How to kick up into a handstand - The Art of Handbalancing

This video is about the most important things to look out for when you are trying to kick up into a handstand, which is in many ways much harder than just holding the handstand.
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Adventures by A Himitsu / a-himitsu Creative Commons - Attribution 3.0 Unported- CC BY 3.0 creativecommons.... Music released by Argofox • A Himitsu - Adventures... Music provided by Audio Library • Adventures - A Himitsu...
Please note that this video contains strenuous physical activity, strength and mobility exercises as well as full body inversions. Not every exercise is suitable for every person. You should consult your doctor before engaging in any exercise. If you feel unwell, stop immediately. Your participation is purely voluntary and in no way mandated by Natalie Reckert. You fully understand that you may injure yourself as a result of participating in this programme. Natalie Reckert cannot be made liable now or in the future for conditions that you may obtain.

[@manuelacosta8617]

I was in the master class of Natalie in Manchester a few months ago and believe me, this stuff works. I learnt it there and my % of kick up success has skyrocketed. I've seen this video over and over again because by not practicing this drills and not knowing this information (sometimes I kind of forget), I ended up getting shoulders tired because of many failed attempts. This bad kicking consumes your beautiful energy inefficiently and you end up not being able to get enough volume of "handstand balance position". So if you look at Natalie, not only her first leg is straight. When she kicks up with the other one you can see that she makes the kicking leg algo straight right away. The second leg is straight too and both legs are harmonised to go up to position. In fact, if you analyse it even deeper, you can see that both straight legs go like a perfect propellers straight to position with little energy expenditure. Because the shoulders are also shrugged (extended to the maximum pressing the ground as much as possible) you can see that she does not expends extra energy (like many of us do) shrugging anymore. Having a strong shoulder push (or scapula protraction during the handstand) will make handstand alignement better and less energy you will consume while performing it. It's like a beautiful handstand movie to see Natalie performing a handstand. I love your videos Natalie, so thank you very much. hahahah, I could write a book about your handstand form hahahaha :D.

[@NatalieReckert]

Hello Manuel, thanks for the first chapter of your 'book' 🙂 I have enjoyed reading your insight and praise. Best wishes!

[@equanimitypenistone8253]

@@NatalieReckert o

[@SkateAs10]

I can't believe it. I've watched so many tutorials. Been doing handstands for months. All this time I thought the back need to be straight. I instantly went from being successful 10% of the time to about half. Danke schön!

[@NatalieReckert]

Thank you :) Trying to round the back creates stability, straightens your back when otherwise your chest would stick out. As a handbalancer you just have that strength and your back looks straight because the stabilizing muscles are switched on. So thinking of the roundness is a trick to swich on the muscles that prevent you from sticking your chest out :)

[@avardy]

First person to mention rounding of the back. Makes sense. :)

[@praveenbairagi4909]

Is rounding back makes sense in handstand becausei am in the stage wherei can do handstandpush-ups but not handstand as this lady told in this vedio

[@GHTOONGHTOON]

Second that,been practicing for 1.5 years and it's so humbling to find new level of understanding ..thank you!!

[@perfectblue8443]

The rounding the back tip is the best, and I have never heard anywhere else. Your channel is the best to learn the HS!

[@NatalieReckert]

Thank you :)

[@lieutenantundercover9329]

Wow this is one of the best Handstand Kick up videos that i could find on YT! I saw a lot of Calisthenic and Crossfit Handstand Tutorials and they were not as good as this one! Ty for the video :)

[@NatalieReckert]

Happy to read that! Thank you!

[@YuzmeKosuFitness]

Because, most of them are not really aware of what they are doing, or they just want not to show what they are doing. This person is a handstand expert and a good instructor.

[@Shniper1337]

Best handstand tutorial by far. I've watched at least 20 and could hold for 10-15 seconds on the rare chance that I got a good kickup. After aligning my shoulders and rounding my back I instantly was able to consistently kick up into my balance point every time I tried. Great video!

[@NatalieReckert]

Fabulous! Thank you :)

[@vickykwong5941]

Very well saying at 2:06, the hips are heaviest part and need to get up there first. This is why I tried so hard to get my legs up before. I like all your videos and you explain very thorough each step. Thank you so much🙏

[@NatalieReckert]

Thank you for your feedback and thank you for following :) best wishes

[@Softy372]

Appreciate the emphsis on safety / comfort as fear is a massive obstacle to get past

[@ilias2841]

The best demo for kick up for the Hand stand I’ve ever seen . Makes so much sense, I’m struggling for the reasons you described. Driving with too much force , looking forward , not rounding shoulder , over shooting or being underpowered.

