Tara Stiles is one of today’s most influential yoga teachers, widely known for creating Strala Yoga – a fresh and accessible approach rooted in yoga, tai chi, and natural movement. She has inspired millions of practitioners in the United States and around the world with her friendly, inclusive style that removes the pressure and rules often found in traditional yoga.
In this article, you’ll discover the incredible journey of Tara Stiles – from her inspiring biography and family life to her supportive husband and mindful diet plan. We also explore her unique yoga teaching style, along with her bestselling wellness books that continue to help people find balance and live healthier, happier lives.
Tara is much more than a yoga instructor; she is a multi-talented wellness leader whose work encourages people of all backgrounds to enjoy yoga safely, naturally, and with ease.
Tara Stiles Biography
Early Life
Tara Stiles, born on May 6, 1981, in Morris, Illinois, is a celebrated American model turned yoga instructor and wellness pioneer. Originally named Tara Leann Stiles, she began her journey in the modelling world before discovering her passion for yoga. Her unique path eventually led her to co-found Strala Yoga- a modern practice that blends yoga, tai chi, and natural movement.
Tara’s transition from modelling to mindfulness has made a major impact on the yoga community in the United States and beyond. Her approachable teaching style and innovative movement philosophy continue to shape the way many people experience yoga today.
Husband
Michael Taylor is the husband of Tara Stiles. The couple first met in 2008 at the Ananda Ashram in Monroe, New York. Their shared vision and passion for mindful movement led them to co-found Strala Yoga and later establish the Strala studio in New York City. Together, they have played a key role in reshaping modern yoga, encouraging accessibility, ease, and enjoyment for everyone.
Family
Tara Stiles grew up outside Morris, Illinois, with her family. She has one sibling, her older brother Chad, who works as an electrician. Her family roots reflect her down-to-earth upbringing and approachable personality.
In 2008, Tara met her husband, Michael Taylor, at Ananda Ashram in New York. Their partnership blossomed both personally and professionally, leading to the creation of the Strala studio in NYC. Tara and Michael are parents to their daughter, Daisy, who brings joy and balance to their family life.
Tara’s family background and personal journey-from growing up in Illinois to nurturing her own family mirror the natural, grounded values she brings to the yoga community.
Education Background
Tara Stiles holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Classical Dance from Barat College of DePaul University. Her training in movement laid the foundation for Strala, a globally recognised well-being method that blends yoga, tai chi, and principles from Traditional Chinese Medicine. Through Strala, she continues to help people reduce stress, build healthy habits, and navigate life with ease.
Tara Stiles Diet
Tara Stiles follows a moderate and mindful approach to eating. While there is no confirmed information showing that she adheres strictly to a vegetarian or vegan diet, she consistently encourages the consumption of whole, nourishing foods. Her approach is rooted in balance and listening to the body rather than following rigid dietary rules.
Her meals often include a wide range of plant-based foods, reflecting her emphasis on natural, nutritious options that support overall well-being. Tara’s philosophy is less about labels and more about making choices that feel good, both mentally and physically.
Specific Diet Plans or Recommendations
Tara Stiles shares her diet philosophy in her book Make Your Own Rules Diet, where she offers easy and enjoyable ways to bring healthy eating, yoga, and meditation into everyday life. Her recommendations focus on the following core principles:
- Inward Reflection: Tara encourages readers to look inward and understand their unique needs for true well-being. She believes that each person’s path to health is personal, and understanding oneself is the first step.
- Create Personal Rules: She advocates for the creation of personal rules for a healthy lifestyle. Instead of rigid diet plans, Tara encourages individuals to set their own rules that align with their goals and preferences.
- Practice with Ease: Tara emphasizes practising with ease, without discomfort or tension. This approach aligns with her belief that what you practice is what you manifest. It promotes a gentle and sustainable approach to health.
- Adaptability: She teaches readers to recognize when something isn’t working and be open to updating their rules as circumstances change. This adaptability ensures that the approach remains relevant over time.
- Holistic Approach: Tara’s approach encompasses various aspects of life, including the kitchen (diet), the mat (yoga and physical activity), and the cushion (meditation). It’s a holistic approach to getting to know oneself and achieving overall well-being.
What is Tara Stiles’ Yoga Style?
Tara Stiles is known for her unique and accessible approach to yoga, which she has popularized through her Strala Yoga movement. The following key features can characterize her yoga style:
- Ease and Fluidity: Tara Stiles emphasizes the importance of moving with ease and fluidity in yoga. Her approach focuses on making yoga accessible to people of all levels, including beginners. She encourages practitioners to flow through poses gracefully, promoting a sense of freedom and comfort in their practice.
- Mindful Movement: Stiles incorporates mindfulness into her yoga practice. She encourages practitioners to connect with their breath, stay present in the moment, and listen to their bodies. This mindfulness aspect enhances the mental and emotional benefits of yoga.
- Intuitive Practice: Tara Stiles promotes an intuitive approach to yoga. Instead of rigidly following prescribed sequences, she encourages individuals to listen to their bodies and adapt their practice accordingly. This empowers practitioners to create a yoga practice that suits their unique needs and goals.
- Wellness Integration: Beyond physical postures, Stiles integrates wellness principles into her yoga teachings. She emphasizes the importance of a holistic approach to well-being, incorporating elements like healthy eating, meditation, and self-care into the yoga journey.
- Online Presence: Tara Stiles has a significant online presence through platforms like YouTube, where she shares a wide range of yoga routines and wellness practices. This digital accessibility has helped her reach a global audience and spread her yoga philosophy.
