time.

Once you move onto the variations found in the course you don’t need to set a record with each one. Just master the position. I personally like to move from one position to the next and so on but holding them works just as well.

Good Luck and Good Hand Balancing,
Logan Christopher

P.S. The new Ask A Question section of the site seems to be a hit. While I may not reply personally to your question it will let me know what you want covered here.

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Handstands and Scientific Balancing

By admin on December 6, 2007 in Handstands

It looks like the new Ask A Question section on the site is popular.You can let me know any problems you are having and I will answer them.

Here’s one question from Andres (and he‘s not the only one asking this).

Hi yes, I will get right to the point so you don’t have to waste time. When doing a handstand, is balancing with hands (duh), I’m still kind of new to it, and I’m having a bit of trouble of the balancing in the core part, meaning the hands. I know it is not a strength issue. Can you give more tips, or go more in depth in what the hands should do or what the wrists do to help the hands and so on.

Thank You.
A.

This seems to be the hardest part for anyone to learn. While it doesn’t take much strength to hold a normal handstand the balancing part sure can be difficult.

Though you balance with your hands that is only part of the equation.

I’ve written a new article that just might clear up a few things to help you along.

Handstands and Scientific Balancing

Good Luck and Good Hand Balancing,
Logan Christopher

P.S. Lost Art of Hand Balancing Courses are now in over 10 different countries across the world. Have you got yours yet?

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What a broom can teach you about hand balancing

By admin on December 4, 2007 in Handstands

Everyone has done this at one time or another. A broom is a common item but any long straight object will do just fine.

Put one end on your open palm with the other end straight up in the air and keep it there by balancing.

This is not very difficult and let me tell you why. The broom is straight and solid. Your efforts at balancing it from the bottom translate straight up to the top so it is quite easy to keep it in the air.

Of course, this is related to hand balancing. However, there are some big differences.

Your body is not just one straight long object. You have mobile joints at your elbows, shoulders, hips, knees and ankles. And then there’s your spine which has many moving pieces.

This is not an anatomy lesson. My point is that your efforts of balancing on your hands may not directly translate to keeping your feet in the air.

Your target must be keeping your body from wrists to toes unmoving so that you can balance.

Keeping your body tight is the key to holding a quality handstand. Any leak means getting out of proper position and a much tougher time getting back in.

So stay tight, but don’t forget to breathe.

In the beginning all this is not as easy as it appears, especially when you are in the unfamiliar upside down position. But keep practicing.

When you can keep your body rigid then handstands are a piece of cake.

Sincerely,
Logan Christopher

P.S. For in depth instuctions on how to get into position and hold it check out Professor Paulinetti and Bob Jones’ Book

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The Secret to Hand Balancing is…

By admin on December 4, 2007 in Handstands

Some people say that there are no secrets left in the world. If you ask me, that is pure B.S. If you don’t know something then that something is a secret to you. If there were no secrets in hand balancing then no one would be buying The True Art and Science of Hand Balancing.

If you want to get good at anything, learn from the experts. Professor Paulinetti and Bob Jones would certainly fit under that definition.

Actually there are many secrets to hand balancing. Today, I want to cover just one of these so here it is.

It is called ‘hand balancing’ for a reason. I have watched many people kick up into a handstand only to be on the ground moments latter. One of the major points they lack is the sensitivity in the hands that is required.

Don’t miss a word of this, you must balance by the action of your hands. No flailing of your legs or weaving your body back and forth. Its all in the hands.

Take a moment right now to step away from your computer and kick-up into a handstand. Get a feel for the control in your hands.

This kind of control is why great hand balancers have not only strong and muscled arms, but forearms to match.

When you take this little key and master it, staying in a handstand becomes a simple task. Just imagine that…

This is just one piece of advice that can help you in a big way. To learn many more secrets from true masters of this art get your copy of The True Art and Science of Hand Balancing

Sincerely,
Logan Christopher

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The Basics of Handstands

By admin on November 27, 2007 in Handstands

Hello,

I just put up two new articles on the website. You can check them out here:

Benefits of Hand Balancing

Safety Concerns of Hand Balancing

They cover some basic stuff you should know before you begin. There will be more coming soon on all the basics of hand balancing.

