GRATZ GALLERY | MARCELO AND TAÍS HAYDÉE GADAR
Image Caption: Marcelo Gadar (age 10) on the Wunda Chair
THE TABLETOP EXERCISE ON THE WUNDA CHAIR (left side)
"Because bones typically grow faster than muscles and tendons, children who exercise intensely during growth spurts can place stress on their growth plates and develop overuse injuries. My ten year old son is passionate about basketball, but all the running and jumping can irritate his heels and knees, so he does Pilates weekly as cross-training to build strong and flexible muscles. I modify the Tabletop exercise on the Wunda Chair for him by eliminating the leg pumps. I simply have him "set the table" by holding the tabletop shape. Holding this shape strengthens his arms, hamstrings, and seat muscles, and it opens his chest. Strong arms helps him shoot the basketball. Strong seat and leg muscles help him run faster than his opponents and help him jump high to make baskets. And flexibility in his chest helps him keep his chest lifted while dribbling the ball. Watch out Steph Curry!"
Image Caption: Taís Haydée Gadar (age 8) using Magic Circle on the Low Folding Mat
THE PRESS DOWN WITH THE MAGIC CIRCLE ON THE LOW FOLDING MAT
"It is important for young children to develop their muscles uniformly so that they will avoid developing imbalances as adults. My eight year old daughter is very right-side dominant. She loves to do cartwheels, but only to her right side, and when she does a Pilates Roll-Up she relies heavily on the muscles in the right side of her torso to sit up. One handed push-ups against the wall are very helpful to build up her left side, and so is the Press Down exercise with the Magic Circle. I have her start with her weaker side (her left leg), repeat on her stronger side (her right leg), and do an extra set on her weaker side (her left leg). To help her maintain evenness in her torso, I place the Short Pole across her waist. If the pole wiggles as she presses down on the circle, she knows that she is not maintaining her alignment from shoulder to shoulder, and hip to hip."
Discovering Joe Pilates: A Whimsical Exploration of Joe's Inventions
Written by Christina Maria Gadar and Illustrated by Taís Haydée Gadar
Enter a world where push-up devices become damselflies and mats become flying carpets. Learn about an imaginative man who turned wheelchairs and beer barrels into exercise equipment. "Discovering Joe Pilates" introduces readers to the amazing inventor behind the Pilates Method and displays the whimsical side of Pilates' inventions as seen through the eyes of children. Readers will be delighted by the whimsical illustrations, captivated by the history of Joe's inventions, and might even get a chuckle from the silly poems. This not-so-typical children's book blends the genius of Joe Pilates and the imagination of children into a book sure to please readers of all ages. Reading level: Grade 3 and up.
Note: A portion of the royalties from this book will be donated to The Benjamin Gilkey Fund for Innovative Pediatric Cancer Research.
