The human flag involves supporting your body on a pole or some rigid structure and making your body shoot straight out from it, like a flag on a pole, hence the name. This require complete body control and strength especially in the abdominals to support the legs at the disadvantaged leverage.
As seen in this picture it can also be done with a partner. Due to the position it looks slightly easier in this version than without a partner.
Rafael's High One Arm to Arm
Here is another great picture from Rafael Guerrero. It’s an interesting hand to hand balance. Similar to a one arm handstand but at still quite different.
Regardless, its a balance you don’t see very often. For those of you who are experienced hand balancers give this one a try if you have the partner to do it.
Good Luck and Good Hand Balancing,
Logan Christopher
P.S. Don’t forget the Free Success in Hand Balancing Teleseminar I’m doing this Wednesday night with Beast Skills’ Jim Bathurst. Sign up and ask your questions here.
It’s important to have a strong handstand against the wall before you ever try balancing yourself in the open.
And in order to train that you have to be able to get into the handstand. This video shows you the easiest way to kick-up against the wall.
How to Kick Up into a Handstand Against the Wall
The most important point is to keep your arms locked the entire time. That makes them strongest and you’ll be least likely to collapse to the ground.If you don’t quite get it on your first attempt keep at it. If you’re worried about injuring yourself put a pillow or something soft beneath your head to build your confidence.
Also, you can have a partner assist you. After you kick they can guide your feet to the wall.
As for how much kick to give, you need enough to get your hips above your body but not so much you plow into the wall. With practice you’ll be able to touch lightly on the wall every time.
Good Luck and Good Hand Balancing,
Logan Christopher
P.S. This is just the first step of many in the Secrets of the Handstand Quick Start DVD. If you want to work up to balancing on you own this is the DVD to get.
I asked one of my friends, Max, who competed as a former high-level gymnast to tell me about some of the exercises and drills he and his teammates used to build the strength they required.
You can see check one video of the partner drills he showed here.
[youtube:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1gHtenxGRA]
This is one of many things that he showed me on that bright, sunny day. While it’s a good one it’s not the best of the bunch.
You can do the same exercise without a partner, which is still good, though you can get more range and work a bit harder with someone’s help.
My favorite drill that Max showed me is one I’m calling the Ultimate Handstand Strengthening Exercise. This one exercise takes you through a wide range of motions and will boost your arm and shoulder strength like you wouldn’t believe.
Unfortunately, it’s a bit to complicated to get into right here.
But the full video is in this month’s Acrobat Accelerator, which you can sign up for here.
If you’re already signed up your issue hit the mail yesterday. There’s plenty of other exercises from working on the straight handstand that gymnasts use, press handstands and many more.
This is not beginner stuff, but if you’ve been in the game a little you can start using these drills to build your strength and skill.
Good Luck and Good Hand Balancing,
Logan Christopher
P.S. You can also get one of several hand balancing products that offer a one month trial to Acrobat Accelerator.
A big thanks to Chris for sending this picture in after last weeks email on the Victorian.
Who needs rings when you’ve got a partner? This is basically the Victorian held in a partner balance.
Notice how far the false grip is used. A necessity as every little bit helps the extreme leverage in this feat.
Having not tried this feat I can’t say for sure but I imagine the partner’s hands add a bit more support than the rings would.
And for a perfect Victorian the hands would have to be brought down a little more towards the hips.
Not to take anything away from this acrobatic feat. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything else like this one.
Which brings up another point. If you’ve got any remarkable hand balancing photos send them to [email protected] and there’s a good chance they make an appearance up on the blog.
Good Luck and Good Hand Balancing,
Logan Christopher
A simple partner hand balancing stunt. In fact, this one hand handstand may be easier than the normal kind.
Notice how Marlin’s wrist is supported by George Wayne. Overall it is a very good position for the one handed handstand. Tight and lined up.
Just by studying pictures of some of the best closely you can find out where you can improve. Of course, it helps if you have pictures of yourself to compare them to.
I know what the main question on your mind is. Where can you get a pair of those leopard print shorts?
I can’t help you with that but if you want to learn How to do the One Hand Handstand click here.
Good Luck and Good Hand Balancing,
Logan Christopher
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I spent this past weekend as an Assistant Instructor at the Russian Kettlebell Certification.
Kettlebells are a great tool and they could help your hand balancing, as described in part by Rif in the interview found in the Hand Balancing Mastery Course, but that is not the main point of this message.It just that at the event I was practicing a little bit of my hand balancing during some of the off time. Lo and behold some of the people in my group happened to be fellow hand balancers. And not just novices either.
One of them is actually working on a partner hand balancing act. She showed me a video of her and her partner’s hand-on-hand balancing.
How about holding a pretty decent straddle planche? Definitely past the beginner stage.
I also picked up an interesting variation of the forearm stand from yoga that I’ll share with you next time.
When they found out about my site they went ahead a purchased The True Art and Science of Hand Balancing on the spot.My point is that when you get around like minded people you are likely to learn some new things. I encourage you to get out and find other hand balancers to help you on your path. Its not always an easy thing to do but worth the effort.
If you can join a gymnastics class.
Just practice outside and you might get lucky and stumble upon someone. Who knows?
When you get together you can help one another out. You learn best by teaching after all. You may pick up a crucial tip that benefits you. Plus there is the challenge to out do each other.
If you are fortunate enough to have a like-minded friend then you know what I’m talking about. (On a side note you should tell them about my site so you can talk about and practice many of the tips together.)
If you don’t you gotta find one.
Good Luck and Good Hand Balancing,
Logan Christopher
P.S. You can find out much more about kettlebells and many other great training resources right here.
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