A donkey kick is a simple way to practice handstands.Doing donkey kicks helps you build strength in your arms, gain control of your bodily movements, and learn how to shift your body weight to find balance.If you practice hard, you can learn how to do a handstand in no time.
Step 1: Get into your stance.
Place your feet on the floor and raise your arms above your head.Your feet should be close to each other.The starting position can be adjusted by resting your body weight on the balls of your feet, for children and beginners.Your legs should be on the floor with your arms on them.
Step 2: Touch the floor.
To reach the floor if you are starting in a standing position, bend at your waist and knees.About shoulder width apart, your hands should be evenly positioned.If you are starting a squatting position with your hands on the floor, you should be able to position them evenly across from each other, about shoulder width apart on your knees.
Step 3: Lean back.
To balance your body weight on your hands, lean forward and shift your weight from your feet.As you shift your body weight to your hands, be sure to keep your arms and elbows straight.Most of your body weight should be resting on your hands and toes should not be touching the floor.Turn or tuck your neck.Try to keep your neck neutral.It is possible to practice this movement a couple times until you get the positioning and rhythm of shifting your weight to your hands.
Step 4: Kick up.
To align your hips with your shoulders when your weight is shifted to your arms and hands, use your feet to kick off from the floor.As you kick off from the ground, keep your knees bent.Try to hold the position of your feet in the air, and then let them come back down to the floor.You should land your feet on the floor at the same time.Every time you kick off from your feet, try and lift the core of your body more and more upright.Slowly try to extend your legs into a full handstand, as you are able to align your hips above your shoulders.
Step 5: The donkey kick can be modified.
You can modify the donkey kick to kick off with one foot if it's too difficult.From the squatting position, shift your body weight to your hands, and kick off from the ground with your dominant foot.If you write with your right hand, your foot is the right foot.Bring your other foot up to meet your dominant foot in the air when your foot is off the ground.Try to hold your body weight above you.Your dominant foot kicks off the ground first.Lifting your body up to align your hips over your shoulders and position your core vertically is aided by your other foot meeting your dominant foot.If you want to land on one foot, you can modify the landing.Bring one foot to the floor and the other to meet it.Try to land softly.As you learn how to perform a handstand, this will increase your stability and control.