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Advanced Core Control

Advanced Core & Articulation ⏱️ 45 mins 📋 9 Exercises

Plan Overview

A demanding 45-minute advanced session for the deep core: long-lever Hundred, strap-based scooping, and precise short box articulation. Control and breath under load — no momentum.

Sequence Flow

1
Footwork: Parallel V-Plie
Reps: 10 reps Tempo: 2:2 smooth
Transition: Quick press out, heels together in V
Reformer ⚙️ Springs: 2-3 Red Springs Footbar: High Gear: Normal Headrest: Up
⚠️ Caution: Osteoporosis / Osteopenia (Avoid loaded spinal flexion. Substitute with neutral spine variations.)
Focus Cue:

"Keep your knees tracking directly over the center of your toes."

2
The Hundred
Reps: 100 pumps Tempo: Rhythmic breath
Transition: Legs extended long at 45 degrees
Reformer ⚙️ Springs: 1-2 Blue or Yellow Springs Footbar: High Gear: Normal Headrest: Up
⚠️ Caution: Osteoporosis / Osteopenia (Avoid loaded spinal flexion. Substitute with neutral spine variations.)
Focus Cue:

"Inhale 2, 3, 4, 5, Exhale 2, 3, 4, 5. Pump from the back of the arms."

3
Feet in Straps: Scissors
Reps: 8 each side Tempo: 2:2 dynamic
Transition: Lower footbar, attach long straps, small precise range
Reformer ⚙️ Springs: 1 Red or 1 Blue Spring Footbar: Medium Gear: Normal Headrest: Medium
Focus Cue:

"Scissor from the hip sockets with a small, precise range."

4
Feet in Straps: Frog
Reps: 8 reps Tempo: 2:2 scoop
Transition: Deep abdominal scoop on the close
Reformer ⚙️ Springs: 1 Blue Spring Footbar: Medium Gear: Normal Headrest: Medium
⚠️ Caution: Hip Impingement (Deep hip flexion with the knees wide can aggravate impingement or labral irritation. Use a shallower frog position and reduce the range.)
Focus Cue:

"Exhale as the legs press to a long V, inhale as the knees bend back to frog."

5
Short Box Series: Round Back
Reps: 8 reps Tempo: 3:3 articulating
Transition: Release straps, mount short box transversely, secure feet under strap
Reformer ⚙️ Springs: 1 Red or Blue Spring Footbar: Down Gear: Normal Headrest: Down
Focus Cue:

"Maintain the curve in your spine like you are leaning over a beach ball."

6
Short Box Series: Twist
Reps: 5 each side Tempo: 3:1 deliberate
Transition: Rotate from the ribcage, hips square
Reformer ⚙️ Springs: 1 Red Spring Footbar: Down Gear: Normal Headrest: Down
⚠️ Caution: Acute Lumbar Disc Herniation (Avoid end-range spinal rotation combined with flexion.)
Focus Cue:

"Rotate around spine like a spiral staircase, keeping hips anchored."

7
Elephant
Reps: 8-10 reps Tempo: 3:1 controlled
Transition: Remove short box, stand facing footbar, heels against shoulder rests
Reformer ⚙️ Springs: 1-2 Red Springs Footbar: Down Gear: Normal Headrest: Down
⚠️ Caution: Osteoporosis / Osteopenia (Avoid loaded spinal flexion. Substitute with flat back hinge.)
Focus Cue:

"Imagine drawing your navel up and under your ribs as the carriage moves."

8
Reformer Star
Reps: 4 each side Tempo: 3:1 reach and lengthen
Transition: Mount long box, side-lying star
Reformer ⚙️ Springs: 1 Blue Spring Footbar: Medium Gear: Normal Headrest: Medium
Focus Cue:

"Lift the top leg tall without tipping the torso — reach through the crown."

9
Mermaid
Reps: 4 each side Tempo: 3:1 flowing
Transition: Remove long box, sit side-saddle, shin against shoulder rest
Reformer ⚙️ Springs: 1 Red or 1 Blue Spring Footbar: High Gear: Normal Headrest: Up
⚠️ Caution: Shoulder Impingement (Limit arm range of motion on side-bend if pain occurs.)
Focus Cue:

"Keep both sitbones grounded into carriage mat throughout side-bend."