Handstand Challenge

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Replies

  • mom23mangos
    mom23mangos Posts: 3,069 Member
    That is SO adorable @ContraryMaryMary.

    @mbaker566 - how about the kind where your hands are clasped behind your head? I don't know what it's called. but it allows you take more weight off of your head and you push through the forearms.

    I did handstand practice today after lifting. Facing wall holds, straddle practice against the wall and kick up practice. I've found I have a little more control kicking up with my non-dominant leg because I don't kick up as hard.
  • mbaker566
    mbaker566 Posts: 11,233 Member
    from the forearms? yup, neck isn't happy. i used to be able to tripod for a long time. i'll need to keep working on it since i want to be able to do scorpions and such
  • Orphia
    Orphia Posts: 7,097 Member
    I had to Google tripod headstands. LOL, that's what I've always done. :blush: I should practice the forearm ones more often for general arm balance practice, but the tripod ones help me with handstands.

    15 Jun – 5 minutes handstand wall drills inc 6 second handstand

    I think I was doing "kick ups", if that's when you start with your hands already on the ground.

    I feel like I've definitely improved already thanks to this challenge! You guys are so great.
  • Orphia
    Orphia Posts: 7,097 Member
    Today's handstand practice.

    https://youtu.be/UXFQZTWeZ_A
  • TiisTitanium
    TiisTitanium Posts: 235 Member
    @Orphia - looking good. If you can, try and think about squeezing your legs together. It helps keep everything tight and upright and easier to stay vertical in the air longer.

    By the time I got around to handstand practice it had been a busy day of exercise and I was tired and I couldn't get rid of my wonky lean which a characteristic of me being too tired and relying on my stronger side.

    pdn5gd0b1uoo.jpg

    I am tempted to try an do practice earlier in the day tomorrow when i haven't been doing aerial related stuff - maybe as a post yoga activity as that way I am warmed up and sort of flexy (well as flexy as I get).
  • Orphia
    Orphia Posts: 7,097 Member
    edited June 2018
    9 second handstand!!! (16 second video) Yay me!

    https://youtu.be/G97ZoMJ7KeE

    I watched a video yesterday and it said to hold core, butt, etc tight, like balancing a spoon upright on your hand. You can't balance a sock upright.

    You were right, TT, that's what I needed to do.
  • ContraryMaryMary
    ContraryMaryMary Posts: 1,786 Member
    Orphia wrote: »
    I watched a video yesterday and it said to hold core, butt, etc tight, like balancing a spoon upright on your hand. You can't balance a sock upright.

    That would be the video I watched that told me to put the weight under my knuckles. Still working on that as it requires more flexibility in the wrists than resting on the heels of the hands.

    Yoga yesterday which was full of handstand prep stuff - wrist work and kick up work, but no actual handstands. Got some great warm up ideas from it which will be put into use!
  • TiisTitanium
    TiisTitanium Posts: 235 Member
    Glad it helped @Orphia

    The handstand prep work is just as useful as handstand practice itself. Well that is what we spend most of the time doing in the handstand classes I attend. Most of it is about working on correct body shape and strengthening areas so when you get in the air it is easier.

    Just a quick practice today as Sunday is one of my busy exercise days so just spent time working on hollowback rather than simple stands as I like to see if my back flexibility is improving (which is seems to be - hooray)
  • Tallawah_
    Tallawah_ Posts: 2,475 Member
    Today's effort....I know it's not pretty! :grimace:

    6f8hjvdctj5n.jpg
  • Orphia
    Orphia Posts: 7,097 Member
    On my phone and typing is annoying.

    Did a few good holds today.

    https://youtu.be/aw0Vmm7xiNc
  • Orphia
    Orphia Posts: 7,097 Member
    ContraryMaryMary wrote: »
    Orphia wrote: »
    I watched a video yesterday and it said to hold core, butt, etc tight, like balancing a spoon upright on your hand. You can't balance a sock upright.

    That would be the video I watched that told me to put the weight under my knuckles. Still working on that as it requires more flexibility in the wrists than resting on the heels of the hands.

    Haha, yes, same vid. That knuckle thing is hard!
    The core and arm pushing things both really helped today though.
  • Orphia
    Orphia Posts: 7,097 Member
    I think one of mine today was 10 seconds!! So happy!!!

    https://youtu.be/_p406YrgAbA
  • mom23mangos
    mom23mangos Posts: 3,069 Member
    @Orphia - you are doing so good!!!! And such beautiful form. I'm totally jealous.

    @Tallawah_ - nice going! Believe me, mine is the ugliest of the bunch. I had given up on practicing handstands until I could get perfect form, but realized I would rather just work in my balance where it is (ugly and all) and improve on my form over time.

    I worked on my freestanding kick ups today and managed to hold for about 7s. BUT I've realized to get in a position I can balance I have to keep my arms bent and basically support myself with my biceps/triceps. My legs are all over the place too.

    https://youtu.be/IHLzUYW9efU
  • Orphia
    Orphia Posts: 7,097 Member
    @mom23mangos Wow, good balance!

    @ContraryMaryMary Great videos!

