“There is such a sense of community that is built. So much love and compassion shared all while learning how to help others find themselves, find stillness, and cultivate peace. It's a beautiful experience. Even if someone is not interested in teaching, the 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training program is great for self discovery, self growth, self knowledge.”
During her yoga training, Tara found that her favorite teachers were Laura McKinzie, Duane Armitage, Aradhana Kaur, and India Bee. She shared that they all taught with compassion and grace. During her training, she learned the tools needed to succeed and were instilled with the confidence needed to face self-doubt. “I also have to say my fellow classmates inspired me. When you embark on such a journey, the opportunity for learning is all around you.” Tara wanted to add that she also loved her Polarity teachers- Gilad, Tracy, and Dina. In all honesty, she knows there are people she is leaving out so she shared that it's safe to say that she loved all her teachers at SWIHA/SOY.
The most valuable part of Tara’s training was discovering herself. She went on an inner journey that led to an outward expression of her true, authentic self.
Before coming to SWIHA, Tara had experienced severe depression. After discovering the healing effects of yoga and energy work, she realized that she would like to give back. She now does this through either a yoga class, gong healing, or gong meditation. She gives people an hour to an hour and twenty minutes of "them-time”. “I get to assist them in their own self-care and healing.”
Yoga and Gong classes happen in and around Tempe, AZ and Tara also offers Gong healing sessions and Gong meditations at her home. Her passion for sharing this type of work came after she experienced her own healing. “I just wanted to help people. Yoga, the Gong, energy work, it all helps the body heal itself physically, emotionally and energetically.”
This passion led Tara to teach yoga at the River Source 12-Step Recovery Center (out-patient). You can also find her teaching Hatha Gong at Body in Balance, the Wall class at Spirit of Yoga, and yoga to the employees at Mountain Park Medical Center.
When asked to describe what a student will experience in one of her classes, Tara replied: “A great yoga class is one that is both challenging and relaxing, where we will sink into stillness and cultivate peace. The vibration of the gong will assist clients in healing physically, emotionally, and energetically. The vibration will oscillate the cells, causing contraction and expansion of the cells, enabling them to better intake nutrients and expel toxins. Our issues are in our tissues. The vibration will help release stuffed emotions. Many people will have an emotional response. Energetically, the vibration is like un-kinking a hose if there is any latent or stagnant energy. The vibration will enable energy to flow freely through our energy systems, enabling the body to heal itself.”
Tara happily shared that her SWIHA education helped her find herself. “I was lost. It's enabled me to play a small part in someone else's healing journey, self-knowledge journey, or whatever journey they're on. To be that kind of witness is such an honor to be a part of and fills me with such gratitude.”
Tara has a special message for students and graduates who might want to follow in her footsteps: “Be patient. Follow your heart. Try not to let self doubt get in your way. Keep on keepin' on! This school exists for people like us to go out and change the world by supporting healing and cultivating peace, one client/student at a time.”
Stay in touch with Tara online!