Reformer Observation Logbook

Date of observation: 2026-06-08

Duration: 60 minutes

Class type: Group

Instructor name: Mai

Studio / location: Solis

Class structure & exercise selection: There was a really nice flow to the class. We started with deep breathing on the carriage to allow ourselves to ground into the practice. We did about 5-6 rounds of deep belly breathing. We then started our warm up with different footwork such as heels on foot bar, toes on foot bar, ball of foot on foot bar. We did narrow stance, wide stance and frog stance. We did halfway pulses too. We did legs on the right side. We then did work on the centre such as planks, bear holds. We then did legs on the left side. We did alot of hip opener stretches. We did leg circles in both directions. We finished with some arm and core work. We then finished with down regulation breathwork.

Cueing style & teaching highlights: Exhale push the carriage away. Inhale bring the carriage back.
Allow yourself to sink into the carriage.
Draw the biggest circle you can without moving your pelvis.
Notice whether this side feels different from the first side.
Gently tuck your pelvis and engage your lower abdominals.

Class management & safety: We set up our springs before class.
She told us take a water break inbetween sets.
She asked us before class if anyone had an injury.
Participants were given enough time to safely get on and off the carriage.
Attention was drawn to hand and foot placement during exercises to avoid slipping or loss of balance. "place your foot against the shoulder rest if you are struggling with your balance in lunge"

My takeaways for teaching: 1. Use Breathwork to Bookend the Class
I observed how the instructor used deep belly breathing at the beginning of the session to help participants arrive mentally and physically, and down-regulation breathwork at the end to promote relaxation. I would like to incorporate this into my own classes to create a clear beginning and end to the movement experience.

2. Build Classes with a Logical Flow
The class progressed smoothly from footwork, to unilateral leg work, to centre/core exercises, and finished with upper body and breathwork. This structure allowed participants to gradually build intensity before returning to a calmer state. I will focus on creating similarly purposeful sequencing in my own classes.

3. Improve My Cueing Through Preparation and Alignment
The instructor consistently used preparatory cues such as setting the pelvis, engaging the core, and establishing alignment before movement began. This reinforced safe movement patterns and improved exercise execution. I want to become more intentional about giving these setup cues before each exercise rather than only cueing during movement.

Date of observation: 2026-06-15

Duration: 60 minutes

Class type: Group

Instructor name: Abby

Studio / location: Himalaya

Class structure & exercise selection: The class flowed well with a clear progression from warm-up to main work and cool down. The warm-up focused on breathing, pelvic stability, and footwork to establish alignment and core engagement. The main section built in intensity with exercises such as squats, lunges, scooter, single leg press, arm series, rowing, long box pulling, plank, and rotational work, which challenged both strength and coordination. A key sequence was transitioning from lower body standing work into upper body arm series while maintaining alignment. The cool down included lighter movements like elephant, spinal articulation, and stretching, helping to release tension and restore control.

Cueing style & teaching highlights: The instructor used clear, consistent verbal cueing throughout the class, often repeating key phrases such as “engage your core,” “ribs in,” “lengthen through your spine,” and “control the carriage back in.” There was a strong focus on breath cues, especially exhaling on effort to support stability and alignment. Visually, the instructor demonstrated movements slowly before progression, highlighting correct alignment and range of motion. Hands-on tactile cues were used sparingly but effectively to correct pelvis position and shoulder alignment. Imagery that stood out included “imagine zipping up through your centre” and “press the carriage away from you, not just with your legs,” which helped improve control and body awareness.

Class management & safety: The instructor managed transitions smoothly by clearly sequencing exercises and giving enough preparation time before changes, which helped maintain flow and safety. Spring changes were pre-set where possible, with brief pauses for adjustments when needed, ensuring the class stayed organised without losing momentum. Individual corrections were made selectively, prioritising alignment issues that affected safety, such as pelvis position and shoulder stability, while still keeping the group moving. This created a balanced class environment that felt controlled but not interrupted. From this, I would adopt the clear sequencing and priority-based corrections, but I would also aim to give slightly more individual feedback where needed to support deeper understanding without disrupting class flow.

My takeaways for teaching: Three key takeaways I would bring into my own teaching are the importance of clear and repeated cueing to reinforce alignment, the value of structuring progressions so clients can build control gradually, and the need to prioritise safety-based corrections over constant cueing. I would also focus on using simple imagery and breath cues to help clients connect more effectively to movement, while maintaining a smooth class flow without overloading them with instructions.

