Handstands can feel like an endless puzzle—one day, everything clicks, and the next, you're toppling over like a domino.

But here’s the thing: Most handstand struggles boil down to a handful of common mistakes. Fix these, and you’ll see massive progress.

Let’s break them down and, more importantly, fix them. 

1. Kicking Up with Bent Legs

The Mistake: Bending your legs when kicking up creates unnecessary momentum, making it harder to control your entry and find balance.

The Fix:

• Keep your legs straight as you kick up to ensure a smoother, more controlled entry.

• Think of your kick as a lift rather than a jump—momentum should come from alignment, not force.

• Use tuck or straddle drills to develop strength and control in your entry.

2. Banana Back

The Mistake: Your back arches, causing your ribs to flare and your legs to drift behind you. This not only throws off your balance but also makes handstands way harder than they need to be.

The Fix:

• Engage your core by thinking about pulling your ribs in.

• Tuck your pelvis slightly (think of a "hollow body" position).

• Practice against the wall with your back lightly touching to reinforce proper alignment.

3. Not Using Your Fingers to Balance

The Mistake: Your fingers are your secret weapon for balance, but many people let them stay passive instead of using them to make micro-adjustments.

The Fix:

• Think of your fingers like the brakes and accelerator in a car. Pressing into your fingertips helps keep you from falling forward, while shifting weight into your palm helps you avoid falling back.

• Try fingertip push-ups to strengthen this control mechanism.

• Spend time in a Dolphin at the Wall (L-shape with your feet on the wall) focusing on fingertip activation.

Handstands aren’t about luck—they’re about refining the small details. Fix these three mistakes, and you’ll notice better balance, more control, and (finally!) more consistency in your practice.

Ready to take your handstand to the next level? Join my Handstand Balance & Beyond Immersion this fall, where we’ll deep-dive into alignment, drills, and techniques to unlock your strongest handstand yet!