[@savagemeee430]

Best advice I've found so far❤️and rounding the back worked like magic for me.Thank you.

[@NatalieReckert]

Wonderful! Thank you!

[@BertBerg]

I'm advising all my students to your videos! You are correct, clear and methodologically really well thought-through!

[@NatalieReckert]

Hi, thank you! Thank You! That coming from a teacher is a great compliment :)

[@M.Universe]

Your kick up technique helped me to find the balance in my handstand. Thank you and God bless :)

[@NatalieReckert]

Thank you :) all the best for your training!

[@covingtoncreek]

You're so good even when you show the "wrong" way to do things it comes out fantastic.

[@NatalieReckert]

Haha, Happy to hear that :)

[@bepnhabo7554]

I’m so thankful to say that I was able to do my first handstand today!! Thank you from the bottom of my heart Natalie, it was a huge accomplishment for me❤️

[@NatalieReckert]

Thank you, keep practicing and try to balance longer now that you have your kick up :)

[@cinammoned3874]

Homestly the best handstand video I’ve seen so far!

[@NatalieReckert]

Thank you :)

[@With_Khush]

Rounding of back really helps and makes it easier. Thanks for the useful tip 👍🏻

[@dreamlily7797]

Round the back & end in a plane shoulders over wrists.. wonderful instructions thank you!!

[@user-mg2vp1cb7z]

I've watched so many tutorials but this one is the finest.

[@dchance0]

This is the best handstand instructor I’ve seen yet!! Very precise!

[@NatalieReckert]

Thanks :)

[@johnng9793]

Thank you! I have watched so many handstand videos and this is the first time I learned about the tips, especially the first two, rounding the back and aligning the shoulder to the hands & wrist.

[@NatalieReckert]

Thank you very much! Best wishes for your practice

[@Thesaurus5050]

By far the most helpful video I have seen on the subject. The 'plane landing' analogy on it's own has helped to improve my handstand practice enormously. Thanks so much Natalie x

[@NatalieReckert]

Thank you :) that's really great! All the best for your practice

[@sachinpandit8181]

I saw this video long ago and i started doing handstand and now i have done it.Now i can hold free standing handstand easily.Thank you so much for such amazing tips.

[@NatalieReckert]

Hello and thank you for sharing your experience. I'm happy to hear you can hold a handstand now! Best wishes

[@leehelppie4544]

i followed this tutorial today...and, let me tell you it worked! i've been doing wallstands and wallstand pushups for a year, but couldn't do a free standing handstand. following natalie's 4 tips then the progression exercises, i actually achieved a free standing one from a kickup. i only was able to hold my balance for 3-4 seconds, but i got there. this is a great tutorial...

[@NatalieReckert]

That sounds great! Well done for the good work and thank you for the kind words :)

[@superclasher702]

Best tutorial finally find best one🥺🥺🥺🥺you r the best

[@NatalieReckert]

Thank you :)

[@superclasher702]

Finally get a heart from natalie😍

[@perfectblue8443]

Best tutorial to learn the handstand

[@marina-spring]

Thank you for this video! Today I tried to apply your 4 points and after several times I did it! :-) I could stand for about 3-4 sec with finding the feeling standing on hands. Thank you very much for sharing your knowledge!

[@NatalieReckert]

Thank you :) that's great! keep working on your endurance next. Best wishes

[@rogero8443]

Thank you so much. The two practice drills help me so much in build confidence. Keeping the rounded back helps much much more than I anticipated.

[@NatalieReckert]

Happy that you found it helpful!

[@mariakal605]

Thank you for this! I've been trying on my own with some poorly learned habits and actually had a moment where my momentum was too much and I fell over on my tailbone the other side, haha. Been kind of scared to do it since, but this video and its exercises has me excited to try again! You're totally right about establishing that "safe space" first, because I don't have that yet and because of that I'm always scared I'm going to lose control and fall over when I'm up in the air. I'm hoping that by getting comfortable with the kick up, I'll get more comfortable with the overall movement. Also this is the first video I've seen that talked about rounding the back! Didn't know that - very helpful, hoping to get the handstand soon :) (also - your handstand form is so good!!!)

