With a bunch of new people joining, I want to go over the most important handstand progression again. If you want to get a handstand, the biggest mistake is usually trying to force the full handstand too early. The better approach is this: Spend 2 to 3 weeks doing a little bit every day on the right progression. That will usually help way more than random max effort handstand attempts. 🧠 Why handstands feel so hard A handstand is not just one skill. It is a bunch of small skills happening at the same time: • being upside down • balancing on your hands • spatial awareness • pushing through the shoulders • activating your core • keeping your legs active • learning how to fall safely That is why handstands feel weird at first. You are not weak. You are just learning a lot of new things at once. 🎯 The most important progression For most people, the most important progression is: • Chest to wall handstand Why? Because it teaches: • the right shape • the right line • shoulder position • body tension • what a real handstand should feel like And honestly, it is much better to spend a few weeks getting comfortable here than rushing ahead. 📍 If you are not ready for chest to wall yet Then the best progression before that is: • Pike handstand hold This is amazing because it lets you practice: • being on your hands • shoulder alignment • core tension • getting upside down in a safer way And important reminder: Your legs do not have to be straight yet. If flexibility is the issue, bend the legs. You can even put your knees on something. The goal is not to force perfect flexibility. The goal is to get the alignment and practice being on your hands. 🔄 What comes next after chest to wall? The next most important thing is: • Learning how to fall out safely A lot of people do not struggle with handstands because of strength. They struggle because of fear. That is normal. If your brain does not trust the fall, it will not let you fully commit to the handstand.

I have been working on Pseudo planche pushups and holds for a while now and didn’t really think that I would be able to make much progress whilst recovering from injury so I decided to work a step under tuck planche using a foam roller. Today I thought that I would just try a tuck planche and was pleasantly surprised that I could hold it despite still having a fractured finger. It feels great to be achieving something again 😊

One of the reasons I really like the elbow lever is that it is not just a beginner skill. It is a doorway skill. Once you get it, it can lead to a bunch of other fun things. 🐊 1. The Croc Lever The most obvious next step is the one arm elbow lever, usually called the croc lever. The basic idea is simple: • start in your elbow lever • place one hand a little bit further out • slowly shift your balance • use the second hand less and less until you find the point At first, it is not about holding it forever. It is just about finding where the balance actually is. That is the fun part. 🧘 2. Yoga-style arm balances If you have seen other people in the community playing with balance skills, the elbow lever can also lead into things like: • funky flying pigeon • other yoga arm balances • different bent arm balance variations Why? Because the elbow lever teaches: • center of mass • how to lean forward • how to trust your hands • how to lift the legs behind you That makes a lot of other balance skills feel way less random. 💪 3. 90 degree holds For calisthenics, one of the cool carryovers is the 90 degree hold. This is one of those skills that almost looks like a fake planche at first glance. It teaches you a lot about: • bent arm strength • shoulder pressure • control under bodyweight • moving between positions So if you like the elbow lever, this is one of the fun directions you can go later. 🔄 4. Transitions This is where the elbow lever gets really cool. At a more advanced level, it becomes a transition skill. For example: • handstand into elbow lever • tucked planche into elbow lever • elbow lever press style movements That is where it starts looking really smooth and really impressive. A tucked planche into elbow lever almost starts to look like a weird planche push-up. And honestly, that is awesome. ✅ Why this matters The elbow lever is not just a hold. It teaches things that make other skills easier: • balance • leaning • control • posterior chain activation

Handstands improving How is my handstand? how can I work upto HSPU?

I just tried an animal movement and I feel amazing! I know I'm only 14 and probably don't need it as much as my age but I felt so smooth. I did the one where you were in a cat position then lunge then kick through... What are your favourite animal movements?? I need ideas!