Over the best part of a year, she has been working with older adults at a retirement home in São Brás de Alportel, assisting the residents with improving their daily movements and wellbeing.
After years of teaching computer science, Rachel decided to lean into her passion for health and fitness and began her training with Body Control Pilates, a prestigious training organisation in the United Kingdom, with an intensive two-year certification programme. It involves studies in anatomy, physiology, and teaching methodology– so much that in the UK, general practitioners (GPs) can only refer patients to Body Control Pilates-certified instructors. The training focuses greatly on breathing, strengthening the core, and alignment through precise, controlled movements, helping clients relearn how to move correctly, which is a particularly vital skill as people age and develop poor habits or mobility issues.
After completing her training, Rachel decided to relocate to the Algarve, drawn by its warm climate and tranquil pace. However, turning her training into a career in Portugal presented its own challenges. Particularly, the Pilates industry in the country seems to be largely unregulated – although there are many Pilates classes and instructors, only a handful are trained to the body control standard.
Finding a suitable venue for her classes proved challenging. Reflecting on past experiences, Rachel recalled how much she had enjoyed teaching computer skills and spending time with seniors in retirement homes. This led her to seek out a similar setting, eventually guiding her to the local retirement village in São Brás de Alportel. She proposed offering Chair Yoga and Pilates classes specifically designed for individuals with limited mobility—and was met with warm interest from the facility.
Weekly classes
Nowadays, Rachel leads weekly classes for residents of the retirement village and nursing home. The sessions are specifically designed for those with limited mobility, whether it be for those who need some extra assistance or others who manage most activities independently. Rachel uses traditional mats for her Pilates classes, but designs her yoga classes to be more adapted for the skills and abilities of the participants – using chairs, body weight exercises, and light stretching to focus more on functional movement, core strength and joint mobility.
“Our bodies start forming bad habits in our 20s and 30s – slouching and poor walking posture, for example,” Rachel explains. “Pilates retrains the body to move as it was designed to. Especially as we age, core strength becomes essential to help prevent falls, maintain balance, and move confidently through everyday tasks.”
Her 40-minute classes centre around developing body awareness through exercises that incorporate the basic principles of Body Control Pilates methods: relaxation, concentration, centering, alignment, breathing, stamina and flowing movements with low repetitions and frequent variations. Rather than exercises that require transitions from floor to standing, Rachel focuses on accessible movements like spine articulations, seated stretches and balance drills for improving core strength. Additionally, incorporating different movements throughout her classes helps to keep joints lubricated and in a healthy state. Her classes help manage osteoporosis, promote relaxation, support joint function and overall mobility.
Due to the visible benefits of the classes, the retirement home’s local physiotherapist now strongly recommends Rachel’s classes to residents. The sessions help with day-to-day functional tasks: moving around the house with ease, sitting down or getting up from a chair without discomfort.
Those who attend Rachel’s classes speak highly of them. Making sure that they are present every week, they have noticed their movements becoming smoother and more fluid since starting Pilates and Chair Yoga. Participants are encouraged to integrate simple exercises into daily routines—like rising onto their toes while waiting for the kettle to boil—which helps maintain the positive effects of the practice and keeps them motivated and engaged.
Nevertheless, the goal isn’t solely physical — it’s also about mindfulness, connecting mind and body for holistic wellbeing. Beyond the physical benefits, Rachel has created a rhythm that encourages a community bond. Participants are encouraged to arrive a bit early for the Chair Yoga class to enjoy a coffee in between classes, and everyone is welcomed to gather, chat, and socialise before class. Many arrive early for this opportunity to mingle.
No pressure
“There is no pressure – no one is looking at anyone else, everyone is focused on their own thing – but they all move together, as a group,” Rachel says. “It makes people feel good, like they are a part of something.”
The results speak for themselves – in just a few months, Rachel has seen her class grow from two participants to a larger group. More importantly, she’s seen real physical improvements in many of her clients. They now move more confidently, with better posture and strength – making it an especially rewarding role for Rachel.
Whether guiding a senior through balance work or helping a younger client realign their posture, Rachel brings the same passion and precision to every session.
In addition to the retirement village, Rachel offers private and small group Pilates classes around the central Algarve, working with individuals of all ages.
For more information or to book a class, Rachel can be reached at pilateswrachel@gmail.com