Poses

Well, if you want to learn upper body strength, a plange is NOT the best way to 
start off. A plange basically looks like this: arms straight (locked), planted 
shoulder-width apart, body perfectly horizantal, legs split or closed. Looks 
sort of like a horizontal handstand. This is one of the hardest floor poses you 
can do, especially the closed-leg one. But what I suggest you do is start off 
with easier poses. If you can't already do it, start with a turtle or cricket 
position. If you can already do tha t, then try doing those two poses and 
pushing up to a handstand, and repeating. If that's too easy, then try 
straight-arm poses, like UFO (buddha) or air turtle positions. Or you can do an 
"L" position, which is where you're sitting with your le gs together in front of 
you, and then with your hands to your sides, pick yourself up and hold it as 
long as you can. Or is that also too easy? Then try this. Do a UFO or air turtle 
position and push up to a handstand. Try to keep your arms as straight as 
possible . Also try pointing your hands in different directions while you do all 
these poses. It works different muscles . Here's another one. If your fingers 
are strong enough, do an "L" pose on your fingertips, then bend your legs and 
pull yo ur body up to a handstand, and then drop back through to an "L" pose. Or 
if you're really flexible, keep your legs straight when you do this. After you 
can do all that, you're ready for planges and beyond.