Straight Edge vs Ayesha Prep

Black Orchid started this discussion · 1/16/2012

I found a lot of info all over the forum and got confused so I'm just going to ask all over again. I am just starting to work on both these moves in class and am trying to figure out what baby steps I need to be taking. I feel pretty strong in my caterpillar into both fore-arm wrap and elbow grip, but it seems like S.G and Ayesha call for different body positions in relation to the pole and possibly different grips. Am I wrong? Like maybe I should be fore-arm wrapping and staying chest close to the pole for S.G in order to slide my butt and legs up and use elbow grip and a conscious hollowbody position to start working on Ayesha...maybe just working on sliding my knees down to start balancing in a tuck position with my feet on the pole first? Any tips appreciated... I want to build up to these moves so I don't die :P

19 replies

trickivix · 1/16/2012
I'm guessing S.G is straight edge? There are definitely different body positions. As you mentioned, there is the hollow body with the Ayesha which will pull your butt away from the pole, creating a triangle. The straight edge you are closer to the pole, some people have the pole to their side, others have the pole directly in front of them. You can do any grip with both moves – elbow, split, forearm, twisted, cup… each rely on different muscles to help hold you up. I started practising my Ayesha pretty much as you described. I started with the elbow grip, got my arms in position and slowly pulled my butt away from the pole while lowering my knees to a tuck until I felt stable enough in my grip to let go of my legs. If you can balance in a tuck, you’ll be fine to straddle the legs. I found the straight edge was trickier to hold as it doesn't have that offset balance between butt and legs. You're pretty much doing a handstand in the air. I would suggest strengthening your grip (whichever grip you choose) through Ayesha first and learn to go from Ayesha to straight edge, bringing your body in as you move into straight edge... but that's just me. I know people who found it easier learning it the other way around... Hope that helps 😀
polergirl · 1/17/2012
In an EG straightedge it's super important to have your body away from the pole, even more important than in EG aysha, where at least you have your legs to help counterbalance you. In straightedge you'll want that push/pull leverage that's created when your top (bent) arm pulls you toward the pole and your bottom pushes you away. Push/pull plus gobs of core strength, at least that's how it shakes out for me!
amy · 1/17/2012
i think you asked this question on my blog? =) in whatever grip you use, you can maintain the exact same upper body positioning and just move your legs from ayesha to straight edge. in a split grip straight edge, i might pull my body into the pole slightly using the top arm, and stack my weight more vertically so that my hips aren't so far from the pole and i make a straighter line with my body, but that's aesthetic and not necessary. regardless of what grip you are working on, I would recommend having a very solid ayesha first, and understanding the balance and engagement in that position compeltely (yes, working from a tuck first) before straightening the legs towards the ceiling, as that does change your center of balance and makes it more difficult.
Black Orchid · 1/19/2012
Amy yes I did! I was definitely in recon mode that night because I want to understand and nail this move in time :) It does sound like I should just keep working in hold for a bit before I take my legs off for Ayesha...sounds like SE might be even further down the line! Thanks for the tips, everyone...please keep the hints ( and maybe videos?) coming :)
jkpolegirl · 1/19/2012
I learned the ayesha first then straight edge..... The way we were taught to get into it is a little long but it definately helped with my shoulder endurance....... I would go into an extended butterfly then bring my free leg back to the pole.. I've heard this called a capital D....... So now u have one foot on either side of the pole.. Slowly lower them on the pole til ur kind of curled in a ball.. Then release one leg then the other and then slowly straighten them out... That's a little long but as far as baby steps.. It works.. U can slowly move further and further into the move as u feel comfortable Once I had the ayesha I would slowly raise my legs in the air... I like going in the straight edge from the ayesha so u can adjust to the difference in balance
firebird · 8/14/2012
Hi I'm almost hesitant to reply to all this bc I'm certainly no pro @ the Ayesha. In fact I *just* got this move myself, abt a month ago (very exciting indeed)... Ok so here's my 2cents on "easing into it" from Ext BF: don't get too fixated on the "release 1 foot from the pole at a time". 2 reasons I say this: (1) I had so much frustration w/this for like a year, bc I've had a rock-solid EB for a LONG time now, & still could get nowhere near the Ayesha hold (mind u, way diff grips--EB is split, vs what I've been told & also read here ober & over that EG is the most basic/intro level hold for the Ayesha). Anyway, brings me # (2): an instructor I work w/ insists u need a rock solid caterpillar (both stationary & climb -- she'd even make us do 3-5 reps of this from the floor as prep... HARD!), to 1st launch into it from an EG. Once I got to the correct positioning, I struggled so long w/that "take ur feet off the pole 1 @ a time" business. Well one day alone, I just started to release the feet/legs away from the pole simultaneously, and... WHAM!! I got it!!! And felt pretty solid too! So good thing I had all the strength prep to get me there, but consider that ur balance might be different (because as I've read about this thoroughly, apparently everyone's balance is indeed unique, based on our diff body types). So something to consider if when u r at that point of being ready to remove your legs off the pole, and that 1-@-a-time isn't working, then maybe try the "remove them both simultaneously from the pole" approach. MIND YOU, I don't mean swing them wide open in 1 foul swoop! I mean slowly & gradually! Like an inch at a time to make sure u continue to feel solid in the hold.
firebird · 8/14/2012
