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Everything Is a Little Bit Alright: Yoga, Meditation, and a Dog Named Roy
An uplifting, lighthearted, and compelling memoir that recounts the author's lifelong spiritual journey. The grief from the passing of his mom is transformed to gratitude, forgiveness, and joy as he moves along the healing path with the help of his dog, Roy. Along the way, the author, Daniel Hertz, becomes a devoted meditation practitioner and an award-winning teacher and counselor. A pivotal part of the journey is a nearly monthlong stay at a mountain shrine in India where Hertz meets a swami who eventually arranges his marriage. The story merges lively classroom scenes from his thirty-one years as a teacher and counselor in the Minneapolis Public Schools with his twenty-six-year adventure as a student and faculty member at the Meditation Center in Minneapolis. Looking back over his life, Hertz sees that true healing began when he accepted that the one thing in life certain to happen is change.
149 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 4, 2020
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About the author
Daniel Hertz
9 books1 followerPlease see my Facebook page for much more information on my new book, EVERYTHING IS A LITTLE BIT ALRIGHT: https://www.facebook.com/daniel.hertz.5
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 13, 2020
A truly inspirational memoir with authenticity, tenderness, and wisdom chronicling the growth of the author as well as an interesting commentary on innovation in education. Set in Minneapolis and India. Bravo, Daniel Hertz.
July 22, 2020
Full disclosure, I taught with Daniel Hertz in the Minneapolis Public Schools for over three decades starting in the early 1980s. In the mid-1980s for five years we taught down the hall from each other at Franklin Junior High School. Daniel is conscientious, professional, and respected by all. I refer to him as, "Daniel, my brother."
Everything Is A Little Bit Alright is an often frightening, humorous, poignant, and always honest look at Daniel's life over those three decades and even further back to his high school days in St. Paul.
My definition of a good book is one in which I see myself throughout the story as if I am looking at a mirror. In his engaging memoir, I saw my reflection in Daniel's vivid description of being with a parent as they pass on, wrestling with an upset stomach on Sunday nights before the start of a new school week, and wracking my brain to develop successful motivational strategies for students with challenging behaviors.
A good book also provides a window to the world for sites and experiences never imagined. I had never been to Panama City. Daniel's description of the oppressive heat convinced me I will never go. I've also never been to Dallas, but now I feel like I have been there and done that community. Daniel's description of India elevated that enchanted country to the top of my bucket list.
Perhaps the most enduring lesson to be learned from Daniel's journey around the world is that nearly all of the answers to our physical and mental stresses can be found by lowering our gaze to our diaphragm and taking a deep breath. Each chapter heading in Everything Is A Little Bit Alright introduces one of Daniel's adventures with an appropriate yoga pose and breathing exercise to maximize the filling of our lungs, heart, and soul with life-saving energy. These exercises work wherever and whenever you need them, and they are free!
Have some fun and open your mind to this slim, quick read. At the end of your journey, you may come to see yourself as the person in the yoga position on the cover’s drawing. Depending on how you look and study that drawing, you may see yourself as a candle burning brightly. In the case of the author, Daniel my brother, I see a yoga devotee who also lights up the darkness like a candle, leading the way for us to follow.
Tom Murray, Author of Fathers, Sons, and the Holy Ghosts of Baseball.
Everything Is A Little Bit Alright is an often frightening, humorous, poignant, and always honest look at Daniel's life over those three decades and even further back to his high school days in St. Paul.
My definition of a good book is one in which I see myself throughout the story as if I am looking at a mirror. In his engaging memoir, I saw my reflection in Daniel's vivid description of being with a parent as they pass on, wrestling with an upset stomach on Sunday nights before the start of a new school week, and wracking my brain to develop successful motivational strategies for students with challenging behaviors.
A good book also provides a window to the world for sites and experiences never imagined. I had never been to Panama City. Daniel's description of the oppressive heat convinced me I will never go. I've also never been to Dallas, but now I feel like I have been there and done that community. Daniel's description of India elevated that enchanted country to the top of my bucket list.
Perhaps the most enduring lesson to be learned from Daniel's journey around the world is that nearly all of the answers to our physical and mental stresses can be found by lowering our gaze to our diaphragm and taking a deep breath. Each chapter heading in Everything Is A Little Bit Alright introduces one of Daniel's adventures with an appropriate yoga pose and breathing exercise to maximize the filling of our lungs, heart, and soul with life-saving energy. These exercises work wherever and whenever you need them, and they are free!
Have some fun and open your mind to this slim, quick read. At the end of your journey, you may come to see yourself as the person in the yoga position on the cover’s drawing. Depending on how you look and study that drawing, you may see yourself as a candle burning brightly. In the case of the author, Daniel my brother, I see a yoga devotee who also lights up the darkness like a candle, leading the way for us to follow.