Date of observation: 2026-06-22

Duration: 60 minutes

Class type: Group

Instructor name: Maeve

Studio / location: Solis

Class structure & exercise selection: The class flowed in a clear progression from foundational activation into stronger full-body work and finished with mobility and control-based exercises. The warm-up focused on breathing, pelvic alignment, and footwork variations on the Reformer to establish core engagement and stability. The main set included a mix of squats, lunges, scooter, skater, single leg press, plank variations, side arm series, rowing (low and high), long stretch, elephant, and coordination-based sequences that challenged balance and control under load. A standout sequence was the transition from plank and long stretch into standing leg work (squat and lunge), which required quick postural adjustments while maintaining core engagement. The cool down included elephant, spinal articulation, gentle box work such as round back and flat back, and stretching to release the hips, spine, and shoulders. Overall, the class had a logical flow that built intensity before gradually returning to control and mobility.

Cueing style & teaching highlights: The instructor relied heavily on consistent verbal cueing throughout the class, repeatedly using phrases such as “engage your core,” “lengthen your spine,” “keep your ribs in,” and “control the carriage.” Breath cues were also frequent, especially “exhale on effort” to support stability and reduce tension. Visually, the instructor demonstrated each exercise before progression and often showed both correct and incorrect alignment to clarify positioning. Tactile cueing was used selectively to adjust pelvis alignment and shoulder placement during more complex or loaded movements. Effective imagery included “imagine your spine growing taller as you move” and “press the carriage away like you’re moving through resistance, not just pushing,” which helped improve control and body awareness.

Class management & safety: The instructor managed transitions efficiently by clearly linking exercises and giving concise setup cues before each change, which helped maintain flow and reduced downtime. Spring changes were mostly pre-set for blocks of exercises, with brief pauses only when necessary, keeping the class organised and safe. Individual corrections were given selectively, focusing on key alignment issues such as rib position, pelvic stability, and shoulder control, without disrupting the overall rhythm of the session. This created a structured and steady class environment. From this, I would adopt the use of pre-planned spring blocks and clear transition cues, but I would also aim to slow down slightly during key teaching moments to ensure clients fully understand alignment changes before progressing.

My takeaways for teaching: Three key takeaways I would bring into my own teaching are the importance of structuring classes with clear progressions so clients can build confidence and control, the value of consistent and simple cueing to reinforce alignment throughout movement, and the need to manage transitions efficiently to maintain flow without overwhelming clients. I would also focus on using breath and imagery more intentionally to support understanding and improve movement quality.

Date of observation: 2026-06-29

Duration: 60 minutes

Class type: Group

Instructor name: Abby

Studio / location: Himalaya

Class structure & exercise selection: The class followed a clear full-body flow, starting with a structured warm-up to establish alignment, moving into progressive strength and coordination work, and finishing with controlled mobility and release. The warm-up focused on breathing, pelvic stability, and footwork variations on the Reformer to activate the core and prepare the lower body. The main section included exercises such as double leg press variations, single leg press, scooter, skater, lunges, side arm series, chest expansion, rowing, plank variations, long stretch, and elephant, with a strong emphasis on control and coordination. A standout sequence was the transition from rowing (upper body focus) directly into lunges and scooter work, which challenged postural control while switching between seated and standing positions. The cool down included spinal articulation, gentle box work such as round back and flat back, and stretching to release the hips, spine, and shoulders. Overall, the class had a balanced flow that built intensity progressively before returning to slower, more controlled movement.

Cueing style & teaching highlights: The instructor used clear and repetitive verbal cueing throughout the class, frequently reinforcing phrases such as “engage your core,” “lengthen through your spine,” “keep your ribs in,” and “control the carriage back in.” Breath cues were consistently used, especially “exhale on effort” to support stability and reduce tension during more demanding exercises. Visually, the instructor demonstrated each movement before progression and often highlighted key alignment points by exaggerating correct posture. Tactile corrections were used sparingly but effectively, mainly to adjust pelvic alignment and shoulder stability in standing and loaded positions. Imagery that landed well included “imagine lifting up through your centre like a string pulling you tall” and “press the carriage away with control, not force,” which helped improve awareness, precision, and overall movement quality.

Class management & safety: Transitions were managed smoothly through clear sequencing and concise verbal cues, which helped the class move efficiently without losing focus. Spring changes were generally organised in blocks, with brief pauses built in so participants could adjust safely without disrupting the overall flow. Individual corrections were delivered selectively, prioritising key safety points such as spinal alignment, rib control, and shoulder stability, while avoiding overloading participants with too much feedback at once. This kept the class structured and safe while maintaining momentum. From this, I would adopt the use of pre-planned spring blocks and focused corrections, but I would also aim to slow transitions slightly at more complex points to ensure better understanding and safer execution.

My takeaways for teaching: Three key takeaways I would bring into my own teaching are the importance of structuring classes with clear, progressive sequencing so clients can build confidence and control, the value of consistent and simple cueing to reinforce alignment throughout different movement patterns, and the need to manage transitions efficiently while still allowing enough time for safe setup and understanding. I would also focus on using breath and imagery more intentionally to support client awareness and improve movement quality without overloading them with information.