How I coach - My values and definitely more words…
This is for those who want to have a deeper understanding of my approach to coaching and training, my values, and what I think is important.
Hopefully, this will help you to get to know me better too.
I find training and coaching fascinating so I’ve aimed for ‘concise but detailed’… but it’s definitely prose.
My Approach - What is ‘the process’?
Over the years, I have trained in many different ways and taught in many different ways too. The overarching philosophy I’ve found most beneficial is called ‘the process’, which has two main parts - the physical and the mental.
‘The process’ is a term used in professional sports, but in essence, it’s about focusing on what’s in our control. It’s about focusing on what we can do, based on where we are and what we’re able to do in this moment, to move forward toward our goals.
I find it gives me something very practical and tangible to lean into, trusting the process and focusing on these areas in my experience results in the best possible outcome. Physically it’s about the inputs and actions, mentally it’s about our perspectives and adapting when necessary.
For physical improvement it means focusing on these key areas:
Building strength and mobility in the right places,
Improving technique, position, and understanding,
Developing and refining balance.
It’s not a specific list of exercises. It’s about finding the right inputs, creating the right learning environment, and the right intention when doing an exercise to develop these areas. Building from where you are, to where you want to go.
So my role as a coach has two parts. The first part is to give you an honest and clear understanding of where you are and what’s currently holding you back according to the key areas, as well as the specifics of how to improve it through the right exercises and how you need to do them, what to focus on, and how to progress. This is the physical.
I think of this as training based on limiting factors, this means that we’re not only pushing the best bits higher, but making sure nothing is holding you back from long term progress.
The second part is the mental aspect, which I’ll talk about in the next section - learning what you need to get the best result.
How I Coach - Learning what you need to get the best result
I have had various coaches, worked along side some amazing coaches, and coached in many different ways. What I’ve learned is that it’s important to understand what the individual best responds to - especially mentally. In fact, to me, this is the definition of a coach, and not just an instructor.
It’s about training that focuses on all of the right areas but in a way that you find engaging, it’s about feedback that is honest and also makes you feel empowered to improve.
It’s about finding the mindset that helps you make the most of your training - this is the key to the mental side of ‘the process’ and my role as a coach.
We are all a wonderful jumble of our past experiences with our own stories and ideas. Often the things we believe are quite helpful, but when we face new challenges these ideas can sometimes hold us back. Generally, I find a persistent obstacle is a sign that a mindset shift is required to be able to physically progress.
‘What got you here, will not necessarily get you there’
This is something I have come up against in my own training and a truism I have learned to accept and embrace.
One of the reasons I love training is that it requires growth of all kinds, there is great joy in learning new things, you feel stronger and more powerful. There is also great joy in being humbled, having to grow past your previous ideas, and adjusting to the new experiences.
Supporting this journey and applying it to your handstand life is a large part of what I consider my job as a coach.
It’s about creating the right learning environment, physically and mentally - you can’t really have one without the other.
Here are links to more information on the different ways I can help or if you have any questions send me a message - I’m also a human.
About
Hi, I’m Craig,
I’ve been coaching for as long as I can remember, quite literally actually.
It started with various types of gymnastics as a teenager but when, as a part of my own training, I specialised in hand balance at the National Centre for Circus Arts in 2013 I also started teaching adults how to handstand.
So, at this point, I’ve seen quite a few handstands, and done quite a few myself.
What I’ve learned and what I love is that handstands can constantly evolve, there are always new ideas to explore and skills to improve. Curiosity, both as a coach and in my own training has meant that the learning and growing never stops.
As a coach, I share this idea of exploration and guide people through the mindset shifts and physical development they need to keep progressing.
