On Handstands

Fundamentals

It is designed to help you get your first seconds in a handstand  and progressively build control beyond them. 

The course includes warm-ups, ground movement & coordination for inversions, physical preparation, and a variety of static and dynamic hand-balancing exercises and tasks. 

Each chapter is structured as a class, so it can be done in a single practice session, but must be repeated over time. 

Through this course we are not only intending to help you learn the handstand, but to keep developing it: improving your balance, mobility, and confidence upside down by engaging with the course material across time.

Our goal is not only to hold a position, but to develop control so that the handstand becomes something you can move within, something you can explore and use dynamically.

This course is dedicated to practitioners who want to start their handstand practice and those who already started it but have a hard time improving beyond the first seconds. 




Take your practice with you

Access the course anytime, on the web or through the Thinkific app, available for iOS and Android.

To access the course through the app, simply search for “Human Animal” and log in using the same email and password you used when enrolling.

A step-by-step guide for accessing and using the app is also included inside the course.

FAQ

  • Who is this course for?

    Anyone interested in starting their handstand practice or started and lost interest due to monotony or lack of progress.

  • What equipment or space is required?

    No equipment is required. An available surface such as a wall/door/pole is necessary at times. Minimal space required. Most of the course material can be easily explored from home.

  • How long do I have access to the courses?

    We see learning as an ongoing process rather than something with a defined endpoint. As your experience, interests, and abilities evolve, the same material can reveal new possibilities, questions, and directions for exploration. With this in mind, all our online courses include LIFETIEM ACCESS. The material remains available for you to engage with whenever it becomes relevant to your practice, whether that's today, in a few months, or several years from now.You can return to individual lessons whenever you wish, explore the material repeatedly, and rediscover it as your practice evolves. There is no prescribed pace or expectation to complete everything within a certain period. You are free to develop your own relationship with the material and return to it as often as you wish.

  • What is the courses structure?

    On Handstands:Fundamentals combines explanatory videos, in which we introduce, explain, and demonstrate the material + separate demonstration-only videos. These allow you to revisit specific tasks and refresh your understanding whenever needed, without having to go through the full explanation again.

  • How are the courses different what you are sharing on Instagram?

    Our Instagram videos offer glimpses into our practice, sharing ideas, explorations, and movement possibilities. In our online courses, we have the space to go into much greater depth, explain the material in detail, and organise it progressively, allowing you to build upon what you've already explored. Rather than simply showing movements or exercises, we introduce tasks, variations, and guidelines intended to support your own investigation and learning. Our intention is not for you to simply reproduce what you see, but to provide educational resources that help you develop a deeper understanding and continue exploring independently.

