Forearm grip help

chilli_d started this discussion · 1/2/2010

Hey guys, I am trying to learn Aysha/ Straight edge but am having some problems with the forearm and elbow grips 🙁. I can do split grip extended butterfly no problem but I know my balance isnt the best (plus my lower wrist has started hurting on split grips) so don't want to start with split grip for either of these moves. I have managed to do them a couple of times with the elbow grip (someone mentioned punching your chest which helped) but not for very long and I dont feel stable. Also, when I stopped I noticed that I have major blood bruises on my elbow - is this normal when starting? If anybody has any tips I'd be really grateful! Thank you Charlotte xx

9 replies

chemgoddess1 · 1/2/2010
I get major bruising on elbow grip, too....kinda looks like I have been playing with needles in a not so good way. Can you caterpillar crawl? This is what got me comfortable with forearm grip. I still cannot do a proper forearm aysha (hips away from pole) but I can with elbow grip. For me it really is about pushing my hips away from the pole to find that balance point.
SissyBuns · 1/2/2010
Hi chili, I only have a straight edge and aysha with split grip. Once you said you were comfy with your SG butterfly I was going to suggest you try it with that grip but if it's hurting you and your body is telling you to rest it, you're doing the right thing by listening. Plus a lot of people say the SG aysha is more difficult then the elbow or forearm anyway. I just recently got a Forearm grip by learning to do the caterpillar climb and I would agree with chemgoddess on working on that to help you get more comfortable with that grip.
Veena · 1/2/2010
If you have the lessons I cover the forearm and elbow grip, with a close up view. here http://ver3.studioveena.com/lessons/view/2446 A common mistake with the forearm grip is, not tucking the pole into the elbow pit, even though its a forearm grip you will get a better hold if you place that elbow around the pole. 🌸
poledanceromance · 1/3/2010
Hi chili, I only have a straight edge and aysha with split grip. Once you said you were comfy with your SG butterfly I was going to suggest you try it with that grip but if it's hurting you and your body is telling you to rest it, you're doing the right thing by listening. Plus a lot of people say the SG aysha is more difficult then the elbow or forearm anyway. I just recently got a Forearm grip by learning to do the caterpillar climb and I would agree with chemgoddess on working on that to help you get more comfortable with that grip. CONGRATULATIONS!!!! That was a big one for you Sissy, that's seriously awesome! As for aysha, from the perspective of another person learning, I have similar problems with elbow grip as I do with forearm grip. Elbow grip actually feels more stable for me too, go figure, but I haven't had 100% success with either, so I just try to practice with both assuming whichever one is better for me will happen when it's ready. In the meantime I do lots of regular butterflies to work on my split grip, but after similar wrist pain to what you experienced I also backed off on it and started at square 1 with it again. I think aysha is going to come for me like my sm did. With that I did walkups and just practiced lifting off the ground without actually trying for the full sm, so when it happened it felt really natural and spontaneous, because it was! I just lifted a little further one day. Soooo I invert, caterpillar, and try to support myself a little better each time...and pray 😂
chilli_d · 1/3/2010
Hey guys, Thanks for the replies, I'll have another go later and try the grip with butterfly. I can caterpiller with the grip (not climb though) and can get my butt away from the pole no problem until I try to take my legs off, then its all my weight on my hands and they dont cope so well haha. I'll try climbing as well 🙂 I'll check out the lessons next time I'm home - I'm at uni so I cant get to a pole and a computer at the same time (or a pole as often as I'd like) so I'm not gonna buy the lessons till I can use them properly :S I know I should learn things in a better order but I see videos and fall in love with moves 🙂 - as with the bruising - as long as its not just me I don't really care, I guess like with most moves once you get used to it the bruising stops/reduces Thank you Char xx
smokinangel · 1/3/2010
I used to get the wrist pain in split grip until someone yelled at me to keep that index finger on the bottom hand pointed. As soon as I started doing that, no more wrist pain. The only time it hurts now is if I forget. It's such an easy step to forget, but it makes a world of difference!
SissyBuns · 1/3/2010
I used to get the wrist pain in split grip until someone yelled at me to keep that index finger on the bottom hand pointed. As soon as I started doing that, no more wrist pain. The only time it hurts now is if I forget. It's such an easy step to forget, but it makes a world of difference! LOL Azriel calls that the magic finger and she's always yelling at me for not using it too. LOL 😀
Jill · 1/5/2010
Soooo I invert, caterpillar, and try to support myself a little better each time...and pray 😂 Hi poledanceromance, I just recently got my ayesha (forearm AND elbow grips), by doing exactly what you're doing! Keep at it!! It won't be long now. I thought I'd never get stable enough to hold it, but now it's no problem. While learning I kept switching between elbow/forearm grips because I couldn't get either one, and now have both! I got forearm first, and within a week I was doing elbow. It's a fun trick, and has such a big payoff when you finally get it. I think you're next!
chilli_d · 1/6/2010
Hey guys Thanks to all of you who replied 🙂 I managed to do an aysha for maybe 3 seconds yesterday before my balance went but my grip was still going strong! (major victory dance!!) I caterpillar climbed (which I've also never managed before) until i felt strong enough to hold and it made an amazing difference even in a few hours so thank you! Also thanks to smokinangel for the tip about the finger - i tried it out and you're right - no more wrist pain! although it does hurt between my index and middle finger now :S haha but its less painful so I can deal with that Thanks again Char xx