i never did figure out how to do a straddle press hs with my back against a wall for support. i did it successfully maybe twice total and that involved pressing my head against the wall for leverage, which beth says is what you're supposed to do but it feels very very wrong.

straddle-ups will get so much easier and more effortless. i barely have to jump at all these days -- as the muscles that are required for a press handstand develop they can take over so you don't need momentum from the jump to get up. i think elevated headstand presses are REALLY helpful. of course you also just have to do the jump-straddle-ups, as hard as they are, to get the coordination down. if you can find someone to spot you on straddle-ups and also press handstands that will really help you get the movements into muscle memory.

your yoga class sounds great, but just reading about it is making my shoulders ache. argh, shoulders!!!