Anna Benson
- Thread starter Shoegal
- Start date
horseshowmom
Cathlete
That is so sad. I was first introduced to the concept of weight training with The Firm. She helped change my life.
Beavs
Cathlete
Me too. I'm sorry to learn she is no longer with us.
kathryn
Cathlete
That was totally unexpected news to me as well (wasn't she planning some new workouts? or at least still working on getting some of her older workouts on DVD?)
She was at times quirky (her book, the "Stepford-wife" presentation of her instructors), but she definitely was a pioneer in women's fitness, and someone who touched a lot of our lives in our fitness journey.
She was at times quirky (her book, the "Stepford-wife" presentation of her instructors), but she definitely was a pioneer in women's fitness, and someone who touched a lot of our lives in our fitness journey.
bonvivant
Cathlete
She didn't just change our lives. She really paved the way for Cathe and other fitness instructors to make their own videos. She has had a huge impact on the industry and left behind an incredible legacy. RIP Anna.
kaylasmom321
Cathlete
Wow, I am shocked. Just the other day I was thinking how truly brilliant she was. I did not know that she was ill. I hope she has found peace wherever she is now.
kryptychyck
Cathlete
That is a shame. I was a Firm Believer until I found Cathe. I always recommend the Firm # 2 series (newer ones) to novices. I recommend Cathe to the intermediate and advanced exercisers. I also have the classic Firm videos too and I thought they were great.
She will be missed I am sure.
She will be missed I am sure.
netsnotes16
Cathlete
Mods,hope it is okay to post. Copied/pasted from Nancy's Website
BIOGRAPHY
Anna Lynn Benson died on November 23, 2009, in Boquete, Panama. Born in Columbia, South Carolina on December 19, 1949, Anna was a sixth generation Columbian and lived most of her life here. She attended Heathwood Hall Episcopal School and was graduated from Dreher High School in 1967. She continued her education at Stratford College in Danville, Virginia, and was graduated from the University of South Carolina, where she earned a Bachelor's Degree in English, a Master's Degree in Library Science, and a Master's Degree in Educational Technology. Anna was a member of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral.
Blessed with intelligence and creativity, Anna developed her interests in fitness and history into many prestigious, noteworthy accomplishments. Always an ardent exerciser, Anna taught swimming lessons as a teenager to many of Columbia's children. In 1979, she founded the very successful and popular exercise studio, The Body Firm, in Charleston and Columbia. For more than 20 years, she created award-winning exercise techniques and trained numerous instructors in instructional performance. Beginning in 1986, Anna collaborated with her former husband, filmmaker Mark Henriksen, and her sister, Cynthia Benson, to create a best-selling library of exercise videos entitled The Firm. This ground-breaking series generated ongoing business with media giants such as Time- Life, BMG and Broadway Books; world-wide sales of The Firm have exceeded 100 million copies since the release of the first video. Anna also addressed specific needs of older exercisers with her later videos FitPrime and Fitness Favorites.
Based on her special interest in the history of the South, Anna also created, in collaboration with Mark Henriksen and Cynthia Benson, two internationally award-winning documentary films about the history and culture of the two Southern cities: The Key West Picture Show (1978) and Dear Charleston (1980) received multiple first-prize awards and five-star reviews from notable sources including the New York Times and the American Film Institute. Reflecting Anna's insightful interviewing skills and vibrant, energetic perspective, these fresh and entertaining films remain in print today.
Anna is survived by her husband, Herbert Jabloner; her father, Herbert L. Benson, Jr., and his wife, Barbara Quick (Long) Benson; her mother, Anna Marian Stanley Tucker, and her husband, Hubert W. Tucker; her sons, William Byrd Stanley Henriksen and Mark Herbert Phillips Henriksen; and her sisters, Cynthia Benson Clarke of Columbia, South Carolina, Frieda Benson Grimball of Norfolk, Virginia, and Sara Elizabeth Benson of Chicago, Illinois. In addition to the generation of instructors who continue to build on her legacy of achievement in exercise science, Anna also leaves behind countless exercise enthusiasts who continue to use and enjoy her informative, entertaining works.
The family in Columbia wishes to thank Herbert Jabloner, Scott Williams and the doctors and nurses at Chiriqui Hospital in David, Panama, for their expert care and compassion. Memorials may be made to the Oliver Gospel Mission, PO Box 7791, Columbia, SC 29202, or St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 1715 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201, or to the Building Fund, Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 1100 Sumter Street, Columbia, SC 29201. Friends may call at the homes of her parents.
