Acrobatic Attributes: A GMB Focused Flexibility Review

Just Recently we did a review on GMB’s new Elements course. Logan was looking through his old archives and was able to find a review he created a while back for the Focused Flexibility program. Stabilization, strength, pliability, and alignment are all important attributes in building the concrete foundation necessary for acrobatic endeavors. Check out the article here!

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If you already understand the need for a flexibility program and don’t want to take a look at the review, grab the GMB Focused Flexibility program here: https://lostartofhandbalancing.com/go/focusedflexibility/

Ultimate Guide to Handstand Pushups
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Stay Inverted!
-Coach Jon

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Hand Balancing Achievement: Bridge to Kickover!

We alway’s love it when one of our readers is able to use the information and build out their acrobatic skills. Here’s one from Travis!

Finally got it after 18 months of training!!! I know my moves are ugly because of the stiff shoulders, but still…

Awesome damn program, Logan. Anyway, a couple of things that helped:
1) Rest (I had a few setbacks along the way w my shoulders)
2) Progression: you used boxes, I used cinder blocks and then a trampoline and finally a partner to spot/assist.

Now, I’m gonna work on cleaning it up. But seriously, this program did so much for my tumbling. You should see me connect handsprings when I do open gym w my daughter. Thanks again!!!

You can watch what he’s done Below!

If you want to be able to achieve your first kickover or have a stronger and more flexible back be sure to take advantage of our special February deal for the advanced bridging course. Increase your core strength and mobility by going here!

The True Art and Science of Hand Balancing
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Stay Inverted!
-Coach Jon

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AcroYoga Beginner Tutorial – Therapeutic Flying

Hey Everyone! You know that there have been quite a few posts on Acroyoga this month. With it being Valentines (and Deadpool for those of you who caught my Saturday email) month we felt it would be great to showcase a different type of hand balancing with a partner. In today’s post, Noga is going to go over a more therapeutic side of acroyoga involving thai massage!

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The first position has the base posting on the hips and shoulders of the flyer. They then bend their knees independently or together to open up the flyer’s hips. The flyer should stay relaxed the entire time.

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Up next are flyer circles. The base will take the flyer into forward and back circular pattern to open up the shoulder and hips with increasing leverage.

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In the next position, Noga runs her flyer through a spinal twist to gain an inverted thoracic stretch.

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Another stretch is to have the flyer elongate their spine while the base lengthens their position from the ground,

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Noga goes through many more positions in the video that you can catch below!

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One last thing! Flexibility and core stabilization is key for both the flyer and the base. So don’t forget that Logan and I have a special February deal for the advanced bridging course. Increase your core strength and mobility by going here!

Stay Inverted!
-Coach Jon

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Acrobatic Attributes: A GMB Elements Review

So, we’ve been talking a lot about foundation recently. Especially on how to get your body accustomed to all types of 3d movement. It can be scary, I won’t lie. Its a constant cycle, but after the initial work gets easier like the progress from walking, to running, to sprinting. Take myself for example, when I started on this journey of movement I was just like how most of you probably were in the beginning. NO IDEA what to do or which direction to take. Even with all the quick info out there, its hard to pull everything together in an easy to follow manner. Luckily you’ve got people like Logan who’ve done the hard work and can help you reach that level that you want to achieve.

The work is consistent but its a gratifying journey. The reason I’m talking about this is because i want to open you up to a way of making this body skill passion easier. As you know, our friends over at Gold Medal Bodies have been at the body skill game for multiple years. In their big pot of experience and talents, they’ve narrowed down the necessary attributes needed to develop any acrobatic skill. This information is compiled together in their Elements Program. Which we use of inspiration for our evolving outlook on handstand and hand balancing development.

I’ve always been a person about simplicity and the Elements Program accomplishes this by having you focus on 3 movement patterns in a progressive fashion over the course of 7 weeks. Even after a few days, I began to understand the value of the information. Although not just myself; my own clients have benefited with their own hip mobility and stabilization, which for some of them has been 2 years of work. Every piece of information is meticulously detailed and compliments each other.

As I said, the program is broken down into 7 weeks with 6 days of training. The main goal is to build necessary strength and conditioning, but more importantly to understand your body. As the weeks go by, Ryan and the GMB team start adding more tweaks as well as give you the guidance to work on your own free flow floor work.

If you’ve never been inverted or have never tried any acrobatic feat, be sure to pick up the GMB Elements Program. I can’t recommend it enough!

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Stay Inverted!
-Coach Jon

Tumbling Illustrated
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AcroYoga Beginner Tutorial – AcroYoga poses (with instructions)

In today’s post, Noga goes over a few different Acro poses that you can do with your partner. Its going to take a lot of coordination, flexibility, and stabilization to put them together so make sure you have a comfortable foundation before you get started!

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The first Pose is the Bird to Full Bow.  As you are going through the pose, be sure to keep your arms extended in case your flyer loses balance during the transition.

