After mastering handstand against the wall, you're ready to move to an open area to work on balancing without any help. Kick up with control into handstand split, and slowly scissor your legs together — or, if you want to skip the split, kick up straight into handstand. Concentrate on holding your gaze at one point on the floor below you, keeping your hips stacked over your shoulders, fingers spread wide. Hold for as long as you can, but don't forget to breathe.
- Start standing on a mat in an open space.
- Step forward with one leg, and bend it to place your hands on the floor. As you're doing that, allow the other leg to kick up behind you to extend straight toward the ceiling. Float the other leg up so it also extends toward the ceiling.
- Try to find your balance, pressing into your fingers and keeping your gaze on the floor between your hands.
- Hold this position for as long as you can, remembering to breathe. To come down, reverse the kick-up motion, stepping down one foot at a time.
