THE PILATES GATHERING 2024

ALAN HERDMAN

We welcome Alan back to The Pilates Gathering. Alan Herdman studied at the London School of Contemporary Dance and was working as a teacher and dancer when, in the late 1960s, he was invited to New York to learn about the Joseph Pilates Method. There he worked intensively with Carola Trier and Bob Fitzgerald, two instructors who had been trained by Pilates himself.

Although well-regarded amongst New York’s dance fraternity, Pilates was unknown in the UK at that time and Alan returned in 1970 to set up Britain’s first-ever Pilates studio. Among his first clients were actors, dancers and singers, but word soon spread as doctors and physiotherapists began recommending Pilates to patients struggling with chronic injuries. Alan now lectures on Pilates around the world, and he has written several successful books, including The Pilates Directory (2004), The Gaia Busy Person’s Guide to Pilates (2003), Pilates for Men (2007) and The Complete Pilates Tutor (2014). He runs a training course for Pilates instructors in London and supervises courses in both Athens and Istanbul. As well as running his own studios, Alan and his assistants teach in dance schools and designated Pilates studios internationally, and he regularly presents at Balanced Body’s international Pilates On Tour.

JOAKIM VALSINGER

2nd Generation Pilates Instructor Joakim set up Bälans in 2005. He is an Award-winning Fitness Instructor, has Advanced Pilates Qualifications including the prestigious NCPT Nationally Certified Pilates Teacher (formerly known as the PMA), and is also a Sports Therapist. Alongside running Bälans in Perth.

In 2014 Joakim was awarded the Spirit of Flame at the UK Active Awards ceremony where the best and the brightest in the Fitness Industry are recognised for their efforts. Joakim beat some very worthy candidates from some of the biggest gyms all over the UK in the category which applauds individuals for going ‘above and beyond’ with the aim of getting more people more active more often. Joakim trained as a Pilates Instructor with the Pilates Foundation, before qualifying as an Instructor with Body Control Pilates in 2004. He has a Level 4 Lower Back Pain Specialist Pilates accreditation with REPs, the Register of Exercise Professionals. Joakim is one of only a handful of Pilates Instructors in the UK who can claim direct lineage from Joseph Pilates, having completed a two year course with Lolita San Miguel- the Pilates Master Mentor Program. Lolita is one of the 1st Generation Pilates Elders, having trained and been certified by Joseph Pilates himself in New York City in the 1960’s.Joakim’s skills have been tested and honed under Lolita’s Mentorship and in 2015 Lolita invited Joakim to attend further training to become an Educator for her Comprehensive Pilates Teacher Training Course – Lolita’s Legacy. Joakim is now running regular Courses teaching the next generation of Pilates Instructors.

CAMERON ANGUS

Cameron is a collector of great ways to get people well, through movement and a positive mind set. He is a Clinical Specialist Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist with 40 years experience. Including a career as a military physiotherapist. He has special interests in chronic pain, spinal, pelvic and shoulder problems, whiplash and headaches. Cameron came across Pilates in the 1980s and learnt via J Grimes initially. A renowned Pilates teacher and international lecturer he trained as a fully certified studio pilates teacher over 30 years ago. He now trains pilates and other movement related instructors himself. Cameron has extensive experience in bodywork, performance and rehabilitation. Uniquely, Cameron may have been the first to teach pilates in Iraq and Afghanistan!  He has a passion in bringing best practice to the movement world. Understanding peoples motivations, and encouraging individuals to find their passion and enjoy movement and body ownership. His experience, knowledge and a positive approach create a unique blend, to help professionals and clients foster their health and education needs. The Pilates Gathering is Camerons vision and passion to bring more education, shared practice and develop teachers in Scotland and beyond.

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DUNCAN ORROCK

Aside from Pilates, Duncan is a keen runner, having taken part in over 40 marathons and half marathons and works with lots of local runners on improving running technique. Duncan uses his in-depth knowledge of running form and conditioning to design dedicated Pilates sessions for runners.

SPINEFITTER by SISSEL® Educator, Duncan has been teaching Pilates for over 17 years and has been part of the Teacher Training team for Body Control Pilates for the last 12 years. Duncan is certified in all aspects of Matwork and Studio Equipment. He is also a keen runner, having competed in 21 marathons, four 50k’s and numerous half marathons and 10k races. Duncan developed the Pilates for Runners teacher training course, and along with this he now teaches his own movement workshops around the UK. Duncan has completed 9 days of the AiM (Anatomy in Motion) Immersion course, and the Closed Chain Biomechanics of the Lower Limb. Duncan runs his own Studio, and he also teaches out of a studio at the Victoria Park Harriers running club in London. Duncan has been a keen advocate of the benefits of using the SPINEFITTER right from their original launch.

Having grown up in India, Colombia, Brazil and Spain, Duncan teaches in English, Spanish & Portuguese.