Classic handbalancing/calisthenics books in PDF now free online

[klong0149]

W.H. Hunt's booklet on handbalancing "The A to Z of Balancing" is now available for free, at archive.org:
https://archive.org/details/AToZOfBalancingW.J.Hunt

Great, easy to follow steps, on mastering handbalancing!

Also Court Saldo's "Advanced Non-Apparatus Training", featuring very early, advanced BWF:
https://archive.org/details/AdvancedNonApparatusTrainingSaldo.

Hope these are of interest.

 

[married1988]

@klong0149 Interesting look at how they used to approach it. Nowadays it's universally accepted that the hollowbody handstand is ideal whereas in the old days, it was the arched back handstand that handbalancers were aiming for.

If you are just starting to get into handstands, I wouldn't read into it too much as the methods are a bit outdated and inefficient by today's standards. But still very interesting to take a look.

 

[klong0149]

@married1988 Yes, but I wonder if this change in preference of back position just a matter of fashion, really?
The arched back handstand can look very good (if viewed without prejudice), especially if done deliberately.

 

[dawn16]

@klong0149 It depends on what you’re trying to do a handstand for. If your aim is to do hand to hand (person standing and another upside down on top) then the hollow body shape will help keep the line and make everything more rigid and controlled. One armed handstands better executed with hollow body, I also think it looks more clean. A person how know how to do a proper hollow body hand stand can arch if they want, it may not go the other way

 

[jadorarie]

@klong0149 I've always wondered how to wear the Litesome Standard model correctly.

 

[lightsway]

@jadorarie And now you have venerable guidance from the undefeated champ!

 

[nezumi]

@klong0149 very interesting. currently scanning. also, been wondering , how different is a handstand from handbalancing? is handbalancing the umbrella for handstand? is it also called arm balancing?

 

[ayeesha]

@nezumi Handbalancing is a performing art in the circus world (and I haven't heard anyone call it arm balancing).

You could tell a handbalancer to do a handstand, and they'll probably ask which one

 

[seangibbons]

@nezumi Handbalancing is a broader, more inclusive term. It includes many different forms of balances on hands and transitions between them. It includes everything from croc, to one arm handstand variations, contortion handstands, partner balancing, planche and presses.

A handstand is just that, a handstand.

 

[dawn16]

@nezumi Hand-balancing is indeed an umbrella term, referring to any exercise requiring you to balance yourself on your hands.

 

[samuelhayes]

@klong0149 THANKS !

 

[commissioned2encourageu]

@klong0149 Thanks for this.

 

[sml83]

@klong0149 awesome! thanks.

 

[dawn16]

@klong0149 Thanks!