Course curriculum

  • 1

    Disclaimer

    • Disclaimer

    • Thinkific Mobile App Guide
  • 2

    Chapter 1

    • Warm Up Part 1

    • Warm Up Part 2

    • Class Introduction

    • Task 1 (Explanation): Controlled Monkey (Pike) - In space

    • Pattern 1 (Explanation): Controlled Monkey (Pike) - Passing

    • Pattern 2 (Explanation): Controlled Monkey (Pike) - Side Variation - Passing

    • Task 1 (Demonstration): Controlled Monkey (Pike) - In space

    • Pattern 1 (Demonstration): Controlled Monkey (Pike) - Passing

    • Pattern 2 (Demonstration): Controlled Monkey (Pike) - Side Variation - Passing

    • Pattern 3-4 + Task 2 (Explanation): Suspended Rolle & Cartwheel

    • Pattern 3 (Demonstration): Basic Rolle

    • Pattern 4 (Demonstration): Suspended Rolle

    • Task 2 (Demonstration): From Role to Cartwheel Progression

    • Task 3 (Explanation): Rolle/Suspended Rolle - In Space

    • Task 3 (Demonstration): Rolle/Suspended Rolle - In Space

    • Pattern 5 (Explanation): Cartwheel From Standing

    • Pattern 5 (Demonstration): Cartwheel From Standing

    • Task 4 (Explanation): Mapping Shoulder Blades

    • Task 5 (Explanation): Mapping Shoulder Blades 2

    • Task 4 (Demonstration): Mapping Shoulder Blades

    • Task 5 (Demonstration): Mapping Shoulder Blades 2

    • Task 5 (Demonstration 2): Mapping Shoulder Blades 2

    • Tips

    • Patterns 6 (Explanation): L Shape/Tuck Wall

    • Patterns 6 (Demonstration): Supported Tuck Wall

    • Patterns 6 (Demonstration): Supported L Shape
  • 3

    Chapter 2

    • Warm Up Part 1

    • Warm Up Part 2

    • Pattern 1 (Demonstration): L Hold Progression - Kicking Into Handstand

    • Pattern 2 (Explanation): Leg Switch

    • Tip: Hands in Handstand

    • Pattern 2 (Demonstration): Leg Switch - Small to Full

    • Pattern 2 (Demonstration): Traveling Leg Switch - Progressive Height

    • Pattern 2 (Demonstration): Traveling Leg Switch - Full

    • Task 1 (Explanation): Bow Reaching

    • Task 1 (Demonstration): Bow Reaching

    • Task 2 (Explanation): Opening Shoulders - Deep Down Dog & Half-Full Bridge

    • Task 2 (Demonstration): Opening Shoulders - Deep Down Dog & Half-Full Bridge

    • Pattern 3 (Explanation): Mini Tucked Wheel

    • Pattern 3 (Demonstration): Mini Tucked Wheel

    • Pattern 3 (Demonstration): Mini Tucked Wheel Variation 2

    • Pattern 4 (Explanation): Climbing-Descending the Wall

    • Pattern 4 (Demonstration): Climbing-Descending the Wall

    • Pattern 5 (Explanation): Tuck Straddle - Wall
  • 4

    Chapter 3

    • Task 1 (Explanation): Warm Up - Arm Swings Opening Shoulders and Stepping

    • Task 1 (Demonstration): Warm Up - Arm Swings Opening Shoulders and Stepping

    • Task 2 (Explanation): Warm Up - Shifting Weight and Loading Arms

    • Task 2 (Demonstration): Warm Up - Shifting Weight and Loading Arms

    • Task 3 (Explanation): Squat, Quadrupedal and Small Kick to Handstand

    • Task 3 (Demonstration): Squat, Quadrupedal and Small Kick to Handstand

    • Pattern 1 (Explanation): Role to Handstand Transition

    • Pattern 1 (Demonstration): Role to Handstand Transition

    • Pattern 2 (Explanation): Falling From Handstand

    • Pattern 2 (Explanation 2): Falling From Handstand

    • Pattern 2 (Demonstration 1): Falling From Handstand

    • Pattern 2 (Demonstration 2): Falling From Handstand

    • Pattern 3 (Demonstration): Supported ´L´ & Full Kick - Wall

    • Pattern 3 (Demonstration): Supported ´L´Kick - Wall

    • Pattern 4 (Demonstration): Supported Kick to Full - Wall

    • Pattern 5 (Explanation): Progressive L Hold

    • Pattern 5 (Demonstration): Progressive L Hold

    • Pattern 6 (Explanation): Jump to Straddle

    • Pattern 6 (Explanation 2): Jump to Straddle - Wall Supported