A few people have been asking me to have more advanced tricks and tips on the site. While I will be adding some you should realize that all the trickier moves are built off of the basics. Everything still applies.

In my own training I have been backing off the one handstand a bit since I seemed to hit a plateau and revisiting the basic moves laid out in Prof. Orlick’s Handbalancing Made Easy. Just remember that you can never be too good with the basics.

If you want to see these basic moves and more then go check out the Hand Balancing Mastery Course.

You can get Handbalancing Made Easy along with a lot more for $97 but that won’t last much longer. If you’ve been thinking about whether or not to get it now, remember that this introductory price only goes for four more days until the end of November.

Don’t be slacking off through the end of the year. Keep on standing on those hands.

Good Luck and Good Hand Balancing,
Logan Christopher

P.S. Actually I am currently working on updating the whole website, slightly changing the format and adding new sections to benefit you. I’ll let you know when it’s ready.

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Fine One-Hand Balancing

By admin on November 23, 2007 in Handstands, One Hand

“Jimmy Starkey of Santa Monica, California recently held a one-hand-balance for a minute and a half on top of a freight train going thirty-five miles per hour. F.O.B (Fine One-hand Balancing).”

Well recently is not the right term. This occurred somewhere back in 1950. I told you I got a hold of some old acrobatic magazine issues and this is just a little snippet from one of them.

Most people can’t hold a handstand for a minute and a half, let alone a one-hand handstand, let alone on top of a moving train.

How to do the One Hand Handstand by Professor Orlick

One theme that always comes up when fellow hand balancers talk is how the sky is the limit on what you can do. This is a good example of that.

If you take the time and work on it hard enough you too can be doing feats like Jimmy. And I promise more of the great stuff from these magazines soon including great photos.

Now on to a couple of business issues.

It’s been wild over here with the release of the new Hand Balancing Mastery Course. If you have ordered one then it was shipped out today with the first batch of deliveries.

If your waiting on the fence then you might want to get off, because there is one more free t-shirt available to the next person who orders.

I realized that releasing the course right around a major holiday here in the US might not have been the best idea. Many people stay away from there computers to spend time with their families to celebrate Thanksgiving.

So if you missed all that has happened then be sure to check out the Hand Balancing Mastery Course.

There will be lots of new articles, old school pictures, and even new sections added to the site in the coming weeks.

In the mean time keep up the hand balancing. If anyone wants to duplicate Jimmy’s feat then let me know because I want to hear about. Please be careful though.

Good Luck and Good Hand Balancing,
Logan Christopher

P.S. You can get a free t-shirt as well as the greatest course in hand balancing history if you act fast by going to see the Hand Balancing Mastery Course.

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Handstand Lead-up Stunts (The Two Arm Elbow Planche)

By admin on November 17, 2007 in Handstands, Planche

In Handbalancing Made Easy, Professor E.M. Orlick explains that there are a number of stunts which will teach you many of the aspects that are needed for a good handstand. Two of these stunts are covered in the downloadable guide. These are the headstand and frogstand. Today I want to talk about one more of the 21 covered in the course.

In his own words these are the benefits on mastering all of these stunts.

The following lead-up stunts constitute stepping stones to perfection. They serve a multiple purpose and are of inestimable value. Taken alone each is a stunt in itself and worth learning even if you had no interest in handbalancing. All of them have something in common to the handstand and thus, pave the way for good handbalancing.

Each accustoms you to the upside-down position of the handstand, each helps to develop the strength, balance and muscular coordination necessary to handbalancing. Many form the very basis of the advanced stunts which will be dealt with later.

