Couch to Handstand | DAY 22 - Preparing the kick up | The Art of Handbalancing

[@Tumasia]

Hey Natalie! It was sooo hard today on the last hold. But you know what? I wouldn't have made it a week ago, not even close! Thank you for guiding me through this tough stuff gradually upping the difficulty and for all the encouragement and inspiration!

[@NatalieReckert]

Thank you for your lovely words and for sharing your experience. Trust your body, some things feel impossible at first try but your body is much stronger than you think that it is. Keep up the good work! Best wishes

[@carriemcmurtrie2906]

Thank you, Natalie!!

[@samruben5750]

I’ve been doing one of these per week as a strength training warmup, and making a huge difference! Excited to (eventually) progress to your full handstand Vimeo course next!!

[@NatalieReckert]

Yay! fabulous. Keep up the good work!

[@qihanjin2122]

Today I looked at the wall in my living room and asked myself "Strange I still can't make it." Then I kicked up and stayed in the pose for a few seconds. So the one-month walk-the-wall practice finally paid off! Thanks so much Nathalie for the 7- week course. I got lots of inspiration from there. Hope you're doing well and happy 2020 :-)

[@NatalieReckert]

Hello :) oh I know the wall walks are tough! Good job for doing them anyway. Yes! Sometimes it takes a while for new knowledge to sink in. And sometimes it also requires a br ak from exercise. So happy that it worked for you! Keep practicing please, it is just the start of the journey :)

[@anthonycraig274]

I tried to do a handstand yesterday and did a 10 second handstand from a kick up then used finger control. I have now started to do press-ups on my fingertips, bridge training, and head stands from a yoga block. I will progress my head stand with adding height to the yoga black.

[@laciestrong3372]

Hi Natalie. I really enjoy practicing with you, and am excited that soon (I hope) that I can do handstand. My question is how to bring the hip really in line with the wrist and shoulder. I taped my practice and I can see that my shoulder is right above my wrist, but my hips are still tilted like a tent, and I cannot really keep my legs straight

[@NatalieReckert]

Hello and thank you for the feedback. For keeping your legs straight I recommend these exercises: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f3rGpGSpfJerg6s This course is really just an introduction to handstands :) There is a lot more you can do to build up strength in the back and core. From what you describe core and back strength are what you need. Also try to counter the tilt in the hips by thinking that you have length accross the front of your hips, you probable need to "lift" your legs a bit higher. This routine here is a good follow up for core strength: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pKOvhomAabNlZsk Best wishes

[@loue496]

Day 22 👍🏻Great workout.

[@awesomelee4574]

Hellooo, I have been following the exercises everyday now. Thank you for making these videos they are great help to me. Here are some doubts which are recurring in my practice and I thought it would be better if I asked : - Where to place the Phone or laptop while doing the exercises, as I have to shift everytime there is a change, breaking my chain of exercise - How to find a stable elevation, I tried different things but as in lockdown I can only workout at home, everything seems to push off - I have no problem in keeping my weight on the hand but as I have a heavy hip, it doesn't go in the air and soon as I put extra effort, I either topple down or it becomes unbearable to carry( are there any other exercises which can help me push the hip better in a straight line, like engagement the stomach muscles really helps.) Thank you.

[@NatalieReckert]

Hello and thank you for sharing these detailed questions. Regarding the phone/laptop: Can you put it somewhere, from where you can see it from all angles, like on a small table a bit further away? It's a tricky one, I haven't got a good answer for this. - A couch or armchair is a good elevation, as well as a ladder. Try weighing things down if they slide. - to lift the hips, try chaninging the distance between hands and elevation and see what is easier. Maybe you are too close to the elvation. Some people find it easier to not work with and elevation and try lifting the legs straight up onto the wall. Other than that: round your back, most likely if you cannot lift the hips it is because you are not rounding the back or the shoulders are shooting to the front and don't stay stacked above the wrists. Hope this helps, Best wishes

[@awesomelee4574]

@@NatalieReckert thank you, I'll try this and will let you know.❤️❤️

[@panja300-0]

Thank you for guiding so much ❤️❤️

[@sahai007]

Just now became better after your class for the swing little since today I was getting fatigue alot in my wrist today somehow

[@annacieplinska1463]

thank you so much!!!

[@perfectblue8443]

I am trying to learn the handstand, it is hard for me but thanks to you I am making some progress. I struggle with the kick up, as I still need a wall to stabilize before I can attempt to find my balance.

