Today we’d like to introduce you to Petra Gordon.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Petra. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
It started “underground” in my teens in my hometown Heidelberg, an old university town in Germany. I was interested in healing, philosophy and the art of living from far away places and anything different than my upbringing. My mother was constantly concerned I would go and live with a cult. During that time, I secretly visited traveling yoga and meditation seminars that came to our town and I loved going to the vegetarian Hare Krishna restaurant. In 1991 I began to explore India and South-East Asia on a budget with a backpack. I started learning yoga, meditation and the use of herbs for healing. I stayed in remote places and learned from the local people. For decades I have been going back regularly until now and have studied and practiced with teachers who passed on the ancient knowledge in the traditional teacher – student method called parampara.
After a short career in the travel business world during my early 20’s I started offering yoga and meditation sessions and was able to take it around the world. It has been a wonderful gift to share with people and has given me a multicultural global family. Then I became a mother to two amazing boys in 2003 and 2004. My pregnancies, childbirth and raising the children have been greatly influenced and inspired by my experiences of connected, natural and authentic yoga living. I’m proud to say they are both strong and handsome young men now and have traveled with me near and far. Yoga and Meditation have shaped the way I live and relate to my surroundings. My personal philosophy is to take yoga wherever I go and to apply it in all aspects to living wellness. It’s my way of happiness. It’s totally adaptable to our life and it makes it even better.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It’s been an interesting ride and I’m grateful to my discipline, experience and know-how to tackle life’s challenges with an even mind. At times I felt overwhelmed with my combined roles of being yogi, mother, adventurer, teacher, coach and to run a business.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
My business is yoga and meditation coaching based on authentic traditional and scientific yoga and meditation practices. I create health and wellness programs for individuals who seek to improve their life energy and wellbeing. It addresses the whole body, mind and spirit in a worldly way and welcomes all cultures, traditions and religions. Yoga has become very popular ever since I started and there is an amazing variety of traditions to learn from. I draw from a couple of traditions and create an individual program for people.
I work with regular one on one meetings online and guidance towards each individual’s goals so that it becomes like a second nature. I have online group classes that serve different time zones and I work with recordings of the classes for people to repeat on demand. There is also a social platform where I share a ton of extra information and address any questions that might come up. It’s a commitment and it works. I start with a 1 month introductory and then offer continuing programs afterwards. I’m proud of the positive changes it has brought to people. Their success is my success. Some of them you would never think they’d be into yoga and meditation and through our regular meetings they have not only found and accomplished their goals but exceeded them, they carry on with their lives with passion and joy. You can call it yoga and life coaching, bringing more quality and value to each day.
Most of my training has taken place in India and the East and therefore not only taught me a method to practice and teach but gave me the opportunity to experience how to integrate it into life. I learned it as an active non-aggravating way of living. It’s a natural, integrated and healthy approach to living in the modern world.
What were you like growing up?
I was a born adventurer. From early on I was sure to be independent and walk to pre-school on my own and go play with my friends in the forest. I loved playing with kids in small groups and in big groups. I started going to summer camps after 1st grade and started traveling with my friend around Europe at the age of 16 during the summer. I had an eclectic mix of friends from different cultures and took many opportunities to visit them in their place of origin. I mixed with the locals and never stayed in a resort. I was curious and open to everything.
I talked with strangers. I was inspired by the many travelers and international people that came to my hometown and knew from early on that I was going to explore the world. My family was a big tribe. I had countless aunts, uncles and cousins, which were not really my first grade relatives but they were called that. In this tribe we had all shades of social status and characters. Our gatherings were very large. My father died when I was seven years old and until then I spent a lot of time with him. My family was strong and safe. And my upbringing taught me to work hard and play a lot. I learned that nothing is free and everything is possible if you want it, you find a way to earn it.
Pricing:
- 20 % discount for Voyager LA readers
Contact Info:
- Website: Livingyogamindfully.com
- Phone: 310 795 8902
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: namaste.petra
- Facebook: Living Yoga Mindfully With Petra
Suggest a story: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
