I, Indra (a Latvian) and my husband Phil (an Irish/British man) moved to SB in 2000 from Europe, after having spent years in Paris (France), where we did our MBA together, Tampa (Florida, USA), where Phil set up and successfully ran a technology company, Riga (Latvia), where I was consulting big businesses, Fort Smith (Arkansas, USA), where our first son was born, Bristol (UK) where our second son was born.

And then… we were in Santa Barbara… Phil worked full time, running a business. I looked after our two young sons- one and three years old. In the summer of 2001, I got my courage (and babysitters!) together to take Sue Anne and Jim Parsons’ Let It Go Yoga Teacher training and graduated less than 3 months before giving birth to our third son. During the course of that magical summer, we took different modules of the Let It Go Yoga teachings/training- the Let It Go Yoga series, Intro to Yoga, Yoga Philosophy, Pregnancy Yoga, etc. Then there was  my favorite- the Let It Go Yoga Business Module. Sue Anne taught that so well and with such a zest! So, in line of that, and somewhat logically, after graduating and registering with the Yoga Alliance, and buying my insurance to teach yoga, I followed what was happening in my own life and translated it to teaching Pregnancy Yoga classes. That lead to Postnatal Yoga classes, and then Yoga for Moms (well, Dads were welcomed, too!) I was loving it! The classes were a success, and I had the unflinching support of Sue Anne and Jim, if/when I ran into any unexpected roadblocks. Which made this new teaching yoga business endeavor even more palatable and appealing!

When the three boys were happily at elementary school, I felt ready (and finally free!) to teach Yoga for Kids. So, I did! I also taught yoga classes for adults at different retreats, and did my fair share of subbing in local Gyms and Health Clubs here in Goleta and SB. I also taught yoga at the mountaintops for our local hiking group and Sunday Beach Yoga for families (of the children I was teaching during the week). I taught Let It Go Yoga at the retreats in Latvia for a summer (by the way… Wow! The translations of the instructions from English to Latvian were not a joke to come by…  to say the least! That actually is worth the whole another write-up, as that process is a windy road, dotted with mishaps, misinterpretations and anecdotes, and, I bet, it is true for any language one is trying to transpose the teachings to…!!!)

The kids’ yoga classes, though, were to become the True Love of my Life (sorry, Phil, I did not forget about you! You are first!…  and then our three sons! And then…yes, yoga and the kids’ yoga classes! Yes, I do remember the order!) and so… it went on for many, many, many years teaching at numerous different preschools, after-school programs at the elementary schools, health fairs for teenagers, summer camps, as well as teaching preschool teachers to teach kids’ yoga here and internationally. Gradually, I also picked up teaching Inclusive Yoga to people of all abilities together with our amazing Jessica Parsons at the Carrillo Rec. Center and at various retreats. That really was a fun and rewarding journey together with Jessica! And in unpredictable, wonderful and unexpected ways, it led me to my current day job – I do Marketing and Admissions at Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health California Center. Yoga prepared me for that job! Let It Go Yoga, and … well, many other things that I had done and learned in my life, too, but still, I give the first and most important credit to yoga!!

Yoga and Let It Go Yoga in particular are parts of my everyday life – here, there and… really everywhere, no matter which country I find myself in – in terms of early morning personal practice, intentional breathing and ability to stay still… and reflect all that is (As it is! I hope.)

I am blissfully and painfully aware that I would not be able to do what I do professionally today without yoga and the awareness that it has taught me/brought to me.

I value and appreciate my Teachers, Mentors and True Friends, Sue Anne and Jim, and feel humbled and very lucky for having met them and for having had the guts to take that Let It Go Yoga training so many years ago… I feel grateful to have their support all these years! THANK YOU!

And, yes, I am one lucky yogini!

Thank you, Yoga! Thank you, My Amazing Teachers!

And Namaste to ALL.

Written by Indra Strong, Certified Let It Go Yoga teacher.

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