[@NatalieReckert]

Thank you, you have great precise observations. Controlling the momentum is key. Also make sure you know how to bail out by turning your body. That will increase your confidence as well. Best wishes

[@rogueone3267]

awesome tutorial as always, technical but very understandable and straightforward. Your channel deserves way more support and attention than what it has right now. Keep up the great work love from philippines.

[@NatalieReckert]

Thank you so much! Glad that my knowledge travels as far as the Philippines :)

[@rogueone3267]

no need too be surprised, in fact all your videos are really helpful to me particularly this video just about a week ago i was having problem with my kick ups but this video helped me lot. Now i can get to a handstand with almost every kick up i do. I hope the best for your channel so you can gain more popularity and so that you can further spread your knowledge and tutelage to everyone. 👍👍👍

[@fabigudi]

@@rogueone3267 you got it...I'm suscribing! :)

[@rogueone3267]

@@fabigudi nice! 👍👍👍 just remember all the keypoints she mentioned and you'll have your handstand 👌👌👌

[@adelsayadkooh8870]

Thank you. The points you mention here are very helpful to me. :) I enjoy how deep you go to details of technique and explain.

[@NatalieReckert]

Thank you! I hope it helps on the way to your handstand. Best wishes

[@cindy3205]

TYSM YOU ACTUALLY TAUGHT ME I THOUGHT I WOULD NEVER LEARN TYSMMM

[@darealletti7053]

I can't wait to try out theses drills thank you for sharing

[@movingtar]

Great tutorial for beginners Natalie. I’ve watched many videos on this. Yours is the most clear. Thank you.

[@NatalieReckert]

Thank you for your feedback 🙂 best wishes!

[@mattimiikkola2088]

This was really helpful thanks. I've been struggling with the kick up, I'm sure to try these exercises.

[@MahaYogiVinodanand]

Marvellous . Your training and demonstration is super . Tenderness of body and the female compassion with your natural , easy , confident Angel like movements are really beyond appriciation . MAHAYOGI VINODANAND will certainly be able to master handstand irrespective of my age 63 . Love you sweet celestial girl ❤️

[@josejuanvazquezqueijeiro1574]

It is the first time i see this video and, although It is 2 years ago, it's very clear. Really professional, useful and easy to understand. Thank you very much, Natalie!!

[@NatalieReckert]

Thank you :)

[@GeorgeZoto]

Thank you for such a helpful set of instructions, can't wait to try them out!

[@NatalieReckert]

Yay! Thank you.

[@JH-zr8lo]

I love the 3% drill, it helped me find my balance away from the wall and I am holding longer with control. Thank you!

[@NatalieReckert]

Awesome, that's great!

[@juanhowardwongfaber4410]

The Best teacher for handstand. Thanks Natalie

[@NatalieReckert]

Thank you

[@manishpingle6457]

excellent basics explained of shoulder and chest rounding..

[@NatalieReckert]

Thanks!

[@yoonhi9301]

Wonderful. Some of the best tips to kick up into a handstand. Thank you.

[@NatalieReckert]

Thank you :)

[@janbaracz]

Most concise, intuitive tutorial I have seen so far. Love you!

[@NatalieReckert]

Thank you!

[@janbaracz]

Thank you. It was an immediate game changer for my practice!

[@SLFKimosabae]

Been doing handstands for years now, and my issue has forever been that I can't seem to find the balance kicking into the handstand consistently. I'd always change my performance which would cause issues in myriad ways. This video might change that. Great video.

[@NatalieReckert]

Thank you, do many kick ups in a row and try to get into a steady rhythm like in my daily handstand practice. kzbin.info/www/bejne/apWYmnSqiLF8Z8U Do many reps and you will improve; Best wishes

[@thashmeemohun2082]

Ur techniques help a lott....thank youu soo much❤🔥❤

[@NatalieReckert]

Thank you for following and best wishes.

[@vanillaghetto]

Natalie, it is adorable how good your examples of "bad" kick-ups are.😂 🤚I'm available if you want to show an example of an actual bad kick-up!🤣

[@NatalieReckert]

Haha! I love bad kick-ups they have such great comedy moments. Send me a video or story on instagram. I should make a funniest bad kick-up contest.

