Handstand

A handstand is the act of standing erect, but upside down, with one's hands on the ground and feet in the air. Hands are shoulder-width apart. The basic handstand has legs extended vertically with no knee bend, but there are numerous variations. Performing a handstand requires good upper body strength.

Posture

A basic straight-leg static vertical handstand consists of five key points of posture.

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1. Locked Arms - Hands placed flat on the ground shoulder-width apart, elbows locked, maintaining straight arms.

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2. Tucked Head - The face is not pointed towards the ground, but straight forward, as if one were upright.

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3. Hollowed Hips - Prevents the spine from curving by thrusting the hips over one's center of gravity. If performed lying flat on the ground, this posture would maintain contact between the small of the back and the ground.

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4. Locked Legs - Knees locked, legs kept together and straight.

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5. Pointed Toes - Feet kept locked together, with toes pointed straight upwards and being maintained as the topmost point of the position.

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Handstand variations, or handstands utilizing apparati, will require a break from these standard points of posture in order to maintain balance.

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