“[Let Your Light Shine] shares the strategies that have given thousands of kids that edge that allows them to survive and succeed: be it love, support, self-confidence, or simply a friendly ear at a moment when no one else is listening.”
—from the foreword by Bessel A. van der Kolk, MD, New York Times bestselling author of The Body Keeps the Score

“Let Your Light Shine captures the originality, insight and most importantly, the brother-love that make Ali, Andy, and Atman’s work so vital and effective. Blending wisdom from their own Baltimore-based Black community and family with 2,500-year-old teachings originally offered in India, this trauma-sensitive, engaging book is just the contribution to the mindfulness movement that we need right now.”
—Rhonda V. Magee, MA, JD, author of The Inner Work of Racial Justice

"These guys are my heroes. For years, they have brought meditation and yoga to the children of struggling communities in Baltimore — work that repeated rounds of scientific research have shown to be immensely beneficial. Now, in this book, they show you how to work with your own mind, with the minds of the kids in your life, and with a world that can be both beautiful and cruel. Check it out." 
—Dan Harris, #1 New York Times bestselling author of 10% Happier

"How to change a world so challenged by mistrust, trauma and systematic racism? Let your Light Shine is a primer written with heart, honesty and truth. It is written for all who take the time to really care. It reveals how a difference can be made if we look within and change ourselves first. Then we can help the next generation with love, listening and learned skills.  Ali, Altman and Andres speak with profound experience and give us the very tools we need."
—Sharon Salzberg, author of Lovingkindness and Real Change

“Honesty, raw and inspiring wisdom, a powerful blend of deep insights into the real world we live in and the practical tools to build individuals and communities—these are brilliantly woven into the  narrative tapestry that fills Let Your Light Shine with a compelling invitation to dig deep and love broadly. Written by three co-authors and illuminated throughout by Uncle Will as mentor and spiritual guide, this book is not organized with the typical topic, discussion, and application structure. Instead, it is, like life itself, an open conversation between these gifted mindfulness teachers, with their long history creating and running the Holistic Life Foundation, and us, the readers who will so powerfully benefit from these visionaries’ courage, tenacity, and wisdom that shines through every one of these real pages of a story that we are so fortunate they took the time to create—in this book and in our world. We will all be better for the brilliance of Ali, Andres, and Atman that shines through in this wonderful contribution to our collective lives.”
—Daniel J. Siegel, MD, executive director, Mindsight Institute; founding co-director, UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center; and New York Times bestselling author of IntraConnected: MWe (Me + We) as the Integration of Self, Identity, and Belonging

Ali Smith is co-founder and Executive Director of The Holistic Life Foundation. Ali was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, he is a graduate of the Friends School of Baltimore and the University of Maryland, College Park, where he received a BS in Environmental Science and Policy. He is a pioneer in the fields of yoga and mindfulness in education, as well as trauma informed yoga and mindfulness. Ali has taught in seven countries on three continents. Co-Founder of HLF Atman Smith is a native of Baltimore. Atman attended the University of Maryland, College Park where he graduated with a B.A. in Criminology and Criminal Justice. Co-founder of HLF Andres Gonzalez is a certified Health Coach through the Institute of Integrative Nutrition, maintains a B.S. in Marketing from University of Maryland, College Park and an MBA from the University of Maryland, University College, and has over 20 years of experience providing yoga and mindfulness to populations all over the world