Spiritual Graffiti: Finding My True Path

by M.C. Yogi

MC YOGI, the hip hop artist and #1 yoga teacher in North America, offers wisdom and inspiration for spiritual seekers in this enlightening memoir which recounts his journey from living in a group home for at-risk youth to becoming yoga’s modern day ambassador to the West.

After failing public school and being expelled from several continuation schools, MC YOGI landed in a group home for at-risk youth—a fascinating and dangerous world filled with drugs, graffiti, and troubled kids. But at eighteen his life dramatically changed. After graduating from that program, he was introduced to yoga. When his feet landed on the mat that first time, MC describes it as a "coming-home experience."

Deeply moved by this powerful occurrence, he devoted himself to learning everything he could about the ancient discipline. Ultimately, yoga would revolutionize his life, putting him on the path to becoming a successful hip-hop musician and inspirational yogi to thousands of people.

Spiritual Graffiti is his dramatic story—a moving and inspiring chronicle of a troubled teen who would become a headlining yoga star, layered throughout with wisdom, and told in MC YOGI’s signature style. A blend of Rumi, Noah Levine, Gabby Bernstein, and Rob Bell, this is a hopeful, moving, and uplifting story of the remarkable power for transformation within us all.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Spirituality, Audiobook, Mental Health, Biography

272 pages, Hardcover

Published September 19, 2017

About the author

MC YOGI is a California-based artist, yoga instructor, and musician. From living in a group home for at-risk youth to becoming one of the most beloved yogis in North America, MC YOGI is on a mission to bring good energy into the world. He and his wife, Amanda Giacomini (@10000buddhas), have taught yoga and performed everywhere from festivals, nightclubs, museums, all the way to the Forbidden City in China and even The White House. His latest musical collaboration, Ritual Mystical (feat. East Forest), made history by going #1 iTunes Electronic - August 2016. MC YOGI is on tour throughout 2017 - headlining festivals, teaching and performing to over 200,000. When he’s not on the road, MC YOGI teaches at his home studio, Point Reyes Yoga, in Northern California. He and Amanda currently live north of San Francisco.

Reviews

[Claudia Arcuri-Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's hard to believe I've listened to his music for 10 years now. I am so glad I picked this up and read it. It's really down to earth and feels personal in the language. It's one of those books I'll pass on to everyone I can.

[A.BookNerd.Bookseller&Bibliophile.Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

MC Yogi’s story proves that anyone can turn their life around. That we can never give up on our kids. And that yoga is life! ~ A Bibliophile ❤️📚

[Lisa Antonakakis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great and inspirational read to remind yourself of the potential you have no matter where you come from. I loved how easy it was to read and feel engaged in each chapter. It has reinvigorated me to stay on my path and continue practicing yoga.

[Christine Sinko · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! This book is an incredible story of how a man was going down the wrong path and changed it with yoga. If anyone needs a book to help themselves be their own hero this is it. We can all walk this path if we choose to. From his music to his book, everything about MC Yogi is amazing!

[Melanie Maloney · Rating 4 out of 5]

MC Yogi’s story proves that anyone can turn their life around. That we can never give up on our kids. And that yoga is life!

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the artist and loved his story.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Denne ga meg akkurat det jeg trengte nå 🩷

[Nikki Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have played MC YOGI's music for so many years in yoga class. I remember when my sister came across his album and told me to purchase it. Super cool to read his uplifting and entertaining story.

My favorite quote comes about when he is learning to chant with a Mala and is in reference to the largest bead or the Guru bead. "...the Guru with a capital G. That Guru is the supreme principle that inhabits every being in the form of intuition, the inner knowing and feeling that tells us whether or not something is true."

[Kierstin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve been loving his music immensely for a long time now, so it was very interesting reading about his personal spiritual journey. His life path is fascinating, his voice is strong and clear, and his teachings are poignant and easy to grasp. I really enjoyed this quick, entertaining read.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is such an uplifting story of a creative and open hearted young man. I wish more individuals sought meaning in their lives this way.

[Liz Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was AMAZING! I read a lot of books and I don't write reviews. I also RARELY give 5 stars. In fact, I've rated 100's of books and I know there are <10 and maybe <5 books which got 5 stars.

Full disclosure - I have been in a large crowd and experienced several of MC Yogi's yoga classes at Wanderlust '19. Prior to that festival, I had never heard of him. I'm not into music but I LOVE yoga. I'm currently registered to take Yoga Teacher Training - class starts within a month. And it happens to be for Ashtanga yoga. Go figure.

Anyways, I didn't know the story of MC Yogi or his wife, Amanda. I did hear Amanda give a talk at Wanderlust, so I do know a little about her 10K Buddha project. Very cool.

I listened to the audiobook version of this book and loved that MC Yogi reads it himself. He has an awesome voice and the story moves right along. It spends a lot of time on yoga and how it turned his life around. Yoga got me through a tough time in life so I could totally relate to how it impacted him.

