Freestanding Inversions

When I first started doing inversions (headstands, forearm stands, handstands), I used the wall a lot. I was afraid of falling and hurting myself. The wall gave me the confidence to invert without fear because I knew it would be there to catch me. Eventually, I wanted to move away from the wall but I just did not have enough confidence. I especially struggled with my handstands versus my headstands and forearm stands because with the headstands and forearm stands, I had a stronger base (hands, forearms and in the case of the headstands, my head).

I knew that the fear was all in my head. I was the only one stopping myself from doing a free-standing handstand. So…I figured if I tried to do them on a softer surface, I might not be as afraid. I started practicing them outside in the grass where I would at least have something to cushion my fall. Over time, I was able to practice on harder surfaces.

Learning how to fall was another issue. Once I fell a couple times, my body learned how to instinctively fall so that I would not hurt myself. Plus, I fell on the grass so it was not as painful, which took the fear out of falling. I still fall sometimes but it gets less and less the more I practice.

Another thing that terrified me was kicking up into a handstand. To combat that fear, I started pressing up into them instead so I had more control. Pressing up into a handstand was much harder than the kick-up method but could be accomplished with practice. Slow and controlled movement is key.

If you are still on the wall, take your time. Do a little each day and it will eventually get easier. You may not want to move away from the wall and that is ok too. It is not for everyone. However, if you do want to do a freestanding inversion, my best advice would be to do it in a space you are comfortable with, try controlled kick-ups or press-ups, be patient and most of all, learn to fall.