Assistance needed for a 'bridge' - can't lift my head above the ground
Hey guys, I am pretty new to flexibility (started like an hour ago icl) and I'm relearning the 'bridge' and hoping to build my way up into a back handspring/backflip. However, I can't seem to lift my head above the ground.
I've looked around and the main issue seems to be 'arm strength', but I am positive that is not the issue. I am already big into fitness (gym and bodyweight excercises) and can pump out around 20 clean pushups and 10 clean pullups. However, when I do a plank, I cannot seen to lift my head at all. And when I do, my lower back/spine begins to feel weird, along with my arms becoming shaky.
Could wrist strength be an issue at play? I saw a previous post talking about stiff back muscles/shoulders, but im not 100% sure how I would ago about 'unstiffening' them.
Does the core also have to be engaged when doing the bridge? I would appreciate any insight, small or little.