What is Handstand?
[[Image:AcroDanceHandstand.jpg|thumb|A handstand]] A '''handstand''' is the act of holding the body upside down balancing on the hands. The body is held straight with arms and legs fully extended. The hands are placed about shoulder-width apart. A handstand performer must have [[balance (ability)|balance]] and upper body [[Physical strength|strength]]. Handstands are used in many activities, including [[acro dance]], [[acrobatics]], [[cheerleading]] and [[gymnastics]]. Some types of handstand are performed on all gymnastic equipment. Many tumbling skills pass through a handstand position as part of the action. [[Breakdance]]rs use handstands in [[freeze (breakdance move)|freeze]]s and [[kick (breakdance move)|kick]]s. Sometimes a handstand is used as a starting position for [[diving]]. In games or contests, swimmers will sometimes do underwater handstands on pool bottoms with legs and feet extended above the water. Handstands are known by various other names. In [[yoga]], the handstand is known as ''Adho Mukha Vrksasana'' (pronounced AHD-hoh MOOK-hah vrik-SHAH-sah-nah)<ref>{{cite book |last1=Budilovsky |first1=Joan |last2=Adamson |first2=Eve |title=The complete idiot's guide to yoga |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=b5pE8-Oyly0C |accessdate=11 April 2011 |edition=2 |year=2000 |publisher=Penguin |isbn=9780028639703 |page=179}}</ref> translating to Downward-facing Tree Pose, and in [[capoeira]] it is named [[List_of_capoeira_techniques#Bananeira|bananeira]]. ==Types== There are two basic handstands used in modern [[gymnastics]]: ''curved-back'' and ''straight-back''.<ref> {{cite web | title = ''Different Styles of Handstands'' | url = http://www.lostartofhandbalancing.com/articles/different-styles-of-handstands | accessdate = 2010-09-29 }} </ref> Straight-back style is used when straight body lines are wanted and possible. In many cases the curved-back style is better as it has much better control over balance. Balance is kept by shifting body weight towards the fingers or the heel of the hand. All basi