Defy Gravity: The Handstand Masterclass

When: May 30th from 1:30pm - 3:00pm

Where: MOVATI Richmond Hill, SKY Studio

About This Workshop:
This workshop introduces the foundations of safe and controlled handstand practice, even if you’ve never tried it before. You’ll learn how to build strength through your wrists and shoulders, develop proper arm support, and understand how to safely exit a handstand with confidence.

Through a structured 6-phase approach, you’ll progress step by step from preparation and body awareness to wall-assisted drills and controlled inversions. Partner work and guided spotting are included to help you build trust, improve alignment, and gain spatial awareness in a safe environment.

Phase 1: The Foundation & Warm-Up (15 Minutes)
A handstand is only as strong as the wrists and shoulders supporting it

Phase 2: Arm Support & The Bailout (10 Minutes)
Learn to fall before you learn to fly. The hands balance, the shoulders support.

Phase 3: Duo Work & Trust (15 Minutes)
Building shoulder strength and vertical awareness through teamwork, utilizing my acrobatic duo background

Phase 4: Low Balances & Inversion (15 Minutes)
Understanding finger balance with a safe, low center of gravity, then resting the wrists while acclimating the brain to being upside down.

Phase 5: The Ascent - Wall Drills (20 Minutes)
Using the wall as a tool to refine the balance, not as a crutch to lean on

Phase 6: Landing & Recovery (15 Minutes)
Cooling down the central nervous system and treating the joints.

The focus is not on rushing into a freestanding handstand, but on developing the control, strength, and technique that make it possible over time—while keeping the body safe and the nervous system regulated.

About your instructor Stephen:

Originally from France, his athletic journey began with martial arts and competitive horseback riding before he transitioned into elite acrobatic gymnastics. Training a grueling 25 hours a week as a base, he and his flyer, Alison, earned multiple trophies at the French National Championships. His acrobatic skills soon took him to the circus stage, performing as a professional acrobat and dancer in French musicals until late 2015, when he chose to step off the stage to move to Canada.

Away from the spotlight, he found himself missing the thrill of performance. While handstands had simply been a natural part of his daily training for over a decade as an acrobat, they quickly became a personal obsession to fill the void of not performing, turning the everyday world into his upside-down playground. Today, he channels that same passion into the air as an Aerial Hoop instructor at Movati on Friday evening, and he is thrilled to bring his years of professional experience to help you master the art of the handstand.

Price: $37.50 plus HST - non members must pay drop in guest fee plus workshop fee.

Limited spots available! NO REFUNDS. Guests must sign a digital guest waiver.

PURCHASE YOUR TICKET TODAY!

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We are looking forward to seeing you all there!