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Misadventures of a Garden State Yogi: My Humble Quest to Heal My Colitis, Calm My ADD, and Find the Key to Happiness
As a college freshman business major suffering from a variety of anxiety-related maladies, Brian Leaf stumbled into an yoga. It was 1989. All his classmates were female. And men did not yet generally “cry, hug, or do yoga.” But yoga soothed and calmed Leaf as nothing else had. As his hilarious and wise tale shows, Leaf embarked on a quest for health and happiness — visiting yoga studios around the country and consulting Ayurvedic physicians, swamis, and even (accidentally) a prostitute. Twenty-one years later, he teaches yoga and meditation and is the beloved founder of a holistic tutoring center that helps students whose ailments he once shared.
264 pages, Paperback
First published September 26, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
June 6, 2019
Brian Leaf discovered that yoga helped him with several problems due to high anxiety. He was a freshman at Georgetown University when he took his first yoga class. He tells about a cross country trip with a friend where he tried out various forms of yoga, and also had some hilarious adventures along the way. He spent years learning about yoga and meditation, and now teaches yoga and runs a tutoring center for students.
The memoir gives advice about listening to your body and quieting your mind. He also writes about his search for his authentic self instead of being the person others expect you to be. The book is entertaining, and includes many humorous or self-deprecating incidents. Occasionally there can be too much information about his GI problems. The author emphasizes that everyone has to find their own way, and find what works for them. I'm not the ideal reader for this book since I haven't done yoga in forty years. However, much of the information about a journey toward health and happiness can apply to anyone.
The memoir gives advice about listening to your body and quieting your mind. He also writes about his search for his authentic self instead of being the person others expect you to be. The book is entertaining, and includes many humorous or self-deprecating incidents. Occasionally there can be too much information about his GI problems. The author emphasizes that everyone has to find their own way, and find what works for them. I'm not the ideal reader for this book since I haven't done yoga in forty years. However, much of the information about a journey toward health and happiness can apply to anyone.
November 30, 2012
Misadventures of a Garden State Yogi is organized loosely around Brian’s “Eight Keys to Happiness.” Normally, this sort of thing would cause me to toss a book straight into the recycling bin. I generally dislike pop-psychology or self-help lists — e.g. “Five Keys to Success,” “Ten Steps to a Healthier You,” etc. — as they tend to be unhelpful and unrealistic quick-fixes to very real problems. But in the case of Brian Leaf’s book, his “Eight Keys to Happiness” are not only very reasonable; they are the result of lived experience.
Here’s an illustrative example of Brian’s wacky, but totally engaging, storytelling style. During a cross-country trip with a friend, Brian ends up at some hot springs in Arizona, hanging out with a passed-out Native American man, several twenty-something college women, and a group of Phish roadies. Of course, everyone’s naked. For some reason, it makes sense to Brian to leave this place and drive, all by himself, straight into a sand storm so he can practice yoga and meditate. Then he has an ice cream cone at Woolworth’s. The conclusion of this episode is one of Brian’s “Keys to Happiness”: Cultivate and Follow Your Intuition. How Brian gets from Point A to B is a bit of a magic trick. But somehow it works, and it even makes sense.
Yes, Brian’s book is filled with even more entertaining stories and misadventures. The greatest thing I can say about his book, though, is that it inspired me to take up meditation in earnest. I am 100% serious about this. Throughout my life, I’ve tried, and mostly failed, to take up a regular meditation practice. Sure, we’ve all heard that meditation is this great thing. There’s also mounting scientific evidence that meditation helps with all sorts of mental, emotional, psychological, and physical problems. But it’s damn near impossible for most people, including well-meaning yogis, to really commit to and stick with a meditation practice.
If you’re in the market for a good read, or perhaps a nice holiday gift for another yogi, I highly recommend Brian Leaf’s Misadventures of a Garden State Yogi. It’s easy to read without being simplistic. It’s enlightening without being pretentious. It’s philosophical without being esoteric. This is that rare book that can inspire you to make actual, positive changes in your life. It did for me.
