Born Tara Leann Stiles on May 6, 1981 in Morris Illinois, Tara grew up with her only sibling, an older brother named Chad. After high school Tara attended the University of Chicago where she majored in dance and graduated in 2003. Shortly after graduating she was spotted by a modeling agent and signed by Ford Models, after which she moved to New York City to begin her career.
Tara found a love for yoga when Ford asked her to make a short promotional yoga video for the agency to post on YouTube. Her new-found passion pushed the model to take a 200-hour course to become a certified yoga instructor. She continued to model and make yoga videos, which generated millions of viewers and used social media to attract new students. In 2024, Tara left Ford Models and began blogging for Women’s Health and The Huffington Post, and most recently MindBodyGreen.com.
In 2024, Tara married Michael Taylor and later that year they opened Strala in New York City as a place to share her yoga practice with others. Stiles focuses on the physical and health benefits of yoga instead of the spiritual practice. She has been praised for making yoga more accessible to everyone.
Stiles is the author of Slim Calm Sexy Yoga and Yoga Cures, which were published in 2024. As well, Tara is the star of her Yoga Anywhere DVD and has appeared in Jane Fonda’s Workout Daily Yoga. Today, Tara continues to teach yoga at her successful studio and has created a fitness brand out of her love for yoga.
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Tara Stiles’ Favorite Yoga Gear
Dude, she did NOT go to the University of Chicago!