[@NatalieReckert]

Be patient with yourself, it is a difficult skill and takes time. Feel free to repeat sessions. This may help with your kick-up: Kick ups kzbin.info/www/bejne/rZjGg2Bsra-pd9k Kick ups for limited mobility: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5e5ZaSFZt5napo

[@JoeMightyWarren]

Day 22 ✅ Another great workout. This definitely highlighted my lack of leg flexibility lol. I need to spend more time in that department.

[@NatalieReckert]

Handstands definitely highlight strength and weaknesses in the body :) Well done for following all the way until here. This may be useful for your legs: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJStZ6V-pN6ImM0

[@JoeMightyWarren]

Natalie Reckert perfect, thanks! I’m going to work this into my routine,

[@tomr164]

Thanks for the video. My shoulder and hamstring inflexibility makes it hard to nicely align the whole body. Even after I've been stretching for over 1.5 years now, it has improved, but it goes so slowly for me.

[@NatalieReckert]

It takes time! Have a look at this, it may help: Handstand holds for tight shoulders: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qJ-zpqyqp9SVg9k

[@Jesus-in3oz]

Awesome Nat 👍 now can't wait for the next days 😁

[@NatalieReckert]

Coming soon :)

[@jbklein1]

Great, as always. Thank you for all this pro and cool content

[@NatalieReckert]

Thank you :)

[@sarasahara2504]

Today I'm back here from video 24. I didn't manage to touch the wall on the kick up so I think I need to work more on the basics. I'm not giving up!

[@NatalieReckert]

Well done for coming all the way to day 24, don't give up. Go back to session 21 and try again, it can take a few tries, have a look a the comments, your are not the only one :) This here might help: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rZjGg2Bsra-pd9k Round your back, strong kick, strong push, you can do it!

[@berilcelikoglu7494]

The exercises are getting harder, I need to do additional work to strengthen my shoulders and wrists, but I have the difference, thanks a lot Natalie, I hope Puck is good, this video was posted 3 years ago, I have 2 cats too, love Natalie❤🙏🌷⭐

[@NatalieReckert]

Hello :) thank you for sharing your experience. You can always do a class twice or put in an extra day of rest! Puk is still well, he is currently lazing in the Italian sunshine with my mother on holiday. Thank you :) pets are so precious.

[@berilcelikoglu7494]

@@NatalieReckert I'm glad Puk is okay. Have a nice holiday to him. You are right, I will repeat a lesson at least a few times. I have been practicing yoga asanas for several years. The flexibility of my body is not directly proportional to my strength, I need to get stronger, continue with perseverance, thanks Natalie, ❤🙏💐.

[@robertalberts1124]

Hi Natalie, another great workout. I get up pretty easily but can't quite keep my back off the wall. Feels like I'm cheating. But it is allowing me to concentrate on pushing the shoulders and locking the elbows.

[@NatalieReckert]

Hi Robert, I would not worry about it too much at this stage. The most important thing is to get used to the weight bearing and the position itself. Tight shoulders are probably the reason why your back is up against the wall so focus on pushing the shoulders out and do some additional exercises for shoulder opening before and after training.

[@robertalberts1124]

Yes, that's what I thought, watched your video for shoulder opening and have been doing those exercises before training, can feel the improvement already, thanks again for all your help.

[@oranaviv1]

Thank you Natalie. I can't believe I have come this far!! I have a question regarding placement by the wall. I put my hands a hand width away from the wall, but I feel my hair is touching the wall. Is this how close I should be? Thanks. BTW -the nausea I felt in the earlier inversions was only when I had one foot on the wall. I guess I only raised my hips well when both feet were up. Then I felt fine. Thanks.

[@NatalieReckert]

Glad to hear the nausea passed and how strange. Do come away further from the wall if you feel like that is best. Try to crank your head a bit less back, that can help when you head is touching the wall. Thank you for following and best wishes :)

[@h2olog]

Thanks so much for these lessons, Natalie. It's taken me more than a year to get to Day 22, but I'm still working on it. The "elevation" exercises are too much for my tight hamstrings, even using a tall stool. I'm unable to bend 90 degrees at the waist with straight legs, and I certainly can't get my hips and shoulders aligned over my hands with one or both feet on a stool. Instead, I face the wall and walk my hands in as I move both feet up until my body is straight and only my toe tips are touching the wall. When I get as vertical as I dare, with hands about 12 inches from the wall, it feels as if 95% of my body weight is on my hands. Is this a reasonable alternative, or should I be practicing something else at this stage? (FYI, I've been working on hamstring flexibility for years and have reached the point of diminishing returns.)