    • Pattern 6 (Demonstration): Jump to Straddle

    • Pattern 6 (Demonstration 2): Jump to Straddle - Wall Supported

    • Pattern 7 (Explanation): Wall Hops & Hold

    • Pattern 7 (Demonstration): Wall Hops & Hold
  • 5

    Chapter 4

    • Task 1 (Explanation): Opening Shoulders Agains the Wall

    • Task 1 (Demonstration): Wall Press

    • Task 1 (Demonstration): Wall Bridge

    • Task 2 (Explanation): Warm Up Wrists, Elbows, Shoulders - Wall

    • Task 2 (Demonstration): Warm Up Wrists, Elbows, Shoulders - Wall

    • Task 2 (Explanation): Pulse Press

    • Task 3 (Explanation): Hollow Hold & Mobilise

    • Task 3 (Demonstration): Hollow Hold & Mobilise

    • Pattern 1-2 (Explanation): Frog to Straddle Lift & Kick

    • Pattern 1 (Demonstration): Frog to Straddle Lift

    • Pattern 2 (Demonstration): Frog to Straddle Kick

    • Pattern 3 (Explanation): Kicking Into Full Handstand - In and Out of the position

    • Pattern 3 (Demonstration): Kicking Into Full Handstand - In and Out of the position

    • Pattern 3 (Demonstration): Kicking Into Full Handstand Hold

    • Pattern 4 (Explanation): Progressive Tuck Hops

    • Pattern 4 (Demonstration): Progressive Tuck Hops

    • Pattern 4 (Demonstration): Full Tuck Hops

    • Pattern 5 (Explanation): Negative Full at the Wall

    • Pattern 5 (Demonstration): Negative Full at the Wall

    • Pattern 5 (Demonstration 2): Negative Full at the Wall

    • Pattern 6 (Explanation): Supported Pike Hold (elvated)

    • Pattern 6 (Demonstration): Supported Pike Hold (elvated)
  • 6

    Chapter 5

    • Wam Up - Part 1

    • Warm Up Part 2

    • Pattern 1 (Explanation): Squat to L on Spot and Traveling

    • Pattern 1 (Demonstration): Squat to L Traveling

    • Pattern 1 (Demonstration): Squat to L on Spot

    • Pattern 2-3 (Explanation): How many times you can switch your legs? - Small & Full

    • Pattern 2 (Demonstration): How many times you can switch your legs? - Small Version

    • Pattern 2 (Demonstration 2): How many times you can switch your legs? - Small Version Taveling

    • Pattern 3 (Demonstration): How many times you can switch your legs? - Full Version

    • Pattern 3 (Demonstration 2): How many times you can switch your legs? - Full Version Traveling

    • Pattern 4 (Explanation): The L Wheel

    • Pattern 4 (Demonstration): The L Wheel - Traveling

    • Pattern 4 (Demonstration 2): The L Wheel - On Spot

    • Pattern 4 (Demonstration 2): The L Wheel - On Spot - Slow Motion

    • Pattern 5-6-7 (Explanation): Full, ´L and Straddle Hold

    • Pattern 5 (Demonstration): L Hold

    • Pattern 6 (Demonstration): Full Hold

    • Pattern 7 (Demonstration): Sraddle Hold

    • Pattern 8 (Explanation): Sharp Full & Slow Negative

    • Pattern 8 (Demonstration): Sharp Full & Slow Negative - On Spot

    • Pattern 8 (Demonstration 2): Sharp Full & Slow Negative - Traveling

    • Pattern 8 (Demonstration 3): Sharp Full & Slow Negative - at the Wall

    • Pattern 8 (Explanation): Small Steps Tuck to Straddle - at the Wall

    • Pattern 8 (Explanation 2): Small Steps Tuck to Straddle - at the Wall

    • Pattern 8 (Demonstration): Small Steps Tuck to Straddle - at the Wall
  • 7

    Chapter 6

    • Class Introduction

    • Task 1 (Explanation): Controlled Slow Cartwheel

    • Task 1 (Demonstration): Controlled Slow Cartwheel

    • Pattern 1 (Explanation): Side Reach & Bend - Wall Supported

    • Pattern 1 (Explanation 2): Side Reach & Bend - Wall Supported

    • Pattern 1 (Demonstration): Side Reach & Bend - Wall Supported

    • Task 2 (Explanation): Relaxed Hanstands

    • Task 2 (Demonstration): Relaxed Hanstands

    • Pattern 2-3 (Explanation): Tuck Handstand Hold Free and Wall & Tuck-Full Variation

