Knee Hold - how are my toes supposed to lock?

Amaranth started this discussion · 1/9/2012

I have been trying the kneehold for a couple of weeks now with very little success and I think it's because I'm completely unable to work out how the heck my toes/feet are meant to lock together. I flap about like a demented penguin trying to get a grip, and aside from looking like a fool, my mid-air paddle is just not getting me anywhere. Would anyone be good enough to give me an explaination (or better still, post a couple of clear pictures)? I've spent days squinting at videos and I still can't figure it out. I really would be grateful for any pointers, I so want to nail this! Thank you all :)

12 replies

Cheryl Licious · 1/9/2012
Are you side climbing into it or attempting it from standing on the floor? When I was first conditioning for the knee hold I would put my one leg as high as possible and then bring up the leg I was standing on and then attempt to place my knee behind the pole and try to get my ankles to meet up at the same time. (My lower leg ankle is placed in front of my upper leg ankle if that makes sense. ) There was definitely alot of manuevering involved which did not really help when the pain is excruciating. Eventually I was able to figure out the right placement and then push my hips forward. One I was comfortable I would get into it from the side climb and noticed by doing the knee hold from the side climb it is much easier to drop into the position because by having both hands up above you are able to hold your body steadier and keep your upper leg placement more secure. If you are able to side climb you might find it easier to get the proper leg placement this way then to try it from standing on the floor.
amy · 1/9/2012
hope this helps =) http://aerialamy.com/blog/2011/10/11/tuesday-tips-knee-holds/
Veena · 1/9/2012
This lesson here shows both a closed knee hold (with toes locked) and open knee hold (with feet apart) https://www.studioveena.com/lessons/view/4d07835a-c7f4-46f1-87b1-630f0ac37250 I really recommend using a chair when first working on this move.
Amaranth · 1/9/2012
Hi ladies, thanks for all your suggestions. Veena, I am using the lessons and have been trying with a chair, but only have a swivel office chair and it's really not very stable. I tried the 'next step up' so to speak, and I genuinely think my leg placement starts off right, but as I am still struggling with my feet placement it all goes a bit wrong. When I try and lock my feet I end up flapping, then sliding my top leg down in the process and everything gets more and more painful and just crumbles beneath me. I feel like a wally because I can see what you're doing (I think) but I'm finding it difficult to replicate. The side climb I could try, and will see how it works for me - thanks, Cheryl. Amy, I appreciate the link, I'll make sure I read through and digest. I'll have another go on my next pole day (Wednesday) using the other hints you've given and see if I get any further. Thank you :)
Veena · 1/9/2012
Oh my, don't use a swivel chair!!! 😲 It has to be a sturdy chair so you can rest your weight on it. Have you tried it without locking the feet? That variation is at the end of the lesson. Also while your trying to figure out placement for the feet and legs, are you using your bottom arm to rest your torso on? This can really help. Try taking a look at the lesson and maybe watching what the upper body is doing.
Amaranth · 1/9/2012
Yes, I learnt the perils of the swivel chair, another fabulous comedy moment... I'm going to look at the 'open' version I think, I had originally thought the closed should be easier but seems I may as well give open a shot as it may work better for me. I will watch the lesson again though and see if I'm getting it wrong somewhere else (likely!). Thanks, Veena :)
amy · 1/9/2012
i'm sorry but the image of teh swivel chair and working on the knee hold with one leg hanging off the pole with a face scrunched up in pain... ohhhhh ahahhahahahah
Crystaljng · 1/10/2012
Hahahaha Amy you are hilarious! But I am in no place to laugh. I have tried it once, with a steady chair, with little success a while ago. This is a cool move I will put it in my to do list!
nymphdancer · 1/10/2012
if you can't use a chair to steady yourself Becca Butcher showed me doing it low, so that I could use my hand on the floor (floor will not go anywhere unlike your swivel chair). I haven't really played with it much it isn't a pose I really like.
TrixieLovett · 1/10/2012
I can only do it it the "open" pose. 😕 Wish I could do both, but the pressure on my knee isn't worth it....
poledanceromance · 1/10/2012
I only do the open version. I can get into the locked pose, but it doesn't work with my anatomy. I've really experimented with it a lot, different levels of rotation from the hip, angle of the legs, different ins, but when my feet are locked all the weight sits directly on my shin bone on the lower leg and it's just excruciatingly painful. I finally figured out it just wasn't going to work and switched to the unlocked version-voila! Took all that pressure off the bottom leg. One thing to watch out for: when I was learning the unlocked version, I finally saw myself do it on video from an angle where I could see my feet and I was still flexing the top foot as in the locked version! It's tricky to retrain your body to point both feet when you're used to flexing them as part of the hold.
Amaranth · 1/11/2012
Ok, thought I'd say thank you again for all the hints and tips. I practiced today coming in from gemini and side climb, and while I wouldn't say it was entirely successful (I didn't trust myself to release my top hand) I definitely felt like I was putting pressure on the right places and can probably make some progress with the open stance. Worrying about my feet was just distracting me and ruining any hope I had of getting everything else right, so I'll keep going as I am and hopefully not fall horribly when I finally risk loosing the top hand! Thank you all. I'm sure I'll get there... eventually :)