Certified HANDSTAND COACH in San Antonio, TX.

LUPE NEAVES

I work with adult beginners who want to learn handstands in a structured, safe, and realistic way. Most of my students didn’t grow up doing gymnastics, don’t feel naturally “balanced,” and are tired of kicking up to the wall without understanding why progress feels slow or inconsistent.

Work With Me 1:1

From Frustration To A System That Actually Works

I wasn’t born doing handstands.

Like many adults, I spent months — and honestly, years — stuck at the wall, frustrated by the classic “kick and pray” approach. After yoga classes, I stayed behind kicking up with hope, waiting for something to magically click. I believed that if I just tried hard enough, balance would eventually appear. It never did.

For a long time, I believed handstands were only for gymnasts or people who started young. I started to think this skill simply wasn’t meant for me. That frustration, confusion, and lack of direction are exactly what led me to search for a better way — and ultimately changed everything.

2020

The Moment Everything Shifted
In 2020, I found a handstand course through an Instagram advertisement from a well-known handstand coach. For the first time, I learned there was a systematic approach and specific drills to learn handstands.
Training became fun and exciting, though still challenging. Some days things clicked, and other days felt frustrating, but I showed up with purpose, knowing my hard work would eventually pay off.
2023

Why Coaching Made The Difference
After two years of following a structured program, I saw consistent improvements, including moments of balance away from the wall. In 2023, I made the decision to hire a handstand coach for guidance.
That decision changed everything. I achieved my first 10-second freestanding handstand, which later grew into a one-minute hold, and I began learning different handstand shapes like scissor, tuck, and straddle. Looking back, hiring a coach sooner would have changed my journey exponentially.
2025

Why I Became a Handstand Coach
After nearly half a decade of practicing and training handstands myself, I decided to become a certified handstand coach. In 2025, I graduated from The Handstand School as a Level 1 Certified Handstand Coach to help adult beginners achieve their first freestanding handstand.
That same year, after 17.5 years working in Corporate IT, I chose to follow my passion and become a full-time handstand coach. Teaching others the skill of handstand and helping them reach their potential is something I take great pride in.

MY COACHING PHILOSOPHY

Make handstands accessible

My mission is to make handstands accessible for adult beginners by replacing frustration with progress through clear, systematic coaching.
Empowering adult beginners

I believe anyone — regardless of age, background, or experience — can achieve their first freestanding handstand with the right guidance and support.
Quality over quantity

By focusing on quality over quantity, I help students progress safely, intentionally, and without unnecessary pressure.
A supportive training space

I create a safe, inclusive, and encouraging environment where students build confidence, strength, and joy in their practice.

ALWAYS A STUDENT, ALWAYS IMPROVING

I consider myself both a student and a teacher of handstands. In my own practice, I continue revisiting the fundamentals to improve alignment, refine shapes and entries, and push myself to the next level.

A wise handstand coach once told me, “Be brilliant at the basics.” From my own journey, I’ve learned what works, what doesn’t, and how to help others acquire this skill in the most effective and efficient way possible — learning from my own experiences and growing alongside my students.