AcroSage Beginnings
In 1985 Benjamin was recovering from a back injury and discovered that by incorporating massage techniques with simple inverted acrobatic positions worked wonders for relieving spinal compressions & structural misalignments.
In the next few years, while practicing with the Waikiki Acrobatic troupe, he developed a specific sequence of positions, incorporating acrobatics & massage that came to be known as AcroSage. (pronounced acro as in acrobatics & sage as in massage) Other significant benefits discovered, included increased blood circulation, lymphatic drainage, relieving digestive disorders and migraines. He also found great results in the teaching of AcroSage and psychological rewards of helping others with their self esteem issues, confidence and an overall emotional wellbeing.
< Teaching at the Rainbow Gathering in New Mexico 1992
The AcroSage technique is now recognized internationally as a leading modality in the field of inversion therapy. Benjamin has been offering treatments and facilitating AcroSage workshops worldwide since 1988. He has students across the U.S., Canada, Germany, Italy, Sweden, England, New Zealand, Japan & Bali. Many offshoots of AcroSage have evolved as a result of Benjamin's teachings, including, Paul Terrell in England at: (http://www.inversiontherapy.net.) Samantha Sunshine who helped co-create the AcroSage Manual. She now practices in her studio in Vail, Colorado (http://www.sunshinemassagestudio.com) Jason Nemer & Jenny Sauer-Klein, Founders of the AcroYoga movement, spreading the teaching worldwide, anchoring a new tribe of 'community in cooperation.' (http://www.acroyoga.org)
Tyler Nilson at: (http://www.bodymudras.com) Luka Leppard at: (http://www.tulayoga.com)
About Benjamin
Benjamin's career began in his teens as an apprentice actor at the PAF Playhouse (The Performing Arts Foundation of Huntington N.Y. on Long Island, founded by his father Clint Marantz.) At 18 he began to study mime for several summers with the renowned mimist Tony Montanaro at the Celebration Mime Theatre in South Paris, Maine. There, he also began his circus arts training under Bob Berky and Fred Garbo (former teacher with the Ringling Brothers' Circus). For the next 25 years Benjamin toured with different partners, performing vaudeville comedy from the streets of Honolulu, Boston, N.Y., San Fransisco & New Orleans to European cabarets to world expos.
In 1980 he moved to Honolulu, HI. with his first wife Jeannie Wall and together established the 'One Ring Circus', combining theatre and circus skills. For the next 7 years, they street performed nightly in Waikiki. In 1984 he stumbled across a jovial group of acrobats and began training with the Waikiki Acrobatic Troupe. In 1984 & 85 he won a bronze, two silver and two gold medals (men's pair and men's four) at the U.S. National Sports Acrobatic Competitions in Honolulu & New Orleans. It was with the W.A.T. that his knowledge and expertise of acrobatics flourished and the eventual birthing of the AcroSage Technique. He offers special gratitude to Don Heafner, his partner and director of the W.A.T.
In 1987, he and 12 other circus arts 'comrades' established Hawaii's Volcano Circus and BellyAcres, a 10 acre non-profit circus artists' community, in Puna on the Big Island of Hawaii. His brother Eric and wife Aileen are there now with 33 other members (most off Island) who help run the community and a performing arts center called S.P.A.C.E. )
In 1992 he moved to Christchurch, New Zealand for 9 months with his second wife Ishara. There he performed his one man 'Monkey Light Circus' & continued to teach and offer AcroSage sessions on a regular basis in the Christchurch town square. A difficult decision was made to separate with his beloved Ishara as they both knew spirit wanted him to devote the majority of his time, developing the AcroSage technique.
In 1995 he moved to San Rafael California where he felt AcroSage would be recognized in a more conscious community. It was there he helped establish the 'Light of Heart Center' where he continued to teach AcroSage. In the following years he toured extensively with the Whole Life Expos across the U.S.
In 2002 Benjamin finally took a break from teaching and traveling and rooted himself in Kailua Kona, co-creating the Banyan Tree Sanctuary as an organic farm and place of meditation. For the past 15 years, he has focused on learning sustainable living techniques, organic farming skills and now deeply committed to musical career playing classics from the 6o's & 70's plus his own original songs based on his new vegan lifestyle. Teaming up with Rae George, the Banyan Tree business manager calling themselves WeBV. Benjamin on guitar and vocals and Rae on percussions and back up vocal harmonies. They can be seen monthly at www.underthebodhi.net. You can learn more at: http://www.banyantreesanctuary.com