Entries Tagged 'handstands' ↓
Kyle Shewfelt handstand
September 17th, 2011 — handstands, Olympics
Cirque’s OVO – a review
September 9th, 2011 — Circus, handstands, salary (contract)
Many in the gymnastics community attended the Calgary premiere of OVO this week. I was going to write a review … but Heath McCoy in the Calgary Herald pretty much nailed it:
… as in most Cirque shows, the storytelling plays a distant second to the spectacle, and, happily, the latter aspect of OVO is grand.
The staging, with its vibrant ecosystem, complete with giant-sized webs, cocoons and a monolithic egg (a thematic symbol of the bugs’ life cycle, ovo means egg in Portuguese) is spectacular.
The dazzling costumes — an inspired hybrid of superhero spandex and historical suits of armour — are suitably outlandish.
And the stunts — played out to the Brazilian electro-pop sounds of a cockroach band, which run the gamut between romantic and sizzling — are nothing short of stunning. …
Magnifique! Cirque du Soleil’s OVO must be seen to be believed
Click PLAY or watch the Calgary preview on YouTube.
At intermission we chatted with gracious Head Coach Eric Heppel. He informed that slack wire solo performer is by far the best in the world. He shows handstand, handstand walking and 1-arm handstand on a pendulum. Rock solid. No balance adjustments.
I never get tired of Tramp wall. OVO is another superb variation.
Overall … the highlight of this show are the costumes. (That caterpillar is enough to give you nightmares.)
The weakest element, as usual, are the clowns. … Though I somewhat liked Flippo. He grew on me as the show progressed.
Disclosure – As a Casting consultant, Cirque gave me 4 tickets. Merci. … I took a former gymnast who wants to audition.
I had her watch the House Troupe performers, rather than those specialists in the spotlight.
introducing stretched handstand position
July 15th, 2011 — Gymnastics, handstands
I love simple drills like this for the little ones. (Forward limber I can live without, though.)
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
1-arm handstand, San Diego
July 12th, 2011 — handstands
One of the Urban Trees on San Diego Bay’s Waterfront.
“Handstand” by Daniel Stern
The artist reflects on his career in theater and films in this eight-foot bronze sculpture that depicts a man performing a one-armed handstand balanced 12 feet above the pavement. His hope is that people who see the artwork will get a feeling of motion, joy, color, chaos, balance, humor, danger, possibilities and impossibilities.
Ludivine Furnon
July 9th, 2011 — Circus, floor (women), Gymnastics, handstands
The former French Olympic gymnast (19th AA 1996) balancing on her partner Martin.
from her Facebook profile
A super talent, she did not start seriously training gymnastics until age-11.
Click PLAY or watch her Floor on YouTube.
(via Brigid and Gymnastics I Love)
International Handstand Day
June 26th, 2011 — handstands, humour
Cincinnati Gymnastics Academy TOPS
June 6th, 2011 — handstands, physical preparation
Keeping it FUN for girls age 5-9.
… This workout was filmed in mid-April as the young gymnasts prepare for their upcoming TOP testing and a chance to make the USA Gymnastics TOPs National Team.
Past CGA TOPs National Team members include their current elite gymnasts Amanda Jetter, Lexie Priessman, Amelia Hundley, and many more throughout the years. …
Watch more video of Workout Wednesday, Season 5 on gymnastike.org
Good stuff. I like the handstands balanced against the TumblTrak. … But a couple of cautions. Many coaches put little kids too high on the rope, too early. Just because it’s in TOPS testing, there’s no need to require climbing high immediately. There are many alternatives.
And be careful with little ones using free weights. They tend to drop them.
Personally, I don’t do forward / backward limbers with bad form. There are many better alternative drills. The first skill I’d eliminate in the American compulsories is front limber.
One more caution – Coach Howard lays out some of the problems associated with putting too much emphasis on physical ability assessment programs on Gymnastics Zone – TOPs and non TOPS.
… The only 2 female Olympic gymnasts from my region would have scored badly in TOPS. They were very strong, but not flexible.
1-arm handstand on Beam
May 13th, 2011 — handstands, recreation
Many years retired, Krista is back in the gym, training at Adult Rec.
Somehow she and former teammate Kerby talked themselves into coming out of retirement.
Weirdest part?
… In the gym where formerly they were the best gymnasts, nobody knows them anymore. 
fire ant handstand
May 11th, 2011 — handstands, humour
A fire ant appears to be pulling off a one-handed breakdance move on a log. The insect held the pose – known as a hand freeze in breakdancing circles – for 30 seconds. Robertus Agung Sudiatmokos photographed the unusual sight using a macro lens in the village of Cibinong, Indonesia.
Thanks Kathryn.
introducing ‘line’ on handstand
April 25th, 2011 — bars, Gymnastics, handstands, horizontal bar
The best, easy non-spotting drill is handstand facing the wall.
Start with walk-ups.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Continue from there alternating toe touches until the gymnast gets ‘stuck’ in a balanced handstand.
Move progressively closer to the wall until only nose and toes touch.
1-arm handstand
March 30th, 2011 — Circus, handstands, physical preparation
Jim on Beast Skills posts detailed tutorials on extreme strength.
He traveled to the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts to get help with his 1-arm handstand from coach Lin Junming.
He mostly discusses hand positions, especially what I’ve always called “Chinese fingers”.
details – ONE ARM HANDSTAND LESSONS FROM A CHINESE ACROBAT
RoboBuilder 1-arm elbowstand
March 22nd, 2011 — handstands, humour
Stock RoboBuilder Huno doing a one-arm handstand. It took much tweaking to get this right!
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
handstand in full mountaineer gear
February 9th, 2011 — handstands
Dr. Jeni McNeal on the summit … pack, rope, crampons and all.
Stevens Peak Climb by David Adlard on Facebook
