Pulling and Air Babies

Today we will plunge into the world of pulling strength and learn a new static position, adding to our Equilibre/handbalancing vocabulary.

90-90 Iso Pull Up Hang



This is a very good static position to concentrate on, (along with other pulling static positions that will be introduced in the future) that combines upper arm, back, hip flexor and core challanges.
Basicly, hanging from a high bar, in a supinated (chin up) or pronated (pull up) grip, bend the elbows in a 90 degrees angle, and lift your knees or full extended legs in a 90 degree angle to your body. Hold the position for the required amount of time and come down.

90-90 One Arm Iso Chin Up Hang



This is a more advanced version - using only one arm to hold in position. A special attention should be given to stop the rotation of the body inwards - hold the position facing the front and using a chin up supinated grip.
To work towards this skill, use a short rope hanging from the pull up bar - and hold it with the free hand to assist you. The lower you grab, the less help you get.

Frog Stance



This is a basic static Equilibre position used before more advanced variations can be achieved. It will help both your handstand practice (in conjunction with the other handstand exercises I have shared before) and the developement of other static position such as the QDR, Air Baby, etc..
Start in a low squat, place your hands a bit more than shoulder width apart, fingers pointing forward on the ground. Put your knees on top of your elbow-triceps and lean forward, without taking the head too low towards the ground. Extending the elbow angle will require a bit more strength but will allow a higher position to be held. Make sure you pull your heels towards your butt and breath shallowly without disturbing the musclulature involved in the balance. Hold for time and come back to Squat.


Air Baby Extensions



This is a developmental exercise, for someone who has achieved a strong Frog Stance and wants to advance into the Air Baby position.
Start in a similar position to the frog stance, but with one hand rotated out in a 90 degree angle and the other a bit more forward.
Lift into the position, and after shifting the weight to the rotated hand side, straighten the opposite leg back and forth, slowly and while maintaining balance.
In order to do so, you will have to shift the weight a bit to the active side, and this will start you on your way to build control and strength in the side position - essential for the future Air Baby position.

A harder variation also demonstrated in the clip is to straighten the leg back and rotate the pelvis sideways at the same time - putting more weight on the active side and comming one step closer to the one arm Air Baby.
Repeat for reps, come down, and perform on the opposite side.


Static Air Baby



This exercise is for someone already comfortable with the advanced variation of the Air Baby Extensions.
The easiest position is the Air Baby with two hand support on the ground. Start in the Air Baby extension exercise and reach the fully extended position - leg both back and rotated out. Hold for time, repeat on the other side.

A more advanced variations will include lifting into the fingertips and eventualy two or one fingers of the free hand. Basicly keep rotating out the pelvis and extending back with the leg, while straightening the elbow angle and maintaining strong core tension. Also, push into the ground with your active hand and extend the shoulder out, widening the scapulas.
If all of those cues will be covered, the free hand will be under less tension - allowing you to rise to your finger tips and aproaching the full one arm Air Baby.

The full one arm position will become possible after one can hold a consistent 10-15 sec One Arm plus two fingers assistance position sets.
Work it with patience, it will come, but only to those with enough work ethic, patience and will power.

Workout - Beginner

Warm Up - Mobility
A1. 5 min Joint Mobility
A2. Wrists Routine X 1 set
A3. Shoulder ROM and Stabilization routine X 1 set
A4. Ido's Squat Clinic Routine X 1 set
A5. Scapula Mobilization Routine X 1 set

Equilibre
B1. Frog Stance 15-30 sec X 3-5 sets / 60 sec rest

Floreio work
C1. QDR Rotational Push Ups -Beginner variation X 10-14 reps / 3 sets / 60 sec of rest
D1. Rotations into High Bridge X 10 reps / 3 sets / 60 sec rest
or
D1. High Bridge hold - total time 30 sec
D2. Rotations Into Arch Using The Wall X 10 reps / perform 3 sets of d1-d2 resting 60 sec after D2 only
E1. Corta Capim Rotations X 15 reps per side / 3 sets / 60 sec

Strength
F1. 90-90 Iso Pull Up Hang 10-20 sec / 5 sets / 60-90 sec rest

Prehab
G1. Wrists Routine X 3 subsequent sets


Workout - Intermidiate
Warm Up - Mobility
A1. 5 min Joint Mobility
A2. Wrists Routine X 1 set
A3. Shoulder ROM and Stabilization routine X 1 set
A4. Ido's Squat Clinic Routine X 1 set
A5. Scapula Mobilization Routine X 1 set

Equilibre
B1. Air Baby Extensions 5-10 reps per side X 3-5 sets / 60 sec rest

Floreio work
C1. QDR Rotational Push Ups -Beginner variation or QDR Rotational Push Ups -Advanced variation X 10-14 reps / 3 sets / 60 sec of rest
D1. Rotations into High Bridge or Rotation Into High Bridge to Head to QDR Exit X 10 reps / 3 sets / 60 sec rest
E1. Corta Capim Rotations X 20 reps per side / 3 sets / 60 sec

Strength
F1. 90-90 Iso Pull Up Hang or rope assisted 90-90 One Arm Iso Chin Up Hang 10-30 sec / 5 sets / 60-90 sec rest

Prehab
G1. Wrists Routine X 3 subsequent sets

Workout - Advanced

Warm Up - Mobility
A1. 5 min Joint Mobility
A2. Wrists Routine X 1 set
A3. Shoulder ROM and Stabilization routine X 1 set
A4. Ido's Squat Clinic Routine X 1 set
A5. Scapula Mobilization Routine X 1 set

Equilibre
B1. Static Air Baby 10-15 sec per side X 3-5 sets / 60 sec rest

Floreio work
C1. QDR Circles X 10 reps per side / 3 sets / 60 sec of rest
D1. Rotation Into High Bridge to QDR Exit X 10 reps / 3 sets / 60 sec
E1. Corta Capim Rotations X 25 reps per side / 3 sets / 60 sec

Strength
F1. 90-90 One Arm Iso Chin Up Hang 5-15 sec per side, resting 10 sec in between sides / 5 sets / 60-90 sec rest

Prehab
G1. Wrists Routine X 3 subsequent sets

Interesting posts on the forum

The Gaga movement modality - an intersting tool for anyone who moves (still...)
Circus School documentry - watch how the kid equilbirist phenomenon trains
Physical culture from around the world
Ido's number one health tip - clean up your act!
Closed System Flow - post your clip and get a gift - glimpse clip of future Floreio Art movements
Quality of movement thread. Keeps growing. Add your favorite clip!
Dynamic balance - amazing robot video
Fear management for acrobatics - a future release
Improvisation as the highest form of physical expression

Enjoy,

Ido.