When I was a kid, I knew kids who could walk on their hands. I figured it was the kind of thing almost anybody can do if they bother to try to learn, like cartwheels or riding a bike. I couldn’t, but, well, I just didn’t want to. I’d practise someday and then I’d be a master of walking on my hands.
When we launched the handstand challenge last week, I confessed that I’m not really comfortable with being upside down — but I hoped to change that. Yesterday I did a handstand against a wall for the first time, and felt strong and stable. I’ll let you in on a few secrets.
I cannot do a handstand. Or a headstand. I get kind of terrified even just trying to put my legs up above me onto a wall. Are you with me? Let’s get out of our comfort zones. If you can already do handstands, well, I’ll have some extra challenges for you too.
It seems like it should be super simple, but it's actually a little bit hard. At least it was hard for me. But I did it, I finally did it. I landed a front flip on a trampoline. And if I can do it anyone can.
You've probably seen those on-foot chase scenes in movies like Casino Royale, where the escapee vaults over obstacles and lands from scary heights with cat-like grace. That's parkour and freerunning in action -- and they're similar. The difference between the two, however, is in the mindset.
