Stargazer question

Adventures of Alice started this discussion · 10/20/2015

I don't think Veena has a lesson for this move so I have looked it up online. Most tutorials and pictures of this pose show the ankle/foot being held to lock the knee against the pole. I know Veena isn't keen on any knee hold move that means you have to hold on to the ankle or foot as it puts too much pressure on the knee (like the CKR). Does anyone know if this move can be achieved without holding on, just with the knee squeezing while you lean back?

12 replies

Phoenix Hunter · 10/20/2015
Yes, I do this without holding onto the foot. If you need to hold onto something but don't want to hold your foot , you can just hold onto the pole with one hand. For me, I have a lot of grip with my legs in this pose and donot need to hold onto anything as long as I squeeze the leg around the pole.
Nats01 · 10/20/2015
No I don't think so cause you would have no grip when you lean back. And the idea is to really incorporate a nice back bend. I cant do the Marley, too much pressure on my knee, but I can do the stargazer very easily with no pain. You just have to play with it and see if it works for you. Best way to enter is from a side saddle seat, drop outer leg to press against pole like in pole stand and holding inside leg by ankle.
Phoenix Hunter · 10/20/2015
Here is a pic of me leaning back in a stargazer. You can't see my other hand but it is not holding my foot. I start the position with my hand on my foot or pole but as I lean back I let go. I am not able to hold onto my foot and lean back this far , it's physically impossible for me. If you don't lean back quite as far you can still hold on if you need to. If you want to practice leaning back without holding on I would first get comfortable with holding the position without hands without leaning back at first. You just gradually lean back little by little each time you practice. I was not able to do this right away and it took some practice with getting comfortable with my grip . I damaged my knee in a Marley while holding onto my foot, so i have to be careful to not do anything that will put that same pressure on my knee. It's forced me to learn things like Marley hands free.
Adventures of Alice · 10/20/2015
Wow Phoenix that looks beautiful... Is it scary leaning back that far or do you feel really secure? I can't wait to start working on this one.
Phoenix Hunter · 10/20/2015
It's not scary for me because I've practiced stargazer a lot. I don't recommend leaning back this far to start. This is just the only pic I had to show. Get very comfortable with doing the pose with your hands then you can gradually let let go in a more upright position. I will also caution that I am very comfortable with back bending and my back was warmed up to do this. This is an exaggerated example but I wanted to showy it is possible. Start small. I have so much grip with both legs in this grip it feels secure but it took practice to get there. I am able to hold onto my foot or the pole without hurting my knee as long as I don't lean back too far. This would be a great lesson for Veena to do and I think she mentioned maybe doing this one very recently. Maybe she can give you some pointers.
dustbunny · 10/20/2015
I do normally hold the foot to do stargazer because i feel more secure that way but it is true that you can hurt your knee. I did it once and although it wasn't too bad I'm sure it could have been worse. I still do it myself but I don't recommend it to anyone. I'm a bad girl!
Veena · 10/20/2015
I will add this to the quick lesson list! However, I JUST uploaded the Remi sit which is very similar! The concept for the top leg is pretty much the same only the bottom leg is moving into a different position. It may help you figure out the pose. I will say if you don't have the strength to also hold the body weight with the bottom leg, then PULLING the top leg will put a lot of strain on the knee!! HOLDING it for extra security is ok but I would not suggest it as a way of teaching someone who is learning it the first time, because they need to understand that the bottom leg is as active as the top! Does that make sense?Also flexibility and limb length will determine if they can hold while laying back! Once they understand no to pull on the top leg holding is ok if you feel more secure. Here's the new lesson Remi sit https://www.studioveena.com/lessons/view/5626bdc7-13fc-4ea9-ab76-74a30a9aa0eb On an interesting side note: Once you get the concept of the Remi and Star gazer you can use a OUTSIDE knee pit grip for moves like the Orion! https://www.studioveena.com/videos/view/52d4a79b-84d8-4cc2-9480-4bc50a9aa0eb
Phoenix Hunter · 10/20/2015
Thank you Veena for posting the Remi- sit! And yes, I feel that my bottom leg is doing a lot of work in the stargazer as well. I think that's a good point.
Veena · 11/13/2015
Here's the stargazer lesson, hopefully this will help! https://www.studioveena.com/lessons/view/564643d5-c158-4c10-833b-483eac110091
Adventures of Alice · 11/13/2015
Thank you Veena!!
I polekat I · 11/23/2015
Ooh it's mad I've been doing stargazer for aaaages now and I had never seen it done with no hands before I saw veena's video the other day and now this thread ! Both of you do it so beautifully, I didn't think you would be able to bend that far back without holding on. Inspiration for next session !! =D
Veena · 11/23/2015
Let me know how the lesson works for you!