Foundational Skills

Basic Body Positions

Variations of Straight Body Hollow Stand

Variations with a straight line or a slight curve in the body include the hollow and arch. The hollow is used in many skills such as a front support on bars, handstand, vault, etc.  One way to get experience with a hollow body is to lie on the back.  Place the hands on top of the thighs, contract the abdomen lifting the shoulders approximately 6 inches off the ground.  Slightly bend the legs, keep the lower back on the floor and reach the hands toward the knees.

Verbal/Linguistic

Stand in a stretch body position with arms overhead. 
Contract in the chest and abdominals. 
Shoulders will be brought forward from contraction which will create a rounded upper back. 

Visual/Spatial

Look slightly downward 
Chin is downward but not tucked 
Keep chest in (contracted / hollow) 
Keep shoulders lifted and forward 
Keep arms by ears 
Keep hips/pelvis tucked under 
Keep weight on the front of the feet 
Think of an upside down ìJî


Logical/Mathematical

Head is in line with body 
Upper body rounded forward 
Lower body in a straight vertical line 
Keep hips and shoulder square

Bodily/Kinesthetic

Feel upper back rounded 
Feel the chest hollow 
Feel shoulders pulled forward 
Feel abdomen and buttocks tight 
Feel weight on the front of the feet 
Feel the pelvis tucked under 
Feel feet and legs together 
Feel arms straight and above head 
Feel upper arms touching the sides of the head 

Naturalist

Make the shape of a palm tree (from feet through fingers) 

Common Errors

Head and arms not in line 
Rounded body coming from lower torso instead of upper back 
Bend in hips

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