Here’s an illustrative example of Brian’s wacky, but totally engaging, storytelling style. During a cross-country trip with a friend, Brian ends up at some hot springs in Arizona, hanging out with a passed-out Native American man, several twenty-something college women, and a group of Phish roadies. Of course, everyone’s naked. For some reason, it makes sense to Brian to leave this place and drive, all by himself, straight into a sand storm so he can practice yoga and meditate. Then he has an ice cream cone at Woolworth’s. The conclusion of this episode is one of Brian’s “Keys to Happiness”: Cultivate and Follow Your Intuition. How Brian gets from Point A to B is a bit of a magic trick. But somehow it works, and it even makes sense.
Yes, Brian’s book is filled with even more entertaining stories and misadventures. The greatest thing I can say about his book, though, is that it inspired me to take up meditation in earnest. I am 100% serious about this. Throughout my life, I’ve tried, and mostly failed, to take up a regular meditation practice. Sure, we’ve all heard that meditation is this great thing. There’s also mounting scientific evidence that meditation helps with all sorts of mental, emotional, psychological, and physical problems. But it’s damn near impossible for most people, including well-meaning yogis, to really commit to and stick with a meditation practice.
If you’re in the market for a good read, or perhaps a nice holiday gift for another yogi, I highly recommend Brian Leaf’s Misadventures of a Garden State Yogi. It’s easy to read without being simplistic. It’s enlightening without being pretentious. It’s philosophical without being esoteric. This is that rare book that can inspire you to make actual, positive changes in your life. It did for me.
October 15, 2012
Rare, I find, are books that make you laugh out load all the way through, coupled with awareness-awakening gems and insights. Recently, however, I had the very great pleasure of receiving a review copy of the Brian Leaf's new book 'Misadventures of a Garden State Yogi' which is published today, Monday 15th October 2012.
All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make, the better ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1842
Brian's commentary is what really makes this book such a joy to read: his eloquent and hilarious prose as he regales us with his foray into the world of yoga, ayurveda and self-discovery are truly wonderful. At times I cried with laughter, reading his exploits; at other times, I would wince with shared embarrassment at some of the more hair-raising tales ... but all the way through the book, I felt as tho I really were sharing this journey with Brian as he learned how to naturally heal his Colitis, uncover the Keys to Happiness and calm down his ADD.
In other words, joining Brian on his quest to totally transform his life, his health and wellbeing through a hilarious stream of unexpected misadventures! Many of his tales struck a chord with me : especially in Chapter 30 'Becoming Most Real' where his insights into his meditation practice, at that moment, really resonated with my own meditation practice. I am all for changing my own personal mantra which, annoyingly, seems to be the same as Brian's at that point in his life : "Wait for it ...". No, I have no desire to "Wait for it ..."! Instead, Brian's new mantra became "I see you". Yes, that fits me PERFECTLY : "I see you; I acknowledge you; you matter to me" (c) Brian Leaf, pg 203, Misadventures of a Garden State Yogi.
Not having heard of Brian before this book, I have to say that I love his style of writing - very funny, witty and yet deeply-insightful. His brilliant Misadventures reminds me strongly of Sarah Macdonald's style in her brilliant book, "Holy Cow: An Indian Adventure", one of my all-time favourite books.
I invite you to add this to your list of Must Reads - or your Amazon WishList! If ever you needed a pick-me-up, struggling with your own spiritual wellbeing journey, Brian's misadventures will surely delight you and tickle your funny bone ...
All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make, the better ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1842
Brian's commentary is what really makes this book such a joy to read: his eloquent and hilarious prose as he regales us with his foray into the world of yoga, ayurveda and self-discovery are truly wonderful. At times I cried with laughter, reading his exploits; at other times, I would wince with shared embarrassment at some of the more hair-raising tales ... but all the way through the book, I felt as tho I really were sharing this journey with Brian as he learned how to naturally heal his Colitis, uncover the Keys to Happiness and calm down his ADD.
In other words, joining Brian on his quest to totally transform his life, his health and wellbeing through a hilarious stream of unexpected misadventures! Many of his tales struck a chord with me : especially in Chapter 30 'Becoming Most Real' where his insights into his meditation practice, at that moment, really resonated with my own meditation practice. I am all for changing my own personal mantra which, annoyingly, seems to be the same as Brian's at that point in his life : "Wait for it ...". No, I have no desire to "Wait for it ..."! Instead, Brian's new mantra became "I see you". Yes, that fits me PERFECTLY : "I see you; I acknowledge you; you matter to me" (c) Brian Leaf, pg 203, Misadventures of a Garden State Yogi.
