second generation pilates instructor

Jennifer DeLuca, owner of BodyTonic Pilates Gymnasium in Brooklyn, NY. Jennifer began her Pilates life in 1985 at the esteemed High School for the Performing Arts in New York City. Part of the curriculum was a semester of the Pilates Mat under the tutelage of Nancy Butler. Not exactly wowed by Pilates, Jennifer couldn’t have anticipated how her love of dance and movement would intersect with the Pilates method. 
Joe Pilates said, "A healthy body is your birthright,” but his quote would be tested when Jennifer discovered a lump in her breast and was diagnosed with breast cancer in July of 2020. Learning she had the BRCA gene, Jennifer made the hard decision to have a double mastectomy. So began her journey of isolation, surgeries and chemotherapy. She credits the support of her staff, clients and her own Pilates practice for helping her return to health.
Today, Jennifer has no known cancer and she and her business, BodyTonic are thriving. For those who are dealing with any kind of health issue, you may find this interview very inspiring. 

For more information about Jennifer DeLuca: https://www.body-tonic.com
Theme music: Soul Blues Piano Shuffle by Boom Zoom
For more information about Darien Gold: https://www.dariengold.com

If someone wants to learn the Pilates method, he or she most likely will sign up for a classical or modern Pilates class. However, before there was classical or modern, there was just Joe’s method that he called Contrology, but for some his work is also referred to as “Archival Pilates.” This term means that Joe’s exercises are taught and practiced exactly as he documented and demonstrated. But does anyone “own” these archival exercises? Well, no, they do not. If someone were to search out a studio that offers archival Pilates lessons taught on replicas of Joe’s apparatus designs, they might find a Pilates teacher like Christina Gadar, our guest today. 

Christina is a Second generation Pilates instructor who not only teaches Joe’s work at her own space, Gadar Pilates in Sarasota, Florida, but after almost two years of research has created an online educational platform called, Open Access Pilates Archives. It’s her mission to introduce Joe’s original work to Pilates teachers and enthusiasts by demonstrating the archival method and she also includes her own notations. Christina is the author of six books and the creator of the Pilates Animals Workout for children.

For more information about Christina Gadar: https://www.pilatespersonaltraining.com
www.amazon.com/author/christinagadar
www.instagram.com/open_access_pilates_archives
www.instagram.com/gadarpilates
Theme music: Soul Blues Piano Shuffle by Boom Zoom
For more information about Darien Gold: https://www.dariengold.com

Welcome to the ALL THINGS PILATES Season Three highlight show.

This Season was a fun one for me and I hope you thought so also. As with Season one and two, there were many opinions expressed about the Pilates method, but this time around there were also insights shared about the Pilates history in photos and magazine articles. There were complimentary modalities presented and how they fit in to the Pilates landscape. Many episodes illuminated the versatility of Joe’s method and his inventions. You also heard from some of my hard working students when asked how the Pilates method had impacted their lives. For your listening pleasure, ALL THINGS PILATES presents the 2021 Season highlight show.

In order of Guest appearance:
Mary Bowen
Judith Green
Joe DeRuvo
Liz Koch
Dr. Nic Butowski
Roberta Kirschenbaum
Chuck Rapoport

In order of Student testimonials:
Alison Newsome
Mary Spragens
Jesse Hombre Bandera
Kate Brady
Jonathan Grubb
Beatrice de Nijs
Carole LeMaitre

Mastered audio mix: Fabian Romero

Music credits:
Kiwi Lime - River Beats
Lights - Vincent88
Damned - Jahzzar

I met my guest, Moses Urbano over 20 years ago during a Romana’s Pilates convention and we’ve stayed connected ever since. Moses’s personal philosophy is to forever remain a student and he demonstrates this by continuing as a student with his fellow teachers and instructor trainers at Romana’s Pilates. 

His passion is to share his Pilates journey and to support Pilates instructors around the world. Through the late 1990’s and early 2000’s, Moses had the great privilege of assisting and traveling with Romana Kryzanowska on her certifying tours abroad. Though Romana is no longer with us physically, I know her spirit is very happy to know Moses has taken a leadership role in the Pilates community and is mentoring new generations of teachers.

Please note: The phone connection was less than optimal, my apologies.

Original air date: April 28, 2019