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. Itโs so sunny and relaxing ๐
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
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. Itโs so sunny and relaxing ๐
31/03/2026
Every Thursday at 1pm I teach reformer at the gorgeous Cotswold Pilates Club. Itโs 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 .
Thursdays . What a treat these guys are! They always work really hard and bring a smile to my face. โญ๏ธ. Looking strong here ladies. ๐ฅ
01/01/2026
Hereโs to more feeling good in our skin, feeling stronger and more capable. # # #
28/12/2025
Mat Pilates Classes with a specialist instructor . Now taking bookings for a January start. โญ๏ธโญ๏ธ
22/12/2025
Day 22: 22 Air Punches! ๐ค๐ผ
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 ๐
Day 18 of โ25 Days of Fitnessโ
๐๐ High knees ๐๐
Handy Tips
๐ Standing tall with a long spine
๐keep chest lifted and open
๐One at a time raise your flexed leg up until ideally your knee is at waist height.
๐๐ฅ 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. โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ๐
17/12/2025
Day 17: 17 Sumo Squats ๐ช๐ผ
Feet wider than shoulders, toes turned out. Sit back and down, chest up, core engaged, knees tracking over toes โ then drive through the heels and squeeze the glutes at the top ๐ฅ
I didnโt even notice the elf behind me was being cheeky until now ๐๐
Hello!
Itโs time to move. โญ๏ธ
๐ Day 11 of our โ25 Days of Fitnessโ Advent Challenge.
The pilates Hip Twist
Itโs designed to help you strengthen your core, hip flexors and quads alongside your shoulders and upper back.
Handy Tips
๐Front your seated position tip onto the back of your sit bones then raise your legs to table top
๐Ideally straight legs but bent legs if you donโt have enough flexibility
๐Keeping 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.
๐Donโt sink, keep your upper back and chest lifting
Good luck! Itโs a tricky one! Send us your pics or videos of you trying. ๐๐๐๐
10/12/2025
Hello!
Today marked day 10 of our โ25 days of Fitnessโ advent challenge.
Walk or run for 10 minutes.
Getting outside in the fresh air is so important for our well-being isnโt it. Did you manage it today?
Send us your pics / videos or comment if you were able to join in today.
Hello!
Lets get moving โญ๏ธโญ๏ธ
๐ Day 9 of our โ25 Days of Fitnessโ Advent Challenge.
The pilates ROLL UP
Itโs designed to help you mobilise and stretch your spinal column and strengthen your abs.
Handy Tips
๐Lay flat on your back with arms stretched overhead.
๐. Close your ribs down into the mat behind you.
๐ Reach the arms to the sky, peel up the head and shoulders then roll up through the spine bone by bone.
๐ 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.
๐ Keep the tummy muscles connecting to create a c shaped scoop on the front of the body as you stretch forwards over your legs.
๐ Roll back down smoothly and slowly.
๐ฅ๐ฅ For extra challenge try the whole sequence keeping your hands behind your head with wide elbows.
Soโฆ now itโs your turn.
Get your family to join in too if they fancy a try. If you do the challenge, share your photo or video! Itโs brilliant to see this little advent community building. ๐โค๏ธ๐คฃ