Misadventures of a Parenting Yogi: Cloth Diapers, Cosleeping, and My (Sometimes Successful) Quest for Conscious Parenting - Softcover

Leaf, Brian

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1608682676 ISBN 13: 9781608682676

Publisher: New World Library, 2014

Synopsis

In his Misadventures of a Garden State Yogi, Brian Leaf both inspired and amused as he described the myriad ways that yoga changed his life and why his life as a college student suffering from anxiety, colitis, and ADD needed changing. Now Leaf turns the page, letting readers in on his meeting with future wife Gwen (at the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health), their Not Not-Trying and subsequent pregnancy and Leaf s wearing of a synthetic strap-on belly during downward dog posture. As the latter shows, Leaf took parenthood seriously from the start and so he explores Attachment, Playful, Unconditional, Simplicity, and good old Dr. Spock parenting. Humorous trial and poignant error lead Leaf to conscious parenting . And it s this recognition of the supremely practical benefits of being fully present to each new reality that gives Leaf, and readers, a glimpse of the very heart of yoga.

About this title

Review:

"Would it be weird if I said I want Brian Leaf to be my father? He's just that damn funny, thoughtful, and insightful. I guess I'll be satisfied with rereading his book instead."
-- A.J. Jacobs, author of The Year of Living Biblically and The Know It All

"For anyone who is a parent of a toddler, you will get some major deep belly laughs."
-- Alicia Silverstone, actress and author of The Kind Diet

"Brian Leaf writes about parenting and yoga with such humor."
-- Christy Turlington Burns, supermodel and founder of Every Mother Counts

"Some holistic parenting books make me roll my eyes until I get a headache. Not this one. You won't find judgment or condescension here, just humor and humility. Warm, approachable, and funny, Brian Leaf will have you nodding, laughing, and even learning when you least expect it."
-- Amber Dusick, author of Parenting: Illustrated with Crappy Pictures

"Brian Leaf plunges into the mysteries, madness, and anxieties of the parenting process and emerges with a perspective that is sure to leave you laughing and learning."
-- Adele Faber, coauthor of How To Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk

"Finally! A much-needed and elegant male perspective on parenting from a respected and respectful voice in the holistic community. Brian Leaf has struck the perfect balance between honesty, humor, passion, and compassion for all paths of parenting. What a wonderful addition to any parent's library."
-- Mayim Bialik, PhD, actress on The Big Bang Theory and author of Beyond the Sling

"Brian Leaf speaks about conscious parenting with great humor, insight, and depth. A must-read for all parents trying to answer the call to conscious parenting."
-- Dr. Shefali Tsabary, clinical psychologist and author of The Conscious Parent

"A warm, funny memoir about the surprising and enlightening ups and downs of parenthood....Very connected to his Jewish roots and his yoga practice, Leaf is a mindful parent, heeding the Dalai Lama's advice that the sure key to parenting 'is patience, compassion, forgiveness, and even faith, in my kids...but also in myself.' In this insightful book, he reminds readers to remain open to those transcendent moments of love, connection, and happiness that make parenthood a pure joy."
-- Publishers Weekly

"I found myself smiling, laughing, occasionally disagreeing, but most importantly thinking about where I stand as a parent. Brian's musing and misadventures come from the heart and encourage us to be both on the parental dance floor while also consciously watching ourselves from the balcony."
-- Kim John Payne, author of Simplicity Parenting, Beyond Winning, and The Soul of Discipline

"Fatherhood is not a spectator sport, and Brian Leaf isn't afraid to call the play-by-play on his own successes, near-misses, and semi-disasters. He's funny, poignant, and gets across a powerful message about tuning in to our children and ourselves without proclaiming one right way to be a dad."
-- Larry Cohen, author of Playful Parenting

"The potent blend of dad and yogi and humorist that Brain Leaf so deftly mixes makes his book a must-read for parents of any generation. I say Namaste to a dad who can keep it light and lead with humor and stillness."
-- Peggy O'Mara, founder of Mothering.com

"If parenting has as many laughs as this book, sign me up! Fans of the first Misadventures will delight in this romp through the trials, tribulations, messes, and joys of alternative child rearing -- all captured with Leaf's trademark mix of humor, honesty, and compassion."
-- Benjamin Lorr, author of Hell-Bent: Obsession, Pain, and the Search for Something Like Transcendence in Competitive Yoga

"K. Patthabi Jois said that family life was the 'Seventh Series' of Ashtanga Yoga, the most challenging and almost impossible to perfect. If this warm, funny book -- a love letter to both yoga and his kids -- is any indication, then Brian Leaf is a Seventh-Series Master."
-- Neal Pollack, author of Alternadad and Stretch

About the Author:

Memoirist and yoga teacher Brian Leaf is the author of Misadventures of a Garden State Yogi. Owner of the New Leaf Learning Center in Northampton, Massachusetts, Brian has studied, practiced, and taught yoga, meditation, and Ayurveda for twenty-five years.

About this edition

• Publisher: New World Library
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 1608682676
• ISBN 13: 9781608682676
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 264