The Jade is kicking my @ss

Cocoa0 started this discussion · 8/8/2011

So I have been trying to get the Jade for about 6 mos now. At this point I feel like it's a remedial move that I just can't get. I have veenas lessons and I have been taught the move in class (multiple times) but I just can't get it. The few (1 out of 10) successful attempts that I have made have popped my lower 3 ribs out of place. I am at a loss with this move. I don't know what to try next. The jade is litteraly beating the crap out of me. If anyone has any secrets or suggestions for this move it would be greatly appreciated. Thanx!

11 replies

Cinara · 8/8/2011
Ouchies! The jade took me ages to do too! And if it helps, it's taught in the same level as air shoulder mounts, the superpain and cartwheel mounts at my studio, so certainly not remedial! The way I got it was to go from gemini, but before you take your hands off the pole for the gemini, use your arms to lift your body up slightly and make sure the pole is running along the squidgy bit of your waist below your ribs (you'll need side grip, so no long tops). Hopefully the quick rearrangement of your side grip in the gemini will keep the pole off your ribs! The other thing that helped me was to make sure I pulled my leg across your body diagonally to get the lock.
amy · 8/8/2011
How are you trying to do the jade? The grip is different for each!! If you are doing the version with a hand on your butt, that hand is pushing that outside hip out of square. It's not just there for show! With that one the grip should be on the hip like a hands-free chopper. The version with both hands on the foot places the grip closer to your ribs. Knowing how you're going into it and what specifically you're Having problems with would help too :) there's a lot that can go wrong with this move.
Cocoa0 · 8/8/2011
I've been trying to get into it the way cinara described, I wasn't aware that the other way was any different in terms of body/pole position. What happens is that when i try to "flatten out" the pole rolls up onto (and crushes) the tiny ribs at the bottom of my ribcage OR I fall. It seems like when I have the pole completely in the soft bit of my waist I get a hole when I try to extend (if that makes any sense) I ONLY have problems when I extend the back leg past 1 or 2 o'clock. Could you explain the other way? That might be the way I need to do it, cause what I am doing now is not working for me.
amy · 8/8/2011
for the hip hold version, with one hand below you and the other on your foot: typically you start to feel insecure when you lower the back leg because you're not pushing enough with the support arm to push the outside hip forward and into the pole (think of pushing the top of your thighbone forward), maintaining the squeeze and grip of that hip hold. or, you are trying for too square a split and so your chest is turning toward the pole. make sure that when you bring that back leg around in your gemini to hold the foot, you are really bringing the leg around and rotating through the socket so you get the pole tucked nice and tight into that hip; that grip should stay secure through the whole trick. it's like when you're doing a lunge and pushing the back hip forward and down to stay square, but the opposite because you're trying to push your hips as far out of square as possible. the other version, with both hands on that foot, has a SUPER different grip... its very much in the ribs and if you aren't careful, you can absolutely crack a rib doing that one (my friend has, and mine get bruised every time i do it).
Cocoa0 · 8/13/2011
@Amy Ok so my ribs finally feel "ok" and I just tried your way... I am still falling when I flatten out! I think I may need more info on what is going on on the "inside" of the jade. Ie. Is your armpit doing a lot or are you even in the pit? There are alot of "good side" views of the Jade but what is going on on the otherside? I am sorry that I am a pain in the butt, BUT the stupid Jade is kicking my ass!
Veena · 8/13/2011
This is a move that will take time to find the right positioning for your body....getting flat is the hardest part, keep playing around with the different entries...I find the entry where you tuck the overhead knee to the chest first the best for getting a nice flat secure jade. I would post a vid so everyone can see what your doing. Could be a simple placement issue. Can you do a half jade with the top knee tucked into the chest?
IntimateSpins · 8/13/2011
When I was first learning how to do the jade, I soon figured it out it was easier on the side I was most flexible on. I stil had a jade 'L' at first that eventually went to a jade 'v' Lol. I typically start by inverted into a gemini (outside leg hold), then transition into a pike. Once in a pike I'd reach over with my opposite hand and grab the leg on the other side of the pole...pulling that leg towards my chest. I place my free hand on my hip and push up...this helps flatten out your hips a bit more. I agree with Amy that it's more of a pushing up at the hip that really locks that hold in. Once you find a comfortable spot...just slowly keep on extending you split out a bit more each time. Pointing you back foot seems to be the final point to keeping that back leg straight. I'm personally horrible about this...it really makes a huge difference when you point your toes. =) I really think that some moves takes more time to develop than other for every individual. I have friends that got the knee hold super quick and that sucker STILL kills me! LOL...I keep blaming it on my boney knees Haha!! Keep up the awesome work and don't push any further than your body is saying to go. <3<3<3
Cocoa0 · 8/15/2011
@studioveena I will post a vid as soon as my computer is fixed. I wish I could post video from my IPhone ;)
amy · 8/15/2011
Cocoa, the more that you have to round your back to get your front leg to your face, the less secure the hold will be in your armpit-- ideally your back is flat or almost arched as you bring that leg to your face, but really the key (i think) is to make sure you have the pole stuck super tight in your hip-- if you're moving at all when you move that back leg back, it implies that your hip hold isn't secure. i think a vid to see what's going on would help too =)
Shellectra · 8/17/2011
Yes the jade is one of my can't do moves!!!! I just CANT stay on the pole in that position I slide right down :(
Shellectra · 11/3/2011
I finally had Jade success! I went from totally falling straight down as soon as the back leg unhooked from gemini to getting it off but as soon as it extended I'd fall straight down, to suddenly tonight I realized that if you push with that hand on the butt the body naturally turns into face the pole and you can "lock" on!!! It felt so good to lock on! I have a video up of my first successful jade :) I know the split is HORRIBLY terrible but I'll try to flatten it in time :) So my tip is push up with that butt hand and turn your body in really focus on that grip and it seemed to stop my slow slip and I stayed in place a while! Also I don't seem to suffer from any rib crush surprisingly, thats left for my allegra attempts, so painful.. http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/305251_10150524236003206_532948205_11679212_1039697324_n.jpg