[@vanillaghetto]

@@NatalieReckert Haha ooh that sounds like fun!!🤣

[@vojtagergelits302]

Very usefull, i get great progress using informations from your video.

[@namesless69]

what the hell, thanks god I see this video, this will help my calisthenic journey, thank you so much

[@NatalieReckert]

:) Thanks.

[@leahdavis2612]

Wonderfully explained, makes so much sense! Thanks natalie x

[@NatalieReckert]

Thank you for your support!

[@OnMyDishWordpressCom]

I took a video of myself and was I did everything wrong, exactly what you said. No-one in the handstand course told me any of your tips. I tried them today and it worked. I felt so more secure. But still need to work on shoulder mobility as I think I don't get there yet fully. Thanks!

[@NatalieReckert]

Great! Keep up the good work and thank you! Shoulder mobility is gold for handstands!

[@mohammedhossam890]

Best kick up video

[@srinivaspithani7645]

Thanks for the tips , you make it look so easy & I really know how tough it is :)

[@NatalieReckert]

Thank you :) and thank you for following. Best wishes

[@michmitchi4369]

Test💪, I have my own 10 seconds! - thank You Natalie🌸

[@NatalieReckert]

Oh yay! Very good!

[@Imfinnashart]

Thank you I really needed this I am having a hard time so thank you

[@lovethemack]

ive been learning h s for 3 years, the last year using your beginner handstand exercise video for training. I have about 3 seconds holding h s, and no more. This is helping quite a bit, smoothening out and refining the whole thing. Pointing my feet or toes seems to activate my legs is my latest cue to implement lol.

[@NatalieReckert]

That's great, well done for being consistent with your practice. Active legs give you better control.

[@begum983]

Thank you soooo much I am tring to do handstand and after I watch your video(like 30 min practicing first) I am able to do it I can't hold it long but I can do it without a wall( I using the wall for safety but it is far away) thank you again❤

[@NatalieReckert]

Well done :)

[@ashishkoduri]

one more tip I'd like to add that helped was really flexing your quads because I feel thats what helped keep my hips in line

[@NatalieReckert]

Really good tip!

[@garfsimmons8850]

Another great video Nat much appreciated

[@NatalieReckert]

Happy to hear that you are finding it useful!

[@garfsimmons8850]

@@NatalieReckert always do when you coming to the UK to do workshops ??

[@NatalieReckert]

@@garfsimmons8850 hi, I'm teaching a class in Brighton this Sunday at high top circus. I will have classes and workshops in London beginning next year.

[@thanyaktm1189]

@Natalie Reckert : it does very helpful thanks so so much , it help me slowly 💖 so great tips......merci

[@nikgml]

Hi Natalie. I have a huge amount of fear for handstand, which is basically of psychological nature. However, recently i have decided to go for it. And i have the feeling after watching many tutorials on the net concerning the matter, that yours is one of the best(if not the best). So, i will follow your tips and drills and hopefully overcome my fear and get my handstand.

[@NatalieReckert]

Hello, Thank you very much for your feedback! :) it is quite common to have fear when starting to practice handstands. It is also possible that you have a restriction, for example shoulder mobility, which then makes it hard to do the kick up properly and makes it a very scary move to do. Try to find out what you can do to help yourself be more confident.

[@juliannalin19]

Just noticed that you published this on my birthday lol. Really great tips I haven’t heard of till now - going to try it out later today !

[@NatalieReckert]

I hope it helps you to get to your handstand. Happy birthday!

[@Mobijub]

hehe I'm gonna keep trying this, Thanks Natalie for sharing your knowledge with others, really appreciate it. :)

[@srmangiapoco]

Very helpful tips. I especially like the "testing" drill

[@NatalieReckert]

Great! Thanks!

[@manfredkroczek5065]

Dear Natalie... Thax very much 👍❤️😊😀😎

[@mouhcine8459]

A great video ,I will try it Many thanks

[@codyheiner3636]

Wow 3% away from the balance point, that's mighty precise! Haha, that may be asking a lot of someone like me who doesn't even know where their balance point is itself :D

[@NatalieReckert]

Think about it more as a feeling than a number :) Until it feels like 3% before the balance point.

[@julianos.pilati5534]

Thanks. You is smart, simple and direct.👏

[@NatalieReckert]

Thank you

[@ninokukhalashvili]

Amazing tips! Thank you

[@ant7936]

Excellent tips! Thanks.

