253: Plot Twist with Tara Stiles
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253: Plot Twist with Tara Stiles
Episode 253: Show Notes
In this episode of The Light Watkins Show, Light Watkins sits down with Tara Stiles, the pioneering founder of Stråla Yoga, to explore how she transformed a simple idea into a global wellness movement. Tara shares her journey from modeling in New York to becoming a yoga icon known for making yoga accessible, relaxed, and truly inclusive. If you've ever thought about starting something new or felt drawn to create a positive impact, Tara’s story is filled with down-to-earth insights and inspiring moments that might be exactly what you need to hear.
Through her innovative approach, Tara made yoga available to people who thought they “weren’t yoga people.” She began by offering free classes in Central Park, which then led to the launch of Stråla Yoga in her apartment—a simple but powerful space where anyone could show up as they were. Light and Tara dive into the ups and downs of her journey, from her humble beginnings to building a studio without the traditional “rules” of yoga. Together, they discuss why charging for classes can actually create a stronger community and how keeping things simple often leads to the most meaningful impact.
Listeners will hear practical lessons on following intuition, making wellness accessible, and building community without needing fancy equipment or big budgets. Tara’s story is a reminder that success doesn’t always follow a set path; sometimes, it’s about doing what feels right and watching something beautiful unfold. Whether you’re a yoga enthusiast, an entrepreneur, or someone just starting out, this episode offers refreshing, real-world advice on how to build something that matters.
Key Points From This Episode:
Building a Wellness Movement on a Budget: Tara shares how she launched Stråla Yoga with minimal resources, starting in Central Park and moving into her own apartment.
The Power of Charging for Your Passion: Discover how introducing a small fee transformed her yoga community and brought in people truly committed to the practice.
Making Yoga Inclusive and Accessible: Tara talks about stripping away the strict rules of traditional yoga to welcome anyone who wanted to join.
Creating Growth through Word-of-Mouth: Learn how genuine connections and word-of-mouth helped Stråla Yoga grow, without traditional marketing.
Staying Authentic in a Serious Yoga Scene: Tara reflects on finding her voice by breaking from rigid norms, bringing a more relaxed approach to yoga.
Simple Steps to Build Real Impact: Tara explains how starting small and staying true to her values allowed her to build a movement that resonates globally.
Quotes:
"I wanted yoga to be accessible but not just affordable, but also accessible in how you do it, in an easygoing way." —Tara Stiles
"If it doesn’t feel good, don’t do it. Instead of now, I know how to get people to do what feels good by leading them step by step." — Tara Stiles
"Yoga, at least the way I was understanding it, is so rich in its vocabulary that of course, a five-minute video isn't going to solve your problem. But it'll start to give you some hints and clues into what's happening with you." — Tara Stiles
"When we started to make it a small fee, it changed for the better 100%. The people that came really wanted to do yoga." — Tara Stiles
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Follow Tara on social media: @tarastiles
Listen to Tara’s full episode here: https://www.lightwatkins.com/show/tara-stiles