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The Pilates PSA

The Pilates PSA

By: Heather Erdmann
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Pilates isn’t just a workout. It’s a cultural practice, a pedagogical lineage, and a mirror to the wellness industry’s values. What happens when we look beyond the studio and the algorithm? Welcome to Pilates PSA, a public service announcement for our practice and our profession. Hosted by Heather Erdmann, this podcast is where expertise meets ethics, and history informs teaching. We go beyond technique and trends to examine the systems, archives, and power structures shaping the Pilates industry today. Each episode features solo deep-dives or conversations with educators, historians, and practitioners who refuse to separate their craft from their conscience. We tackle the questions the industry often leaves unspoken: How do we build genuinely anti-racist, DEIA-centered studios and teacher trainings? What does meaningful solidarity look like—from marginalized communities in our own studios and teacher trainings? And how do we challenge extractive certification cultures while honoring the historical roots of this method? Here, integrity isn’t optional—it’s foundational. If you believe movement practices and education should be informed, ethically grounded, and unafraid to take a stand, you’re in the right place. New episodes drop bi-weekly. Subscribe, share with a colleague ready for real conversation, and join us in holding the industry to a higher standard. Full show notes, cited research, and actionable resources are linked in every episode feed. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are entirely my own and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any organization, or any affiliated entities. The content provided in this podcast is for general informational and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended to be, and should not be taken as, professional advice (including but not limited to legal, medical, financial, or psychological advice). While I strive to ensure the information shared is accurate and up-to-date, I make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, or suitability of the information. Any reliance you place on such information is strictly at your own risk. If this podcast features guests, their views and opinions are their own and do not necessarily reflect mine or those of any affiliated organizations. Copyright 2026 All rights reserved. Alternative & Complementary Medicine Exercise & Fitness Fitness, Diet & Nutrition Hygiene & Healthy Living
Episodes
  • Confidence or Competence w/ Ka’imi Fairbairn

    Confidence or Competence w/ Ka’imi Fairbairn
    Aug 17 2026

    Confidence vs. Competence with Ka’imi Fairbairn

    Host Heather Erdmann sits with Ka'imi Fairbairn to chat about his research and professional development related to confidence versus competence. They discuss specific scenarios, address misinformation and absolutes in social media, they connect the Dunning-Kruger effect to humility and growth mindset and Ka'imi describes focus, anchors, flow state and more. 00:00 Welcome to Pilates PSA 00:37 Meet Ka'imi Fairbairn 03:32 Confidence vs Competence 08:13 Humility and Mastery 13:31 The Confidence Competence Loop 17:11 Dunning Kruger and Misinformation 21:50 Focus and Performance 23:40 Whiteboard Black Dot 25:30 Defining Flow State 26:47 Practice Builds Autopilot 29:43 Teaching In The Zone 32:57 Anchors To Reenter Flow 34:16 Modern Life Distractions 36:02 Confidence Versus Competence 37:14 Dunning Kruger Breakdown 41:00 Humility And Quiet Confidence 47:00 Max Potential Focus 47:55 Closing And Call To Action
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    49 mins
  • PMA and NCPC Breakdown with guest, Ben Erdmann

    PMA and NCPC Breakdown with guest, Ben Erdmann
    Jul 14 2026

    Pilates PSA: The Pilates Method Alliance & NPCP — Who Are They Really Serving?

    In this episode, host Heather Erdmann* is joined by Ben Erdmann, administrative coordinator for Rebel Pilates Collective, for a deep-dive critique of two of the industry's most influential organizations: the Pilates Method Alliance (PMA) and the National Pilates Certification Program (NPCP).

    Heather traces the PMA's origins back to the elders who organized before, in and around the Pilates trademark lawsuit, exploring how a small, closed circle of insiders shaped standards that would come to govern the entire industry. From there, the conversation unpacks the 2020–2021 split that created the NPCP as a supposedly independent, third-party testing body — and questions how separate the two organizations really are given overlapping stakeholders with shared financial incentives.

    Together, Heather and Ben dig into the murky language around "certificate" vs. "certification" vs. "credential," the lack of any government regulation behind these terms, and what it actually means (and doesn't mean) for an organization to be "accredited." They examine the NPCP's exam pass rates, study guide sales, and recurring continuing-education requirements, raising pointed questions about whether the system is designed to protect students and safeguard the public — or to generate recurring revenue.

    The episode also addresses accountability gaps within the industry, including instances where ethical violations have gone unaddressed, and closes with a broader reflection on what genuine industry regulation could look like versus the self-appointed authority these organizations currently claim.

    This is a candid, well-researched conversation for teachers, teacher trainers, and students trying to make sense of certification in an unregulated field — and a call to ask harder questions of the organizations claiming to represent Pilates professionals.

    *Disclosure: Heather Erdmann is the owner of a Pilates teacher training program (Rebel Pilates Collective); this disclosure is made directly in the episode.

    Show Notes: Heather's "unhinged" PMA social media post: https://www.instagram.com/p/DY8Yr67jvsy/?img_index=1

    PMA Latest IRS 990 https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/651074374 PMA Code of Ethics: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/6896366bbdee3f1cb97a4ca4/t/689f537052625d32a74f64cc/1755272048435/PMA+Code+of+Ethics.png

    NCPC 990s https://nationalpilatescertificationprogram.org/common/Uploaded%20files/NPCP/About/2024%20Tax%20Return%20Documents.pdf NCPC General information List: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/cu/gH4XGWt/NPCPtaxes NCPC Annual Report https://nationalpilatescertificationprogram.org/common/Uploaded%20files/NPCP/About/2025%20NPCP%20Annual%20Report.pdf

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    1 hr and 19 mins
  • The Pilates Lawsuit - moderated by Joey Marino

    The Pilates Lawsuit - moderated by Joey Marino
    Jun 9 2026

    Join Heather Erdmann and Joey Marino to discuss the copyright lawsuit that is currently active in the Pilates industry. To help this podcast launch, it means the world to me if you can like, follow, save, share, comment on any platform. This is a grassroots effort to inform the Pilates industry of the things that you won't hear from any stage at any curated conference. As promised in the episode, here are links to places you can begin to learn more about the issues at hand. 1. 93 page court decision in the 2000 Trademark Lawsuit https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.pilates.com/resources/aboutpilates/pilates-decision.pdf

    2. Evidence in the ongoing copyright lawsuit: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bN0UymQSwiEoxx4ZCZkvc784A8jtWYaH/view and https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hkRIqY42dS0hM0BU5Mn4ztJbUPysRzm3/view 3. The Pilates Transparency Project links: https://linktr.ee/pilatestransparencyproject

    Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are entirely my own and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any organization, or any affiliated entities. The content provided in this podcast is for general informational and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended to be, and should not be taken as, professional advice (including but not limited to legal, medical, financial, or psychological advice). While I strive to ensure the information shared is accurate and up-to-date, I make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, or suitability of the information. Any reliance you place on such information is strictly at your own risk. If this podcast features guests, their views and opinions are their own and do not necessarily reflect mine or those of any affiliated organizations.
    Show More Show Less
    48 mins
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