Tara Stiles offers a variety of morning yoga routines designed to help improve flexibility, boost energy, and start the day with mindfulness. These routines can be found on her YouTube channel and other platforms.
Tara Stiles’ Morning Yoga Routine for Beginner
Tara Stiles offers a variety of morning yoga routines designed to help improve flexibility, boost energy, and start the day with mindfulness. These routines can be found on her YouTube channel and other platforms. Here’s a summary of what you can expect from Tara Stiles’ morning yoga routines:
- Morning Yoga for Flexibility: Tara Stiles has specific routines focused on enhancing flexibility. These routines typically include a series of yoga poses and stretches aimed at increasing the body’s range of motion. An example video is “Morning Yoga for Flexibility with Tara Stiles.”
- Wake Up Yoga: She provides “Wake Up Yoga” sessions designed to invigorate the body and mind in the morning. These routines often incorporate gentle movements and breathwork to awaken your senses. You can find these on her YouTube channel.
- Ease Into the Morning: Tara offers routines like “Ease Into the Morning Yoga Routine,” which are suitable for beginners and provide a gentle start to the day. These routines include basic poses and relaxation techniques.
- Flexibility and Range of Motion: Her “Flexibility and Range of Motion” routines cater to those looking to improve their overall mobility and reduce stiffness. These routines often include stretches targeting different muscle groups.
- Morning Routine for Beginners: Tara Stiles understands the needs of beginners, so she offers yoga routines specifically tailored for them. These routines include beginner-friendly poses and clear instructions.
- Short Duration Options: Some of her morning routines are as short as 5 to 10 minutes, making them ideal for individuals with busy schedules who want to incorporate a quick yoga practice into their mornings.
- Mindfulness and Calm: Tara often incorporates mindfulness and relaxation techniques into her routines to help practitioners start their day with a sense of calm and focus.
Tara Stiles’s Yoga Books
Tara Stiles is the author of several popular books that focus on yoga, meditation, and holistic well-being. Through her writing, she shares approachable practices designed to help people reduce stress, improve mobility, cultivate mindfulness, and live healthier, more balanced lives. Her books highlight her signature style – simple, enjoyable, and accessible for everyone, no matter their experience level.
1. Yoga Cures
Published in 2012, this book offers readers a comprehensive guide to using yoga as a remedy for various common ailments. Tara Stiles provides detailed yoga routines tailored to address more than 50 health issues, making it accessible for individuals looking to improve their well-being through yoga.
2. Slim Calm Sexy Yoga: 210 Proven Yoga Moves for Mind/Body Bliss
Released in 2010, this book delves into over 210 yoga poses aimed at promoting mental and physical harmony. Tara Stiles guides readers through yoga routines designed to bring balance, calmness, and a sense of well-being into their lives.
3. Make Your Own Rules Diet
Published in 2014, Tara Stiles introduces readers to her holistic approach to well-being. This book goes beyond conventional dieting and encourages individuals to create their own rules for a healthy lifestyle. It emphasizes the importance of practising with ease and provides insights into incorporating yoga, meditation, and healthy food into daily life.
4. Strala Yoga: Be Strong, Focused & Ridiculously Happy
Released in 2021, this book explores Tara Stiles’ Strala Yoga movement system, designed to ignite freedom, strength, and happiness through yoga practice. It offers guidance on achieving a deeper connection with one’s body and mind, promoting a sense of well-being and joy.
5. Clean Mind, Clean Body: A 28-Day Plan for Physical, Mental, and Spiritual Self-Care
Published in 2020, this book merges Eastern philosophies with integrative life and wellness coaching. Tara Stiles provides a 28-day plan for enhancing mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. It emphasizes the interconnectedness of mental and physical health, offering practical guidance for self-care.
These books collectively offer a comprehensive guide to yoga, mindfulness, and holistic living, reflecting Tara Stiles’ commitment to promoting well-being and self-discovery.
Strala Yoga Teacher Training
Tara Stiles offers a yoga teacher training program through Strala Yoga, known for its innovative and inclusive approach. The program includes comprehensive yoga, tai chi, and Traditional Chinese Medicine training, leading to a 200+ hour Yoga Leadership Certification and Diploma upon successfully completing both parts.
Tara Stiles’s approach to yoga teacher training is rooted in the principles of accessibility, simplicity, and mindfulness. Strala Yoga is known for its unpretentious and straightforward style, making it suitable for aspiring yoga teachers of all backgrounds and experience levels.
The training program offered by Tara Stiles aligns with her vision of making yoga more accessible and approachable to a broader audience. While she may not follow traditional yoga paths, her training program reflects her commitment to teaching yoga in a practical and down-to-earth manner.
FAQs About Tara Stiles
Tara Stiles is a renowned yoga instructor and the founder of Strala Yoga, known for her innovative and inclusive approach to yoga.
Strala Yoga is Tara Stiles’s yoga organization that offers yoga classes, teacher training, and promotes a simplified and accessible approach to yoga.
Yes, Tara Stiles offers yoga teacher training programs through Strala Yoga, including a 200+ hour training that leads to a Yoga Leadership Certification and Diploma.
Tara Stiles was born on May 6, 1981, which makes her approximately 42 years old as of September 2023.
According to publicly available resources, Tara Stiles’ net worth is estimated to be around $2 million as of 2023.
Tara Stiles’s daughter’s name is Daisy.
Tara Stiles’s husband is Michael Taylor, and together, they founded Strala Yoga.
Tara Stiles has authored several books, including “Slim Calm Sexy Yoga,” “Yoga Cures,” “Make Your Own Rules Diet,” and “Strala Yoga,” among others, covering topics related to yoga, wellness, and personal development.
