Q&A for How to Do a Handstand

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  • Question
    How can I hold a handstand for a long time? I keep falling down as soon as I go up.
    Community Answer
    Find that common balance point between your body. If you are too shaky, too still, or you're bending your knees too much, you won't find that balance point. Keep your body straight once you get into your handstand. Relax and try to ease out the difficulty. When you try to kick your leg up, do not do it with too much force, it is a simple one-sweep motion. It takes time to find this balance point, but it's worth it and feels great when you've succeeded.
  • Question
    What if I can't land and I go backwards instead?
    Community Answer
    Practice your handstand against a flat surface, such as a wall or door. This should help you to get used to where you're supposed to stop your feet in the air.
  • Question
    What do I do when my arms start shaking?
    Community Answer
    It means your muscles are fatigued. Take a break and drink some water.
  • Question
    I keep doing these arm and core exercises, but I still keep falling. Why?
    Community Answer
    A handstand is about not just strength, but also balance. Try working on your balance and form, and it will come in time.
  • Question
    How can I balance when I get away from the wall? I find it really difficult.
    Community Answer
    Practicing on the grass, carpet, or mat will help. It's okay to lose your balance, just keep trying and you will get better.
  • Question
    I am almost able to do a front walkover, but I still struggle with a handstand, any advice?
    Ruah
    Community Answer
    Try walking slowly into your handstand. Chances are, if you are practicing a front walkover, you're running into it. Don't try to run into a handstand. Walk slowly and place your hands firmly on the ground.
  • Question
    My wrists get quite sore after doing a cartwheel. Is there something I can do to help before doing a handstand?
    Community Answer
    Exercises can help warm up the area, like rotating your wrists around, or trying to hold yourself off a seat using only your wrists.
  • Question
    How do I keep my legs together?
    Community Answer
    You squeeze your bottom and squeeze your feet, ankles, toes, and knees together.
  • Question
    What if you lose your balance?
    Community Answer
    If you lose your balance often, this suggests that you need to work more on stretching and strengthening. Keep practicing.
  • Question
    What if I'm really not flexible?
    Ruah
    Community Answer
    You don’t actually need to be super flexible to do this. Handstands are more about balance. If you want to improve your flexibility, try doing some simple stretches.
  • Question
    When I am coming out of the handstand, I often fall on my face. How do I fix this?
    Community Answer
    Try not to bend your elbows and keep your hands straight. You can also come out of a handstand by doing a front limber.
  • Question
    I am a little over weight and I get out of breath when I walk the wall. What can I do?
    Community Answer
    Keep practicing simple skills to help learn how to do a handstand. Soon enough, you will get used to it, and you will gain more strength. Lastly, consider incorporating some cardio into your daily exercise routine, such as walking, jogging, running, or even jumping jacks.
  • Question
    Is there chance that you can break your neck?
    Community Answer
    No, even if you fall, you aren't falling from a great height or with a lot of velocity. Just remember to tuck your chin into your chest to avoid landing awkwardly.
  • Question
    I keep on falling back or on my side when doing it. What should I do to prevent this?
    Ruah
    Community Answer
    Squeeze your knees together. You might be falling because your form is not tight enough.
  • Question
    Can I do it on my bed?
    Community Answer
    No, because a bed is not firm enough to give your proper balance. You will be more likely to fall if you do it on a bed. Try to do it on a carpet instead, or against a well.
  • Question
    Is it possible to do a handstand for a half hour?
    Community Answer
    The longest handstand on record by someone 18 years of age or younger is 1 minute 54.3 seconds, so a half hour is probably asking too much. Moreover, it's highly unhealthy. Staying in an upside down position for that long will cause blood move away from your legs and pool in your chest, arms, and head.
  • Question
    I have an aglophobia and am afraid to fall. Do you have any tips on how I could try to do this?
    Community Answer
    Keep your hands tight by your ears and don't move them. As long as you are tight, you should be fine
  • Question
    What if I am not flexible?
    Cat4242
    Community Answer
    You do not need to be. It will help, but you just need to be able to run and kick up. Practice by holding your feet against walls or using a spotter.
  • Question
    Can I learn to do handstands without using a wall?
    Community Answer
    Yes. The wall trick is meant to help you do a handstand without going over onto your back. Using a wall can be helpful, but it is not necessary.
  • Question
    How would I reduce the chances of injuring my neck while coming back down?
    Ruah
    Community Answer
    Tuck your feet in and bring your head up. This is a simple solution that will help you reduce the risk of injuring your neck.
  • Question
    How do I not arch my back?
    Community Answer
    Try to squeeze your quads, glutes and core strongly. Try it in a plank position until you have a nice posterior pelvic tilt.
  • Question
    What if I'm scared of falling because I worry I can't hold myself?
    Community Answer
    You will never succeed in anything in life if you are scared of falling. As long as you are using the right technique, you just have to go for it.
  • Question
    How can I overcome my fear of doing a handstand?
    Community Answer
    Watch videos of other people doing a handstand to help you to see how easy it is. Make sure that you are fit and that you have done some stretches before attempting it. Best of all, have a spotter who can catch your legs or body as you go up and gently help you to come back down again. Eventually, you'll get the feel for it.
  • Question
    What if I keep falling on the floor and am stressed out?
    Ruah
    Community Answer
    Take a deep breath a relax! Handstand are not an easy skill to learn. Keep practicing and don’t worry if you fall. Everyone falls when they are learning this.
  • Question
    How do I get over my fear of flopping over?
    Community Answer
    Just forget about it. Don't be scared to fall. I would recommend doing it on a hill to start out with so the fall isn't as far and you will fall slanted instead of flat (that is, if you do fall).
  • Question
    When I try to tuck my head in, I get scared I'll fall over. How can I stop this?
    Ruah
    Community Answer
    Get a spotter, this will help you to gain confidence. Once you feel confident enough to try the handstand while tucking on your own, try it without a spotter.
  • Question
    How many days will it take to have a flexible back?
    Community Answer
    It depends on the person. Some people take weeks, even months while others don't take a long time. Stretch until you have it, then continue stretching to keep it.
  • Question
    How do I stretch my back? My lower back was super flexible and now it is stiff and it hurts when I bend it sometimes.
    Community Answer
    Consult with a chiropractor or physical therapist, they should be able to provide techniques for stretching and treat any underlying issues that are causing you pain.
  • Question
    When I try doing a handstand, my legs go over and I do a front limber. How do I correct this?
    Community Answer
    Try starting against a wall and tuck your head in, not out. This could cause really bad neck injuries. Do it against a wall for 15 seconds as much as possible then try doing it farther and farther away from the wall.
  • Question
    Do I need practice for a handstand or can I do it in one day?
    Community Answer
    This is a question of skill level. If you are a rather fit person, it will take less time versus if you need to build up the necessary strength. Once the strength barrier has been breached, it only becomes a question of finding your balance.
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