    Loving this thread! This challenge was just what I needed this month.
  • TiisTitanium
    TiisTitanium Posts: 235 Member
    A nice article for the lovers of crows and cranes amongst us
  • tropicalchicy
    tropicalchicy Posts: 27 Member
    Everyone is looking great! Good to see some new faces too :)

    @ContraryMaryMary - thanks for the videos. I worked through the exercises from the second as I'm still working on kicking up.
  • TiisTitanium
    TiisTitanium Posts: 235 Member
    TiisTitanium wrote: »
    A nice article for the lovers of crows and cranes amongst us

    https://gmb.io/crow-pose/

    Using the app is obviously not so awesome for linking stuff

  • mbaker566
    mbaker566 Posts: 11,233 Member
    edited June 2018
    i've officially added handstand work to my aerial yoga classes. it will help us in the class all so yay.

    i tried walking my hands to the wall and i got there but when i needed to bail that was terrifying. i did the L handstand prep and we do it in the fabric to. can't ever seem to get the opposite leg off the wall or fabric.
  • mom23mangos
    mom23mangos Posts: 3,069 Member
    Oh man, I tried to add in handstand practice at the end of my workout today after I had done 50 pullups and back lever practice. Not happening. I'll try again tonight when I'm fresher.
  • Orphia
    Orphia Posts: 7,097 Member
    TiisTitanium wrote: »
    TiisTitanium wrote: »
    A nice article for the lovers of crows and cranes amongst us

    https://gmb.io/crow-pose/

    That's really good!


    19 Jun – 5 mins handstand drills inc 10+ second handstand without wall

    My first handstand today was awesome! I went into it straight away and held it for at least 10 seconds without needing the wall.

    The rest of my practice wasn't as good, and I'd forgotten to press record on the video, LOL.
  • ContraryMaryMary
    ContraryMaryMary Posts: 1,786 Member
    Had great success with the L handstand today. Thrilled. Finally feel I'm making progress. Now if only I knew how to add video...
  • Heltinne
    Heltinne Posts: 2 Member
    Hell yea! Joining in late but hopefully I'll make it on time. Good job everyone!
  • Orphia
    Orphia Posts: 7,097 Member
    ContraryMaryMary wrote: »
    Had great success with the L handstand today. Thrilled. Finally feel I'm making progress. Now if only I knew how to add video...

    Happy for you about the L handstand!!

    Upload your vid to YouTube.

    Then, (on mobile) click "share" and copy the link to the vid, then just paste it into a post here. The forum software does the rest.
  • tropicalchicy
    tropicalchicy Posts: 27 Member
    I'm still not seeing a lot of improvement with my handstands but I had a win with headstand.

    I can now get up without using the wall for support!! It doesn't look graceful but it's definitely improvement :)

    bv0wrqtd84v2.png
  • TiisTitanium
    TiisTitanium Posts: 235 Member
    It all counts @tropicalchicy Handstands are tricky. Some days it is easy to balance next day a disaster.

    Welcome @Heltinne. Enjoy the upside down fun.

    Only a little bit of practice today just a few handstand between weightlifting sessions. Squats, deadlifts and OHP were in the heavy zone so I didn't push too hard as it is handstand class tomorrow and I need to be functional not being stiff and sore due to DOMs.
  • mom23mangos
    mom23mangos Posts: 3,069 Member
    Day of frustration here. All I did at the gym today was cardio and handstand practice. My balance has abandoned me today and my shoulders are still *kitten*. I'm trying to use pics to correct myself, but I'm straining as hard as I can to get my ribs down and there's barely any difference between photos. I think next time I am either going to move my hands further from the wall and then try to touch my chest to the wall or ask a gym buddy to position my torso if it's physically possible.

    sqnsfuioetlz.jpg
  • TiisTitanium
    TiisTitanium Posts: 235 Member
    @mom23mangos - i think your alignment is better in pic one. I think it would be easier to adjust your hips if you are looking at your handst rather than tucking your chin in.

    Maybe try doing some floor drills which are basically lying face down on the floor. Your put your hands straight out in handstand position, try to keep shoulders, ribs and your hips on the floor while sucking in your stomach plus squeezing glutes, leg muscles and pointing feet. That way you can think about the correct body position without too much pressure on the shoulders. It is a deceptively hard core exercise.
  • mom23mangos
    mom23mangos Posts: 3,069 Member
    TiisTitanium wrote: »
    @mom23mangos - i think your alignment is better in pic one. I think it would be easier to adjust your hips if you are looking at your handst rather than tucking your chin in.

    Maybe try doing some floor drills which are basically lying face down on the floor. Your put your hands straight out in handstand position, try to keep shoulders, ribs and your hips on the floor while sucking in your stomach plus squeezing glutes, leg muscles and pointing feet. That way you can think about the correct body position without too much pressure on the shoulders. It is a deceptively hard core exercise.

    @TiisTitanium - how in the heck do you keep your shoulders on the floor if you are laying face down?? Can you show me a pic of the proper form when you get the chance? I just tried it on my office floor.
  • TiisTitanium
    TiisTitanium Posts: 235 Member
    I think it depends on your shoulder mobility but you kind of push them down.

    Scroll down to the middle of this article though he calls it pvc floor drill for a visual explanation. We sometimes use a broom stick but that is usually for aerial conditioning drills, and for handstands it putting hands in the handstand position

    https://www.elephantjournal.com/2015/11/how-i-transformed-my-handstand-with-3-simple-exercises/

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