Thank you Tara for taking time to answer these questions. It’s hard to put into words how much positivity radiates from you when meeting you in person but hopefully your answers will help our readers to experience some of that energy.

Just introduce yourself. Where are you currently based and what do you do?

Hi! I live in London near Notting Hill Gate and Hyde Park. I am a yoga teacher, nutritional therapist, mother of two teenagers and I also run pregnancy yoga teacher training courses.

You have been teaching yoga at the Life Centre and privately for more than 20 years. You have dvds, online classes, developed ‘the Bump mat’ your own yoga mat… Can you give me a run through of your career journey?

After studying Psychology at university I worked for documentary film making company. I studied photography while living in Paris and then did a yoga teacher training course. I recently qualified as a nutritional therapist after a 3 year course.

What led you in the first instance to be a yoga teacher?

I discovered yoga at university and it has been a constant practice in my life ever since! It makes me feel so good and seems to keep aches and pains at bay. I fell into teaching friends and family as I wanted to share it with people and it snowballed from there!

You are a multidisciplinary person. It feels like you are constantly evolving and transforming. Do you always follow your gut? In a busy world, with family as well how do you make sure you stay aligned with what you want?

I do try and follow my gut when making decisions. I don’t usually have set plans for the future. I like to go with the flow and see what feels right in the moment and let things happen from there. It can get busy with family and work but I love to do the things that motivate me! I’m good at multi tasking and will often work late into the evening whenever there is too much going on during the day! I prioritise the things that are important and set aside time for myself and that seems to help keep me aligned.

In addition to your yoga teaching and practice, you have recently studied further to become a nutritionist. How do nutrition and yoga compliment each other? How do you feel you can help people to achieve their optimum in both.

I think that to achieve optimum health we need to fuel ourselves well and also move our bodies daily. Yoga and nutrition complement each other perfectly in this respect. If you do yoga without the right nutrition you won’t feel good and if you eat well but don’t have enough movement in your life, you won’t feel your best.

How nutrition has changed over the last decade?

I think there is more of an emphasis now on personalised nutrition. There is a realisation that one size does not fit all. What might work for one person won’t necessarily work for another. We are all unique and need to eat according to our genes and lifestyle and adapt for the various stages of our life.

We keep hearing about gut health. Why is it so important?

Yes our gut health is of utmost importance! The immune system is mainly located here so we need to look after our gut to strengthen our immunity. Allergies, food intolerances, the health of our skin and many other diseases are linked to poor gut health. Due to the gut brain axis, mental health issues can also be improved with focusing on gut health.

What’s the best way to start your day? Do you stick to a morning routine? If you have a bad start to your day how do you break the pattern and get back on track?

I’m a routine kind of person! I get up at around 7am and have a shower and then a hot water with lemon drink. I either do some yoga or rush out of the house for an early dog walk, often meeting up with friends. I then either teach yoga or do some form of exercise. I love to dance or go to pilates as well as practicing yoga. I don’t often have a bad start to the day as I know that my routine gets my day off on the right foot so I am committed! I know that stretching, breathing, meditating, good food, time in nature and hanging out with friends will work every time!

With such a busy schedule, how do you keep the focus every day and get things done? How do you feel when you achieve your goals for the day?

I think the morning rituals help me to have better focus and motivation to deal with the tasks of the day! I also think that good sleep and nutrition are both essential for having enough energy to achieve everything you want to get done. There are lots of good tips for improving sleep and I often help clients with this.

What are the things that uplift you and what is the impact on your mind and body?

I love to dance! It is so uplifting and energising. Dancing keeps me feeling young, my body feels strong and supple and my mind is alert. Yoga makes me feel calm, uplifted and present and helps my body stay strong and supple. Walking my dog in nature with friends in the park is also incredible for my mental and physical health.

What is your approach to life and realising your potential? What advice would you give your younger self?

My approach to life is to find balance. I try to be kind, to always learn from experiences and to find the beauty and magic in everyday life. I also try to prioritise the things that feel important to me and to challenge myself with new experiences. I would say to my younger self to trust that everything will be ok and to follow your dreams!

What would a perfect ‘day off’ look like?

My perfect day would be on a yoga retreat with friends either as a student or a teacher. Swimming in the sea, yoga outside and delicious fresh fish. My perfect day in England would be a long walk in the countryside, followed by a lunch outside surrounded by my family and dog!

FIND TARA @thelifecentre, https://thelifecentre.com and for yoga and nutrition and directly connect with Tara here @taraleeyoga and here https://taraleeyoga.com/ for private sessions of both.