#146 - TARA STILES - Softness Is Not Weakness
Adam Husler sits down with Tara Stiles, co-founder of Strala Yoga, bestselling author and one of the most recognisable voices in modern yoga, to explore an idea that sounds simple but challenges much of modern wellness culture: softness.
For Tara, softness isn’t weakness or avoiding difficult things. It is the absence of unnecessary rigidity, using the energy you actually need, staying connected to yourself and learning to work hard without adding extra tension simply because struggle feels productive.
They discuss no-pain-no-gain culture, burnout, ageing, yoga versus Pilates, wellness extremism and the pressure to continually optimise our bodies. The conversation also moves into yoga’s history of gurus, abusive adjustments and unhealthy communities, how students can recognise red flags, and why real-world friendships and community can protect us from becoming trapped inside any one system.
A conversation about strength, ease, identity and why perhaps the aim isn’t to become a better version of somebody else, but to become more comfortable being yourself. @tarastiles
NOTABLE QUOTES
“Softness is not the absence of weakness. Softness is the absence of rigidity.”
“Softness is doing everything you can possibly do with the least amount of effort possible to do that thing.”
“Move from your centre so you can actually keep going and do more.”
“We either speed up and panic toward midlife, or we accept, go with the flow and relax.”
“Stay with yourself. Stay centred as you go along your journey.”
“A good yoga teacher always finds a way to connect and be there for people.”
“You don’t need to go and be some other version of yourself to be happy.”
“We can do really hard things without destroying ourselves.
PERKS FOR YOU
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THE HOST
@adamhusler - Fuelled by a fascination with anatomy and a desire to ask ‘why’, Adam specialises in a signature style of Alignment-Based Vinyasa— inspired by decades of study of anatomy, mediation, yoga and mobility . He’s taught classes, workshops and trainings in over 60 studios across over 20 countries, along with countless conferences and events. You can find him chatting on the Honestly Unbalanced podcast, consulting for studios and brands, co-leading one of Europes largest teacher trainings, writing for the likes of Yoga Journal and trying to be an awesome dad.
For workshops, trainings, events and retreats, find out more here.
