Reformer Observation Logbook

Date of observation: 2026-06-09

Duration: 1 hour

Class type: Large group

Instructor name: Edele Daly

Studio / location: Halo Killarney

Class structure & exercise selection: The class had a lovely flow. We started with footwork which I really enjoyed. Edele ensured that the clients kept a neutral spine. The clients then completed supine arm series and she checked that all clients had good alignment. Then Edele taught a bridging series followed by a standing leg series. For a cool down the clients completed a number of exercises with legs in straps.

Cueing style & teaching highlights: The instructor cued visually, verbally and tactile. A number of clients had poor table top position and she fixed this by tactile cues. The more challenging moves she demonstrated them on the reformer and gave excellent verbal instructions to ensure clients had an understanding of what to do. At one stage the clients were told to hold the Pilates ring like a halo over their head and this was a great visual cue.

Class management & safety: Spring changes happened when the carriage was stationary. At the beginning of the class foot bars were up. 4 springs were on and clients were asked to check if all their straps were the same length. At the end carriages were wiped down and all springs were put back on.

My takeaways for teaching: The class had a lovely flow. I think the warm up was lovely and I would definitely incorporate footwork into my warm up. Edele helped clients alignment and I will definitely do this when I’m an instructor. Edele cued the leg series very well and I will use this in my teaching.

Date of observation: 2026-06-10

Duration: 1 hour

Class type: Small Group

Instructor name: Jenifer salgado

Studio / location: Halo Killarney

Class structure & exercise selection: The class had a lovely flow to it and we started with footwork. Clients then progressed into a bridging series, a back rowing series, long stretch series and short box series. This class was an intermediate level and a number of options were given for each pilates move to cater to clients of different abilities. Jenifer cued the long stretch series very well and she helped the clients who struggled with the elephant. Clients closed their eyes at the end of the class and completed a minute of mindfulness.

Cueing style & teaching highlights: The instructor used a number of tactile cues to help learners. the instructor also demonstrated the cues on the floor to show the clients what she wanted to do.

Class management & safety: The same springs were used for a lot of the movements. The instructor ensured clients had proper alignment. The exercises flowed well.

My takeaways for teaching: The instructor used tactile cues very well which insured client had good alignment. The instructor also showed the moves visually which helped may of the clinets. I will definitely teach a similar class to my clients in the future.

Date of observation: 2026-06-27

Duration: 1 hour

Class type: Small Group

Instructor name: Chloe Mc Carthy

Studio / location: Halo Killarney

Class structure & exercise selection: the class had a lovely flow to it. At times the class was high intensity but started and ended in a lovely calming way. The instructor taught new moves that I had not seen before and the clients really enjoyed them, An example of this is a shoulder press exercise. The clients did a leg in straps series and also completed a lunge series. At the end clients had an opportunity to lye on the carriage and have a moment of mindfulness.

Cueing style & teaching highlights: The instructor used a lot of visual and tactile cues. The exercises were demonstrated on the reformer and she clearly explained how to complete each move. The instructor then walked around the class making sure all clients were completing the move correctly. The instructor reminded the clients numerous times about the importance of breathing and told clients to breathe on the exertion.

Class management & safety: The transitions were very smooth and clients completed multiple moves in the same positions. The instructor gave recommendations for spring tension and the changed them for clients whom needed heavier or lighter. Modifications were made to exercises where clients did not feel confident to complete certain moves.

My takeaways for teaching: I think the modifications were very important in the class and I'm motivated to provide appropriate modifications for clients. The minute to relax at the end of the class was a very nice touch for clients and its something I would incorporate into my teaching.

Date of observation: 2026-07-01

Duration: 1 hour

Class type: 1:1

Instructor name: Redmond O'Mahony

Studio / location: iMove studio

Class structure & exercise selection: This class was for an elderly clients, the warm-up consisted of functional movements standing on the ground moving onto the reformer for footwork. the main session consisted of leg work in straps with frogs, leg circles, abductor stretches, hamstring stretch, bend and stretch, frog and mermaid. There was also unilateral movements with lunges and adapted flying lunges. upper body movements were also incorporated with shoulder presses being used simultaneously with squats.

Cueing style & teaching highlights: The instructor used "v shape feet" for the frog movement which the client found easy to follow, the instructor also used a lot of tactile touch to fix the clients back into the correct position during the squats and lunges.

Class management & safety: The transition was good going from cool down to footwork to unilateral lower body, to squats and upper body and finishing back on the reformer with feet in straps and stretches. the instructor always checked the clients form, and was at hand to regress movements if they became to difficult.

My takeaways for teaching: The adapted flying lunges where the client lift the leg up but did not kick it behind her was very useful i thought. the use of upper body work and lower body work simultaneously to improve the clients coordination was also something i found useful. i also liked how the instructor generally chatted with the elderly client through out the class to relax the clients was something i believed helped the client.