Not having heard of Brian before this book, I have to say that I love his style of writing - very funny, witty and yet deeply-insightful. His brilliant Misadventures reminds me strongly of Sarah Macdonald's style in her brilliant book, "Holy Cow: An Indian Adventure", one of my all-time favourite books.
I invite you to add this to your list of Must Reads - or your Amazon WishList! If ever you needed a pick-me-up, struggling with your own spiritual wellbeing journey, Brian's misadventures will surely delight you and tickle your funny bone ...
October 23, 2012
I'll be writing a fuller review of this book on my blog, but just wanted to record it here as I've just finished it today. This is another of the relatively recent genre of yoga memoirs, and it's perhaps one of the more humorous. Brian Leaf shares his story with whimsy and self-deprecating good humor. At times I sense a bit of the neurotic Woody Allan mashed up with the acerbic Colbert.
Leaf has also attempted to make this memoir a teaching and that has its pros and cons. At times, perhaps, he attempts more than the weight of this book can hold, but I do appreciate several of the Appendices where he specifically offers practices and advice from yoga and ayurveda.
His general approach is a bit more to the 'woo' than I would prefer, but most yogis will likely find none of that material as irrelevant as I, so that would garner the book another star.
Leaf has also attempted to make this memoir a teaching and that has its pros and cons. At times, perhaps, he attempts more than the weight of this book can hold, but I do appreciate several of the Appendices where he specifically offers practices and advice from yoga and ayurveda.
His general approach is a bit more to the 'woo' than I would prefer, but most yogis will likely find none of that material as irrelevant as I, so that would garner the book another star.
December 15, 2012
2.5
I feel bad giving this book 2 stars. Probably because it is a memoir, and why should I be allowed to judge a person's experiences? However, since I'm giving the writing and the organization of the book 2 stars, rather than Brian's journey, I think it'll be okay. I'm glad that yoga helped calm his ADD, but this book simply made mine flare up. The book jumps around too much, with Leaf trying to talk about the past and present all in one page. It made me feel like I was constantly missing something. The profundity of his experiences were also lost on me. This whole book was just lost on me. Please don't let this deter you from the book, as many other goodreaders rave about it, but it simply wasn't what I was hoping for.
I feel bad giving this book 2 stars. Probably because it is a memoir, and why should I be allowed to judge a person's experiences? However, since I'm giving the writing and the organization of the book 2 stars, rather than Brian's journey, I think it'll be okay. I'm glad that yoga helped calm his ADD, but this book simply made mine flare up. The book jumps around too much, with Leaf trying to talk about the past and present all in one page. It made me feel like I was constantly missing something. The profundity of his experiences were also lost on me. This whole book was just lost on me. Please don't let this deter you from the book, as many other goodreaders rave about it, but it simply wasn't what I was hoping for.
February 18, 2013
If you are a yoga teacher you will love love love this book
If you are a yoga student you will totally enjoy it and laugh hard.
If you have never done any yoga you will either get yourself to a class and find out what this is all about for yourself or you will quit reading mid way and shake your head and mutter, "That is one weird guy."
If you are a yoga student you will totally enjoy it and laugh hard.
If you have never done any yoga you will either get yourself to a class and find out what this is all about for yourself or you will quit reading mid way and shake your head and mutter, "That is one weird guy."
June 4, 2014
Enjoyed this book very much. As someone who has been to Kripalu and tries "too hard" to be zen and yogini-like at times, this was a lovely refresher to know I'm not alone and other hippie-wannabes go through the same thing! The only thing that kind of irked me- or maybe I was just jealous- was that the author just had the means to float around, travel, enroll in this institute and that yoga training, rent apartments and rooms wherever he felt like it, enroll in retreats on a whim, did not work consistently, etc. Where did he get the means to finance this life? Did he work and save, or did he bank at the Bank of Mom and Dad? I sincerely hope it wasn't the latter, because that would diminish a lot of his credibility in my eyes. Also could have lived with less of the TMI info regarding colitis and bowel movements. But all in all, I greatly enjoyed it and look forward to reading more of Brian Leaf's books.
