Reformer Teaching Practice Logbook (Option A)

Date: 2026-04-06

Duration: 45 minutes

Location: Home reformer

Client name / initials: AT

Client level: Complete beginner

Session goals: Todays intentions were understanding the reformer and all safety requirements, springs/ footbar / headrests.
Building confidence on the reformer and find exactly what our starting position is.
Understand basic pilates principles, alignment and breath.
Made specific goals we would like to work on over the course of our next 10 sessions which is hip stability, core stability and endurance and overall posture as this client works from a computer 8 hours a day.

What I taught (exercises & sequence): Warm up: Full springs footwork, double leg press, tendon stretch, running.
Bridging followed by arms in straps, legs lifts in table top, elephant and plank sequence.
Cool down: Hamstring stretch, glute stretch, simple arm overhead stretch.

What I noticed about my teaching: I found my cueing could have been better but this is something I will definitely work on! My voice projection was off slightly too as I was quite nervous but as the session flowed I felt more at ease. This client is a complete beginner so just saying 'articulate' the spine wasn't enough. I had to use imagery and tactile feedback to ensure they didn't just fall back down onto the carriage with no intention.

Reflection: what would I do differently?: One specific thing Id change next time: projecting my voice more and being more confident in my abilities.

One thing I'd keep: Clear communication and patience, I felt I really gauged how my client was feeling, if they needed more feedback, if they needed and extra stretch or 2 in between. This will only progress with practice too.

Client signature / initials confirming session: AT

Date: 2026-04-13

Duration: 45 minutes

Location: Home reformer

Client name / initials: AT

Client level: Beginner

Session goals: Progress in reps as last session we only done 8 this week I aimed to do 10-12.
Focus on mind and body awareness pilates is all about concentration and control, I wanted to emphasise that in todays session.
Reinforce pilates principles, breath and alignment.

What I taught (exercises & sequence): Warm up: Double leg stretch, v stance double leg stretch, walking, running, single leg lower.
Main phase: Bridge articulation, supine arms, feet in straps, cool down.
Springs: full springs for footwork and birding, one yellow for arms in straps.

What I noticed about my teaching: Today I feel my cues were a lot more clear and concise, I was able to spot doming of the stomach straight away which was easy to correct early on. I also feel my teaching pace was a lot more structured and I was less flustered overall.

Reflection: what would I do differently?: One specific thing Id change next time: Gauge how the client is feeling and change springs accordingly. Just because arms in straps is easy for one client on a green spring does not mean it will be for others. Springs can be very person dependent.

One thing I'd keep: Teaching pace! I feel I got a lot more done in this session with the time which was the same as the last just less efficient.

Client signature / initials confirming session: AT

Date: 2026-04-20

Duration: 30 minutes

Location: Home reformer

Client name / initials: AT

Client level: Beginner

Session goals: Introduce the box and reinforce safety teaching points, continue to teach mind/ body awareness and consistently refer back to our pilates principles during the session. Focus on posture and keeping ears down away from shoulders which is definitely something we have struggled with in previous sessions.

What I taught (exercises & sequence): Warm up off the reformer today some nice breath work and roll downs followed by footwork and a lot of time spent today on the box practicing our long box series.

What I noticed about my teaching: I could have given more verbal cues instead of all tactile. I feel it was my first initial instinct to fix the form quickly as opposed to communicating why and where the problem was stemming from.

I could tell this was the case as the issue was constant until I explained why it was happening. I do feel this lesson has helped my teaching experience as it allowed me to think on my feet as opposed to 'text book' cueing. Seeing the body in action is actually real time feedback, its all about how you fix what's infront of you.

Reflection: what would I do differently?: One specific thing Id change next time: Giving a wide variety of verbal, tactile and imagery cues opposed to just one type.

One thing I'd keep: Breath focus throughout, this was a big improvement for this client as it has been a habit to hold breath in our previous sessions.

Client signature / initials confirming session: AT

Date: 2026-04-27

Duration: 45 minutes

Location: Home reformer

Client name / initials: SM

Client level: Beginner

Session goals: Todays session goals was to encourage confidence on the reformer as well as mind and body awareness. This was my sisters very first time on the reformer and she was extremely nervous. We took our time during the footwork and supine arms series as she was more comfortable lying down rather than being up on the reformer. Our goal is to build her class structure up over the next couple of weeks.

What I taught (exercises & sequence): Warm up off the reformer: walk outs, roll downs, wind mills.
Footwork: double leg stretch, tendon stretch, walking into running.
Supine arms: arm arcs, hundreds prep, tricep extensions.

What I noticed about my teaching: A good cue that stuck was relax ribs and draw them down towards the hips
Maintain a neutral spine when in table top position
Allow shoulders to come down away from the ears.

Today there was definitely some tension in the neck and shoulders so we had to keep a close eye on this.

Reflection: what would I do differently?: One specific thing Id change next time: the ropes at the beginning were uneven which threw the client off slightly. This is an easy fix to check before the session begins.

One thing I'd keep: Focus on core engagement when in table top position as this is very commonly overlooked.

Client signature / initials confirming session: SM

Date: 2026-05-04

Duration: 45 minutes

Location: Home reformer.

Client name / initials: AT

Client level: Beginner.

Session goals: Our goals for this session was to do some new movements and ensure all our teaching points from our previous sessions were reinforced. It's been amazing to see the confidence that comes with a new session which is a massive shift on how we first started together.

What I taught (exercises & sequence): Main focus today was of course the warm up with footwork followed by offering, hug, seated chest press, spine stretch, nice long cool down.

What I noticed about my teaching: Positive cues that landed:

Draw hands together in front of the chest keeping a slight bend in the elbows,
imagine you are hugging a beach ball during the hug,
extend the arms in front of the body and bend the elbows on the return.
Keep shoulders down away from the ears.

