During side-lying work on the reformer, how should the knee and foot be aligned?

• A. Knees stacked, foot in line with hip, safe alignment; avoid hyperextension of the knee.
• B. Knees apart; foot across hip; maintain no alignment.
• C. Knees stacked; foot in line with hip; safe alignment; avoid hyperextension of the knee.
• D. Knees rotated inward; foot pointed forward.

Answer: (C)

Keep the leg long and aligned from hip to ankle. When the knee is stacked directly over the ankle and the foot stays in line with the hip, the pelvis stays level and the spine remains lengthened, so there’s even support through the leg and no twisting through the knee or hip. The foot in line with the hip helps the ankle, knee, and hip move together in the same plane, protecting the knee from awkward torsion and avoiding hyperextension. If the knees separate, the foot rotates across the hip, or the knee hyperextends, alignment is disrupted and stability is lost. This alignment provides safe, controlled movement with the reformer.