Claire, this is a great start. You already look comfortable being upside down, which is a big piece of the handstand puzzle. The wall is perfect for building confidence, strength, and getting used to kicking up. One thing to know with back-to-wall handstands is that they are great for practicing the kick-up, but they do not always teach the best handstand position. In the photo, you can see a bit of a banana shape, where the back arches and the weight gets pulled toward the wall. That can make it harder to find the real balance point later. So I’d still use these, but I’d use them with a purpose: • Practice smooth kick-ups • Try to lightly take one foot off the wall at a time • Do small toe pulls away from the wall • Push tall through the floor • Gently tuck the ribs so the back does not arch as much • Also work chest-to-wall handstands for a cleaner line Chest-to-wall will usually show the real position better because it helps you stack hands, shoulders, hips, and feet without relying on the wall behind you. Really good first handstand post. Now we just clean up the shape little by little.

Zara, I’d make straight arms the first rule, then add the shoulder position after. For front lever, retraction should not feel like a big row squeeze because that can make the elbows bend. Try thinking “pull the bar down toward my hips,” “shoulders away from ears,” and “shoulder blades into back pockets.” If the arms bend when the legs go higher, make the tuck easier and build from there.

Val, these are great. They look like a version of prone shoulder swimmers or prone shoulder mobility raises. Perfect after pull-ups and dips because they help the shoulders, upper back, and chest loosen up without just flopping around. Move slow, keep the neck relaxed, and only use the range your shoulders can control. Very solid morning mobility choice 😂

That is a fun update though. A 2 pound drop and better body composition readings are exciting, but remember hydration, salt, food, sleep, and travel can all affect those numbers. Either way, I’d already call the cruise a success with all the stairs, rowing, gym time, walking, and smart blood pressure checks. Just don’t turn the cruise into a secret boot camp.

@Claudine Stone Sometimes the body is ready before the brain agrees. You already had the wall work, sideways dismounts, cartwheels, rolls, and general body awareness, but doing it in the open without panic is a different skill. That part is huge. I like how you built into it too. A dozen cartwheels, then slowly making the entry more handstand-like, then only holding 1 to 2 seconds so it felt safe and repeatable. That is a really good way to turn something scary into “oh, I can do this.” For the forward roll exit, your plan sounds good. Start with regular forward rolls, then hips higher, then small handstand-to-roll shapes. I still agree the cartwheel exit should stay your main bail for now, but if you already roll well, the forward roll can be another tool. And for the ladies watching, you probably did not intimidate them as much as you think. There is a good chance they were just watching because someone doing skin the cat at the park looks cool. You may have accidentally become the mysterious calisthenics park person 😂

@Claudine Stone I love this 😂 The yoga ball idea makes sense because it removes a lot of the fear from the pike-handstand to somersault. But if it triggered migraine pain later, I’d keep that one careful or skip it for now. The cartwheel exit still sounds like your better main bail. Also, tiny person getting big respect in the gym for handstands is amazing.