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Split grip work is driving me nuts
I am 100% comfortable with split grip butterfly and even extended butterfly, where I still have a wee bit of foot or ankle contact….and I can get split grip jacknife. But what I really want is split grip aysha and split grip straightedge. Both are solid as can be in elbow grip. Any tips?
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11 Replies
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I’m having exactly the same prob (except replace elbow grip with forearm grip:)) and it’s been driving me bonkers. I can recommend a youtube clip from simpllysweet about finding balance in the split grip, which has helped me a little bit, although I still come straight down just about as soon as I take my second leg off so don’t even really have the oopportunity to practice balancing!
Another suggestion I have if you’re solid in your jackknife is to get into that position then slowly lift your top leg up and over into the ayesha position – focus on keeping that lower leg in a constant position rather than letting it lift as your other leg raises. This was recommended to me by a really good teacher but as my jackknife is a bit substandard, I haven’t tried it since my one-off lesson with her…
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Thanks, I'll check out the vid…and your tip about moving slowly up from jacknife, because it's pretty solid.
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How long are you holding your extended butterfly? I found that I was able to work into a split grip aysha from the extended butterfly. I increased the holding time of my extended butterfly and after a few practices my strength increased and I was able to feel a gained balance. I always find it harder to get into the split grip aysha from the pole- I typically cartwheel mount into it. I wouldn't suggest doing this unless you have a solid split grip hold but since your jack knife is solid, you might want to consider trying this move??? It could also be something as simple as your hand placement in your split grip, which is something I learned while working on the cartwheel mount. So even if you're not ready for the cartwheel mount maybe checking out hand placements on videos might even help you establish a solid hold suitable for your split grip aysha and straight edge. My upper hand is most comfortable when even with my shoulder and the lower hand is about 6 inches from the ground. These positions give me the best balance when cartwheel mounting into the aysha. Hope that helps. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif Keep us posted.
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I've had that same issue. Cant figure out what is so hard about it if I have a great butterfly, extended butterfly, and split grip jack knife …. but the aysha and straight edge elude me. They're strong as an elbow grip, but that split grip has been evading me on those tricks. I can do a great straight edge from a cartwheel a well.
Kobajo – next time I'm practicing I am going to try your technique.
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Kobajo, thanks for the tips. I'm holding my extended butterfly in a slow slide down the pole, at the last second I usually swing around into a flatline scorpio for the last few inches to the floor…so to answer your question I'd say, extended butterfly for anywhere from 5-7 seconds? Maybe longer, you know how time loses all meaning when on the pole. 😉
Polekitten, I'm glad it's not just me! I have a feeling this is one of those moves where I'll get frustrated and stop trying it for however long, then all of a sudden whammo! I'll have it. At least I hope that's the case!
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Poledancefan (Joel) has a vid on YT as well about balancing in the split-grip Aysha. Someone told him to look up at his feet…his balance improved immensely after that. I can't do the move at all, so maybe you shouldn't listen to me, just passing on what I've heard. 🙂
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The SG Aysha was—still sort of does and it is not quite 100% for me everytime–a nemesis for me. When I went to a pole jam with Charly she said once you are in the position let your butt relax out and away from the pole and I found this improved balance for me immensely…just not having the butt so close to the pole. Also, absolutely…looking upwards helpshttps://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif
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Just a real quick note…What really helped me get the sg aysha was working on it directly from caterpillar rather than from an extended butterfly – when I do my ext butterfly my hips are facing sideways out from the pole rather than facing the pole as I do when I am in an aysha.
What I do that worked and it may not work for everyone else – I caterpillar up and put my hands in position – make sure they are far enough apart – and bring my knees down until I have a pretty straight line from knee to bottom and then slowly release my legs AWAY from the pole – not sideways in a straddle but just away from the pole and balance until I can release into a full straddle.
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I'm also having trouble getting my legs off the pole.. but I only just recently learnt caterpillar so I have a while to go before I find my balance, I think. I'm sure you will get it soon 🙂
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Charley, I'll try that. My caterpillar is solid in elbow or split grip so maybe pulling my hips away from the pole and taking my feet off will help me find my balance bit by bit. I don't want to rush it, I just feel like I should be able to do this move and that there's just something I'm missing!
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I also teach it from a Caterpillar. The farther apart the hands the closer you are to your pole the easier it will be, as you become stronger you can bring the hands closer pushing the body farther away from the pole. Don't rush the movement into the V position get balanced first. I talk about this more here in this lesson https://www.studioveena.com/lessons/view/f7c4af30-b91e-11df-856f-001b214581be
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