Reflection: what would I do differently?: One specific thing Id change next time: explain the benefits of this series such as increased strength and endurance in the upper body, improved posture and connection with chest/ back muscles.

One thing I'd keep: Positive cues especially imagery.

Client signature / initials confirming session: AT

Date: 2026-04-13

Duration: 45 minutes

Location: Home reformer.

Client name / initials: AT

Client level: Beginner

Session goals: Our focus today was mind body awareness, layering new exercises, core stability and pelvis stability.

What I taught (exercises & sequence): Warm up: foot work double leg stretch, tendon stretch, running.
Main phase: hundreds legs extended, co ordination, legs bend and stretch, frogs, legs circles (both directions)
Cool down: Figure 4 hip stretch, spine stretch, mermaid stretch.

What I noticed about my teaching: During coordination: keep head down, synchronise arms and legs and hold the curl steady.
Legs bend and stretch: press from the inner thighs, keep the pelvis down heavy
Frogs: heels together press to diagonal, control the return.

Reflection: what would I do differently?: Allow legs to drop down to table top during the 100 if the client starts to struggle instead of keeping legs extended.
Reduce down to smaller circles when the pelvis is not anchored during feet in straps.

Client signature / initials confirming session: AT

Date: 2026-04-20

Duration: 55 minutes

Location: Home reformer.

Client name / initials: AT

Client level: Beginner

Session goals: Today's goal was to complete a full reformer class and see how Andrew felt as we moved at a faster pace than usual. He adapted really well and felt the full benefits from a full reformer class. As always we focused on breath, alignment, control and concentration.

What I taught (exercises & sequence): Warm up: foot work double leg stretch, tendon stretch, running.
Main phase: hundreds legs extended, co ordination, legs bend and stretch, frogs, legs circles (both directions)
Cool down: Figure 4 hip stretch, spine stretch, mermaid stretch.

What I noticed about my teaching: I feel my safety watch points were very strong, I made sure each time there was a spring change the carriage was completely still and the focus on coming on and off the carriage was constantly communicated.

Reflection: what would I do differently?: One thing I'd change: Slowing down the communication regarding the coordination as I could feel the client getting slightly overwhelmed.
One thing I'd keep: Clear communication, solid cues (verbal, tactile & imagery), strong client care throughout.

Client signature / initials confirming session: AT

Date: 2026-04-27

Duration: 45 minutes

Location: Home reformer.

Client name / initials: AT

Client level: Beginner

Session goals: The focus on today's session was to keep the structure we adapted from session 7 as we could see many areas we could improve. Pilates is built on a foundation of practice so I feel it will be best to follow a particular structure that we can progressively overload on mind to muscle connection and tempo over lesson 8,9 and 10.

What I taught (exercises & sequence): Warm up: foot work double leg stretch, tendon stretch, running. Main phase: hundreds legs extended, co ordination, legs bend and stretch, frogs, legs circles. Cool down: spine stretch, cobra / cat into double sided mermaid stretch.

What I noticed about my teaching: The client responded really well to all cues today. I felt I didn't have to 'fill the gap' with words and trusted my timing as the class progressed. I was given feedback that this really allowed for more of a calm environment that was enjoyed.

Reflection: what would I do differently?: One thing I'd change: Headrest was up during bridging but was fixed straight away.
One thing I'd keep: Clear communication, solid cues (verbal, tactile & imagery), strong client care throughout.

Client signature / initials confirming session: AT

Date: 2026-05-04

Duration: 45 minutes

Location: Home reformer.

Client name / initials: AT

Client level: Beginner

Session goals: Today we had a beneficial conversation about springs and how heavier springs doesn't always make an exercise harder. I explained in detail how control will always be more important that load. I feel this was a turning point in my clients mindset towards spring changes which was welcomed as many people do try change the springs due to ego and not understanding why they are necessary for example strength or stability.

What I taught (exercises & sequence): Warm up: foot work double leg stretch, tendon stretch, running.
Main phase: seated chest expansion, side kneeling arm reach, seated arm circles, frogs, single leg leg press.
Cool down: outer glute stretch , spine stretch, mermaid stretch.

What I noticed about my teaching: I feel cueing went well today. I had strong communication and could gauge when my client was struggling and needed extra rest time/ stretching in between.

Reflection: what would I do differently?: One thing I'd change: focus on breath inhale prepare and lengthen exhale engage and stabilise.
One thing I'd keep: Clear communication, solid cues (verbal, tactile & imagery), strong client care throughout.

Client signature / initials confirming session: AT

Date: 2026-05-11

Duration: 45 minutes

Location: Home reformer.

Client name / initials: AT

Client level: Beginner

Session goals: This is our final session so our goal was to answer any lingering questions/concerns that my client was feeling. We were able to do a posture assessment and there was a considerable difference compared to week one! There are so many benefits to improved posture such as increased lung capacity, better abdominal definition and the best one of all my client experienced was fewer headaches. This felt quite full circle as there are so many amazing benefits to the reformer.

What I taught (exercises & sequence): Warm up: foot work double leg stretch, tendon stretch, running.
Main phase: hundreds legs extended, co ordination, legs bend and stretch, frogs, legs circles (both directions)
Cool down: Figure 4 hip stretch, spine stretch, mermaid stretch.

What I noticed about my teaching: Cueing wins: During bridging articulation the hips were alot more stable and the articulation was fully controlled, this is a massive change from previous sessions.

Reflection: what would I do differently?: One thing I'd change: Stretches could have been completed while legs were in straps to be more time efficient.
One thing I'd keep: Constant client care throughout as well as Clear communication and solid cues.

Client signature / initials confirming session: AT