Misadventures of a Garden State Yogi is a hilarious memoir of a nervous debate champion who changes and heals his life through yoga and holistic therapies. Brian Leaf graduated from high school as the debate champion of New Jersey and entered Georgetown University as a high strung achiever looking for exotic electives to fill out his business-school heavy schedule. With no real understanding of the practice, he signed up for a yoga class and found himself the only male student in a class of thirty-two, taking guidance from a large-bearded Peruvian instructor named Oskar. Little did Leaf know that this class would set the course for a lifetime of exploration into the healing powers of yoga and other holistic therapies.The book details Leaf's triumphs, trials, and tribulations as he hilariously navigates his way through yoga and holistic health. Along the way, he road trips to visit yoga studios around the country, has a spiritual experience at a Grateful Dead show, cures his chronic ulcerative colitis, and lives at the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in his quest to become a certified instructor. In his adventures and misadventures, Leaf consults Ayurvedic physicians, yogis, swamis, and even (accidentally) a prostitute.
In thirty-two short, satirical chapters, Leaf manages to educate, inspire and entertain as he skewers both his own foibles and the more ridiculous aspects of this world. At the same time he shows the true healing power of this ancient practice and what it can offer anyone interested in living a healthier life.
