Exclusive Interview | Bharath Bhushhan
Today, we bring to you a very special guest — born in Europe, but Indian at heart. Ieva, born in Latvia, now lives in Rishikesh — the sacred land of yoga, where she illuminates others with the light she discovered within. After pursuing science in the West, life brought her to a breaking point, and at that moment, she chose a path that led her to India. In this heartfelt conversation, she not only shares her journey but also reflects on her deep connection with Indian culture and the true spirit of yoga.

Bharath Bhushhan: Ieva ji, to begin with, tell us about your childhood — where are you from and how was your upbringing?
Ieva: I’m from Latvia, a small country in Northern Europe. My childhood was very close to nature — trees, rivers, silence, and peace. Perhaps it was this calm environment that shaped my soul to seek deeper meaning.

Bharath Bhushhan: When did you first hear about India or yoga?
Ieva: A serious spinal injury had nearly made me immobile. Doctors had given up. One night, I came across a book on yoga — and something inside me instantly recognized it. That was the beginning of my journey.

Bharath Bhushhan: Was coming to India a sudden decision?
Ieva: Yes, to be honest, India called me. It wasn’t a decision — it was a calling. A silent yet echoing pull that came straight from the soul.

Bharath Bhushhan: Why did you choose Rishikesh in India?
Ieva: Rishikesh, for me, is the heart of India. The first time I stepped into the Ganga, tears rolled down my eyes. It wasn’t water — it was an embrace. I felt my soul had found its home.

Bharath Bhushhan: What does yoga mean to you?
Ieva: Yoga is breath, life, and truth to me. It’s not just about postures — it’s the union between the soul and the Supreme. It’s a remembrance of who we truly are.

Bharath Bhushhan: How do you balance traditional Indian yoga with modern lifestyles?
Ieva: I deeply respect tradition. The method of teaching can be modern, but the essence must remain ancient. Diluting yoga is a sin.

Bharath Bhushhan: Share a powerful moment from your journey.
Ieva: Once a student told me — “Ieva, after ten years, I slept without pain.” That wasn’t me — that was yoga.

Bharath Bhushhan: Do you think yoga is misunderstood in the West?
Ieva: Absolutely. Many see it merely as a workout. But yoga is the mirror of the soul, a surrender of the ego. My mission is to help people see its real essence.

Bharath Bhushhan: What message would you give to international students?
Ieva: Come to India — but come with respect. Come to listen, not just to do.

Bharath Bhushhan: How has living in India transformed you?
Ieva: India broke me — and then healed me with love. I became emotionally softer, mentally calmer, and spiritually alive.

Bharath Bhushhan: Which Indian festivals or traditions are closest to your heart?
Ieva: Diwali — when the whole of India becomes light. And Holi — where every color becomes an experience.

Bharath Bhushhan: Have you learned any Indian languages?
Ieva: Yes, I can speak a little Hindi. “Sab theek hai” (All is well) and “Shanti” (Peace) are my favorite words.

Bharath Bhushhan: Any favorite Indian dish or place?
Ieva: Aloo gobhi and jeera rice! And the Himalayas are my soul’s true home. My journey to Kedarnath transformed me.

Bharath Bhushhan: How have Indian philosophy and spirituality guided your inner journey?
Ieva: Advaita Vedanta and the Bhagavad Gita shattered my illusions. They taught me that the boundary between the soul and the Divine does not exist.

Bharath Bhushhan: What kind of students come to you?
Ieva: Mostly women — some in physical pain, some with broken hearts. All are seeking transformation.

Bharath Bhushhan: What do you consider yourself to be for your students — a guru, a guide, or a friend?
Ieva: I am a mirror. Sometimes a friend, sometimes a guide — but always someone who walks with them.

Bharath Bhushhan: How do you use social media?
Ieva: As a sacred tool. I share my truth — my struggles, my sadhana, my learnings. My message is: “You are not broken. You are becoming.”

Bharath Bhushhan: Have you worked with any Indian gurus or ashrams?
Ieva: Yes, I’ve learned from Parmarth Niketan and a few local gurus. They are simple, but their words echo the universe.

Bharath Bhushhan: Is there any special person in your life?
Ieva: My life is love. Not just one — I see love in every soul.

Bharath Bhushhan: What’s your view on modern love? Do you believe in soulmates?
Ieva: Yes. True love breaks the ego — and that itself is spiritual practice.

Bharath Bhushhan: Has India changed your perspective on love?
Ieva: Absolutely. Here, love is devotion — not just attraction. Here, love is penance.

Bharath Bhushhan: What qualities do you value most in a life partner?
Ieva: Emotional depth, spiritual awareness, and the ability to understand silence.

Bharath Bhushhan: If you had to describe your journey in one word?
Ieva: Awakening. Because I didn’t just change countries — I changed dimensions.

Bharath Bhushhan: What message do you want to give to today’s Indian youth?
Ieva: Don’t run away from your roots. Your ancestors gifted you yoga, Ayurveda, and dharma — embrace them.

Bharath Bhushhan: Where do you see yourself in the next five years?
Ieva: Still in the Himalayas, leading a global healing movement — a space where people can find themselves.

Bharath Bhushhan: How do you want the world to remember you?
Ieva: As a bridge — between science and soul, pain and peace, the West and India.

Ieva’s journey is not just one individual’s story — it is a call of our times. When the West wanders and the East calls, we need bridges that unite cultures and consciousness. Ieva is that bridge.

Interviewer: Bharath Bhushhan
Presented by: Namaste News Network