so my question is: is a "proper" trackstand a twitchy experience? i'm still in the process of practicing trackstands, and i was watching a friend do one, and he was pretty twitchy. i pointed it out to him. he said "stand on one foot" so i did "feel how much your foot is moving right now?" i did, and he said it's the same kind of thing during a trackstand. i always imagined it more zen-like, less constant-correction.

sometimes they're twitchy, sometimes they're smooth. depends on the context.

for the first month or three, expect some shaky legs, all the time.
then you'll get used to it.

it all depends on how hard you've been riding and how focused you are, 'cause it's mostly just muscles anyway. get kung-fu'd on that *****, mind over body, Jai guru deva om...

let me elaborate on my hasty response. if you are practicing trackstands in a parking lot, after a while you'll get it down so you'll be almost motionless. in some traffic situations, you might attain this form, too. however, there will be situations in which it will be more difficult to achieve that form (e.g., a busy intersection on a downhill in which you must keep your eyes on three things at once). in these situations, i'm twitchy, but still in control.

Habitus, well put. I might also add terrain to the equation. I often feel squirrily and get stuck in those lumpy tire ruts until i find the sweet spot. Smooth roads make for smooth stands.