someone fix my aerial shouldermount?

smokinangel started this discussion · 5/8/2011

I can do a regular sm, dismount, and from the floor without pain. When I try to do it aerially, I feel like I'm rolling up the inside of my shoulder blade bone. Ouch. I've powered through it once or twice, but it bruises. So clearly not in the right spot. I can't figure out where it should be, though. The pole is already hitting my ear (who knew you could get pole burn on your ear...lol) so I don't think I can get it any closer in. I posted 2 vids on my profile - one with a sm from the floor then an aerial attempt, one just aerial. Hopefully they're okay angles on my back/hand placement. They're the 2 in the pink bikini's 'cause it's springtime! The only thing I can think of is not holding the chest arch? I'm not starting on the bone, I don't think, but I tag it as I roll up. Any ideas/suggestions? I'm stumped on this one.

12 replies

Legend · 5/8/2011
Hi :) I'm sorry if I cant help much... I'm replying because I'm having a similar problem. I can SM with all the different grips, can dismount, do a V, a split, can even hold it one handed... but no aerial... :( I dont have shoulder pain/burn issues (except from over practicing...). Maybe its just lack of strenght, I'll wait for the opinion of someone who's been through it before. However I dont think ear burn its a good sign... you should check your position. One thing I've learned is when I stay too long on a move that its not working I usually pick up some bad habits that are dificult to overcome later and can even get in the way of learning the move properly...
Scarlet Thunder · 5/8/2011
Have you tried an aerial SM from a superman? I know that when I do it from a superman my back is at a different angle, ie more curved. Its worth a try but takes more energy getting into.
smokinangel · 5/8/2011
I hit the same problem from a superman =(
Scarlet Thunder · 5/8/2011
Does it happen when you do a standing shoulder mount?
smokinangel · 5/8/2011
Nope. Standing and sitting are both fine. @Legend - the ear burn isn't typical =) The only advice I've gotten before posting here was to try bringing it closer to my spine to get it off the bone... I slid out of it once, thus the ear burn!
Legend · 5/8/2011
Oh, ok, I missunderstood :) I also have the same problem from a superman... sigh...
lilblondie · 5/8/2011
You could try different grips. Personally, I prefer the double cupped grip. You can also try doing it on the other shoulder (you'll want to eventually, anyway). Anything that makes you try it as if it's new. Since you have the strength and technique down, rolling over the bone is obviously just a habit you've learned by accident. I find switching something small about the setup can help get through mental blocks like these. Also -- SM from sitting on the floor isn't quite like SM from figurehead. Try SM from standing on your tiptoes next to the pole. Try standing on one foot on the ground and tucking the other back like in figurehead (it will keep you from using any momentum). And finally, try it when you're fresh. Aerial shouldermounts are exhausting and doing it tired just makes it harder. Good luck! :)
lilblondie · 5/8/2011
one more thing. It occurred to me when I reread that you burned your ear once sliding. When I SM I drop my head very far back as I'm looking at the ceiling -- if anything were to touch the pole it would be my jaw or chin. I suspect your back is too straight up and down when you aerial SM. Try thinking about bending back and really getting the pole on the TOP of your shoulder as you lean your head back past the pole and look at the ceiling. The only bone I have ever banged this way is my COLLARbone, if you get the idea of how much it helps!
Veena · 5/8/2011
Have you checked to make sure your keeping the chest lifted before you begin the move? Not only does this help you engaged the scapula, it will keep the pole off the back and on the upper trap. 🌸
Ember · 5/8/2011
I agree with lilblondie, you might want to try the double cup grip Shoulder Mount. Picture is here: http://www.triagedesign.co.uk/wikipole/images/c/cf/Shouldermountdoublecup.jpg I use this grip when I lift from the floor, and sometimes aerially, or I will use the Twisted grip shoulder mount grip because it helps me keep straight legs as I lift. this is the aerial twisted grip shoulder mount, it's not the best quality video, but check out :43 seconds I do it from a superman http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3AEnnGuasc If you try this, make sure that whatever shoulder you place on the pole, the corresponding hand is the lower hand. and the other hand is twisted. for example: In the video, I shouldermount using my right shoulder, so my right hand is low and my left hand is high and twisted.
chemgoddess1 · 5/8/2011
I would really like to see what your regualr SM looks like. In your one from the floor you are grabbing the pole with your foot before your hips are close to being toward the pole and pulling yourself in with your feet instead of your abs. Are you able to do a SM V and hold it? It looks like you are having issues getting your hips to the pole.
smokinangel · 5/8/2011
Thanks for the replies ladies! @lilblondie - I think it might be a back arch issue. i tried it standing in a figurehead on the floor and can almost get it high enough on the shoulder. maybe back needs to be a bit more flexy. hmm @veena - I know it drops as soon as I hit the bone, not sure about starting it though. @ember - I used to use the double cup and liked it. But, I sprained my wrist (not pole related) and ever since the double cup tweaks it but the veena grip doesn't. go figure. the twisty is probably out for the same reason, but I'll give it a go @chemgoddess - I can V and hold if I tuck up, can't SM with a straight leg V yet. I'd already done a bunch of sm's and was super tired when I filmed these.. didn't my super awesome dismount give it away? =P Should I have a straight leg V down before I try aerial? I'll give all these a try in a couple days when my shoulder de-bruises! If anything else pops into your head in the meantime, let me know!