Master Trainer Alan Herdman

Alan Herdman has been teaching Pilates since 1970.  He studied at the London School of Contemporary Dance and was working as a teacher and dancer when he was invited to New York to learn about the Joseph Pilates Method in the late 1960s.  He worked intensively with Bob Fizgerald and Carola Trier who both learnt the method from Joseph Pilates .  He returned in 1970 to set up Britain’s first-ever Pilates studio.  

 

Although well-known in New York, Joseph Pilates was practically unknown in UK at that time.   Alan Herdman is essentially the pioneer leader of UK Pilates movement.  He now lectures on Pilates around the world.  He runs a training course for Pilates instructors in London and supervises courses in both Athens and Istanbul.  Alan is the Chair of Pilates Method Alliance UK Chapter, designed to foster professional interaction and continuing education opportunities for Pilates professionals.

Master Trainer Alan Herdman

Alan Herdman has been teaching Pilates since 1970.  He studied at the London School of Contemporary Dance and was working as a teacher and dancer when he was invited to New York to learn about the Joseph Pilates Method in the late 1960s.  He worked intensively with Bob Fizgerald and Carola Trier who both learnt the method from Joseph Pilates .  He returned in 1970 to set up Britain’s first-ever Pilates studio.  

 

Although well-known in New York, Joseph Pilates was practically unknown in UK at that time.   Alan Herdman is essentially the pioneer leader of UK Pilates movement.  He now lectures on Pilates around the world.  He runs a training course for Pilates instructors in London and supervises courses in both Athens and Istanbul.  Alan is the Chair of Pilates Method Alliance UK Chapter, designed to foster professional interaction and continuing education opportunities for Pilates professionals.

Workshop Content

Friday  21st Sep

Saturday  22nd Sep

Sunday  23rd Sep


Morning Session

(9.30am - 12.30pm)


Thinking around the Box

The long and short box is a crucial piece of equipment for increasing the versatility and accessibility of the reformer. Are you using the box to its full potential? This workshop will explore the exercises that can be performed on top, in front of and on the side of the box. The versatility of the box allows clients from beginner to advanced, to progress from simple exercises to complicated routines. The box is also a great place to address muscle imbalances and bad habits.


Morning Session

(9.30am - 12.30pm)


Scoliosis

People suffering from scoliosis need to perform a series of simple exercises on a regular basis help stabilise the scoliosis and help to eliminate pain. Alan will help participants understand structural vs posture scoliosis.  The workshop will cover mainly mat exercises that will help to promote good posture, strengthen the weak areas of the back and stretch and release the over developed areas of the back to restore balance.


Morning Session

(9.30am - 12.30pm)


Know your Spine

Alan will deep dive the Spine in this course.  He will help participants learn in depth the anatomy of the vertebral column.  The workshop will also help participants understand the mobility problems of the spine, namely General Stiffness, Lordosis, Forward head position, Limited Hip Flexion, Uneven Lateral Flexion, Uneven Roration, Muscular imbalances of the spinal Muscles and Disease of the Spine. Alan will also teach participants the proper movements of the spine: Spinal Rotation, Lateral Flexion, Spinal Flexion and Spinal Extension. 


Afternoon Session

(1.30pm - 4.30pm)


Posture

Poor Posture is the most common problem for clients who come to Pilates, further exacerbating back issues.   Alan will help participants understand, address and assess issues in posture.  He will delve into details addressing overall stance, alignment of body parts, bones, joints, muscles and physical attitudes of good vs bad postures, and helping participants work with clients to achieve good posture.


Afternoon Session

(1.30pm - 4.30pm)


Knees

The knee is a vulnerable joint and the problems around this joint can be caused by trauma through sports or accidents, poor alignmnet of the leg, uneven muscle development, poor posture and gait.  Alan will not only focus on just the knees, but guide participants through an overall look at the muscles of the hip and thigh, leg and foot. He will teach participants rehabilitation, preventive exercises in this workshop to help alleviate pain and aches of the knees and restore coordination and balance of leg movements.


Afternoon Session

(1.30pm - 4.30pm)


Neck and Shoulders

The main causes of neck and shoulder pain is poor posture, uneven muscle development and a stiff thoracic spine. Bad habits such as improper lifting, carrying heavy backpacks, and carrying heavy bags on one shoulder, sitting incorrectly using the computer and driving, will all over a period of time cause problems in the neck shoulders and upper spine. The teacher must be aware of the following conditions that cause problems around the neck and shoulders: Stenosis, Osteo-arthritis, Kyphosis, Scoliosis, Ankylosing Spondylitus and Scheuermann’s Disease.

Workshop Content


Fri 21st Sep

Morning Session

(9.30am - 12.30pm)


 

Thinking around the Box

The long and short box is a crucial piece of equipment for increasing the versatility and accessibility of the reformer. Are you using the box to its full potential? This workshop will explore the exercises that can be performed on top, in front of and on the side of the box. The versatility of the box allows clients from beginner to advanced, to progress from simple exercises to complicated routines. The box is also a great place to address muscle imbalances and bad habits.