The only thing missing was his incredible sense of humor. At Wanderlust, his classes were so fun and his humor just HILARIOUS. Regardless, if you want to learn about MC Yogi and/or yoga - awesome read. I will, in fact, make sure a friend whom I met after returning from Wanderlust who teaches at my studio reads it, too. She already incorporated some of his teachings into her classes. Including his music. ;-)

[Marilyn Di Carlo-Ames · Rating 5 out of 5]

I came to be in the presence of M.C. Yogi by way of DJ Drez, who's spinning I had really dug out at Wanderlust a few years back and to whose live DJ'ing I then had the pleasure of practicing yoga to. M.C. Yogi has the energy of the Beastie Boys wrapped up in a yogic-peace-love package that is irresistible. He's honest, he's real, he's got WOW conviction. This is a must-read that explains the path of focus and determination to survive, by a young man challenged by life, who, like thousands of other young men in our country, have the odds against them. Even though his life-experience may in no way replicate your own demons, his dedication if unforgettable and his force remarkable. A fascinating story of a true warrior. I LOVE this book and pledge an eternal ODE TO M.C. YOGI, NAMASTE!

[Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is riddled with grammatical errors, yet the narrative isn’t harmed at all. Spiritual Graffiti is the story of one man finding his way out of gangs and drug use and into yoga, and in that way there are similarities to Noah Levine and Josh Korda, but MC Yogi’s story is all his own, the thread of hip hop culture threading throughout, beginning as an act of rebellion before transforming into a manifestation of realization via spray paint and mic.

[Lisanne Cozart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read. Super quick, yet thorough. Amazing story of life. You are always where you are meant to be and this memoir depicts just that. What an awe-inspiring talent. Having just met him and his wife, I had increased interest in reading his story but it would have been just as captivating without the previous exposure. Thank you, MC Yogi, for reminding me that anything I want, I can have, it's all within my grasp!

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this audiobook on a whim during a sleepless night with my daughter. It turned out to be surprisingly good and insightful, discussing issues such as homophobia, loss, and finding one's way through life. The audiobook turned out to be a great decision. The author read it himself, which made specific passages more powerful. Also, he is a musician and he incorporated both the occasional sound clip and his own music in the recording.

[Tiffany Mercer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this guy. Even more so now that I've read his incredible inspirational story of moving past destructive paths to become such a symbol of peace and empowerment for so many people in this world. What a journey he has been on and I can't wait to see him live again some day! His energy is contagious and uplifting!

[Talitha Baker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ever read a Christian inspiration memoir? It’s like that, but with Yoga being the salvation instead of Jesus. I like MC Yogi’s music well enough and I’ve been led by him in yoga at festivals. He’s gifted and certainly has dramatically improved his life through his spiritual discipline. I don’t know though.... I feel like I’ve encountered this story many many times before.

[Carrie LeAnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Especially loved the latter part of the story when he was introduced to yoga by his Dad. The first part of the story was important to get a feel for how the authors’ life was off track and spinning out of control. Gives me a whole deeper understanding of the lyrics in his music - making me love his music even more!

[Steven · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good writer but a story that lacks much challenge. I would be more engaged in this story if I didn’t feel that the author was destined to make it due to many people saving him and the ability to just walk away from each situation. Still there is something to the writing I liked and I hope to hear more.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked reading about his life and learning more about him as a person, but overall the book was not the best book I've read- I just feel like I didn't get that much out of it, but it's a quick easy read.

[Audrey Olson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy and enjoyable

This book was hand picked for a book club. I would have never even picked it up, but did so because of the club. I was happily surprised the easy of the read and how much I truly enjoyed the book. Recommended, a feel good book.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun, quick read that tells the story of disrupted childhood security, teenage rebellion, and moving from aimlessness to purpose in adulthood. Stories of how art, music, and yoga have been guiding influences along the way are interwoven throughout. I really enjoyed this one.

[Mel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I imagine anyone reading this book is already familiar with MC Yogi and is a fan of his music or yoga and meditation offerings. I put myself in that group. I was interested to learn more about his life (and it was less than $2 on Kindle), so the book met that goal.

[Joan Mortimer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have followed MC Yogi for a while loving his music. His book is very inspiring and he shares his story in a very simple and compelling way. I recommend reading his story. I cried several times through the book. That rarely happens to me.

[Chuck Raffoni · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very easy read about an interesting and unique path to Yoga. As a yoga teacher who likes my teaching to embody my own unique interests and voice, learning how MC Yogi was able to combine his love of hip-hop with yoga was inspiring.

[Alexis · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick and easy read about MC Yogi. A quick biography. Fairly interesting, but nothing special.

[Cherie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A memoir of how MC Yogi came to be, moving from drug and addiction problems to being a serious yogi and one of the most well-known names in music in the yoga world.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was expecting some sort of insight. This almost read like a bland travelogue to me.
I may donate my signed copy to the local yoga studio.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

So refreshing to see someone find the strength to turn their life around, listen to their heart and be able to find the stillness to take in the wisdom that's offered all around us every day. Bravo

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The power of yoga to improve life as seen in a simple but moving autobiography.