Review of Finding Real Yoga
Posted: 27 Jun 2025, 05:12
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Finding Real Yoga" by Daren Black.]
Daren Black shares how real yoga helped him overcome various challenges and shaped his life in his book Finding Real Yoga. Daren faced a series of accidents, emotional struggles, homelessness, and serious health challenges that left him with chronic pain. Given these hardships, one might expect him to have a negative outlook on life. However, Daren’s attitude was anything but bleak. Daren describes his resilience as a ‘bold rubber band,’ flexible and tough, with a willingness to stretch. In the 1970s, Daren took a decisive move to leap into the unknown and diligently embraced yoga and meditation.
In 1988, Daren had a chance encounter with a spiritual teacher (Pundit Ravi Shankar), Gurudev Sri Sri, which turned out to be a pivotal moment for him. The author participated in a course that helped deepen the practices. The author then decided to augment it by joining the first Teacher Training Course (TTC) in North America. I urge readers to peruse the rich experiences Daren shares with immense affection and honesty while providing valuable insights into his journey.
After reading the book, Daren’s decision in the 1970s almost seemed like a divine intervention to prepare him for the meeting with his guru in 1988. This book details how insightful life lessons were communicated by Gurudev and how the author gradually embraced them. The author includes the minutest details, both the inner joy and turmoil, aiming to help and inspire readers, explain the meaning of ‘real yoga,’ and provide tools to progress on their spiritual journey. As we go through each of these stories, we can feel the kindness, generosity, and occasional parent-like strictness with which Gurudev Sri Sri conveys his teachings to his devotees. Overall, I enjoyed reading the author’s description of a wide range of emotions, from joy to challenges, humor, and enlightenment.
The book discusses the relevance of yoga traditions, breathing practices (pranayama), physical postures (asanas), mantras, and various teachings from scriptures and Ayurveda, highlighting how these practices aided his recovery and growth. Although the teachings are rooted in Hindu religion and culture, they are respectful and in no way diminish any other faiths. Readers with a basic understanding of the said practices will find it easier to appreciate the content.
Among the many teachings, the author emphasizes the importance of good airflow in the spaces we occupy, correct breathing practices, and their positive impacts on physical and mental well-being. The book also highlights the importance of breathing techniques, especially Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SKY), a key reason I picked up this book. The author also shares how Gurudev saved his life not just once but twice, which adds to this compelling narrative.
The author shows how Gurudev simplified the concept of karma, or the law of cause and effect, using an example of a postal worker delivering a letter that we might not like. Gurudev presented that just as we don’t blame the postman for the contents of a letter, we need not be upset with people who present challenges in our lives. Here, he guides us to accept the present reality, be mindful of our emotions, and respond with awareness rather than react impulsively.
Reading this book has pushed me to remain consistent with my practices, accept my limitations, and work towards overcoming them. Honestly, what I’ve shared here is just a tiny glimpse of what the book contains. While some may see these stories as mere personal diary entries, they are a treasure trove that many followers will feel blessed to know.
That said, the author should consider another round of editing to address the errors, which is the only reason I’m giving it four out of five. I have no other negative comments regarding any other aspects of the book. Including photographs and tagging the reference material with the relevant chapters would have enhanced the book’s appeal. The book contains links to Gurudev’s talks and several of his quotes. It also includes the author’s poems. The author also invites readers seeking assistance to PracticalAyurveda.com.
******
Finding Real Yoga
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Daren Black shares how real yoga helped him overcome various challenges and shaped his life in his book Finding Real Yoga. Daren faced a series of accidents, emotional struggles, homelessness, and serious health challenges that left him with chronic pain. Given these hardships, one might expect him to have a negative outlook on life. However, Daren’s attitude was anything but bleak. Daren describes his resilience as a ‘bold rubber band,’ flexible and tough, with a willingness to stretch. In the 1970s, Daren took a decisive move to leap into the unknown and diligently embraced yoga and meditation.
In 1988, Daren had a chance encounter with a spiritual teacher (Pundit Ravi Shankar), Gurudev Sri Sri, which turned out to be a pivotal moment for him. The author participated in a course that helped deepen the practices. The author then decided to augment it by joining the first Teacher Training Course (TTC) in North America. I urge readers to peruse the rich experiences Daren shares with immense affection and honesty while providing valuable insights into his journey.
After reading the book, Daren’s decision in the 1970s almost seemed like a divine intervention to prepare him for the meeting with his guru in 1988. This book details how insightful life lessons were communicated by Gurudev and how the author gradually embraced them. The author includes the minutest details, both the inner joy and turmoil, aiming to help and inspire readers, explain the meaning of ‘real yoga,’ and provide tools to progress on their spiritual journey. As we go through each of these stories, we can feel the kindness, generosity, and occasional parent-like strictness with which Gurudev Sri Sri conveys his teachings to his devotees. Overall, I enjoyed reading the author’s description of a wide range of emotions, from joy to challenges, humor, and enlightenment.
The book discusses the relevance of yoga traditions, breathing practices (pranayama), physical postures (asanas), mantras, and various teachings from scriptures and Ayurveda, highlighting how these practices aided his recovery and growth. Although the teachings are rooted in Hindu religion and culture, they are respectful and in no way diminish any other faiths. Readers with a basic understanding of the said practices will find it easier to appreciate the content.
Among the many teachings, the author emphasizes the importance of good airflow in the spaces we occupy, correct breathing practices, and their positive impacts on physical and mental well-being. The book also highlights the importance of breathing techniques, especially Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SKY), a key reason I picked up this book. The author also shares how Gurudev saved his life not just once but twice, which adds to this compelling narrative.
The author shows how Gurudev simplified the concept of karma, or the law of cause and effect, using an example of a postal worker delivering a letter that we might not like. Gurudev presented that just as we don’t blame the postman for the contents of a letter, we need not be upset with people who present challenges in our lives. Here, he guides us to accept the present reality, be mindful of our emotions, and respond with awareness rather than react impulsively.
Reading this book has pushed me to remain consistent with my practices, accept my limitations, and work towards overcoming them. Honestly, what I’ve shared here is just a tiny glimpse of what the book contains. While some may see these stories as mere personal diary entries, they are a treasure trove that many followers will feel blessed to know.
That said, the author should consider another round of editing to address the errors, which is the only reason I’m giving it four out of five. I have no other negative comments regarding any other aspects of the book. Including photographs and tagging the reference material with the relevant chapters would have enhanced the book’s appeal. The book contains links to Gurudev’s talks and several of his quotes. It also includes the author’s poems. The author also invites readers seeking assistance to PracticalAyurveda.com.
******
Finding Real Yoga
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
. You have presented a wonderfully detailed picture. Personally I love yoga, maybe I don't practice it as much, but I think reading the book will be helpful.