Fri 21st Sep

Afternoon Session

(1.30pm - 4.30pm)


 

Posture

Poor Posture is the most common problem for clients who come to Pilates, further exacerbating back issues.   Alan will help participants understand, address and assess issues in posture.  He will delve into details addressing overall stance, alignment of body parts, bones, joints, muscles and physical attitudes of good vs bad postures, and helping participants work with clients to achieve good posture.


Sat 22nd Sep

Morning Session

(9.30am - 12.30pm)


 

Scoliosis

People suffering from scoliosis need to perform a series of simple exercises on a regular basis help stabilise the scoliosis and help to eliminate pain. Alan will help participants understand structural vs posture scoliosis.  The workshop will cover mainly mat exercises that will help to promote good posture, strengthen the weak areas of the back and stretch and release the over developed areas of the back to restore balance.


Sat 22nd Sep 

Afternoon Session

(1.30pm - 4.30pm)


 

Knees

The knee is a vulnerable joint and the problems around this joint can be caused by trauma through sports or accidents, poor alignmnet of the leg, uneven muscle development, poor posture and gait.  Alan will not only focus on just the knees, but guide participants through an overall look at the muscles of the hip and thigh, leg and foot. He will teach participants rehabilitation, preventive exercises in this workshop to help alleviate pain and aches of the knees and restore coordination and balance of leg movements.


Sun 23rd Oct

Morning Session

(9.30am - 12.30pm)


 

Know your Spine

Alan will deep dive the Spine in this course.  He will help participants learn in depth the anatomy of the vertebral column.  The workshop will also help participants understand the mobility problems of the spine, namely General Stiffness, Lordosis, Forward head position, Limited Hip Flexion, Uneven Lateral Flexion, Uneven Roration, Muscular imbalances of the spinal Muscles and Disease of the Spine. Alan will also teach participants the proper movements of the spine: Spinal Rotation, Lateral Flexion, Spinal Flexion and Spinal Extension. 


Sun 23rd Oct

Afternoon Session

(1.30pm - 4.30pm)


 

Neck and Shoulders

The main causes of neck and shoulder pain is poor posture, uneven muscle development and a stiff thoracic spine. Bad habits such as improper lifting, carrying heavy backpacks, and carrying heavy bags on one shoulder, sitting incorrectly using the computer and driving, will all over a period of time cause problems in the neck shoulders and upper spine. The teacher must be aware of the following conditions that cause problems around the neck and shoulders: Stenosis, Osteo-arthritis, Kyphosis, Scoliosis, Ankylosing Spondylitus and Scheuermann’s Disease.

Alan Herdman at The Pilates Works

Alan shares his objectives for the workshop, three must-have for Pilates instructors and how Pilates has evolved since Joseph Pilates's times.

Objectives for the Workshop

Alan would like the students to delve deeper into Pilates exercises, and make them more meaningful rather than accept at face value.

How has Pilates evolve since Joseph Pilates's era?

There are mainly two schools - the traditionalist and the contemporary.  The traditionalist approach wants to keep the same way Joseph Pilates has taught.  The contemporary approach keeps the principles and essence of Pilates, but adjusts to the needs of the 21st century.  Human bodies are different today from what they were in the 1960’s due to our changing life style.  About 75% the mat work is flexion but we don’t need as much flexion as before because our current lifestyles have a lot of flexions with our postures using computers and mobile phones.  We need to go more into extension.

Increasing Professionalism of Pilates Instructors

Alan believes that to elevate professionalism of Pilates and build up a community of Pilates teachers, we need to have much more integration between the schools. When Pilates is taught at different schools, it is the same techniques but different styles.   Alan think Pilates should be a different mixture of styles that gleans the best from the different approaches.

Key Trends

As Pilates become more popular, the training courses have become shorter and that can be detrimental to the future of Pilates.  A Pilates course should be longer, more in-depth so the students learn, practice and observed a lot with real people before they start practising with clients. 

3 Must-Haves for a Pilates Instructor

A Pilates instructor need to love the techniques, love people and have an open mind to embrace what comes to them.

Alan Herdman at The Pilates Works

Alan shares his objectives for the workshop, three must-have for Pilates instructors and how Pilates has evolved since Joseph Pilates's times.

Objectives for the Workshop

Alan would like the students to delve deeper into Pilates exercises, and make them more meaningful rather than accept at face value.

How has Pilates evolve since Joseph Pilates's era?

