Who We Are
Our Mission
Our Trainers
Our Mission
The Handstand Group is committed to helping individuals of all fitness levels achieve their goals by providing a supportive and motivating environment, and personalized coaching to support each unique individual. Our tailored approach cultivates strength, confidence, and joy in every student, ensuring that handstand practice becomes a fulfilling and empowering experience.
Our Values
Our Trainers
Our Mission
At The Handstand Group, we believe in hard work, dedication, and perseverance. We believe in fostering joy, confidence, and growth through the combined expertise of handstand, circus, and yoga disciplines. Our commitment to integrity, inclusivity, and excellence ensures that every student thrives on their journey to mastering handstands while enjoying the process.
Our Trainers
Our Trainers
Our Trainers
Our trainers bring a unique blend of expertise, combining 60 years of experience across athlete, circus, and yoga disciplines. This diverse background enables us to offer a well-rounded, effective approach to handstand training. Each coach brings specialized knowledge, ensuring that every student receives expert guidance, whether building
Our trainers bring a unique blend of expertise, combining 60 years of experience across athlete, circus, and yoga disciplines. This diverse background enables us to offer a well-rounded, effective approach to handstand training. Each coach brings specialized knowledge, ensuring that every student receives expert guidance, whether building foundational strength, refining technique, or mastering advanced skills
Meet Our Coaches
Garrett Schniewind was born and raised in Flagstaff, AZ. After recovering from an autoimmune illness at 13, he fell in love with all things exercise related. Garrett has been training for almost a decade in just about every discipline you can imagine. Everything from weightlifting, to yoga, to circus arts. He began his journey into circus through handbalance in 2017, added in aerial straps in 2020, and has worked with world-class coaches in both disciplines. Exercise Science and its application to circus is one of his main focuses. He as spent the last seven years learning as much as possible about this from experts in their field, and combining it with practical coaching knowledge from coaches in NYC, Montreal, and Las Vegas. Now, Garrett is a full-time coach, and his goal is to use the knowledge he has gained to help you improve in the most sustainable and efficient way possible.
Master Yoga Teacher, Denise Payne, has over 40 years of yoga experience. On the mat and teaching large groups worldwide for decades. Her handstand journey has been ongoing for over 20 years. She’s had the gift of relearning them after a serious back injury 5 years ago, and they’re better than ever. Her approach is through the physical and emotional aspects, coordination, the dynamics of movement, and the meditative qualities of a handstand. Her specialty is in building student's confidence, and she believes in the healing power of handstands for every level. When she's not in a handstand, you can find her somewhere out and about with her dog, Gordon.
what our members are saying
“I thoroughly enjoy the inner circle handstand class. Garrett and Denise provide clear and detailed instructions. They are very supportive and encouraging which helps boost my confidence. They offer personal feedback for all skill levels. The class is always fun and leaves me looking forward to the next class.” - Nikki
“Great coaches and community that continue to level up my handstand practice.” - Lupe
“I trust Denise and Garrett with my fitness and handstand goals!!” - Melodie
“I LOVE being in the Handstand Group. I never thought a "zoom group" could feel this personal and connected. I get to train 4-times a week with my handstand friends as we are patiently led, challenged and inspired by two outstanding handstand teachers.
Garrett (circus performer extraordinaire) builds our strength and techniques. Denise (yogi extraordinaire) increases our flexibility and is always finding new ways to help us gain confidence and "catch more hang-time" on our hands. Denise's sense of humor and playfulness make the hour fly by - and I come away from training pumped with joyful energy. My body feels stronger and more balanced than it ever has (and I'm 60) Having that shining goal of holding longer handstands keeps me motivated and determined to keep going!” - B Fernandez, Santa Rosa, California