I saw this product online about a couple of years ago…but it was still in development.  Now it looks like you can buy it from Tumbl Trak for around $30.  Not a bad price for keeping the shoulders and arms back during handstand practice.  I kind of wish I would’ve had this when I was first learning handstand. 

  Basically, the Open Shoulder Traineris a curved padded bar that fits around the shoulders.  It’s designed to keep the shoulders open during handstand.  I’d like to try using this during dropbacks to see how it feels.  Maybe it’ll even work with tic-tocs/back walkovers.  Hmmmm….may be adding this to my cool yoga props wishlist.

    I have a tendency to bend a little in my lower back during inversions.  It isn’t much of a problem for headstand or shoulderstand.  But the habit is now causing problems in forearm inversions and my handstand practice.  Here’s a new video from The Gymnastics Minute with a couple of nice tips for keeping the torso and lower body in alignment in preparation for handstand.  I think I’ll try this one once my shoulder is 100%.