Meet Ben Caron: Transformational Experience Producer, Musician & Creator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ben Caron and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ben, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
Personal integrity. If something doesn’t feel right, if it isn’t in alignment with my personal integrity, then I know that it has to change somehow. I try to cultivate my personal awareness, and to be in conversation with myself. I try to ask myself in moments of internal tension/dissonance, “how could this situation be adjusted/modified in a way that would feel good/exciting/right to me?” Then I try and courageously communicate that need for adjustment to whomever I need to in order to set the situation back into alignment. I find that my life moves in waves, and I’m constantly in the practice of beginning again and finding my way back to center, back to love.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I love creating and facilitating transformational experiences, whether that’s a yoga class, a dance party, a group meditation, a community dialogue, or a concert. Whatever path best leads us to love. My creative and spiritual journeys (which are essentially the same journey) have been about discovering and sharing methods of remembering and returning to the love that’s available to all of us at all times. I’m still on that journey, and I facilitate as a fellow practitioner rather than as a master. I’m definitely still in the practice. I believe in a holistic approach to healing, because what works for one person or one situation might not work for all. Yoga, music, community/connection, mindfulness, dance, writing, these are all paths to the same place, in my opinion, and I like to use the best path for the situation, person and/or moment at hand. I’m grateful that over the years I’ve had the good fortune of meeting mentors, teachers and fellow creators who have shared their gifts, tools and passion with me, and I do my best to pass on what I’ve learned to whomever is seeking it. I’m still learning, growing, unfolding, and it’s humbling to be in that process while also teaching/organizing/sharing. I struggle with perfectionism, so it can be terrifying to lead people while I’m still in process, while I’m still learning and making my own mistakes. But I think there’s something powerful and liberating about being honest about where I am, what I struggle with, while offering myself in service to others.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Some of my favorite day trips in LA are Yamashiro, Lake Shrine, Topanga Canyon, The Hollywood Reservoir, Larchmont Village, Huntington Beach, the hike to the Griffith Observatory, and walking around The Music Center & Grand Park in DTLA. I’d take them to eat at Cafe Gratitude, Gracias Madre, Laurel Hardware, Cleo, The Velvet Margarita or El Compadre. We’d dance at Motown Mondays at The Short Stop, hopefully catch a Hush Concert (headphone party) on a beach, dance with Ecstatic Dance LA and Daybreaker LA, and stop for a drink at Tramp Stamp Granny’s, The Rooftop at Mama Shelter, The Edison or the many excellent bars in Downtown LA on and around Broadway. We’d see concerts at Hotel Cafe, The Theater at The Ace Hotel (don’t miss the rooftop) and Black Rabbit Rose. It’s so weird to think that I haven’t been to any of these places in a year. I miss LA. Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My life would not be what it is without the support systems of my husband, my family and my community. They inspire, support and uplift me, always. I’ve also had amazing teachers, mentors and collaborators.

Website: www.bencaroncreates.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/bencaroncreates

Twitter: www.twitter.com/bencaroncreates

Facebook: www.facebook.com/bencaroncreates

Youtube: www.youtube.com/bencaroncreates

Image Credits
Janis Yue, James Byous, Abel Armas, William Smart