This is footage from the movie “Broadway Rhythm” (1944). The Ross sisters, Aggie, Maggie and Elmira, sing and move in ways that’ll make your average contortionist blush.
Just watch past the minute mark to see the moves begin. And my favorite is at the 2:50 mark. That has to be the most impressive back bend ever.
Good Luck and Good Acrobatics,
Logan Christopher
P.S. Thanks to Mike for pointing me to this video!
Time to answer some of your questions again. What with the new site and new releases I’ve let some of these pile up.
Here’s two asking the same thing.
“How do you do a lever up handstand. Starting feet on floor in straddle. Used to be able to do it when I was training 10 years ago-but even then it was a struggle & a skill I lost quickly. There’s got to be a technique I’m missing. can lever down but not up from feet on floor. Wait to hear…”
Chrissie
“I would like to learn how to go into a handstand the way gymnasts usually do by leaning over the hands with legs straight until the feet lift off and the legs hang then lifting up the legs into a sort of planche then straight up. Can you do this and what would be the stages in learning it? Surprisingly, I couldn’t find any information on this on the site.”
Ross
Thanks for asking. With a bit of different language both these questions are asking about the same thing. And that is the straight arm press.
It will be easier if the legs are straddled, but once that becomes easy you can keep them together in the pike position.
This move not only takes strength in the arms, shoulders and abs but a big degree of flexibility as well. You have to get the center of you mass over your hands if you want to have any chance of succeeding. This means your shoulders will come far over your hands.
Chrissie was on to something when she said she could lower down. Work the negative, staying under control and soon you’ll be able to lift up into the handstand.
Another way is to hold a Jack-Knife handstand. When you can hold this position low pressing up into the handstand should be no problem.
Some people have no problem doing this move. Others will have to do tons of work to get it based on there body leverages. If you fall into the later group just keep at it. A bunch of negatives, holds, and isometrics will get you there faster.
Good Luck and Good Hand Balancing,
Logan Christopher
There’s some cool things in store for this month. And we are going kick off the holiday weekend with an important announcement on Thursday.
We will keep up that momentum through the whole month with a new release (or re-release) almost every single week.
On top of that there are new articles and videos coming. To hold you over here’s a new question from Ross.
“Hi, I’ve looked through the site and find it very interesting. One point I was surprised not to see mentioned was the factor of age in learning balance. I was always told that you must start very young to ever have exceptional balance. Is this true or just a myth? I am 29 and always assumed I could probably learn handstands but not one-handed or anything advanced. As a break-dancer, I have always concentrated on movements and neglected static balances for this reason. “
I don’t know where you heard this but it’s something that I’ve never have. And it’s definitely a myth. Be careful any time you assume something. You know what that does, right?
If you look at it logically you’ll find the only thing that could stop you from learning is in your mind. There is no physical aspect that occurs at what, say 9 years old or maybe its 13, where its too late for you to become a good balancer.
Sure there is benefits to being young in regards to balancing. They have many more years to practice. Plus their mind is much less likely to get in the way.
I tell you what’s true though. If you believe you’ll never be able to hold a one-hand handstand than you definitely won’t.
The same holds true for anything in life. Don’t believe you can learn a new language or to play a musical instrument. Then you won’t make the effort and you won’t reap the rewards.
Good Luck and Good Hand Balancing,
Logan Christopher
P.S. If you do want to learn the One Handed Handstand, you need a plan of action and that plan can be found here.
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