The Pilates PSA

PMA and NCPC Breakdown with guest, Ben Erdmann

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/651074374PMA Code of Ethics:https://static1.squarespace.com/static/6896366bbdee3f1cb97a4ca4/t/689f537052625d32a74f64cc/1755272048435/PMA+Code+of+Ethics.png 
NCPC 990shttps://nationalpilatescertificationprogram.org/common/Uploaded%20files/NPCP/About/2024%20Tax%20Return%20Documents.pdf NCPC General information List: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/cu/gH4XGWt/NPCPtaxesNCPC Annual Reporthttps://nationalpilatescertificationprogram.org/common/Uploaded%20files/NPCP/About/2025%20NPCP%20Annual%20Report.pdf 

The Pilates Lawsuit - moderated by Joey Marino

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.

Pilates PSA with Sonja Herbert, Black Girl Pilates Founder

Pilates isn’t just a workout. It’s a cultural practice, a pedagogical lineage, and a mirror to the wellness industry’s values. Pilates PSA is a public service announcement for our practice and profession. Hosted by Heather Erdmann, this podcast is where expertise meets ethics, and history informs pedagogy.
 
In this episode, join Heather with guest Sonja Herbert, founder of Black Girl Pilates.Sonja's first viral article: https://www.girlsgonestrong.com/blog/author/sonja-herbert/Black Girl Pilates on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackgirlpilates/ More:https://bookshop.org/p/books/deconstructing-the-fitness-industrial-complex-how-to-resist-disrupt-and-reclaim-what-it-means-to-be-fit-in-american-culture-justice-roe-williams/01e333767074bd98?ean=9781623177270&next=t