[@talib9259]

Natalie you are awesome

[@NatalieReckert]

Thank you :)

[@KH-bq4cv]

Great video and explanation

[@NatalieReckert]

Thanks a lot!

[@paulevans8348]

Love the practice exercise. I've been trying handstands awhile now and using way too much force when kicking my leg up.

[@dhruvayogadesevilla497]

It is another fantantisc video. Wonderfull. Thank you very much. As you see the video as you fell yourself progressing. Thank you

[@User_ML907]

Great and effective tips. Liked and subscribed.

[@SaveWesternCivilisation]

Glorious stuff! Coming next - how to do feetstand :-)

[@NatalieReckert]

Ohh, that will be a world wide success ;)

[@jacobalexander560]

Excellent video. I’ve been trying to leave the wall for months now. I’m still using the wall but slowly trying these exercises to give me some motivation.

[@madden7732]

Idk if you already did it, but you can use your bed if you have the fear of falling backwards. I seriously recommend it cause the first time I did it without the wall but the bed I fell and I thought for a second "I could've died if I would've done it without nothing" lmao.

[@madden7732]

Idk if you already did it, but you can use your bed if you have the fear of falling backwards. I seriously recommend it cause the first time I did it without the wall but the bed I fell and I thought for a second "I could've died if I would've done it without nothing" lmao.

[@cubershil6298]

This videos is what you need I held a good 10 second stand after watching this video Thank you

[@NatalieReckert]

Fabulous! Thank you and best wishes for your practice!

[@lucavangremberghen8937]

Best handstand video👌🏽

[@NatalieReckert]

Thank you!

[@TrenerBorisFarkas]

Very interesting and different from other videos I've seen. Thank you for contributing.

[@lionkingmatiouz3441]

Thanks for this Gonny apply it to the routines

[@TheUlysse2000]

Very very smooth video.

[@NatalieReckert]

Many thanks!

[@shubhamtiwari-oz1dz]

Excellent explanation,keep doing the great work.

[@ashishgupta1695]

Great advice! 👍👍

[@minutesofwisdom8511]

Thank you Natalie!

[@dennorskeoffisiellehoppeta9243]

Amazing Stuff

[@sanchezcy]

So detailed !! I loved the video .. thanks

[@Solveiga555]

girl, you're the best :)

[@NatalieReckert]

Thanks :)

[@charlestuo2702]

Very helpful thanks

[@meeramohan6055]

Too good Tips.. Thank U

[@000T00b]

Great tips, thanks 👍

[@yobinad]

I just discovered you, you're amazing. I hope I could learn to kick up properly thru you, thanks!

[@NatalieReckert]

Thank you :) Keep it going, persistence pays off when you practice handstands!

[@yobinad]

@@NatalieReckert oops, I think I forgot to hit the subscribe button, I'm doing it now! More power to you :)

[@AnilKumar-ko2ji]

very good tips namaste

[@dclick5addict]

My fave YT yoga instructor ❤️

[@NatalieReckert]

Thank you :)

[@YuzmeKosuFitness]

i must make a comment: your tips boosted my practices, and i can perform more than 15-20secs. i can even practice negative handstand push ups. Thanks for genuine way of the handstand.

[@NatalieReckert]

Hello, thank you for your feedback! That is really great to read! Keep up your practice, with patience and persistence you will go far :)

[@YuzmeKosuFitness]

@@NatalieReckert thanks, i suggest the same in my tutorials. Discipline, caution, patience and time...

[@victorialaw7151]

Oh! Thanks! It’s very clear tutorial! I am going to practice in your way!

[@NatalieReckert]

Great that you are practicing handstands! I hope it helps you!

[@Saritasomm]

Really it's awesome for me thanks 👍

[@IndekeukenvanSirmean]

Great tips ! so helpfull thank you Natalie

[@shiveshtamrakar6457]

Excellent work 👍

[@NatalieReckert]

Thank you

[@mass131987]

woww...the back thing is somethin noone told before..

[@mayanndaroy5532]

Thank you for this Natalie...

[@NatalieReckert]

Best wishes :)

[@Mobijub]

Great information Natalie, thank you so much :)

[@aishamuhammad1085]

This actually makes sense to why i cant kick up well. Thank you i hope i can kick well after this