Fascinated by the history of his fellow German, Benjamin Degenhardt took a deep dive into Joseph Pilates’ archive to develop his 360° Pilates education platform and the ever-popular March MATness social media campaign.
PILATES STYLE Where did you grow up? What was your childhood like?
BENJAMIN DEGENHARDT I grew up in Gelsenkirchen, a city in northwest Germany, the younger of two brothers. I was always a fidgety kid but didn't take to sports. My parents had just about given up finding an athletic activity for me when I discovered a love for dance. I was fascinated watching music videos on MTV and would wait for my favorite ones to air so I could learn the steps. Thankfully my parents supported my hobby and got me into classes and a local dance troupe. Dance gave me an identity and a way to express myself, creatively and beyond.
PS What did you do after high school?
BENJAMIN I spent a year-and-a-half working as a caretaker in a school for disabled children. During that time, I also started dancing professionally in regional musical theatre productions. Though I was considering a career in special education or occupational therapy, I decided to audition for a few dance programs, thinking that if I got accepted I'd try being a dancer first. Fast forward I got accepted to a dance training in the Netherlands in 1998!
PS How did you discover Pilates?
BENJAMIN Pilates was one of many subjects that were part of my dance program. The university had a rotation of three teachers who taught daily mat classes and, over time, opened studios close to campus. I didn't know this then, but all three of them had completed their training with Romana Kryzanowska.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Finding New Momentum
Overcoming obstacles caused by the pandemic, the virtual version of this popular festival still achieved its goals.
Carola Trier's Extraordinary Journey
In his authoritative biography of the first woman to open a studio, Reiner Grootenhuis delved into her personal papers to tell the harrowing story of her time in a prison camp during World War II.
Racism in the Pilates Industry
Incidents of police brutality and the ensuing Black Lives Matter protests have shed a bright light on systemic racism in the U.S., including in the Pilates industry. Here, Black instructors share their experiences.
For Self-defense
Moves of the Month
Comfort Food Made Healthy
This fall, cozy up to tantalizing comfort food that’s also healthy. A new cookbook from Kristin Cavallari shows you how.
Pilates Postcard
A Pilates teacher shares how the method is making waves abroad.
The Ultimate Gift
One year ago, Kahley Schiller’s life was completely upended by an extreme health crisis. But thanks to her 20-year Pilates practice, the 40-year-old was able to recover quickly.
Revelations
For Sarita Allen, a star of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and a protégée of Kathleen Stanford Grant, Pilates was key to her decades-long career.
Meaning WITHIN THE Movement
The Five Elements of Chinese Medicine help you go deeper into your practice, promising plenty of play along the way.
PILATES IN THE HOOD
Though she’s trained many top stars, Kim Carruthers says she’s most proud of her work as the founder and director of a nonprofit bringing the method to underserved communities.