[@NatalieReckert]

Hello and well done for being so hard working and committed! Keep working on hamstring felxibility and squats. And also shoulder mobility. In your handstand holds, fold your chin all the way to your chest and think of pushing the base of your hand up and back, rotate the arms externally as well, that will help. This may help you too: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qJ-zpqyqp9SVg9k Hope you suceed, I admire your determination. There is no normal, your path is your path. Handstand training makes you aware of all the weaknesses in your body, so it is not uncommon to step back and focus on working on something else like flexibility or strength for a bit. Best wishes

[@sahai007]

Today was intense so much higher than ever, but enjoyed it alot. Today swing did not happen hope it happens tmrrw since will get better as the practice progresses

[@NatalieReckert]

Feel free to do this class again. Don't give up :)

[@sahai007]

OK cool

[@jessicato8661]

I cannot lift one leg up yet. Should I continue to try with both legs on the stool or go back to practice Day 21? Thanks a lot for this, by the way.

[@NatalieReckert]

Hello, Great to have you on board :) I would suggest that you practice both. Leg up on the stool as well as going back to session 21. It may take you a bit longer to get there, be patient, everyone gets stuck at some point :)

[@matchasource]

Day 22....coming along.

[@greenjake3518]

Natalie hello 👋 May I ask you for advice? What handbalancing be best to go on when HS and HS Press are achieved? Thank you 🙏🙏

[@NatalieReckert]

Hiya, I would say work on different shapes and on transitioning from one to the other like straddle-tuck-sraight as well as making combos like press+shape x+ shape y+ holds 20 sec+ lever down. Then work on weight transfers for one arm handstands. It is a bit you choice depending on where you want to go, you could focus more on one arm handstands, backbends or planch holds for example or else you could start working on blocks or canes. It really depends on what you enjoy working on and whether you would like to go with what suits your body best or else challenge your body. Here's some advertisement from my side: I'll soon publish a Vimeo library with more advanced handbalancing stuff. Check it out once it's up and running.

[@greenjake3518]

@@NatalieReckert 🙏🙏 thank you, it's an honor )) I am thinking this way too, and am going to find out what suits me better, my handbalancing way )) at the same time moving and flow attract me as well as holds. Waiting for new great videos ))

[@evekappler3156]

I struggled with holding the fourth hold today. Do you suggest I repeat day 22 or go onto day 23? Thanks

[@NatalieReckert]

Hiya, it may not be a bad idea to repeat or rest for a day if you felt like you were struggling a lot.

[@jakeleak]

couldn't get my leg up that high, fun trying though :)

[@NatalieReckert]

Hiya, use a higher elevation like a chair and that will help you. Also remember, you set your own standards, it does not have to look like me when you do the exercise :) Great to have you on board!

[@jakeleak]

@@NatalieReckert will do. thanks!

[@rashilife924]

I can't do this😢 I couldn't lift one leg up high. Couldn't straightent legs

[@rashilife924]

Now I can halfway stand on the wall... But can't do one leg up high... I am trying so hard.. Will update my results on below vedios Thankyou natellie....

[@NatalieReckert]

Good work fixing this by yourself! If you cannot take the leg up high it may be because of leg flexibility or because you don't keep your shoulders above the wrists. Try a higher elevation as well.

[@h2olog]

​@@NatalieReckert , I have the same problem as @Rashi life. I can't fold 90 degrees with straight legs. I can plank for 5 minutes, but I can't straighten my legs in down dog. I've managed to do the first two holds in this lesson by using a high stool and bending my knees considerably. But straightening my legs from this position is beyond my range of motion. And raising one straight leg with the other on the stool is a move that will need to wait for my next incarnation! I've found that hopping up to a handstand against the wall is well within my ability, but I'm a very long way from having the flexibility to complete this lesson. (I'm working on shoulder mobility, too.) Where do you suggest I go from here? Thank you so much for making these videos and coaching us along the way!

[@NatalieReckert]

@@h2olog Hello, I think it is totally ok to hop into a handstand into a tuck and then straightne the legs. Kicking up is only one way of doing it. It is easiest for most people but if hopping up works better, do it that way. Mobility helps a lot in handstands and other movement practices. As a coach I would suggest you invest a good hour or half hour at least daily working on mobility. It is either that or finding a way around the moves that require more mobility like hopping up into the handstand. this may be a bit too advanced for you but try it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJStZ6V-pN6ImM0 Work on your squats every day and use an elevation in the hnadstand exercises. Keep the legs bent in the downward facing dog.

[@kookiali6567]

Iam afraid of falling can you help me please

[@NatalieReckert]

Hello, If you are afraid of falling it is best if you go back to the previous classes of this program and practice the exercises that are easier until you feel fully confident to continue. You can also take the legs and the hips lower and that way the exercises will feel safer. All the best for your practice!

[@kookiali6567]

@@NatalieReckert thank you 😍