Keep Reaching Up
When the world abruptly closed its doors in March 2020, many instructors were forced to rethink how to show up for their communities. For Khetanya Henderson the shift wasn’t just logistical, it was spiritual.
“You know, it was probably the most present I had ever been,” she recalls. “It was a whirlwind, one day I was seeing clients face-to-face, and the next, on March 13th, the world stood still. I couldn’t ignore the fact that people still needed to stay healthy, stay alive (yes, that’s honestly where my mind was at the time), and feel connected to community.”
Her decision to offer free online classes was never part of a marketing plan. It was instinctive. “I didn’t have all the answers, but I knew I could lead with presence and positive energy. Offering free classes online wasn’t part of a strategy, it was a response. A way to stay grounded in service. I kept telling myself:
“If I can help just one person breathe deeper, move better, or feel less alone, that’s enough. And that purpose carried me.”
That purpose continues to guide her - from her personal practice to the community she’s cultivated worldwide.
A Love Story With Pilates
For Khetanya, Pilates arrived through the door of her performing career and then quietly became the foundation of her life.
“Pilates found me through my performing career, first as a dancer, then as an instructor searching for the deeper connection between strength and grace,” she says. What keeps her inspired is the method’s constant evolution.
“Short answer: it’s always evolving, from my personal practice to witnessing others fall just as deeply in love with it. What I love most is how it brings awareness to every inch of the body.
“For me, it’s not about perfect form, but about feeling aligned and powerful from the inside out.”
Watching clients discover their own strength is one of her greatest joys: “I love watching my clients surprise themselves rediscovering their strength, building trust in their bodies, and showing up consistently with love and curiosity.”
When KKRU Went Global
What began as a temporary pandemic solution quickly transformed into something far bigger.
“Seeing how far we've reached worldwide, from Australia to South Africa to Los Angeles still amazes me. I didn’t set out to build a global community; I just wanted to meet people where they were.”
And yet, community is exactly what formed - one that moved, breathed, laughed, and healed together. “We laughed, cried, moved, and healed together. That collective energy, even across time zones, became sacred. And it’s still growing.”
A Mantra That Became a Mission
At the centre of everything Khetanya teaches is one philosophy: Keep Reaching Up.
“‘Keep Reaching Up’ is more than a phrase - it’s my life compass,” she shares. It’s a lesson she carries from her brother, who passed in 2017. His resilience shaped her outlook.
“It reminds me that growth is a journey, not a destination. It’s about reaching for something greater, healing, hope, strength, or joy, even when it feels just out of reach.”
The mantra also represents her approach to community uplift: “And for me, it’s not only about rising, but about lifting others as I go. KKRU is that shared journey, a space where we all keep reaching, together.”
Moving for How the Body Feels, Not How It Looks
Khetanya’s teaching centers on empowerment rather than aesthetics.
“The body is constantly evolving, and we should honor that change with love and respect. I want my clients to feel empowered not punished.”
At KKRU, capability is celebrated: “As clients begin to feel more energized, aligned, and resilient, the aesthetics often follow naturally. But more importantly, they begin to fall in love with how their body supports them, every single day.”
What She Held Onto and What She Let Go
The pandemic clarified what truly matters.
“I held on tightly to my love for community, family, and friends and let go of everything that no longer served my inner being.”
“The pandemic taught me the true meaning of presence: to slow down, listen deeply, and live with intention.”
A Community Rooted in Care
Ask her to describe the KKRU community, and the words come easily: “Empowered. Compassionate. Diverse.”
Their strength lies not only in movement but in support for one another: “They root for one another, and that shared support is the heartbeat of KKRU.”
The Way She Teaches: Dance, Strength, Mindset
Khetanya’s movement philosophy is woven from every chapter of her life.
“It’s all woven together. Dance taught me how to hold a multifocus, to be fully present with the bodies in front of me while staying connected to the flow. Strength taught me structure. And mindset? That taught me discipline, the glue, the why behind the what.”
Her classes invite both intensity and introspection. “We don’t just build bodies, we build awareness. I want anyone who experiences my classes to walk away with more than just a toned body. I want them to leave with knowledge that empowers them.”
And her hope for every member?
“That they remember who they are powerful, capable, worthy - not just in movement, but in life.”
So what’s next for Khetanya?
“Expansion with heart, mission, and intention,” she says. I’ve now opened a physical studio, deeper teacher training, and accessible programs for underserved communities in Atlanta are all underway.
“I believe we each have the power to change our lives and create a better existence. That’s the work and the invitation of KKRU.”
Meet Khetanya at The Pilates Journal Expo – LA
Khetanya will be presenting at The Pilates Journal Expo California, January 10–11, 2026, sharing her signature blend of strength, storytelling, rhythm, and introspection. Join her in person and experience KKRU live.
KKRU Pilates Studio & Wellness is a community-centered movement space in Atlanta’s West End dedicated to strengthening the mind and body through classical Pilates, intentional movement, and holistic practices. Founded by Khetanya Henderson, KKRU offers group-based mat classes in Classical Pilates Mat, Sculpt, Yoga, Sound Healing, and additional wellness modalities—creating space for clients to meet themselves on the mat exactly as they are. The studio also provides semi-private and private apparatus-based Classical Pilates for deeper, individualized support. Once considered a wellness desert, the West End now has accessible, high-quality wellness offerings in its own neighborhood, and KKRU is honored to be part of the rich culture and progressive change shaping Atlanta’s future. Rooted in the philosophy “Keep Reaching Up,” KKRU blends expert instruction with an inclusive, community-driven environment that supports long-term strength, resilience, and personal growth.