Valeria was born and raised in Naples, Italy. She trained extensively in ballet, contemporary and modern dance, gaining a First Class Degree at Trinity Laban Conservatoire (London) in 2014. She performed and choreographed in a variety of settings around Italy and UK, working as a freelance contemporary dancer and facilitator. During her dance career, she came across Pilates when recovering from a back injury. Having experienced the benefits of this technique herself, she decided to become an instructor, training with Alan Herdman and joining his comprehensive teacher training in 2019. Valeria is now a part of Alan’s team, in both his Marble Arch and Canary Wharf’s studios; she also teaches clients at Greenwich Market Studios, as well as leading contemporary dance classes and workshops in London and Italy.

Introduced to Pilates during his professional ballet training, after an injury Brian was convinced to train as an instructor as part of his rehabilitation. Training with Alan Herdman, he began teaching for him in his central London studio in 2006, moving to his Canary Wharf studio as part of the team setting it up in 2008. Brian's experience with his own rehabilitation has afforded him first hand knowledge of the benefits of Pilates in the rehabilitation of injuries. He has worked with dancers and athletes rehabilitating them after injury, working closely with physiotherapists and osteopaths. Also a keen swimmer, he has swum the English Channel both Solo (2015) and as part of a relay team (2013). He also maintains his connection with his performance past by volunteering at the Globe Theatre and has in the past worked with both the education and theatre department staff there.

Mauro, a native of Italy, has spent his life in sport – as a cyclist, a fitness trainer, and a fitness manager. He began his Pilates training in 2009 with Jolita Trahan, the owner of Pilates Network, a PMA recognized training program in Italy, and she transmitted the “Pilates passion” to him. To further his studies, he decided to come to London in 2010 to study with Alan Herdman. Mauro is now Alan’s team manager, helping him to run his studios, as well as the rest of his business. He still teaches at Alan’s Canary Wharf studio and in the last few years has continued his education with courses and workshops in Europe and the U.S.

A nurse and midwife for over 40 years, working in major London hospitals, Pat brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and expertise to the Pilates studio.

With a lifetime of exercise behind her Pat completed the Alan Herdman Teacher Training course in 2009. Known for her precision instruction and holistic hands on teaching Pat specialises in Pre and Postnatal Pilates and Prehabilitation and Rehabilitation Pilates of musculoskeletal injuries.

Pat also has experience rehabilitating post surgery clients. Having both clinical and practical skills enhancing her approach to teaching Pilates, delivering optimum outcomes for all her clients.

Caribbean raised Londoner, Annya has been in the sports and dance worlds from a very young age. She trained in classical ballet at Ballet Concierto Dominicano and is a previous member of the National Ballet Company in her native Dominican Republic. She is also a former professional flamenco dancer in the UK. Annya first discovered Pilates as a specialist training method for dancers with master classes by Lolita San Miguel in 1999, but her true passion began in 2018 when she re-discovered Pilates as a rehabilitation tool to recover from chronic injury.

Following this passion, she completed Alan Herdman’s Teacher Training program in 2021 and has been teaching at his Canary Wharf Studio since then. Annya’s pilates mission is to use the method and her personal experience to help people of all walks of life overcome injuries, physical pain and to become healthier and stronger through their Pilates journey.

Kate was born in the UK but spent her early years in France where her passion for ballet evolved. She was trained as a dancer and singer at Millennium Performing Arts where she was first introduced to Alan Herdman Studios as a case study recovering from ankle surgery in 2009. Kate began her dancing career at the age of 11 performing with the Chisinau National Ballet in Swan Lake. Her career has since taken her worldwide working for companies such as Disney.

Kate was delighted to join Alan Herdman’s team after completing the course in 2021 Kate also works in Oxford where she specialises in rehabilitation. In addition, Kate teaches at Swindon Dance Ballet Programme for young professionals. She also leads workshops and talks on Pilates, wellness and injury prevention. She has been invited to dance institutions such as the English National Ballet School.

Emma has a background in classical ballet and contemporary dance. Emma studied Pilates alongside her training at the Royal Ballet School White Lodge and Central School of Ballet where she achieved a BA Honours degree in Professional Dance and Performance. She believes that Pilates helps to create an inner awareness of the body, aiding movement in daily life. Emma gained her Pilates certification with Alan Herdman and has developed a particular interest in injury management and improving posture.