This is the eighth part of a comprehensive handstand video series designed to bring you toward a strong and stable free-standing handstand. While this video will bring benefit to your training regardless of your current fitness or goals, it is intended as part of larger handstand series. I encourage you to check out all of the preceding parts:
- Get Ready for Handstands: Wrist Prep
- Get Ready for Handstands: Shoulder Prep
- Get Ready for Handstands: Thoracic Mobility
- Get Ready for Handstands: Positional Core Strength
- Get Ready for Handstands: Strength and Stability
- Get Ready for Handstands: Intro to Inversion
- Get Ready for Handstands: Hand Position and Balance
- Get Ready for Handstands: The Kick Up
Find Freestanding Balance
In the video below, we begin to bring together all the previous pieces of our work toward a freestanding handstand. The first few articles addressed the mobility requirement to achieve an optimal position in the wrists, shoulders, and thoracic spine. In the weeks that followed, we drilled in proper alignment and added strength and stability to this position.
All of these elements combine to bring the awareness and strength to begin honing your balance. This week’s video offers drills to progressively load your freestanding handstand. Each subsequent drill brings you closer and closer to a full handstand. I recommend using a partner to spot as you slowly leave the safety of the wall.
Always remember the two key points to strong and stable handstands:
- Length: Actively make your body as long as possible. Focusing on length improves several points of handstand virtuosity all together. Reach your toes as far from your hands on the ground as possible, and you will find yourself in hollow body, with active shoulders and strong engagement through the rest of your body.
- Grip the Ground: Keep your hands and wrists active as you attempt to find balance. Review the previous video on hand balancing and engagement for a full discussion of this concept.