There are mainly two schools - the traditionalist and the contemporary.  The traditionalist approach wants to keep the same way Joseph Pilates has taught.  The contemporary approach keeps the principles and essence of Pilates, but adjusts to the needs of the 21st century.  Human bodies are different today from what they were in the 1960’s due to our changing life style.  About 75% the mat work is flexion but we don’t need as much flexion as before because our current lifestyles have a lot of flexions with our postures using computers and mobile phones.  We need to go more into extension.

Increasing Professionalism of Pilates Instructors

Alan believes that to elevate professionalism of Pilates and build up a community of Pilates teachers, we need to have much more integration between the schools. When Pilates is taught at different schools, it is the same techniques but different styles.   Alan think Pilates should be a different mixture of styles that gleans the best from the different approaches.

Key Trends

As Pilates become more popular, the training courses have become shorter and that can be detrimental to the future of Pilates.  A Pilates course should be longer, more in-depth so the students learn, practice and observed a lot with real people before they start practising with clients.

3 Must-Haves for a Pilates Instructor

A Pilates instructor need to love the techniques, love people and have an open mind to embrace what comes to them.

Alan Herdman shared how he started his Pilates teaching journey in 1970.

Alan Herdman shared how he started his Pilates teaching journey in 1970.

Alan Herdman shared how he started his Pilates teaching journey in 1970.

Alan Herdman's Gems of Wisdom

Alan shares the most common issues clients face today, his teaching philosophy and how professionalism can be further improved.

Poor Posture is the Common Denominator

Alan said that the most common problems of people who come to Pilates are a result of poor posture, exacerbated by bad lifestyle and not enough movement.

The top four most common needs amongst his clients in UK are correcting poor posture, alleviating back problems caused by poor posture, and working through pre-and post hip replacement surgery work as well as that of knee replacement surgery.

Alan's Teaching Philosophy

Alan believes that clients should not be box-fitted into Pilates techniques, rather Pilates techniques should suit the individual client's needs.

Increasing Professionalism of Pilates Instructors

He advises that there should be longer, extended training for today's Pilates instructors to build up their professionalism.  Anybody can learn the Pilates exercises but the strategy of approaching clients particular issues is the key - a lot of the exercises are bad for certain conditions, and Pilates instructors need to be equipped with extensive knowledge to provide professional and beneficial advice to clients.

Alan's Personal Satisfaction

Alan said his sense of satisfaction in his Pilates journey come in the form of recognising some of the high potential students who can become very good teachers eventually, as well as seeing someone who thinks he or she is too old to exercise yet able to bounce around with energy after Pilates.

Alan Herdman's Gems of Wisdom

Alan shares the most common issues clients face today, his teaching philosophy and how professionalism can be further improved.

Poor Posture is the Common Demoninator

Alan said that the most common problems of people who come to Pilates are a result of poor posture, exacerbated by bad lifestyle and not enough movement.

The top four most common needs amongst his clients in UK are correcting poor posture, alleviating back problems caused by poor posture, and working through pre-and post hip replacement surgery work as well as that of knee replacement surgery.

Alan's Teaching Philosophy

Alan believes that clients should not be box-fitted into Pilates techniques, rather Pilates techniques should suit the individual client's needs.

Increasing Professionalism of Pilates Instructors

He advises that there should be longer, extended training for today's Pilates instructors to build up their professionalism.  Anybody can learn the Pilates exercises but the strategy of approaching clients particular issues is the key - a lot of the exercises are bad for certain conditions, and Pilates instructors need to be equipped with extensive knowledge to provide professional and beneficial advice to clients.

Alan's Personal Satisfaction

Alan said his sense of satisfaction in his Pilates journey come in the form of recognising some of the high potential students who can become very good teachers eventually, as well as seeing someone who thinks he or she is too old to exercise yet able to bounce around with energy after Pilates.

Alan Herdman's Gems of Wisdom

Alan shares the most common issues clients face today, his teaching philosophy and how professionalism can be further improved.

Poor Posture is the Common Demoninator

Alan said that the most common problems of people who come to Pilates are a result of poor posture, exacerbated by bad lifestyle and not enough movement.

The top four most common needs amongst his clients in UK are correcting poor posture, alleviating back problems caused by poor posture, and working through pre-and post hip replacement surgery work as well as that of knee replacement surgery.

Alan's Teaching Philosophy

Alan believes that clients should not be box-fitted into Pilates techniques, rather Pilates techniques should suit the individual client's needs.

Increasing Professionalism of Pilates Instructors

He advises that there should be longer, extended training for today's Pilates instructors to build up their professionalism.  Anybody can learn the Pilates exercises but the strategy of approaching clients particular issues is the key - a lot of the exercises are bad for certain conditions, and Pilates instructors need to be equipped with extensive knowledge to provide professional and beneficial advice to clients.

Alan's Personal Satisfaction

Alan said his sense of satisfaction in his Pilates journey come in the form of recognising some of the high potential students who can become very good teachers eventually, as well as seeing someone who thinks he or she is too old to exercise yet able to bounce around with energy after Pilates.