Jade tips?

LittleC started this discussion · 4/24/2010

So, the exciting news is I got the jade and can hold it! I got it on tape so that I could see how it looked - and it is not as flat as I would like. I'm pretty flexible and can do splits comfortably, so I don't think it's a flexibility issue - my front leg is nice and flat and I am pulling it down with the one hand, but my back leg doesn't come down enough. Part of it may be balance, maybe? Any ideas or advice are appreciated - I don't want to have a jacked up jade! 😕 Thank you!

19 replies

Fleur · 4/24/2010
Congrats Little C! There is no magic trick to the jade, you just gotta pull on that front leg like crazy and push your back leg down as hard as you can. If it feels flat, push a little more! In all reality, doing a jade feels like doing the oversplits (at least it does for me) even though it seems like it should be fine if you can do a regular split! Pretty much if you feel like you're about to tip over, you're flat! Keep at it 🙂 Fleur
blueeyes · 4/25/2010
Agreed! I have to REALLY concentrate to get mine flat. Karol gave me the good tip about putting your hand under your bum to help you balance (this also allows your upper arm to help grip the pole). It's all trial and error like all the others :p
Veena · 4/25/2010
If your taking the lessons here it is...I'll give you your points of contact and another trick is to turn the torso. http://ver3.studioveena.com/lessons/view/2811
moonflower · 4/27/2010
I have to agree with Fleur. Doing a flat jade feels like doing an over split. With the splits on the floor, you can push against the floor to get your legs flat, but with the jade you can't.
LittleC · 4/28/2010
Thanks for the responses - I'm gonna keep working on it and try to be patient! 😛
Solya · 5/5/2010
I'm about start learning the jade (finally got the splits woohoo 🙂 ) but I don't really know where to start. Where are the main ponts of contact? And how do you get into it? Do I need to have my waist bare or can I do it in a top? 🙂
LittleC · 5/6/2010
I am definitely not a pro with it yet, but I usually get into it from a hip hold....I had to make sure my hip hold was super solid before I started playing with the jade. I also practice it close to the floor since I'm not 100%comfy with it yet. 👽 It's a fun one to work on, but youch! That hip hold is a killer on the inner thigh skin. It still gets me. 😕
KittyKatt · 5/6/2010
Congrats LittleC! 🥂 I just started trying the Jade a couple days ago, I've been doing it from Gemini, just felt the most natural, will have to try it from the Hip Hold as well and see how that goes. But I was wondering, is there a right or wrong way to get into it? Someone told me that from Gemini is a cheat way to do it and that it should be done from Scorpio, so now I'm a little confused. 🤔 am I doing it wrong? (I posted a vid) Is there a 'right' way to learn it?? Any advice on this would be great thanks! good vibes to all! 🙂 🐱
SissyBuns · 5/6/2010
There's a "cheat" way to get into it? I thought the move was the trick, not the entry into it. I get into it from hiphold or a pike mostly, sometimes from a gemini.
Veena · 5/6/2010
There are LOTS of ways to get into many moves......I know I have just the word cheat before but really.....don't feel there are "cheats" just different levels and variations on moves. What seems impossible to one, is easy as pie to another..... 😳
LittleC · 5/6/2010
I agree with Veena - you have to find what works for you! I wish I had thought to try it from a gemini - I need to try that. Anything to avoid that ouchy hip hold - that hurts worse to me than the jade, for some reason. 🤔
KittyKatt · 5/6/2010
I was thinking the same thing, that it's what works best for each person, was just a little thrown being told I was 'cheating'... i didn't see how getting into a move one way as opposed to another lessened the value of the move somehow. So thanks ladies, I feel better now! 🙂 ...I'll try it a couple different ways and see how it feels, be nice to have options for transitions. LittleC, let me know how it goes for you from gemini... I'll try from hip hold my next practice! 🙂 🐱
LittleC · 5/6/2010
KittyKatt - WOW! I watched your video and yours looks great - it's really flat. And your pole room is so nice and spacious, love the big mirrors! 🌸 Mine is getting flatter - I've been playing with tilting my hips. If I have them square my back leg won't go down - some of it is flexibility, but I think if my angle is better that will help too.
KittyKatt · 5/7/2010
Thanks LittleC! I'm still working on it, I can't do the splits, but that little twist in the hips helps to give the illusion. haha. Have to focus more on my stretching. You should post a vid so we can see your progress 🙂 🐱
AliciaPolerina · 5/8/2010
What helped me get the jade was to look and twist to the side and really pull to the side of the leg you are pulling on. Before I finally figured that out I was looking straight up toward my back foot which made me tip over like a little tea pot!
amy · 5/11/2010
just wanted to chime in here since i tried the jade for the first time last night... (i've been putting off working on this until i had my full splits, but got a little encouragement from kyra and lian last night).... like everyone is saying here-- the twist in the hips really helps. unlike a full side split, your hips are NOT SQUARE for this move! hahah. dooooh. so although i can't do a full side split, i can jade. although the side that i usually gemini/hip pike on-- is my "bad side" for splits... sigh. more wrongsidedness! ugh. 😈
amy · 5/11/2010
What helped me get the jade was to look and twist to the side and really pull to the side of the leg you are pulling on. Before I finally figured that out I was looking straight up toward my back foot which made me tip over like a little tea pot! that's the tick tock! 😂
AliciaPolerina · 5/11/2010
Lol so it does have a name! Sweet I love it when I do something new and don't realize it!
amy · 5/11/2010
yup! alethea does it here at 5:22: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEOabRDOjtQ