About
Beyond The Mat's journey began with a company called AcroSpirit, founded in Bali in 2019. AcroSpirit introduced the world to The AcroBack, an innovative acroyoga support pillow. After numerous iterations, The AcroBack has evolved into the premier acroyoga support pillow globally. Known for its superior design and support, it has become a must-have for acroyoga enthusiasts, helping them achieve better balance and comfort during their practice.
The story of The AcroBack began when our founder, Brent Collier, suffered from two herniated discs in his back and embarked on a self-healing journey using yoga and physical therapy, achieving 70% recovery. During this journey, he discovered acroyoga and fell in love with it. However, the practice was initially painful, prompting the creation of The AcroBack. As others saw The AcroBack and inquired about it, Brent designed it with innovative features: two types of foam (denser foam on the bottom for support and thinner, softer foam on top for comfort), waterproof fabric for sweat resistance, and a magnetic buckle strap for convenience.
The AcroBack now features different versions to cater to various needs:
The AcroBack Black Label: The original premium version.
The AcroBack Go: A foldable, portable version perfect for acroyogis on the go.
The AcroBack Lite: An economical, lightweight version for budget-conscious users.
The AcroBack Pro: A high-end version with advanced features for serious practitioners.
Beyond The Mat also curates and sells products produced by other acroyogis around the world, offering a diverse range of high-quality gear and accessories to support the global acroyoga community.
Founder’s Bio
Brent Collier, the founder of Beyond The Mat, hails from the Bay Area in California. With a robust background in business and technology, Brent worked for many years in San Francisco's Silicon Valley. He started as a business operations strategy consultant at Deloitte Consulting and, being a self-taught programmer, advanced to become a software architect at a unicorn startup in Silicon Valley.
Brent's life took a significant turn when he herniated two discs in his back, rendering him unable to walk. On medical leave, he turned to yoga and physical therapy for healing. Seeking further recovery, he traveled to Bali and attended Andrew Seeley's first retreat, where he fell in love with the practice of yoga. Captivated by Bali's serene environment and the transformative power of yoga, Brent decided to stay.
In Bali, Brent's healing journey continued as he discovered acroyoga. This practice not only deepened his connection to yoga but also strengthened his core, taking his recovery from 70% to 95%. The remarkable improvement in his health and well-being inspired him to create Beyond The Mat, aiming to share the benefits of acroyoga and build a global community around it.
Leveraging his business experience, Brent started Beyond The Mat with a group of other acroyogis, leading to the creation of AcroSpirit. They conducted classes, workshops, and retreats before Brent split off the company to focus on manufacturing The AcroBack and designing other products, driven by his newfound love for design and architecture.