November 21, 2012
Brian Leaf is an incredible person, and since I actually know him I can say that and mean it! This book is heartfelt, humorous, thought-provoking, the very best a yoga memoir can be. I have recommended it to all my yoga students. It shares the beauty of the Kripalu tradition and with humility and hilarity, Brian offers spiritual wisdom from an all too human life. I am grateful to know Brian and to have had such a good read! Memoir isn't easy (I stick with fiction for now), but he does it just right. I do know so much about your colon, though, Brian....!
September 11, 2020
Witty, funny and easy read
December 21, 2020
Brian Leaf is a talented, funny and humble writer and there were parts of this book I enjoyed very much and my lower rating (I was tempted to give it two stars) is more so with the content than the way it was written.
To say that the author spent the majority of his life (up until his mid 30's) to be focused on one thing: himself, would be an understatement. Every word in this book is devoted to what makes the author feel good, bad, healthy, unhealthy, shy, quite, anxious, confused, regretful etc, and as I was reading the book, I could not fathom one person in my life that is/ so utterly self absorbed with every aspect of their existence and then I realized, that this sort of person would bore me to tears and would not take up any space in my life.
To say that the author spent the majority of his life (up until his mid 30's) to be focused on one thing: himself, would be an understatement. Every word in this book is devoted to what makes the author feel good, bad, healthy, unhealthy, shy, quite, anxious, confused, regretful etc, and as I was reading the book, I could not fathom one person in my life that is/ so utterly self absorbed with every aspect of their existence and then I realized, that this sort of person would bore me to tears and would not take up any space in my life.
October 6, 2019
Having recently started following yoga videos on YouTube, I wanted to read some memoirs written by yogis, and this was one of the few yogi memoir ebooks available in my library. This was like a more humorous, less detailed, and male version of Eat Pray Love. The author also gave several pieces of advice throughout the book, but did so in a light-handed manner such that it did not feel like a self-help book. All in all, I'm glad yoga practice has improved the author's life; this was a casual but inspiring book motivating me to find out more about yoga practice and how I can incorporate it into my own life.
July 9, 2017
This was a great concept and I genuinely enjoyed reading this book. It kind of fell flat near the end for me. Ended kind of randomly too. I like some of his quirky experiences and funny stories. He definitely seems to have a lot of discipline to follow his lifestyle. He seems very fortunate to be able to support his many travels and retreats to kripalu, which seems somewhat unattainable to the average person -- could be viewed as a positive or negative.
May 21, 2017
Just a charming book. Sitting with a friend, hearing about his experiences and life and travels. It was very personal - why yoga/ayurvedic worked for him. If you want to be convinced to do yoga, there's not really rigorous research to convince you. But if you want to know why someone - this particular someone - does, it's there.
November 7, 2017
I just loved it. It's exactly what I needed at the right time. It's very relatable and encouraging. I'm already implementing some of Brian's suggestions so I can understand why I'm feeling what I'm feeling before reacting. Thanks!
January 14, 2018
How fun! This was enjoyable in a humorous way, and yet was a great introduction to many kinds of yoga and different aspects of yoga. I was entertained by the author and I really cared about him and his ventures.
February 2, 2018
Somewhat humorous, somewhat entertaining, and somewhat insulting to people with ulcerative colitis or ADD. This book spews a bunch of pseudo science, holistic, woo-woo nonsense. A frustrating albeit slightly interesting read.
July 10, 2017
Great memoir. Loved his voice and philosophy. Makes me want to get up to Kripalu sooner than later
July 12, 2018
Not my jam. And I love all the hippy shit. I’m just a little over the white male perspective on things.
September 6, 2018
Fun book on benefits of yoga. Makes me want to be my authentic self all the time. Not easy, since I tend to be a pleaser.
October 10, 2012
We find in this engaging autobiography that Brian Leaf learns to be "fearless, honest, and relaxed" during his quest for growth and self-discovery. As a result, he writes with that same winning formula; therefore, he presents himself as a reliable narrator--one who neither avoids embarrassing incidents, nor embellishes them to shock his audience. Instead, his memoir is often laugh-out-loud funny as he and his friend take their cross-country pilgrimage to find answers pertinent to their lives.
This road trip introduces us to a panorama of personalities--yogis, educators, sociologists, Dead Heads, Dr. Sweetmember, "randy" Ruby, and Brian's loving, supporting family to name a few. By leaving New Jersey, Brian finds himself surreptitiously sleeping in parking lots, adjusting to ashrams, emitting a green light of energy, accidently visiting a hooker, liberating himself in some hot springs, and chanting in a sand storm. These experiences, and others, provide the road map to continue his journey towards holistic health when he returns home.
While Brian explores different "yoga styles" and eventually finds the best fit for him, this book is not just for yoga enthusiasts. This book is for all seekers who want the best out of life. Brian shares lessons learned, his favorite yoga practices, his meditation, co-listening, and relaxation techniques, and Ayurvedic recommendations. Brian believes that "you can't plan where you'll find bliss and transformation; you can only follow the whispers as they call out to you." This book may or may not be your "whisper," but it should be on your "to read" list. It's that good!
This road trip introduces us to a panorama of personalities--yogis, educators, sociologists, Dead Heads, Dr. Sweetmember, "randy" Ruby, and Brian's loving, supporting family to name a few. By leaving New Jersey, Brian finds himself surreptitiously sleeping in parking lots, adjusting to ashrams, emitting a green light of energy, accidently visiting a hooker, liberating himself in some hot springs, and chanting in a sand storm. These experiences, and others, provide the road map to continue his journey towards holistic health when he returns home.
While Brian explores different "yoga styles" and eventually finds the best fit for him, this book is not just for yoga enthusiasts. This book is for all seekers who want the best out of life. Brian shares lessons learned, his favorite yoga practices, his meditation, co-listening, and relaxation techniques, and Ayurvedic recommendations. Brian believes that "you can't plan where you'll find bliss and transformation; you can only follow the whispers as they call out to you." This book may or may not be your "whisper," but it should be on your "to read" list. It's that good!
December 4, 2012
I wasn't really into most of the memoir and it got a little strange for me in spots, so I admit that here and there I skimmed a few pages. It might have just been wrong time/place for me, I have a stack of juicy looking fantasy and science fiction here begging to be read and the ADHD is pointing me that way. Probably I should do some yoga and calm the heck down.
Even though I didn't really find myself happily adventuring along with Brian on his quest for enlightenment, there are some great insights and points here that are worth digging for, especially if you have trouble managing stress and, well, colitis, ADD or anxiety...
I definitely believe the concept of meditation and yoga to help calm the mind and soothe anxiety and stomach problems caused by anxiety. I've experienced a huge turnaround for myself with anxiety and stomach problems through exercise, simply because it works off all the extra energy pingponging around my system and tires me out enough to calm me down. Meditation and Yoga can only help further that by training my brain to focus, creating better awareness of my physical and emotional state so that I can unravel all the threads I've knotted up over the years, and y'know, the really important thing: learn to breathe better so that I actually GET some oxygen into my head.
I don't anticipate I'll get so deeply into yoga that I go to the lengths he has (as he has made a career of it!), but the book gave a lot of interesting information. I appreciate that he shared his explorations and process with us and offered his insight. I came away with some interesting things to ponder over. Maybe while I meditate.
February 12, 2017
This is one of my favorite books I've read in the last few years. It is entertaining, educational and inspiring. It makes me want to do yoga, be more aware of myself in all things, and learn more about Ayurveda. I first read most of this book a few years ago when I first started getting into yoga. I really enjoyed it and reading it motivated me to do yoga more often and try other types of yoga. I don't remember why I didn't finish it before, but I started from the beginning and finally finished it this time around. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is open minded to yoga and the lifestyle that goes hand in hand with it.
July 1, 2013
The first paragraph reads:
“There’s surely an uneven power dynamic between one person sitting naked on the toilet and the other hovering above in a dark suit. This is especially and egregiously true if the person sitting is pushing to no avail.”
This is not how you would expect a book about a man’s journey to discover inner peace through yoga to begin. But then, Brian really isn’t interested in what anyone expects. His goal is to be his most real self, and his most real self poops in doctor’s offices sometimes. (Well, he used to, until yoga cured his colitis.)
This book is like a man’s version of Eat, Pray, Love - except I’m clearly not a man and I identified with the story.
It’s real. It’s honest. It’s funny because it’s human. And in the end, it’s also worth the time you invest in reading it because you can actually learn a little something about yourself.
I learned that I need to do more yoga.
I also learned that I easily forget about being my true self, especially if I’m stressed or scared. I learned that I want to show up as me more often, and I picked up a couple of tips for doing exactly that.
I believe that reading this book can help you figure out how to be a little bit happier. I also believe that it’s just an entertaining read, a fun way to pass a few summer afternoons.
“There’s surely an uneven power dynamic between one person sitting naked on the toilet and the other hovering above in a dark suit. This is especially and egregiously true if the person sitting is pushing to no avail.”
This is not how you would expect a book about a man’s journey to discover inner peace through yoga to begin. But then, Brian really isn’t interested in what anyone expects. His goal is to be his most real self, and his most real self poops in doctor’s offices sometimes. (Well, he used to, until yoga cured his colitis.)
This book is like a man’s version of Eat, Pray, Love - except I’m clearly not a man and I identified with the story.
It’s real. It’s honest. It’s funny because it’s human. And in the end, it’s also worth the time you invest in reading it because you can actually learn a little something about yourself.
I learned that I need to do more yoga.
I also learned that I easily forget about being my true self, especially if I’m stressed or scared. I learned that I want to show up as me more often, and I picked up a couple of tips for doing exactly that.
I believe that reading this book can help you figure out how to be a little bit happier. I also believe that it’s just an entertaining read, a fun way to pass a few summer afternoons.
June 1, 2013
A decent read, marred by the inability of a book of such length to get into the scope of certain things (my question then becomes: why bother? As in the case of Ayurvedic types. The "questionnaire" consists of 6 three-answer questions. None of the options seem to particularly apply to me. This seems to be the least adequate method of determining your type possible. He might have been better served to simply say "find a good book on this, such as" rather than trying to sum up in two pages an entire body of ancient work).
Also, two or three times he uses "per say" which makes me squeamish, and also makes me weep for the future of proofreading.
Also there's a lot about poop. He likes people who are "open around poop."
And although he describes his early judgement of those who see shrinks as "ridiculous" once he decides to see one, he hypocritically has an entire chapter devoted to hating on prostitutes and those who visit them, despite this being another ancient and traditional wisdom, after his (he ASSURES you repeatedly) accidental visit to a happy-ending masseuse, who he later implies he took up on her "special services."
Very enlightened, sir.
Otherwise, fairly funny and well-written, not particularly sanctimonious.
Also, two or three times he uses "per say" which makes me squeamish, and also makes me weep for the future of proofreading.
Also there's a lot about poop. He likes people who are "open around poop."
And although he describes his early judgement of those who see shrinks as "ridiculous" once he decides to see one, he hypocritically has an entire chapter devoted to hating on prostitutes and those who visit them, despite this being another ancient and traditional wisdom, after his (he ASSURES you repeatedly) accidental visit to a happy-ending masseuse, who he later implies he took up on her "special services."
Very enlightened, sir.
Otherwise, fairly funny and well-written, not particularly sanctimonious.
August 18, 2014
I like the alternative healing going on in this book. There remains a deep chasm in-between this readers' comprehension of Brian Leaf's quest and what his parents reeaally may have thought about their Georgetown University graduated son's trek down a path adjacent to the well-worn groove of more obvious success along the route he was to take following a win as a high school debate champ of New Jersey (likely arguing for the opportunity to seek his own bliss). But after all, the book is a story about himself and his personal process, only, and remains a bit of a contradiction in terms of the yogic ethos of interconnectedness, but i digress.
Yet perhaps his extended family gave him no real friction over this path, at the advent of, and also during his health seeking and finding path through the beat bush. But the sixties are so far over that I cannot picture this lack of friction. However this is just to say the larger context was truncated by this lack . This is a book written with humor and kindness to his yogic audience and one's self. I appreciate the skill he uses in highlighting the absurdity where one man's earnest efforts connect with the weirdness of ordinary reality.
Yet perhaps his extended family gave him no real friction over this path, at the advent of, and also during his health seeking and finding path through the beat bush. But the sixties are so far over that I cannot picture this lack of friction. However this is just to say the larger context was truncated by this lack . This is a book written with humor and kindness to his yogic audience and one's self. I appreciate the skill he uses in highlighting the absurdity where one man's earnest efforts connect with the weirdness of ordinary reality.
December 27, 2013
Brian Leaf discovered yoga in his youth and found that it calmed his mind and body in ways that eliminated his colitis and ADD (which were symptoms of the stressful life he was leading). This is the story of how he discovered yoga and its benefits and how he eventually incorporated it into his life and work. The bulk of the book centers on the road trip Brian and his friend Zach took around the country as they both sought enlightenment and inspiration for the next chapters of their lives. Brian developed his Eight Keys of Happiness based on his experiences: 1. Do yoga. And if you already do yoga, do more yoga. 2. Follow your heart. 3. Cultivate and follow your intuition. 4. Apply at least three pieces of Ayurvedic wisdom to your daily schedule. 5. Meditate. 6. Connect with your heart, and interact with others from that place. 7. Speak and act from your true self. 8. Become most real. Funny, wise, and occasionally gross (I am NOT anointing myself with sesame oil THERE), this memoir/guide to bettering your life will help you find an authentic path to Being.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 8, 2013
I thought this book was very real, honest, and funny. This guy Brian takes a yoga class in college and continues to pursue yoga, meditation, therapy and enlightenment in various ways which he shares with us in this memoir.
I like that it's not all "I started doing yoga, and now my life is amazing!" Instead he tries many different things, he quits yoga a few times, he has lots of crazy experiences, and he's still learning and practicing. This book shares some great advice that he has learned. The author conveys that the path to happiness is not the same for everyone - but listening to your body and quieting your mind through the practices he recommends can help each reader find their own happiness.
I also appreciated that there's enough "guy humor" that I might actually be able to convince my husband to read this one!
I like that it's not all "I started doing yoga, and now my life is amazing!" Instead he tries many different things, he quits yoga a few times, he has lots of crazy experiences, and he's still learning and practicing. This book shares some great advice that he has learned. The author conveys that the path to happiness is not the same for everyone - but listening to your body and quieting your mind through the practices he recommends can help each reader find their own happiness.
I also appreciated that there's enough "guy humor" that I might actually be able to convince my husband to read this one!
March 27, 2014
Most yoga books, in my experience, have been fairly serious affairs. This one has the sort of self-depricating humour of a Bill Bryson; but there's more good yoga advice in here than many more pedantic volumes.
It's the story of Brian Leaf, who suffered from ulerative colitis when young, which he cured with yoga. This made him a yoga devotee and he illustrates his path to becoming a yoga teacher - and math tutor.
A good part of the book is his story of a road trip across America in a van with a friend, going to all the yoga classes he can find along the way. Enlightenment came in the strangest places - at a Grateful Dead concert, in the New Mexico desert - while Sedona, and a California ashram, were disappointing.
Leaf distils his learning into "Eight Keys to Happiness", well worth practising, and with useful and practical appendices re yoga practice.
It's the story of Brian Leaf, who suffered from ulerative colitis when young, which he cured with yoga. This made him a yoga devotee and he illustrates his path to becoming a yoga teacher - and math tutor.
A good part of the book is his story of a road trip across America in a van with a friend, going to all the yoga classes he can find along the way. Enlightenment came in the strangest places - at a Grateful Dead concert, in the New Mexico desert - while Sedona, and a California ashram, were disappointing.
Leaf distils his learning into "Eight Keys to Happiness", well worth practising, and with useful and practical appendices re yoga practice.
May 18, 2017
Awesome book!!
June 9, 2014
Loved this book, finished it in a day. I'm biased, because I have so much in common with the author at the beginning of his journey - but then again, I think most people do. Digestively awry, anxious, looking to every one as a potential teacher: Are YOU my guru?
Sure it's about yoga and a spiritual journey, and sure there are lots of books about that, and the standard of good writing usually takes a back seat to the profundity of the content - but this book is one of the good ones. Brian Leaf is a socially aware yogi who hasn't started a yoga empire (in fact he's a math tutor who's written several test guides); he's a normal guy who strives toward becoming his happiest, most real self.
Sure it's about yoga and a spiritual journey, and sure there are lots of books about that, and the standard of good writing usually takes a back seat to the profundity of the content - but this book is one of the good ones. Brian Leaf is a socially aware yogi who hasn't started a yoga empire (in fact he's a math tutor who's written several test guides); he's a normal guy who strives toward becoming his happiest, most real self.
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