Anyone who sincerely desires to become an expert at the art of handbalancing should master each and everyone of these lead-up stunts. Even if you can hold a fairly good handstand now you should practice these stunts, for no matter how good you may be there is always room for improvement.

The Two Arm Elbow Planche.

Two Arm Elbow Planche

In addition to being an excellent lead-up trick the two arm elbow planche plays an important part in advanced handbalancing. Many difficult stunts can be built around it.

To perform the trick kneel on the floor, bring both elbows together and place them in your stomach and turn the palms of the hands facing upwards. Now lean forwards slowly and place the hands flat on the floor with your fingers pointing backwards. Arch your back slowly until your toes leave the floor and you will be doing the two arm elbow planche.

You will find the balance a little difficult at first but just keep on practicing. The stunt can also be performed on the edge of a table or on the end of any ordinary bed.

I have also heard this move called many other things, from an elbow lever to a half-arm planche. The obvious next step, and much more advanced, is to switch to doing this move on a single arm.

Why is this stunt helpful? It trains the balancing aspect on your hands from a low center of gravity. You also have to keep a decent arch and your body tight or else you will touch the ground with more than your hands.

Looking back I realize just how helpful these lead-up stunts are. I was going after a handstand before I could easily hold a headstand. Logically, you should go after the easier stunts first before tackling the more difficult.

The great thing about this course is just about every stunt and move shown leads in to the next one. If you want to get the One Hand Handstand then you have eight different lead-up stunts before you even attempt it.

On that note don’t forget you can get early access to ordering the Hand Balancing Mastery Course by signing up for the VIP List at Hand Balancing VIP List

And you can win yourself a free copy by sending in your success story. Don’t forget to do it soon because the deadline for entries is midnight on Monday, November 19th.

Have fun with this one and until next time…

Good Luck and Good Hand Balancing,
Logan Christopher

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Handstands and Wrist Strength Part 2 and More

By admin on November 1, 2007 in Flexibility & Contortion, Handstands

Last time we talked about how you can overcome pain and poor flexibility in your wrists so that you can pursue hand balancing. A subscriber pointed out a few points which are certainly worth mentioning.

There is a way to work around this problem. Handstands can also be done on parallel bars or pushup handles and still be very effective. Rings work too but are even more of a challenge.

Though the body mechanics remain the same, how you go about balancing becomes a different matter.

For most people it will be much harder to balance because your base is smaller. Not the best way to get started on your handstands. But with some work you can balance with ease on any parallettes. And certainly if you are using a wall it is not a problem.

While this is a viable method it will not help the problem itself. You need to build the strength and flexibility and not skirt the issue.

Use this method to get some practice in the handstands if you need it but be sure to work the wrists. After all you can’t go wrong with a strong pair of hands.

Now on to a couple announcements.

The survey is now closed. Thank to all of you for participating. It will take some effort to pour over all the results but I can tell you they will result in some new and exciting changes to the site.

Secondly, I will be holding a contest soon. The details will be in my next email but for now just know that you will have a chance to win a full copy of the Hand Balancing Mastery Course coming soon. In fact, there may be more than one up for grabs.

The particulars on this new product will be announced in the next weeks as well and you won’t want to miss out. So until then…

Good Luck and Good Hand Balancing,
Logan Christopher

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Handstand Hold for Time

By admin on October 3, 2007 in Handstands

Here is a great way to finish off your workouts whether you are doing just hand balancing or anything else by doing a handstand hold.

Its really simple, too.

Just kick up into a handstand against the wall and hold it there for as long as you can. Try to stretch your toes upward and maintain good posture the whole time.

If you want you can even do a couple sets.

This is great because it will build your endurance in your arms, shoulders, back, everywhere.

As you steadily increase the amount of time you can hold a handstand you will find you get less fatigued when you practice your hand balancing.

It will test your mental toughness too. You can always stay up one more second if you really wanted to. A great way to finish off your training is to leave it all behind.

Good Luck and Good Handbalancing,

Logan Christopher

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