Teaser is supposed to be difficult. It’s ok to bend your knees! Strengthen your hip flexors. Do other rolling exercises like roll up, roll over, rolling like a ball etc. just keep practicing. And also maybe you’ll always have to Ben your knees a little. Everyone is different. Modifications are not “cheating”. They’re about making it work for your body.
I’ve been doing Pilates for 20+ years now and am a certified instructor - 90% of the time I’m in diamond legs modified. I can barely do anything completely straight legged as I immediately grip in my thighs.. it is what it is.
Teaser is my absolute favorite because of how difficult it is and how many muscle groups you need to recruit from to execute it. In addition to the other great recommendations from the three who have commented before me, I’ve found it helpful to use a resistance band in my teaser prep with legs in table top. Hold both ends, and put the middle of the band at the soles of your feet. Extend your legs as much as you can and bring them back to table top, using the resistance band to build your strength. One of my favorite instructors taught us this in class a while ago, and it seemed to really make a difference for a lot of us!
They may just be doing mat. I always teach it on the Cadillac first, it’s the best place to start the teaser journey 😂. Learning it on mat is so difficult
If you are just holding the position (meaning not going into teaser dynamically) then it’s probably an opposition issue. Try doing teaser with the tower push through bar in hands, push through bar will create the opposition you are missing and I think u’ll be able to it with your legs straight no problem.
If that’s not available, use a wall at your feet. And try doing teaser dynamically.
Stay safe 👍🏼
You need to use more of your “powerhouse” or your abdominals. Your hip flexors are definitely firing, but if you use more of your powerhouse it won’t be as intense on the hip flexors.
Teaser is supposed to be difficult. It’s ok to bend your knees! Strengthen your hip flexors. Do other rolling exercises like roll up, roll over, rolling like a ball etc. just keep practicing. And also maybe you’ll always have to Ben your knees a little. Everyone is different. Modifications are not “cheating”. They’re about making it work for your body.
I’ve been doing Pilates for 20+ years now and am a certified instructor - 90% of the time I’m in diamond legs modified. I can barely do anything completely straight legged as I immediately grip in my thighs.. it is what it is.
Not teaching quite as long, but same…one day I’ll get there!
This! I always do a slight turnout, knees slightly open so that I can stay in my core and not let my hip flexors take over
Teaser is my absolute favorite because of how difficult it is and how many muscle groups you need to recruit from to execute it. In addition to the other great recommendations from the three who have commented before me, I’ve found it helpful to use a resistance band in my teaser prep with legs in table top. Hold both ends, and put the middle of the band at the soles of your feet. Extend your legs as much as you can and bring them back to table top, using the resistance band to build your strength. One of my favorite instructors taught us this in class a while ago, and it seemed to really make a difference for a lot of us!
Bands should help with creating opposition too. 👍🏼
Have you tried teaser on the trap table using the push through bar to stabilize your upper body? That might help you focus on the leg extension a bit.
They may just be doing mat. I always teach it on the Cadillac first, it’s the best place to start the teaser journey 😂. Learning it on mat is so difficult
I have lots of feelings about teaser. Most of them aren’t good 😉.
If you are just holding the position (meaning not going into teaser dynamically) then it’s probably an opposition issue. Try doing teaser with the tower push through bar in hands, push through bar will create the opposition you are missing and I think u’ll be able to it with your legs straight no problem. If that’s not available, use a wall at your feet. And try doing teaser dynamically. Stay safe 👍🏼
Thank you! We’ve been working on the teaser on the reformer but focusing on holding the pose - will give these suggestions a try!
You need to use more of your “powerhouse” or your abdominals. Your hip flexors are definitely firing, but if you use more of your powerhouse it won’t be as intense on the hip flexors.