I’ve heard it so many times! All kinds of excuses to not try out something just because someone told you you won’t be able to or shared information which influenced you. It’s great to listen to stories but you need to know which ones are true and which are an absolute fiction. Here’s some fiction about handstands. Are you ready?
Myth nr 1 – Doing handstands is only for those who were training acrobatics in their childhood
There's no bigger handstand myth than that. This one is already the winner! I cannot even count how many of my friends started training handstands in their adulthood .... defnitely majority of them! A big amount of people who I’ve met on all kinds of festivals, acrobatic conventions etc., and those who come to my stationary workshops all around Europe started to learn when they were already adults. I only know a few handstanders who have trained acrobatics since they were kids. So no matter if you have experience with it or not you can start your handstand practice if you’re in your 20s, 40s, or 60s! If you're in good health the only limitation is your mind.
Myth nr 2 – Doing handstands will make your arms and shoulders muscular and pumped
This is my second favourite myth. Look at my photos and see by yourself what a 9 years long handstand practice will do to your arms and shoulders. I can only say that your arms will become strong and beautifully sculpted and the skin on your arms and shoulders will become firm and shiny! Sounds good? Handstand is a bodyweight exercise so you don’t need to worry that your body will transform in a way you wouldn’t wish for and it will look like this. In order to make your arms pumped with muscles you would have to lift some weights and maybe have some special, protein rich diet. Doing handstands will not only improve the strength and looks of your upper body but it will also engage your whole core and legs and help you feel your body better. So no worries, handstands can only do good to your body.
Myth nr 3 – Handstands are only for young people
Well, that’s not true either. If you are on the “old” side (whatever that means) but fit and you train regularly you can include handstands in your movement practice. Of course, handstands are demanding and you do need to be in good health to do them since there are some contraindications (worth to look at before you turn upside down). But that applies to everybody – everyone should check with their doctor or/and physiotherapist if the handstand practice is suitable for them, no matter if they’re old or young. I am a handstand teacher and have been teaching live workshops since 2012. The vast majority of the workshop participants are between 25-40 years old but on each workshop there is someone younger and older. Remember that “I am old and I can’t do it anymore” is just ho society is shaping our mind and it's also not true! Everyone is different and what you need to do is to listen to your body and have courage to make your dreams come true.
Myth nr 4 – Handstands are dangerous
Only if you’re trying to do a handstand without any preparation and zero knowledge about the proper technique. I agree that doing handstands can be scary if you’re not used to being upside down or supporting your weight on your arms. During my workshops or on the beginners online course my students are learning all kinds of exercises and drills, starting from the very basic ones and ending on more challenging, so that everybody can gradually build their foundations for the later handstand practice with or without the wall. Confidence and trust toward yourself will come with time.
There’s no magic, there is only practice.
If you’d like to start learning handstands step-by-step with my personal guidance and learn the right techniques for your handstand practice check out my online handstand course for beginners and start your journey today!
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