Tom Murray, Author of Fathers, Sons, and the Holy Ghosts of Baseball.
August 3, 2020
Everything is a Little Bit Alright by Daniel Hertz recounts tragic and stressful life events, yet the narrator encourages readers, leading us to feel joy by the end of the narrative. Hertz shares his experiences as a teacher and school counselor, his advent into yoga and meditation as sources of healing, his visits to India and Panama, and his losses, from his parents’ divorce when he is an adolescent to their later deaths. When he adopts a rescue dog, Roy is a healing agent that teaches Daniel and readers important lessons. We grieve with the narrator as he faces the inevitable with courage; then we are uplifted through meditation and transcendence, looking at life as through a mirror that vanishes to reveal our essence.
Reading this memoir is like having your own swami guiding you through ways of being and seeing. It’s like a cool, refreshing drink after a long drought. The title comes from a loved figure in the book, a teacher and mentor, who impacts Hertz’s life and readers’ perspective as well. Following Hertz deeper into his story of healing, we are led to meditate, reflect, and learn with him.
Each chapter begins with a yoga position that represents the theme of the chapter and the growth Hertz experienced as a result of life events recounted in the chapter. The memoir has made me want to learn more about the practices of meditation and yoga.
There’s so much to love about this book, but perhaps the greatest take-aways are the feelings it inspires of joy, hope, peace, love, and forgiveness, which the world needs now more than ever.
Reading this memoir is like having your own swami guiding you through ways of being and seeing. It’s like a cool, refreshing drink after a long drought. The title comes from a loved figure in the book, a teacher and mentor, who impacts Hertz’s life and readers’ perspective as well. Following Hertz deeper into his story of healing, we are led to meditate, reflect, and learn with him.
Each chapter begins with a yoga position that represents the theme of the chapter and the growth Hertz experienced as a result of life events recounted in the chapter. The memoir has made me want to learn more about the practices of meditation and yoga.
There’s so much to love about this book, but perhaps the greatest take-aways are the feelings it inspires of joy, hope, peace, love, and forgiveness, which the world needs now more than ever.
May 26, 2021
This book is really a special one. It is like I was reading a diary of a good friend. There are some simple but so powerful yogatips in it. Daniel writes about his life, when he discovers yoga, when he meet his wife Nikki and become friends with Swami Hariharananda Bharati.
Every evening I read a piece of it.
It is nice to discover so much wisdom of the Himalayan Tradition in his stories. And he writes very sincere about all the life events. I loved it!
Every evening I read a piece of it.
It is nice to discover so much wisdom of the Himalayan Tradition in his stories. And he writes very sincere about all the life events. I loved it!
June 23, 2020
A wonderful and heartfelt memoir.
A pleasant meditation on life full of insight and wisdom. Daniel Herz recounts the relationships and experiences that most shaped his life. Each chapter is accompanied by a yoga pose that matches the theme of the chapter. At times funny and at times sad Daniel is always very honest.
A pleasant meditation on life full of insight and wisdom. Daniel Herz recounts the relationships and experiences that most shaped his life. Each chapter is accompanied by a yoga pose that matches the theme of the chapter. At times funny and at times sad Daniel is always very honest.
August 1, 2020
I could not put down, "Everything is a Little Bit Alright". It is such a flowing, fantabulous read! I finished it within two days. It demonstrates how to live a life with attention and intention- awareness and consciousness-trust and acceptance-gratitude and love and with upmost integrity. A life well lived! Randee Rosenfeld, M.A., BCIA Certified Biofeedback and Certified Qigong Instructor
June 13, 2025
A sweet book, showing how facing a variety life crises and accepting them leads to deep spiritual transformation and profound inner peace. Daniel's peacefulness was clearly communicated to me -- I felt more peaceful and accepting as I read his lovely book. Thank you, Mr. Hertz!
March 7, 2026
A meticulously crafted memoir weaving together the author’s life through accounts of profound hardships and illuminating life lessons. Page by page, the narrative unfolds like a rich tapestry, prompting deep introspection on one’s own journey and experiences.
August 13, 2020
Thoughtful book intertwining Daniel’s life journey with meditation and yoga poses. A gentle heart and compassionate view on life and it’s inevitable twists and turns. Well worth the read.
July 23, 2020
An endearing story that explores mindfulness through grief, worldwide traveling, and an inspiring career in teaching. Highly recommend!
August 25, 2020
A pleasant pandemic surprise
I followed a trail of goodreadites to this book. It has been a calming force. Thank you Daniel for your reflections.
I followed a trail of goodreadites to this book. It has been a calming force. Thank you Daniel for your reflections.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews