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The Winners:
Yoga, road trips, and personal stories that border on TMI—these are all things I enjoy, which might explain why I was drawn to Misadventures of a Garden State Yogi.
In this engaging self-help memoir, author and yoga teacher Brian Leaf shares his experiences healing Colitis and ADD through yoga.
Including anecdotes from a cross-country journey during which he tried many different studios, Brian provides a window into his spiritual journey and shares how he established his own personal formula for happiness.
Honest, entertaining, and insightful, Misadventures of a Garden State Yogi shares how one man healed himself from within and inspires us to access our own personal power.
I’m grateful that Brian took the time to answer some questions about himself and his book, and that he’s provided three copies for Tiny Buddha readers.
The Giveaway
To Enter:
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You can enter until midnight PST on Monday, February 4th.
The Interview
1. What inspired you to write Misadventures of a Garden State Yogi?
A few years ago, I wrote fifteen pages of a meditation manual and showed it to my literary agent. He told me no one would buy it and fired me. So I did exactly what any yogi-meditator-writer would do; I collapsed to the floor and cried. And then I meditated.
During meditation, as my mind cleared and quieted, a funny story bubbled up, so I wrote it down. This went on for a year. Stories would bubble up and I would write them down. Eventually I had a book.
2. Yoga has certainly had a profound impact on your life, helping you heal physically, mentally, and emotionally. Did you initially realize (or did you doubt) that it could help you in the way it has?
I signed up for yoga as a goof when I was preregistering for classes at Georgetown University in 1993. I had no expectations. But after I showed up, I knew almost immediately. I felt like I had found my lost home.
3. You were able to heal your colitis through a disciplined practice involving five twenty-minute sessions per day. I know a lot of us struggle to consistently do the things that are most helpful for us. What helped you maintain that type of regularity?
I understand the struggle to do the things that are most helpful to us. I face this struggle every night as I choose between pranayama and potato chips after a long day of working and parenting. But, for some reason, doing yoga has always come easily to me.
Ever since that first class in college, I just like doing it. I think that’s the key, actually—to let go of expectations of which healing practices we should do, and to notice the healing practices that feel right and come easily for us. For me, this is yoga. For someone else it could be tai chi, meditation, swimming, chanting, psychotherapy, or hiking.
4. In the early pages, you list eight keys to happiness. Which one has been most powerful for you, and why?
When I reread my stories that had bubbled up, I saw patterns and themes and distinct periods in my own life. First I needed to heal my body with yoga. Then I needed to get out of my head and open the door to my heart. Then I needed to calm my mind and energy with Ayurveda and meditation. And, ultimately, I needed to become more fully myself, to live my dharma.
So there is no one key that is most powerful; they are each powerful in their right time.
5. One of your eight keys to happiness is to cultivate and follow your intuition. Why do you think so many of us struggle with this?
We live in a time when we are taught not to follow our intuition. This trend started a few hundred years ago in response to the Church’s abuse of power. Individuals such as John Locke, Isaac Newton, and Voltaire favored reason over faith. They developed the scientific method. This was very useful, but it went too far.
This is the first time in history when people need to see a double blind scientific study before they will believe that breathing deeply feels good. Lately, though, I think we are seeing that the trend is turning back toward honoring intuition and inner wisdom.
6. Another one of your keys to happiness is “become most real,” which you’ve defined as becoming aware of what we are doing and feeling at all times. How does this help us, and how can we start making this a practice?
It helps us because when we are aware of what we are doing and feeling, we are identified not with the actions or with the passing feelings, but with our deeper self. The best way to practice is to ask yourself throughout the day, “What am I really feeling right now?”
7. Much of your book chronicles your adventures traveling, trying different yoga styles. What were the most powerful things you learned on the road—about yourself, about yoga, and about life?
I met a yogi at the Sivananda Yoga Farm in Grass Valley, California who really lived from his heart. Through him, I saw this for the first time as a viable way to live in the world.
8. During your road trip, you lived by the mantra “fearless, honest, relaxed.” Are there are mantras that you use regularly these days?
Yes. Right now, I use “Say ‘Yes’ to Reality.” I use this when I notice that I am tuning out part of reality. I find that when I can allow, rather than repress, the truth of reality, I feel most vibrant and alive.
So if I notice that I am feeling sad or angry and that I am trying to repress these feelings, I say, “Say ‘Yes’ to Reality” and I simply notice the truth. When, with loving kindness, I embrace the truth, I feel grace.
9. What advice would you offer to someone who is dealing with physical or mental illness and is considering trying yoga?
Do it. Definitely. Don’t wait.
(Though be prepared to try a few styles. Finding the right style of yoga is like dating. You might have to try various classes before you find the one for you. There’s a spectrum, from power vinyasa, if you like a vigorous workout, to gentle restorative, if you prefer something much cushier.)
You can learn more about Misadventures of a Garden State Yogi on Amazon.
FTC Disclosure: I receive complimentary books for reviews and interviews on tinybuddha.com, but I am not compensated for writing or obligated to write anything specific. I am an Amazon affiliate, meaning I earn a percentage of all books purchased through the links I provide on this site.

About Lori Deschene
Lori Deschene is the founder of Tiny Buddha. She started the site after struggling with depression, bulimia, c-PTSD, and toxic shame so she could recycle her former pain into something useful and inspire others to do the same. You can find her books, including Tiny Buddha’s Gratitude Journal and Tiny Buddha’s Worry Journal, here and learn more about her eCourse, Recreate Your Life Story, if you’re ready to transform your life and become the person you want to be.
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I live in Myrtle Beach. I have to say no matter how bad a day. I go out to the ocean and I am lucky enough to work at an oceanfront hotel. I just see the ocean and it makes me smile everyday. So that makes me smile all the time. Just the beauty the feeling I get when I’m near the water. Makes me feel so good.
My son as he does another naughty thing then smiles with cheeky knowing.
My sister posted a picture of a bouquet of flowers on FB today – I was happy to see she received beautiful flowers from a loved one.
Sharing with my friends how I was truly feeling at a particular moment in time, made me smile. I was honest and I felt proud of myself 🙂
A photo of my dog. It never fails.
Listening to my favourite song on the bus and everything looking so much more beautiful with that as a soundtrack 🙂
waking up to the sun shinning in my window and the breeze at my door =D
I had a really tough day yesterday and could feel anxiety taking hold. I did everything I could to turn it around with positive thoughts. This morning I felt like me again…that made me smile. x
My boss complimenting me on how disciplined I am in everything I do in life.
After an overwhelming and anxiety-filled week of working full time and trying to maintain a full time graduate school courseload, an acquaintance told me that I she thought I was incredibly intelligent and one of the strongest, most excited, interesting people she’s met. Brought now only a smile, but tears, at the exact time I needed it.
Loved this post for many reasons, but first and foremost, the authors blog title got me interested. Thanks for sharing
My young son was dancing like a wild man to a reggae-rap version of Itsy Bitsy Spider. His complete abandonment to his own happiness was awesome to behold and inspiring. Still smiling as I write this.
While taking my kids to school today…in the midst of driving on very messy , snow-packed roads and an angry 6 yr old in the back seat, I was struck by how gorgeous the sky was… such a gorgeous shade of aqua with the moon still visible…. above the foothills of the Black Hills . :o) All else didn’t matter for the few moments I was able to just smile and see the beauty of the morning. :o)
Seeing my husband and 5 year old son sleeping back to back; my husband squished up against the edge of the king sized bed and my son taking up the rest of the bed.
My daughter singing her “Space Unicorns” song over and over in a variety of different accents. Gotta smile…..
Woke up smiling today remembering how a friend and I manifested the opportunity to see a certain person – celebrity person!- the other night and without much effort. Literally we made a toast to the seeing the person and no more than 20 minutes later the celebrity walks by us!
Just another sign as to how powerful our thoughts are when we cocreate with the Universe.
Thanks Universe!
The stunningly beautiful, blue Oklahoma sky made me smile this morning.
Ok, well this is how it started… I’ve had a very negative state of mind this week which is not the norm… So today i thought “ok, let’s turn this around. I have the tools (mental tricks), the know how (information via books, retreats, web etc) and the experience (my own) to accept that i am the one limiting myself into this narrow frame of mind.” So today, after a whole week of feeling lost and low, i read through my TinyBuddha blogs, went out for a run, ate sensibly, and more importantly i gave myself a break by accepting that while i have allowed myself to shatter all over the bathroom floor, once again, i also have the glue to put myself, piece by piece, back together again. I am now whole (stuck together with glue.lol.). 🙂
The sub-zero windchill in Chicago made me smile today…it made me think of growing up further north. One time, in my last winter up there before moving down to Chicago, it was so cold that my car wouldn’t start in the morning, and I started to lose the feeling in my fingers and hands. Because of the cold, the small city felt like it was completely deserted; it was completely still and silent. You could almost hear the perspiration from my breath crackling in the arctic air. *That* was a cold day. I love the earth, so I love all of the weather it provides. I love nature, and it made me smile today.
One employee at work this morning gave me a cinnamon bun. Than a bit later than someone had asked for assistance on the copier, being able to help with the little things made me smile as she was smiling after the fact that we were able to provide the workers in the field drawings they could read. 🙂
Opening the door to a friendly electrician who installed a beautiful 220v electrical outlet, allowing me to finally have a washing machine in my own home…for the first time in 4 years! I have never before been so excited to do laundry!
Watching the children in my home eat breakfast. There is something wholly satisfying about watching my kids eat, and I thoroughly enjoy this time everyday. They smile, I smile….its just good for everyone.
Dropping my kids off at school this morning…..my husband usually gets to be the one to do it and I was so happy to be with them today.
Love
A classroom full of eager-to-learn 6th graders makes me smile every day. Today especially, because they’re learning about Buddhism! I’m thrilled to share such a rich tradition with them.
I have just begun my journey with meditation and am considering trying yoga. Already I have noticed benefits like a calmer mind. This is HUGE for me!
Going through a really stressful time right now – have moved to a new country with my husband and kids, leaving good friends and family behind. The move has taken its toll on my relationship with my kids and husband. Been having a particularly hard week and this morning my 2.5 yr old son ran into the kitchen and shouted: “I found you mommy”, and bit me on the bum! I had no choice but to laugh!
Snow! There was snow on the ground. Love it! Made me smile!
On the way to my house, riding my motorcycle, the
traffic light turned red. I stopped next to a car, and heard something like a
“knocking” noise on glass, through my helmet. I turned and a little
boy, sitting in the back of the car, looked away, thought I didn’t see him. I
waved and smiled at him. The driver – a woman – turned to me and smiled, as
well. Then the little boy turned to me, waved and smiled, as well. That scene
and the exchange of smiles stayed in my head for the next half a mile that I
drove. I still smile as I think about it !!!
The ability to wake up and greet the day with an open mind
After an emotionally strained few days, a friend stopped by just to chat. It was relaxing and fun. The time definitely put a smile on my face.
It’s Friday! How can you NOT help but smile!
I have to say the title and cover of this book made me smile and my daughter sleepily getting out of bed this morning.
It made me smile when my dog put her head in my lap this morning.
Watching our 2 year old son say goodbye to his sister before she enters her school in the morning. You can really tell there is love between the two. 🙂
My best friend who recently moved 10 hours away from me sending me a text to make sure I was having a good morning.
Hear the wind through the winterly trees on morning. That really makes me smile
I received a beautiful message from a friend on Facebook that her husband, who has been struggling with PTSD for a few years now, had just enrolled in a 6 week program in their area for veterans in which yoga is done 3 days a week. This comes after my encouragement and sending them articles on how yoga can help individuals with PTSD. It not only made me smile but it made my heart sing.
one thing that made me smile today was my boyfriends face when I asked if he’s join me in yoga class… and he said he would love to.
I’ve recently jumped back into yoga and am feeling extremely clumsy about it, but today during class the teacher actually used me as an example to show the rest of the class how to do this particular pose correctly. I not only smiled, I almost bursted out laughing!
I woke up today only 22 minutes before class started but somehow managed to make it fully dressed to class four minutes early. After being a bit down in the dumps with a virus, it served as the perfect reminder that things have a way of working out, which caused me to smile in the middle of a biology lecture.
Plugging in to earbuds at work and doing what I love at my job.
Rainbows on my wall because the sun is shining through the prisms, even though it’s -9 outside.
Taking my one year old puppy for her first walk in the snow this morning. It always brings a smile when she discovers something new. Then I laugh at the fact that all that stimulation causes the zoomies and she just runs around with reckless abandon It’s just one of those things that reminds me to enjoy life and not be so serious.
What a perfect post to find this morning. After just coming out of hospital with a flare up of colitis, I just couldn’t believe my eyes when I read the title of the book, this was exactly what my heart was looking for, this made me grin from ear to ear!
A Wonderful get to know you lunch with someone new made me smile!!!!
The last couple of days, we’ve had flooding. This morning, it was 8F and the flooding froze. It was incredibly beautiful, the sun rising and shining on it. I’m in the Ozark Mountains, far, far inland but it reminded me of the sunrise on the ocean.
My cat made me smile today when she came in the morning in our bed to cuddle with me for a few minutes. I started my day on a good foot because of that. Meow! 🙂
My pets made me smile today (and everyday!).
Snow falling as I had coffee at lunch,all was calm and peaceful