The True Art and Science of Hand Balancing
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Next up is the Throne to Mermaid Pose.

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You can also get more detailed info on these as well as catch the other poses Nataraj and High Flying Whale by watching the clip below!

Don’t forget guys, we’ve got a great deal on the advanced bridging program this month. If you’re looking to really increase your flexibility, check it out here!

Stay Inverted!
-Coach Jon

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1 Min Tip: Acrobatic Attributes – Shoulder Opener

Hey Guys! Here’s the next update to our Acrobatic Attributes series of videos to help give you a better foundation! One of the keys to that foundation is to have loose muscles that can react and move in 3d. The Shoulder Opener Stretch is a great way to open up your shoulders and increase mobility to your posterior side while up in an inverted position!


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The Shoulder Opener is a great way to open up your rhomboids, traps, scapula, and lats.

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One of the key factors to doing the move correctly is to make sure the shoulders stay in a neutral position. You can easily accomplish this by placing your shoulder blades on a wall and using that as a focus point.

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Pull one arm across the mid-line of your chest and use the opposing arm to pull it in place. Rather than pressing the arm towards your body, think about pulling your arm to the opposite side.(For my martial arts folks, think sticky hands!)

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You can watch the 1 min tip here!

Don’t forget a lot of these great tips were inspired by our friends from Gold Medal Bodies. So if you are looking to really develop your foundational range of motion and flexibility for acrobatics, check out the GMB Focused Flexibility program here: https://lostartofhandbalancing.com/go/focusedflexibility/

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1 Min Tip: Acrobatic Attributes – The A Frame

Logan and I are always looking for ways to increase the effectiveness of  you training with handbalancing and luckily we’ve found a great resource from our friends at Gold Medal Bodies. This new set of videos that were inspired by the wealth of information in their foundational programs will simultaneously develop your strength, mobility, and biomechanics needed for acrobatics.

Here is the  first video in the Acrobatic Attributes Series: The A Frame

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The A Frame is a great position to work on in order to build your hip and back strength and mobility. It will teach you how to use your hips for lead up stunts like the kick-up wall handstand or the kick-up in general!

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You want to start out in an Athletic Stance and then bring your hands to the floor.

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One of the key components you want to pay attention to is the straightening of your legs and back while keeping your biceps by your ears and driving your hip up!

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Be sure to check out the full 1 min. tip below.

Also if you are looking to really develop your foundation for anything in your acrobatic skillset check out the GMB Elements program here: https://lostartofhandbalancing.com/go/elements/

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AcroYoga Beginner Tutorial – Straddle Bat

Ok guys! In today’s post, we’ll be jumping once again into the AcroYoga series with Noga. Today Noga will be working with the Straddle Bat or Back to Bat Position.

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She starts out by placing having her flyer rest their glutes on her feet. The flyer leans back and clasps the hands of the base.

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Next the flyer releases the hands of the base and stabilizes on the feet.

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The flyer slowly leans back and the base creates a new post on the flyers shoulders.

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Finally the Flyer becomes inverted into the straddle position. (Note the change in foot placement.)

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To get the full tutorial with tips, watch the video below!

Allright guys! As you can see flexibility on the part of the flyer is important for this position. If you want to build a strong back with mobility and stability check out our Advanced Bridging Course here!

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Stay Inverted!
-Coach Jon

P.S.  Stay tuned for Friday as we’ll be unveiling our new set of 1 min tips that will help you build a strong foundational base for your acrobatic skills!

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AcroYoga Beginner Tutorial – Throne

In today’s post. We’ll be revisiting Beginner AcroYoga with the The Throne Tutorial. Noga runs you through four different variations as well as spotting tips.

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1) The first position is the Basic Mount.

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2) Next Noga runs you through the Straddle Throne position.

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3) Followed by it’s opposite, the Reverse Throne.

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4) Finally, she takes you through your first transition with the  Bird to Throne position.

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Take a look at the full video below!

If you want to get better at hand balancing with a systematic approach, check out our Handstand Mastery Course!

Stay Inverted!
-Coach Jon

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A Celebratory Ring Challenge!

Hey Guys! In today’s post, we have a fun and quick challenge for you. The year is getting off to a great start and people are losing weight, building muscle, and most importantly development their mindful movement. So we wanted to kick things off with an easy challenge we found to test you. Micheal demonstrates a conditioning circuit of 3 exercises with 5 reps each in succession. Try these 3 and see the immense strength that you can build!

1)Muscle – Ups

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2)Dips

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3)Pull-Ups

How to do the One Hand Handstand by Professor Orlick
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Watch the full video below!

If the conditioning challenge was hard, you still have a chance to get the revamped Rings One Program and if you act before tonight ends, you can receive two special bonuses including shoulder health and a conditioning workout using the gymnastic rings!

Stay Inverted!
-Coach Jon

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