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Core & Articulation Masterclass

Intermediate Core & Articulation ⏱️ 45 mins 📋 10 Exercises

Plan Overview

An intense target session emphasizing deep abdominal scoop, segmental spinal flexion, and spinal extension control.

Sequence Flow

1
Footwork: Parallel V-Plie
Reps: 8 reps Tempo: 2:2 smooth
Transition: Warm the feet and legs, 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
Pelvic Curl
Reps: 8 reps Tempo: 3:1 articulate
Transition: Roll down one vertebra at a time
Reformer ⚙️ Springs: 2 Red or 2 Red + 1 Blue Springs Footbar: Medium Gear: Normal Headrest: Up
Focus Cue:

"Peel spine off mat one bone at a time like a string of pearls."

3
The Hundred
Reps: 100 pumps Tempo: Rhythmic breath
Transition: Feet flat on footbar or tabletop, scoop deep
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."

4
Coordination
Reps: 6-8 reps Tempo: Controlled
Transition: From the Hundred, reach the arms overhead into the straps for Coordination.
Reformer ⚙️ Springs: 1 Blue or 1 Yellow Spring Footbar: High Gear: Normal Headrest: Up
⚠️ Caution: Osteoporosis / Osteopenia (Involves loaded spinal flexion; substitute with stable, neutral-spine versions.)
Focus Cue:

"Coordinate the exhale with the arm pull and the leg press."

5
Short Box Series: Round Back
Reps: 6-8 reps Tempo: 3:3 articulating
Transition: 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
Knee Stretches: Round Back
Reps: 8 reps Tempo: 2:2 deep scoop
Transition: Kneel on carriage, balls of feet against shoulder rests
Reformer ⚙️ Springs: 1-2 Red Springs Footbar: Down Gear: Normal Headrest: Down
Focus Cue:

"Keep your shoulders stable over your wrists as your knees glide in and out."

7
Short Box Series: Twist
Reps: 5 each side Tempo: 3:1 deliberate
Transition: Return to short box, rotate from the ribcage
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."

8
Pulling Straps
Reps: 6 reps Tempo: 3:1 slow return
Transition: Place long box on carriage, lie prone with chest off the edge
Reformer ⚙️ Springs: 1 Blue or 1 Red Spring Footbar: Down Gear: Normal Headrest: Down
Focus Cue:

"Exhale to sweep straps back and float chest up; inhale to resist on the return."

9
Breaststroke
Reps: 4-6 reps Tempo: Slow
Transition: Mount the long box prone — chest off the front edge — for Breaststroke.
Reformer ⚙️ Springs: 1 Blue or 1 Red Spring Footbar: High Gear: Normal Headrest: Down
Focus Cue:

"Lift from the upper back, not the neck — keep the gaze down."

10
Swan on the Reformer
Reps: 4 reps Tempo: 4:2 controlled extension
Transition: Hands on footbar, press out to a long line
Reformer ⚙️ Springs: 1 Red or 2 Blue Springs Footbar: High Gear: Normal Headrest: Down
Focus Cue:

"Maintain shoulder-over-wrist alignment as carriage comes home."