The evil knee hold!!

Originalribenababy started this discussion · 6/27/2011

Hi guys - new member and my first post :) I joined Studio Veena because it had the best tips I could find on performing the knee hold. I've not been learning it too long but it's driving me crazy - and my progress gets hindered by all the bruises! I've been keeping track of my progress on my blog: http://originalribenababy.wordpress.com/ I'm at the stage where the form seems right but I just don't feel confident enough to let go. Any tips for that final push? (thanks in advance btw!)

44 replies

polergirl · 6/27/2011
For me, the two major keys were getting the bottom leg into the right position to be able to push against the pole, and getting my hips forward forward forward. This will cause you to spin backward a little bit, but it'll lock the grip in and distribute your weight much more evenly over both contact points.
Veena · 6/27/2011
Do you have the lessons and have you tried the first technique with the chair? Be sure your really pulling hard with the top leg, using the hamstring. As polergirl said finding that sweet spot for the bottom leg is a biggy, so using the first method in the lesson can be helpful. 🌸You can do it!!
Originalribenababy · 6/27/2011
Thanks guys, not got the lessons yet but tempted to upgrade when my wages come in :) Will keep on at it. I thinks it's also frustration at seeing some people get it so easily that's getting to me - when to me it hurts like **** :)
chemgoddess1 · 6/27/2011
This took me sooo long to get to the paoint where I could nail it each and every time I tried and it took at least 6 months to get over the pain.
luvlee · 6/27/2011
I got this move one time and one time only and now will be needing a knee replacement probably by age 40 per Dr. I know others it has happened to and obviously I do not reccomend this move or do it myself.
SadieNikole · 6/27/2011
I've tried this move for months n I can't find the sweet spot on my bottom leg. Soooo frustrating.
Originalribenababy · 6/27/2011
I'll see if I can get any tips tonight at class and keep you posted if there's any inspiration :) I am SO glad to know it's not just me :)
polevixen0213 · 6/27/2011
my class is working on it right now and most ppl cant seem to find that sweet spot, myself included...and we re just starting to try to let go for a second!
Kate87 · 6/27/2011
For me, the key was getting a realllyyy tight lock with my feet together. Without that, I'm not secure enough to let myself go. And yes, the pain is horrible!
polergirl · 6/27/2011
Once Karol helped me find my own l'il sweet spot it didn't hurt nearly as much. Mind you, it doesn't feel *great* but it's not almost unbearable like it was when I tried it before. One thing that I noticed, at least for my own body conformation: my knees need to be a fair bit further apart on the pole than I'd originally placed them.
Krista Bocko · 6/27/2011
Quote:it took at least 6 months to get over the pain. this is encouraging--LOL 😉 wish i'd started learning this a long time ago and i'd have it down by now. ho hum.
Originalribenababy · 6/27/2011
We were talking about it in class tonight and they said to try and find a more fleshy but to rest on than the shin bone which makes sense. Problem is my knees are so boney it's hard to find a comfy spot. At least this gives me a new technique to play with tho - getting into position and playing with tge resting leg in a few different places.
MommaBear · 6/27/2011
@ Luvee: Do you know what happened to cause such a nasty injury? (i.e, Did you tear a muscle? Was it on the upper or lower knee? Was it a result of incorrect placement or something along those lines?) I ask because I've only attempted this a handful of times and I know it's not comfortable and can be downright painful, but the last time around I almost felt as if I pinched a nerve (an electrifying jolt shot down my leg from knee to ankle - I felt like I was zapped off the pole). I didn't have any pain afterwards, but since then I've been hesitant about re-visiting this move.
MrsNaughtywed · 6/27/2011
This one took me a long time to learn. I was using chair for a month. I felt like I just didn't have the leg strength and core strength to hold me there. I did lots of polebliques (one knee pit on pole, other foot close to base, extend out and do side crunches) did a lot for me to build up strength. I had been able to do knee holds for 8 months now but just last month I figured out how to do them aerially. Before it was always off the floor. Best of luck. :)
Originalribenababy · 6/27/2011
I do the star aerially so I know I have a good grip that way. I've been switching between the floor and up the pole as I've been trying - just today using support for both methods. As soon as the bruising goes down I'll update on my next attempt :)
stardust · 6/27/2011
Finding the sweet spot on the bottom leg (not on the bony part), pulling with the top leg (really secure knee grip), set both legs wide apart and push hips forward are the main keys for me. It did hurt the first times with bruises! 😕 Caution, even if you found the sweet spot, it still does hurt when you do it for the first times! But, over time the pain will subside and this move will come to you naturally & easily. 😉 Recently, I did the unhooked knee hold version, it's like learning knee hold all over again, I have to find a new sweet spot & getting new bruises AGAIN! 😲 Good luck, you can do it! 🙂
Viva · 6/28/2011
I find knee hold easier to lock into from a shoulder mount, then hook outside knee, pulling up as bring lower knee into position. Ps -/ tips/technique for unhooked knee hold wld b awesome!! :)
Viva · 6/28/2011
I find knee hold easier to lock into from a shoulder mount, then hook outside knee, pulling up as bring lower knee into position. Ps -/ tips/technique for unhooked knee hold wld b awesome!! :)
Originalribenababy · 6/28/2011
Oh my life, there is an unhooked version? Haven't even seen that before. Well done you! Would love to see it :)
chemgoddess1 · 6/28/2011
Amyxshi does an unhooked version and finds it easier. I know there is a thread on it somewhere around here. I have people try this from a side plank on the ground first. Top leg is in front of the pole, bottom leg is behind the pole, hook the top leg, go up into a side plank, place the bottom leg in position (Momma, this was how I was showing you that one night). The pole also is not completely in the knee pit, whcih is where I think a lot of people try to place the pole. My placement is pretty much at the top of the calf and bottom of hamstring (on the hooking leg).
amy · 6/28/2011
i do love the unhooked version-- it takes more hamstring strength to hold but doesn't put as much pressure on your top knee cap, which I found almost unbearable. it also allows your legs to slide apart more, so you can get the pressure more on your shin than on the bottom knee, and when first learning it, using the hand on the top ankle to stay secure seems to help people put more weight into the top knee rather than the bottom. not surprisingly, after donig unhooked for months the hooked version no longer hurts me either =) i'm doing a tuesday tips on my blog for this, but it won't be for a couple weeks since i'm posting elbow grip ayesha first, but i've gotten tons of requests for the knee hold so that will be next! if you're interested in shoulder mount or corkscrew spin i've posted tips for those so far... http://aerialamy.com/blog/ =)
amy · 6/28/2011
btw, chemgoddess, you have the memory of an elephant! =)
Judy Jovanelly · 6/28/2011
please pardon my ignorance, but what is and where can i view an unhooked knee hold ?
amy · 6/28/2011
here's an old pic of me doing one =) https://www.studioveena.com/photos/view_photo/b3d9d5d6-f18e-11df-ab19-12313b090e12
chemgoddess1 · 6/28/2011
https://www.studioveena.com/photos/view_photo/b3d9d5d6-f18e-11df-ab19-12313b090e12

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