Heidi first became interested in pilates when a hip injury  forced her to stop cycling.  Heidi found that pilates not only helped her with her injury rehabilitation, but completely changed her body shape and awareness, and approach to training, for the better. Inspired by the impact pilates had on her both physically and mentally, Heidi decided to train to become a pilates instructor with KarenPearce at the Pilates Studio, Taunton, affiliated with Alan Herdman.  Alan trained with Carola Trier and BobFitzgerald, who were taught by Joseph Pilates himself.   Alan introduced pilates to the UK in the1970s and has written many books on the subject and is a highly sought after international presenter.  I was assessed by him as part of my training.My training consisted of learning and practicing the entire repertoire of apparatus and matwork exercises taught at the studio, whilst also observing and teaching, under supervision, for a year.  There were numerous lectures on anatomy and physiology, and we covered a variety of common neurological ailments, conditions and injuries.