Hi I'm almost hesitant to reply to all this bc I'm certainly no pro @ the Ayesha. In fact I *just* got this move myself, abt a month ago (very exciting indeed)... Ok so here's my 2cents on "easing into it" from Ext BF: don't get too fixated on the "release 1 foot from the pole at a time". 2 reasons I say this: (1) I had so much frustration w/this for like a year, bc I've had a rock-solid EB for a LONG time now, & still could get nowhere near the Ayesha hold (mind u, way diff grips--EB is split, vs what I've been told & also read here ober & over that EG is the most basic/intro level hold for the Ayesha). Anyway, brings me # (2): an instructor I work w/ insists u need a rock solid caterpillar (both stationary & climb -- she'd even make us do 3-5 reps of this from the floor as prep... HARD!), to 1st launch into it from an EG. Once I got to the correct positioning, I struggled so long w/that "take ur feet off the pole 1 @ a time" business. Well one day alone, I just started to release the feet/legs away from the pole simultaneously, and... WHAM!! I got it!!! And felt pretty solid too! So good thing I had all the strength prep to get me there, but consider that ur balance might be different (because as I've read about this thoroughly, apparently everyone's balance is indeed unique, based on our diff body types). So something to consider if when u r at that point of being ready to remove your legs off the pole, and that 1-@-a-time isn't working, then maybe try the "remove them both simultaneously from the pole" approach. MIND YOU, I don't mean swing them wide open in 1 foul swoop! I mean slowly & gradually! Like an inch at a time to make sure u continue to feel solid in the hold.
firebird · 8/14/2012
Ayayay, there I go agn w/my (accidental) dbl posts. Wish that could be fixed? Hey V or webmaster, is there a way to do/fix that? So sorry everyone!
Cara Christina · 8/15/2012
The single most helpful instruction I received when I was learning the ayesha (I'm assuming we are talking elbow grip here) was to stick my butt out way further than I thought I needed to. Stick it out as far as you think you need to... and then some more! This will give you the push-pull you need with the elbow. Obviously, you should have a spot. Good luck!
ShonaLancs · 9/3/2012
I don't like the elbow grip so am trying it split grip from extended butterfly. I can take my legs off but flip to the side almost instantly.. I guess that's just finding and maintaining your centre though? Stupid move!!
megan12 · 9/3/2012
I agree with Cara, making sure your butt is out is really important because instinctively your body will want to pull toward the pole for balance. Slowly let your legs slide down and away, until only your ankles are there. Then let go and angle the feet down. That's what some lovely ladies on the site helped me with. I had those darn legs up too high! To straight edge, I push my body away, so I have more leverage. ShonaLancs, I've determined the straight edge from the extended butterfly is freaking ridiculous. I think because your body is turned, it throws off your center of gravity. I was trying to to the EB to SE before I could do the Ayesha. I failed miserably. Now I'm able to do the Ayesha and SE with elbow grip. I still cannot do EB to SE. I think it's all about the body positioning. I tend to be center with the pole for elbow grip and off center for EB. Perhaps it takes more core strength to be off center?
Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace · 9/3/2012
I have had so much trouble with this move! My elbow-grip aysha is solid but I just can't seem to get the hand-grip aysha! RAH! My grip never seems secure and the weight of my torso and legs just seems too much for my arms to hold strongly. It's a scary move for me because the body has to be so far from the pole, and since hands are busy gripping pole, I get paranoid that I'm going to fall on my head. :( I find Twisted Grip a little more secure for some reason... I think the angle gives my upper hand better grip, but getting the balance right is SO hard. I can take my legs away for like a second but then I start falling. It's driving me CRAZY!!!!
Cherished · 9/3/2012
This vid helped me http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lUjNFabltk I also sprayed my palms with firm grip for some extra protection. After practising the suggestions in the video. I would get in the postion at 8:11 and take my knees apart and then when I felt more comfortable then I'd take my feet off for a few seconds at a time.
ShonaLancs · 9/4/2012
Cherished that is a great vid, thanks for posting. This is what I need to do, strip it down and take it right back. I thought because my EB is solid I would be ok but it's the balance thing that I'm struggling with so I'm defo going to practice it this way. :-)
Sweet D · 9/5/2012
Great video!!! Ty ty ty! Been looking for something like this! I have been doing similar moves as she shows but felt like I was getting no where. Nice to know I'm at least building strength slowly. My patience was being to wear thin. Lol!
Krista Bocko · 10/4/2012
I know everyone's different etc etc but I need to hear some stories of HOW LONG it took you/is taking you to get the aysha good and solid. I am being reallllly patient but wondering if I will EVER get this from all possible angles. I can do the EG aysha with right elbow. I can do the forearm grip aysha with left forearm. I can NOT for the life of me figure out the SG aysha. Or switch the arms above. I've been working on what I DO have off and on for months. It's been a slow process (and I practice alone and am a slow learner and don't get much practice time so there is a trifecta of 'this is never gonna happen' going on. lol) Any BTDT???
chemgoddess1 · 10/4/2012
I have a much easier time with straight edge than with ayesha. I can only do an elbow hold ayesha and I am working on gettin my legs parallel to the floor. Split grip I have been working on for almost 2 years and I just cannot find my balance. It was just brought to my attention that since my legs are so long compared to my upper body that I might want to try a true grip instead of standard as it will give me more room to find a balance point. This makes perfect sense as it does not seem I can get my body far enough away from the pole in a regular grip. However I have a pinched nerve so I have not been able to try this since it was suggested.
Black Orchid · 10/4/2012
I have only recently been able to say that I "have" my EG Ayesha...as in nailing it about 99% of the time. I haven;t tried Straight Edge yet nor have I really worked on any other grips. That;s my goal for the next year...to work on grips and handspring prep etc. I feel like I worked on my Ayesha for several months and with lots of different advice until I finally got it together. For some people its a nemesis move that just takes a while.
vickiezoo · 10/5/2012
I got straight edge first and found my balance, i was then able to split into aysha from this whilst still keeping balance. This was with classic grip, with strong hand low. I can also do aysha tg with strong hand high, and forearm grip aysha too. Elbow grip scares me too much. For balance in straight edge we call it a banana because thats what your body shape looks like.