This is a fun position to explore, and the sudden head movement requires me to really lock in to the sensation of weight shifting in the hands.

The specific sequence is handstand to small straddle — close the legs to a straight handstand and look up to the feet — open the legs back to small straddle and move the head to look back down — 3 repetitions and hold the last look-through.

The head shift precipitates a body shift, and for me, in order to maintain the handstand, I really have to calibrate hands, shoulders, midline and legs.

I also really love the feel of locking the chin into the chest and pushing up the shoulders!

From a conventional hand-balancing perspective, my faults (among others) include arching when I move to the small straddle and letting my knees soften.

I apologize for the late notice. The Portland Marathon will be held tomorrow, Sunday October 9.

There will be long traffic delays as many roads will close beginning 7 a.m. 

Some of the big closures include the eastbound lanes of the Broadway Bridge, the westbound lanes of the Morrison and Burnside bridges, and large portions of Southwest Third and Fourth avenues, Southwest Main, Taylor and Salmon street. 

Getting downtown on the 5 will be difficult; the 405 is the best option. 

Also note that the studio is smack-dab in the middle of the race start.

I have posted the route map below. If you plan to come practice, and not go eat pancakes instead, please plan to park well outside of the race route and then walk.