Raise Pilates

I love Rachel’s pilates classes. She has an engaging personality, goes at the right pace for me, is able to vary the exercise in the group to people’s individual needs. I feel confident that I am in safe hands in her class. Most importantly, I could see the difference in my back and posture after a few weeks of classes. Thank you, Rachel.

I was new to Pilates starting with the beginners class then moving up to the more advanced. Rachel's teaching has really assisted me to improve my posture, strength and flexibility which has carried over into my everyday life. Every class is different, well planned and executed and usually involves lot's of interesting Pilates props and toys! I'm really glad I started my Pilates journey, I thoroughly recommend Rachel as a teacher and am looking forward to many more challenging but enjoyable classes.

I have done Pilates on and off for several years and tried a few different teachers. Rachel is the best teacher I have had. Her classes vary each week, she has a lovely light-hearted manner, and is encouraging. I have definitely gained strength and Rachel seems to take on board thoughtfully personal issues and goals. I look forward my Pilates class every week and miss it in the holidays!

I went along to one of Rachel's trial classes about 12 months after having my first baby. I was still feeling really weak in my core, and realised I needed some focussed help so that I could get back to my usual levels of running, cycling and gardening and, of course, carrying around my ever growning toddler. I had done several years of reformer pilates pre-pregnancy and hadn't really got on with mat work previously, but Raise Pilates was a revelation. Rachel uses different tools every week to help you find proper connection with your core muscles - rings, bands, weights, even dusters: suddenly the mat work exercises make sense! Classes are kept quite small so that Rachel has the opportunity to make sure everyone is properly aligned. She also has an amazing way of explaining what you should be feeling to get the right connection, especially in her beginners class. There are always options for keeping things easy or giving yourself more of a challenge as you get stronger. She has also been brilliant, supporting me discreetly to continue practicing through the first few months of my second pregnancy.

Rachel's classes, whether at the beautiful Quaker Centre, or more recently via Zoom, are always well planned, never repetitive and challenging enough to keep you progressing. She provides carefully structured steps, building towards completing the movements correctly and safely. She gives clear instructions and demonstrations and quickly spots when you need to make adjustments to your posture. I highly recommend her classes.

I’m so glad I’ve found the perfect Pilates classes! I started postnatal Pilates classes online with Rachel since the beginning of the lockdown and I’ve enjoyed every single session.Rachel is a truly amazing Pilates instructor. She always checks in with every mum at the start of the class and would tailor the exercises accordingly. Rachel encourages us to challenge ourselves whilst listening to our body. She can always suggest a very subtle change to my posture which makes a huge difference.I love the small sized class and the virtual class also means I can just put baby to nap upstairs and enjoy my Pilates class in peace:) Please keep your online classes going after the pandemic Rachel! X

Rachel is a first class Pilates Teacher! Her classes are varied, perfectly tailored for her clients, and most of all they're fun. What's great is that Rachel offers a varied timetable throughout the week, so you can pick and choose what class to go to each week. I would highly recommend Pilates with Rachel. I have been a client for over a year now and have enjoyed every class I've been to.

As someone who has tried lots of pilates classes in the past and is easily bored, Rachel's ability to vary every week's lessons and introduce new moves / equipment is what has kept me coming back for the last two years! Her classes are fun yet challenging, and her attentive style ensures every member of her class gets instruction that is personalised to their needs. Highly recommend!

Rachel is by far the best pilates teacher I've ever had! I started going to Rachel's class when I was pregnant and continued after I had the baby. She has always tailored the class to my condition on the day, and explained very clearly how I should approach each move for the maximum benefit. My scoliosis-related back pain has always reduced after a class and I've always felt less aligned/tall if I missed a session. There were quite a few moves that I can do now that I was not able to do months ago. My husband and I have also had some private classes with Rachel and those have been amazing - Rachel even helped entertain our little one while we were practising! Rachel is fantastic and I can't recommend her enough.