As with many things in the Handstand Academy, we do not look at open shoulders in terms of black and white, right or wrong. We define them rather as:
- a continuum. We have talked about position 1, 2 and 3, but really there are as many positions on the spectrum of shoulder flexion-extension as you want. As we are focusing on very open shoulders, we need to start associating new, differentiating sensations to what could be position 1.2, 1… 0.7?
We are currently in a process of refining the blurry realm of sensations associated with “BEING OPEN”.
It is one thing to distinguish open from closed. It is another to start nuancing what happens within the realm of open. Your practice through this capsule is aimed at clarifying the different sets of sensation associated with each relevant gradient on that continuum.
Where do you feel it in your body when you really open your shoulders?
What do you see on the floor?
→ Can we use those cues as anchors when you try to kick-up and/or balance in a more open shoulder angle?
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- a context-dependent choice. More open is usually less forgiving.
For the straight-ish family of shapes, we have the choice of open shoulders, closed shoulders, and everything in between.
For the pike family of shapes, most people will only have a choice between open and VERY open. A subset of people with special lower back flexibility will be able to pike (pelvis overshot) while having closed shoulders though.
#There are two priorities for you at this stage of your journey
1) Improving the accuracy of your arrow
By now, you know it: there is aiming for a specific alignment when you prepare to kick-up… and there is what actually happens.
For instance, you try to open your shoulders, but end up in a more closed position than expected.
We can safely say that there will always be some difference between what you aim for and what you end up landing, until you get to a professional level.
Our goal is to reduce that gap, becoming more and more accurate in our alignment in the process. Which itself will improve your consistency.
2) Being able to control shoulder flexion-extension while balance, as to improve your line while in balance
Simply: correcting into a straighter position. Without losing balance.