A memorial service for the family and friends celebrating her life will be held Tuesday, December 1, 4:00 PM at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Columbia, South Carolina, The Reverend Dr. Tony A. Metze, pastor, officiating. Interment will be scheduled for a later date. Shives Funeral Home is assisting the family.
BIOGRAPHY
Anna Lynn Benson died on November 23, 2009, in Boquete, Panama. Born in Columbia, South Carolina on December 19, 1949, Anna was a sixth generation Columbian and lived most of her life here. She attended Heathwood Hall Episcopal School and was graduated from Dreher High School in 1967. She continued her education at Stratford College in Danville, Virginia, and was graduated from the University of South Carolina, where she earned a Bachelor's Degree in English, a Master's Degree in Library Science, and a Master's Degree in Educational Technology. Anna was a member of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral.
Blessed with intelligence and creativity, Anna developed her interests in fitness and history into many prestigious, noteworthy accomplishments. Always an ardent exerciser, Anna taught swimming lessons as a teenager to many of Columbia's children. In 1979, she founded the very successful and popular exercise studio, The Body Firm, in Charleston and Columbia. For more than 20 years, she created award-winning exercise techniques and trained numerous instructors in instructional performance. Beginning in 1986, Anna collaborated with her former husband, filmmaker Mark Henriksen, and her sister, Cynthia Benson, to create a best-selling library of exercise videos entitled The Firm. This ground-breaking series generated ongoing business with media giants such as Time- Life, BMG and Broadway Books; world-wide sales of The Firm have exceeded 100 million copies since the release of the first video. Anna also addressed specific needs of older exercisers with her later videos FitPrime and Fitness Favorites.
Based on her special interest in the history of the South, Anna also created, in collaboration with Mark Henriksen and Cynthia Benson, two internationally award-winning documentary films about the history and culture of the two Southern cities: The Key West Picture Show (1978) and Dear Charleston (1980) received multiple first-prize awards and five-star reviews from notable sources including the New York Times and the American Film Institute. Reflecting Anna's insightful interviewing skills and vibrant, energetic perspective, these fresh and entertaining films remain in print today.
Anna is survived by her husband, Herbert Jabloner; her father, Herbert L. Benson, Jr., and his wife, Barbara Quick (Long) Benson; her mother, Anna Marian Stanley Tucker, and her husband, Hubert W. Tucker; her sons, William Byrd Stanley Henriksen and Mark Herbert Phillips Henriksen; and her sisters, Cynthia Benson Clarke of Columbia, South Carolina, Frieda Benson Grimball of Norfolk, Virginia, and Sara Elizabeth Benson of Chicago, Illinois. In addition to the generation of instructors who continue to build on her legacy of achievement in exercise science, Anna also leaves behind countless exercise enthusiasts who continue to use and enjoy her informative, entertaining works.
The family in Columbia wishes to thank Herbert Jabloner, Scott Williams and the doctors and nurses at Chiriqui Hospital in David, Panama, for their expert care and compassion. Memorials may be made to the Oliver Gospel Mission, PO Box 7791, Columbia, SC 29202, or St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 1715 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201, or to the Building Fund, Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 1100 Sumter Street, Columbia, SC 29201. Friends may call at the homes of her parents.
A memorial service for the family and friends celebrating her life will be held Tuesday, December 1, 4:00 PM at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Columbia, South Carolina, The Reverend Dr. Tony A. Metze, pastor, officiating. Interment will be scheduled for a later date. Shives Funeral Home is assisting the family.
Sad news on this Thanksgiving Day. I have to count Anna Benson as being a blessing in my life. .
Through her Firm VHS tapes and then FitPrime DVD's, she brought me to home workouts and to taking charge of my fitness when I no longer could go to a dance class or gym. Her excellent production and cueing standards raised the bar for all at home fitness workouts.
Rest in Peace Anna.
Colleen
Through her Firm VHS tapes and then FitPrime DVD's, she brought me to home workouts and to taking charge of my fitness when I no longer could go to a dance class or gym. Her excellent production and cueing standards raised the bar for all at home fitness workouts.
Rest in Peace Anna.
Colleen