    • Pattern 2 (Explanation 2): Tuck Handstand Hold Free and Wall

    • Pattern 2 (Demonstration): Tuck Handstand Hold Progression

    • Pattern 2 (Demonstration): Tuck Handstand Hold - Variation 1 Relaxed

    • Pattern 2 (Demonstration): Tuck Handstand Hold - Variation 2 - Squeezed

    • Pattern 2 (Demonstration): Tuck Handstand Hold Wall Support

    • Pattern 3 (Demonstration): Tuck to Full Wall Supported Handstand

    • Pattern 4 (Explanation): Threading - Wall Supported

    • Pattern 4 (Explanation 2): Threading - Wall Supported

    • Pattern 4 (Demonstration 1): Threading - Wall Supported

    • Pattern 4 (Demonstration 2): Threading - Wall Supported

  • 8

    Chapter 7

    • Task 1 (Explanation-Demonstration): Full, Straddle and Tuck Hold

    • Pattern 1 (Explanation): Wall Controlled Scissors

    • Pattern 1 (Demonstration): Wall Controlled Scissors

    • Task 2 (Demonstration): Belly Ground - Belly Celling - To Handstand

    • Task 2 (Demonstration 1): Belly Ground - Belly Celling

    • Task 2 (Demonstration 2): Belly Ground - Belly Celling + Handstands

    • Pattern 2 (Explanation): Sagital Arms-Leg Swing to Hanstand

    • Pattern 2 (Demonstration 1): Sagital Arms-Leg Swing

    • Pattern 2 (Demonstration 2): Sagital Arms-Leg Swing to Handstand Leg Switch Controlled

    • Pattern 2 (Demonstration 3): Sagital Arms-Leg Swing to Handstand Leg Switch

    • Pattern 2 (Demonstration 4): Sagital Arms-Leg Swing to Handstand Full

    • Task 3 (Explanation): Crossing Steps Wall

    • Task 3 (Demonstration): Crossing Steps Wall
  • 9

    Chapter 8

    • Class Introduction

    • Task 1 (Explanation): On One Leg - Reaching With The Leg & Touching The Ground

    • Task 1 (Demonstration): On One Leg - Reaching With The Leg & Touching The Ground

    • Task 2 (Explanation): On One Leg - Reaching With The Leg to Hanstand

    • Task 2 (Demonstration): On One Leg - Reaching With The Leg to Hanstand

    • Pattern 1-2 (Explanation): Wheel - Straddle Pause & Wheel-Straddle-Full

    • Pattern 1 (Demonstration): Wheel - Straddle Pause

    • Pattern 2 (Demonstration): Wheel - Straddle - Full

    • Pattern 3 (Demonstration): Controlled Pike Rolle

    • Pattern 4 (Explanation): Pike Holds

    • Pattern 4 (Demonstration): Pike Holds - On Spot

    • Pattern 4 (Demonstration): Pike Holds - Traveling

    • Sequence 1 (Explanation): Swipe - Leg Switch

    • Sequence 1 (Explanation 2): Swipe - Leg Switch

    • Sequence 1 (Demonstration): Swipe - Leg Switch

    • Sequence 1 (Demonstration 2): Swipe - Leg Switch - Slow Motion

    • Sequence 2 (Explanation): Back Step - Negativa Jump - Tuck/Full

    • Sequence 2 (Explanation 2): Back Step - Negativa Jump - Tuck/Full

    • Sequence 2 (Demonstration): Back Step - Negativa Jump - Tuck/Full

    • Sequence 2 (Demonstration 2): Back Step - Negativa Jump - Tuck/Full - Slow Motion

    • Task3 (Explanation): Across The Wall

    • Task3 (Demonstration): Across The Wall

    • Last Thoughts