Daniel Chan
Daniel is a distinguished Pilates Master Educator, Corrective Movement Specialist, and Rehab Training Innovator with over 27 years of experience at the forefront of fitness education. His career is defined by a commitment to advancing movement science through biomechanics, injury prevention, and progressive teaching methodologies. Beginning his journey at age 17 with weight training, Daniel transitioned from engineering to fitness in 1998, driven by a passion for human movement and a childhood dream of gymnastics. Today, he stands as a leading authority in Pilates instruction and rehabilitative movement strategies.
With 25 years as a Pilates Teacher Trainer, Daniel has cultivated a global impact, educating instructors across Singapore, Australia, Thailand, Jakarta, and Seoul. His expertise is deeply rooted in the Fletcher Pilates® tradition, honed under the mentorship of the late Ron Fletcher (2004–2011). As a Fletcher Pilates® Adjunct Faculty member (2008–2014), he established a reputation for rigorous, science-backed teacher development, seamlessly integrating classical Pilates principles with contemporary movement research.
In 2014, Daniel co-founded BodyTree Academy (BTA), where he conceived and developed the Prehab Trainer™ Program—an innovative rehabilitation-to-performance framework designed to address critical gaps in fitness education. This proprietary system merges biomechanical joint analysis (informed by his certifications in Functional Range Conditioning® and Active Release Technique®), evidence-based progressions for injury resilience (drawing from his Clinical Orthopedic Manual Therapy training), and applied motor learning strategies tailored for diverse populations.
A sought-after speaker and researcher, Daniel has presented peer-reviewed workshops at prestigious forums such as the International Health & Science Pilates Congress (2020) and Asia Fitness Conference (2017). His work focuses on mobility preservation in aging athletes, prehab strategies for upper-limb conditioning (inspired by his study of Gymnastic Strength Training®), and pelvic-core integration (informed by Burrell Education certifications). His Rehab Trainer Methodology has gained recognition for its data-driven approach to injury management, particularly for clients over 40, demonstrating that age need not limit one's movement potential when guided by scientific principles.
Currently pursuing a 5-year Diploma leading to Master Degree in Osteopathy, Daniel continues to push boundaries in bridging manual therapy with movement education. His mission—to empower trainers with the knowledge to decode the "why" behind movement—ensures clients and professionals alike can train with precision and purpose. Recognized as "Pilates Instructor of the Year 2017" (Fitness Best Elites) and serving as Director of Education at BodyTree Academy, Daniel's work stands at the intersection of academic rigor and practical application, transforming how movement is taught and practiced worldwide.
Credentials
Co-Founder (BodyTree Group)
Director of Education (BodyTree Academy)
Won “Fitness Best Elites – Pilates Instructor of the Year 2017”
Creator of Prehab Trainer™
Active Release Technique© – Lower Limb level 1
Active Release Technique© – Upper Limb level 1
Active Release Technique© – Spine level 1
Active Release Technique© – Nerve level 1
Rehab Trainer
Functional Range Conditioning (FRC ® ) Mobility Specialist
Functional Range Assessment Specialist
Barefoot Training Specialist® Level 1, 2, 3
Presented 1 virtual workshop at International Health & Science Pilates Congress(2020)
Presented 5 workshops at February Pilates International Meeting Spain (2020)
Presented 2 workshops at Asia Fitness Conference & Expo (2017)
Presented 2 workshops at Fletcher Pilates® Conference (2011)
Fletcher Pilates® Adjunct Faculty (2008-2014)
Pilates Teacher (Pilates BodyTree®)
Fletcher Pilates® Professional Teacher
Clinical Orthopedic Manual Therapy
Certified Basic Sports Massage therapist
Certificate in Management of Sports Injuries
BARE® Workout Instructor
Pelvic Floor & Core Foundations (Burrell Education)
Women’s Wellness & Whole Body Vibration (Burrell Education)