Strength and a good sense of balance are the critical factors in achieving good hand balancing. Most of the examples here are OK, but some shapes leave a little to be desired. The most usual issue we call 'banana back' - arching the back to compensate for a lack of shoulder flexibility - yes, you need that, too.    If the weight is supported on the hands - that's the first success. Pulling through to handstand follows:   ...and so, strengthening the shoulders for more great things to come! Yes, him again.  We could say the same about him - showing off with his mates. That's Archie Collier from the UK - very talented and currently on tour in a show (as we saw earlier in a rehearsal clip). OK. A couple more of Archie then we'll call it done for this post!    

We make no apologies for returning to our favourite sport - the one which  really  develops the body in terms of strength, flexibility and, of course aesthetics. Not to mention the dedication needed to acquire the skills we enjoy watching. Recommended to all, though obviously easier when you're young!  

As gymnastics/acrobatics coaches, we always say that the gymnasts can never spend enough time on their hands (i.e. supporting their weight on their hands). They need a good handstand for every piece of apparatus, actually. Today we can see some results - mostly excellent, some perhaps not (but making the effort). Including acrobatic groups pitching and catching, working together. Definitely an exhibition of physical fitness, of course. This post is quite heavy on videos, but in many cases it is the action which is important. Bear with us!   This guy goes for endurance... ...by the way, when we were training we had to do 8 minutes, but against a wall for occasional support   ...an unusual location, but you can't stop those circus performers even when they have free time!   ... and that last one is a good effort, but a typical 'banana back' caused by poor shoulder flexibility He's balancing OK though.  Some "easy steps" now, and then some games: Start young...  ...