105. Tara Stiles on Yoga as a Path to Inner Safety

Today, Dr. Avanti is joined by Tara Stiles, the co-founder of Strala Yoga, best-selling author, and well-being expert who has revolutionized yoga for millions into an everyday movement that supports ease and well-being. In their conversation, they discuss the reality of how yoga is commonly taught and practiced in the West which can be trauma-inducing, and the transformative potential of trauma-informed yoga which can instead create a safe and healing environment for anyone dealing with trauma. Tara emphasizes the need for creating “space” using the breath and easeful movement, helping people to move beyond trauma-induced behaviors like isolation or over-perfectionism. They explore the idea that healing doesn't have to be hard — rather, small, consistent self-care practices can lead to significant improvements. The conversation also touches on the importance of conserving energy and gentle movement, in line with Ayurveda and Tai Chi principles, and they recommend resources for those interested in deepening their understanding of trauma-informed yoga practices.