The best thing you can do is to bring home a thick gym mat, which will give you some cushioning without letting you sink in too far, as a mattress would. If you don't have that, consider using a long couch cushion or a mattress, while being careful not to sink into them too much if you don't have enough momentum, you may end up falling back into the handstand position and then sinking in to the floor instead of springing up. You can also consider using a trampoline, if you have one, to give yourself the confidence to use a harder surface. Just remember that you won't need nearly as much momentum to fall backward on a trampoline. If you're trying the back handspring outside in your yard, pick a softer surface, like a grassy surface that's a little pliable, instead of concrete or another harder surface that won't give.

Summary: Use a padded surface.

Hold the clinometer so the curved rim of the protractor is facing downward. Tilt the clinometer until you can look through the straw or paper tube and see the top of a tall object you want to measure, such as a building. You can use this method to measure the angle between you and the top of that object, or the object's height. Keep the clinometer steady in that position, until the dangling string becomes still. Calculate the angle between the midpoint of the protractor (90), and the point where the string crosses the rim by subtracting one from the other. For example, if the string crosses the rim at 60, the angle of elevation between you and the top of the object is 9060=30. If the string crosses the rim at 150, the angle of elevation is 150-90=60. The angle of elevation will always be less than 90 since 90 is straight up in the sky. The answer will always be positive (greater than 0). If you subtract the larger number from the smaller and get a negative number, just cross out the minus sign to get the right answer. For example, if you calculate that 60-90=-30, the actual angle of elevation is +30. The tangent of an angle is defined as the side of a right triangle opposite the angle, divided by the side adjacent to the angle. In this case, the triangle is formed by three points: you, the base of the object, and the top of the object. The "opposite" side from this angle is the height of the object, and the adjacent side is the distance between you and the object's base. You can use a scientific or graphing calculator, an online tangent calculator, or a chart listing tangents for various angles. To calculate the tangent on a calculator, press TAN and enter the angle you found. If the answer is below 0 or above 1, set your calculator to degrees instead of radians and try again. If you want to find out how tall the object is, you'll need to know how far away you are from its base. Measure using a tape measure. If you don't have one, count the number of ordinary steps it takes to get to the object, then measure the length of one step once you find a ruler. The total distance is the length of one step multiplied by the number of steps you took. Some protractors have rulers marked along the straight edge. Remember, the tangent of your angle is (object's height) / (distance between you and the object). Multiply the tangent by the distance you measured, and you'll be left with just the object's height! For example, if the angle of elevation was 35, and your distance from the object was 45 units, the object's height equals 45 x tangent(35), or 31.5 units. Add your own height at eye level to your answer, since that's how far your clinometer was above the ground.

Summary: Sight the top of a tall object through the straw. Measure the angle using the protractor. Calculate the tangent of this angle. Measure your distance from the object. Use your measurements to calculate the height of the object.

You can make the circular motion using a to turn, depending on your preference. To move in a circle, you and your partner will complete the first two steps of the waltz. Then, the lead will place their left foot at a slight turn on the third step and the follow will place their right foot in the same direction. This will then allow you to turn slightly as you perform the waltz. The circular motion will always be to the lead's left. You and your partner should move in a smooth, fluid turning motion to the left as you complete the steps. The lead should start facing diagonally to a wall in the room, with the follow facing the opposite direction. The lead will then step forward on their right foot and the follow will step backward on their left foot. The lead will take a quarter turn to the left, placing the left foot parallel to their right foot. The follow will turn with the lead, placing their right foot parallel to their left. The lead will bring their right foot beside their left, and the follow will bring their left foot beside their right to end the step. Follow a 3-count pattern when performing the turn. Make sure you open your body to the side when you do the quarter turn to the left or to the right, depending on whether you are the lead or the follow. Keep your arms and elbows up, landing softly on the ball of your foot when you perform the turn. Dance with your partner using the first 3 steps of the box step, or waltz. Then, on step 4, the lead will release the follow by dropping their right arm. The lead will then raise their left hand and spin the follow in a clockwise turn towards the left. The lead should continue to do the box step for counts 4,5, and 6 as the follow spins on these counts. The follow should move forward in the turn on counts 4, 5, and 6. The lead and the follow will then meet at the starting position at count 6. Make sure the lead takes shorter steps on counts 4,5,6 so they do not get in the way of the follow. The follow should move forward in a smooth, fluid turn, using a pattern of heel, toe, toe, putting weight on their heel for count 4 and then on their toes for count 5 and 6.

Summary: Move in a circle with your partner. Add a basic turn to your waltz. Do a waltz underarm turn.

There are many ways to educate yourself in order to learn more about the area you are seeking to improve. Informing yourself on the topics you are committed to improving will help keep you up to date on the latest improvements in your field of interest and keep you inspired. Check your local paper for community educational classes. Go to your local library and source out books and read them. Learn from other people's experiences and knowledge and commit to an online course or seminar that will inspire you. Ask friends that are successful in the area you want to improve in what resources they use. Note taking is an active process, making you an active learner. While taking a seminar, or listening to a motivational CD, write down notes on what you are learning. How does it apply to your goals? Taking notes will keep the information you are learning fresh in your mind and also help you keep track of your progress. Let's be honest, if you don't think about your goals, you won't make them happen. If you aren't doing anything about your goals, they are just wishes. At a set time, perhaps Monday mornings, review your progress for the last week and set new action steps for the upcoming week that push you towards your ultimate goal. Reading your goals weekly helps remind you of their importance and keeps you clear on what you truly want in your life. Check to see if you are on track with your deadline. Perhaps you need to kick it up a notch and take more small steps to achieve your goal. Make sure you are challenging yourself enough. If the goal is becoming too easy to attain, perhaps you need to make the goal more challenging by adding a new component. For example, "I run two miles a day" instead of "I run a half mile a day." Check to see if you are still inspired by your goals. If not, reorganize them until you feel more enthusiastic.
Summary: Make a list of resources. Take notes. Review your goals weekly.