Helen Rackowe Pilates

Helen Rackowe Pilates Helen Rackowe is a specialist STOTT PILATES instructor offering group classes at selected venues in the Cheltenham area. (Click 'about' for more info)

WHAT IS STOTT PILATES? STOTT Pilates is a contemporary approach which has evolved from the original teachings of the late Joseph Pilates to incorporate modern scientific evidence on the human anatomy and spinal rehabilitation. STOTT Pilates has earned an international reputation as one of the world's most respected pilates training providers. STOTT Pilates ensures its instructors adhere to a code

of practice, professional ethics and continuing education . Training incorporates extensive practical and anatomical examination making its instructors very much in demand. WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF PILATES?

- Significantly improves posture, balance, body awareness and alignment.
- Increases flexibility, strength and control
- Develops long, lean and toned muscles
- Relieves Stress and Tension
- Facilitates injury prevention and physical rehabilitation
- Alleviates aches and pains (particularly lower back pain)
- Improves incontinence control
- Offers a safe and effective form of post natal exercise
- Improves performance in sporting activities
- Enhances physical and emotional well being

HOW DOES THE TECHNIQUE WORK? The principles behind the technique are firmly rooted in musco-skeletal and anatomical fact. Predominantly it targets the deep core muscles which are the deep abdominals, pelvic floor and spine. Simultaneously it educates the individual on how to breathe effectively and recruit the correct muscles to bring about positive postural change. Pilates greatly increases the relationship between mind and body, strengthens the core, tones, stretches and rehabilitates the body allowing for greater flexibility and ease of movement. Individuals work towards a stronger, more mobile and better aligned physique whilst aiming for a long lean body shape.

Oooh I just love my little home studio in the Spring. All the sights of nature doing its thing whilst moving on the refo...
13/04/2026

Oooh I just love my little home studio in the Spring. All the sights of nature doing its thing whilst moving on the reformer or lifting weights. It’s so sunny and relaxing 😎

Every Thursday at 1pm I teach reformer at the gorgeous Cotswold Pilates Club. It’s one of my favourite hours in the week...
31/03/2026

Every Thursday at 1pm I teach reformer at the gorgeous Cotswold Pilates Club. It’s one of my favourite hours in the week. I welcome those starting out on the apparatus or those familiar. Book direct with to join me this week. I am STOTT Pilates qualified with many years of teaching experience.
Hope to meet you soon .

31/01/2026

Thursdays . What a treat these guys are! They always work really hard and bring a smile to my face. ⭐️. Looking strong here ladies. 🔥

Here’s to more feeling good in our skin, feeling stronger and more capable. ###
01/01/2026

Here’s to more feeling good in our skin, feeling stronger and more capable. ###

Mat Pilates Classes with a specialist instructor . Now taking bookings for a January start. ⭐️⭐️
28/12/2025

Mat Pilates Classes with a specialist instructor . Now taking bookings for a January start. ⭐️⭐️

Day 22: 22 Air Punches! 🤜🏼 To perform an air punch:1: Form a fist: Curl your fingers into your palm, placing your thumb ...
22/12/2025

Day 22: 22 Air Punches! 🤜🏼

To perform an air punch:
1: Form a fist: Curl your fingers into your palm, placing your thumb on the outside of your curled fingers.
2: Raise your arm: Bend your elbow and draw your fist back towards your shoulder.
3: Extend your: Quickly extend your arm in a forceful motion into the air. The direction can be straight ahead (jab/cross), upward (uppercut), or to the side (side hook).
4: Add enthusiasm: The key to a good air punch is energy and enthusiasm 😜

18/12/2025

Day 18 of ‘25 Days of Fitness”
🎄🎄 High knees 🎄🎄

Handy Tips
🎄 Standing tall with a long spine
🎄keep chest lifted and open
🎄One at a time raise your flexed leg up until ideally your knee is at waist height.
🎄🔥 For extra challenge you can make these jumping transitions rather than the marching steps.

Are you going to join us today? Please keep us posted with your pics and videos. ⭐️⭐️⭐️🎄

Day 17: 17 Sumo Squats 💪🏼Feet wider than shoulders, toes turned out. Sit back and down, chest up, core engaged, knees tr...
17/12/2025

Day 17: 17 Sumo Squats 💪🏼

Feet wider than shoulders, toes turned out. Sit back and down, chest up, core engaged, knees tracking over toes — then drive through the heels and squeeze the glutes at the top 🔥

I didn’t even notice the elf behind me was being cheeky until now 😜🎄

11/12/2025

Hello!
It’s time to move. ⭐️

🎁 Day 11 of our ‘25 Days of Fitness’ Advent Challenge.
The pilates Hip Twist
It’s designed to help you strengthen your core, hip flexors and quads alongside your shoulders and upper back.

Handy Tips

🎄Front your seated position tip onto the back of your sit bones then raise your legs to table top
🎄Ideally straight legs but bent legs if you don’t have enough flexibility
🎄Keeping your chest lifted and with your arms reaching back either onto elbows or if you want challenge long arms start to draw a circle with your legs, one way then the other.
🎄Don’t sink, keep your upper back and chest lifting

Good luck! It’s a tricky one! Send us your pics or videos of you trying. 🎁🎄🎄🎄

Hello!Today marked day 10 of our ‘25 days of Fitness’ advent challenge. Walk or run for 10 minutes. Getting outside in t...
10/12/2025

Hello!
Today marked day 10 of our ‘25 days of Fitness’ advent challenge.
Walk or run for 10 minutes.

Getting outside in the fresh air is so important for our well-being isn’t it. Did you manage it today?

Send us your pics / videos or comment if you were able to join in today.



09/12/2025

Hello!
Lets get moving ⭐️⭐️

🎁 Day 9 of our ‘25 Days of Fitness’ Advent Challenge.
The pilates ROLL UP
It’s designed to help you mobilise and stretch your spinal column and strengthen your abs.

Handy Tips
🎄Lay flat on your back with arms stretched overhead.
🎄. Close your ribs down into the mat behind you.
🎄 Reach the arms to the sky, peel up the head and shoulders then roll up through the spine bone by bone.
🎄 You may find there is a tight spot in your lower back you need to tilt your pelvis back towards you and connect the lumbar into the ground to make this part smooth.
🎄 Keep the tummy muscles connecting to create a c shaped scoop on the front of the body as you stretch forwards over your legs.
🎄 Roll back down smoothly and slowly.
🔥🔥 For extra challenge try the whole sequence keeping your hands behind your head with wide elbows.

So… now it’s your turn.

Get your family to join in too if they fancy a try. If you do the challenge, share your photo or video! It’s brilliant to see this little advent community building. 😊❤️🤣

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