Yoga on the Reformer

Michelle Rae Sobi
Mar 13
5 min read

Updated: Mar 14

A prop to help your practice find balance between release and contrology.

Yoga on the Reformer Teacher Training

The Fire of Practice

100-Hour Program

Yoga on the Reformer Teacher Training is a 100-hour program designed for yoga teachers and serious movement practitioners who want to explore the relationship between yoga, apparatus-based movement, and disciplined practice. Rooted in the yogic concept of tapas, the steady fire that develops through consistent effort, this training invites students to cultivate strength, awareness, and inner power through intelligent movement and direct application.

This program integrates yoga methodology, Pilates principles, apparatus work, group fitness leadership, and movement science into one cohesive learning experience. Rather than approaching equipment training as a separate fitness modality, the program frames apparatus-based study as a way to deepen a teacher’s understanding of alignment, resistance, support, progressive strength, and embodied teaching.

In many ways, this program returns to Michelle Rae Sobi’s roots, as reflected in her latest book, From Child’s Pose. It draws on the spirit of beginning again with awareness, building strength through practice, and allowing disciplined study to shape both the teacher and the teaching. This training honors that foundation while expanding it into a contemporary movement pathway that integrates yoga, apparatus work, and the steady cultivation of inner power.

Students work directly with Michelle Rae Sobi throughout the program and are supported in developing the clarity, confidence, and professional presence needed to guide students safely and effectively. The training blends structured study, hands-on learning, and direct mentorship in a small-group environment designed to support both technical development and personal practice.

Prerequisite

Students must hold a Registered Yoga Teacher 200-hour certification or be concurrently enrolled in Edge Yoga School’s 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training.

Because this program integrates yoga methodology, anatomy, and teacher development, participants are expected to enter with a foundational understanding of yoga practice and philosophy. Students completing their 200-hour training alongside this program benefit from a cohesive learning pathway that strengthens both technical skill and disciplined practice.

Included in the Program

Mat Pilates

20 hours

Students build a strong foundation in mat Pilates principles including breath, control, precision, alignment, and core integration. This portion of the program supports intelligent movement and develops the structural understanding needed to work effectively with resistance-based apparatus.

Exercises explored in this portion include Boat, Bow, Butterfly, Cat, Open Thread the Needle, Child’s Pose, Cow, Criss Cross, Cross Legged Fold, Dolphin Plank, Double Leg Stretch, Downward Facing Dog, Forward Fold, Half Jackknife, Half Hundred, Hundred, Jackknife, Knee Extension, Knees to Chest, Lateral Side Stretch, Leg Hugs, Lower Lift, Mermaid, One Legged Circles, Open Leg Bridge, Open Leg Rocker, Open Twist Knee Extension, Opposite Arm and Leg, Plank Lowers, Plank, Reverse Plank, Rolling Like a Ball, Saw, Scissors, Seated Roll Back, Shoulder Stand Abduction, Side Dolphin Leg Lift, Single Leg Extension, Single Leg Stretch, Superman, and Swan.

These exercises support the development of core strength, spinal articulation, breath awareness, stability, flexibility, coordination, and movement control. Students are introduced to strengthening and restorative shapes, including abdominal work, seated work, planks, twists, side-body training, back extension, bridge variations, and mobility-based transitions. This portion of the training helps students understand exercise setup, observe alignment, refine cueing, and connect Pilates principles with yoga-informed movement education.

Mat Yoga

20 hours

Students develop deeper awareness of yoga through movement, breath, adaptability, and mindful sequencing. This portion of the training reinforces the relationship between strength and mobility while supporting the development of safe and skillful teaching practices.

Rooted in the wisdom of yoga, students are encouraged to move with awareness, cultivate steadiness, and embody the quiet authority of a teacher. Physical practice and inner practice begin to meet through the discipline of tapas and the cultivation of inner power.

Apparatus Training

20 hours

Students work directly with the apparatus in a small-group setting. This portion of the program focuses on equipment familiarity, setup, resistance, body positioning, movement patterns, observation, safe progressions, and teaching language.

The apparatus becomes a tool for exploring resistance, support, balance, and progressive strength. Students learn how this style of movement can deepen their understanding of alignment, muscular engagement, and functional movement patterns while expanding their capacity to teach with precision.

Group Fitness Certificate

20 hours

Students complete a structured group fitness training that introduces the principles of class design, pacing, cueing, communication, professionalism, leadership, and the practical skills needed to guide a room with clarity and confidence.

Group fitness education strengthens a teacher’s ability to manage energy, hold space, and deliver clear instruction in real-world teaching environments.

Yoga Anatomy

20 hours

Students complete Leslie Kaminoff’s Yoga Anatomy course online. This portion of the program supports a functional understanding of anatomy and movement relationships so students can teach with greater clarity, safety, and confidence.

Required Reading

Required reading supports a deeper understanding of movement science, anatomy, and professional instruction. These materials are required as part of the program but are not counted toward training hours.

Required reading includes

Yoga Anatomy, Third Edition by Leslie Kaminoff and Amy Matthews

Print ISBN: 9781492596479

Digital ISBN: 9781492596486

Anatomy of Movement, Revised Edition by Blandine Calais-Germain

ISBN-13: 9780939616572

ISBN-10: 0939616572

ACE Group Fitness Instructor Handbook by Jessica Matthews

The Professional's Guide to Creating Memorable Movement Experiences

ISBN-10: 1-890720-59-3

ISBN-13: 978-1-890720-59-9

Workbook and On-Demand Lessons

Students complete a structured workbook throughout the program to support reflection, note-taking, concept integration, and continued study. Lessons are also supported with on-demand lessons, allowing students to revisit key concepts and remain connected to the material between live sessions.

Labs and Live Training

The live portion of this program is completed through 50 two-hour labs in a small-group setting. These labs are central to the training and support practice teaching, movement observation, cue refinement, class leadership, and hands-on skill development.

Labs are paid separately as attended and are not included in the base tuition. Each lab is 2 hours and $40 per session.

Lab Breakdown

50 labs × $40 each = $2,000 total lab cost

Program Tuition Breakdown

Base program tuition: $999

Required labs total: $2,000

Total investment for full program completion: $2,999

The $999 base tuition provides full access to the entire academic program in a small-group format, including curriculum, structured coursework, workbook support, on-demand lessons, and direct mentorship with Michelle Rae Sobi throughout the program. Labs are then completed and paid for separately as students attend.

This structure allows students to progress steadily over time while preserving the high-touch mentorship model at the heart of the program. Students who wish to complete the full certificate must complete all required labs, coursework, and assignments within the program window.

Space is limited.

Program Completion

Students have 18 months to complete the program. This includes the live lab requirement as well as all remaining coursework and required assignments.

Why Students Choose This Training

This training is designed for yoga teachers who want to expand their movement education while remaining grounded in yoga philosophy and disciplined practice. Rather than offering a narrow equipment certification, the program integrates yoga, Pilates principles, apparatus work, anatomy, group leadership, and direct mentorship into a cohesive training experience.

Students benefit from small-group learning, flexible pacing, direct work with Michelle Rae Sobi, and a practical training structure that prepares them to step into teaching opportunities with confidence.

Through the discipline of practice and the steady cultivation of tapas, students develop not only technical skill but also the inner power, presence, and clarity that define a skilled and grounded teacher.

Program Hours

100 hours

Live Lab Requirement

50 labs, 2 hours each

Tuition

$999 base program tuition

Labs

$40 each for 2 hours

50 required labs = $2,000 total