TARA RAPOPORT

What’s your favorite way to start your morning before teaching? 

4am start everyday and it’s effortless because it starts the night before. My clothes are laid out, breakfast is planned. Breakfast is always a smoothie bowl with my homemade granola. Straight to the gym by 5:15am. Morning pages/ journaling when I get to my office before seeing clients. And  some kind of workout every morning whether it’s cardio, strength or both.

Coffee, tea, or green juice? 

Double dirty Matcha Latte with almond milk is the way to my heart. Evans Brothers Coffee does it best!

What’s your go-to post-yoga meal or snack?

Usually I’m running back to the gym after I teach so my go-to is the Perfect Morning Smoothie (+ vanilla protein) from Heart Bowls across the street from the studio.

What’s your current song or playlist obsession?

The song I have on repeat that I can’t stop singing is: “I went back to Ibiza”, Mike Pozner. Thx for that one Kelly. I love making playlists and consider myself part dj. I love to inspire others through the gift of music and movement. I find inspiration in music everywhere. I am often shazaming music at the breakfast table on Saturdays. I’m also a huge Trevor Hall fan and love seeing him live!!!

When you are not teaching yoga, what are you doing?

Taking workout classes is one of my favorite pastimes. Hiking. Paddleboarding. Snowboarding. Skateskiing. I LOVE teaching Spin class. Road biking with my Girl Gang pushes me out of my comfort zone. Walking with girlfriends. Hanging out with my girlfriends. Cooking. Eating out. Spending time in Alaska with my husband. And I love thrifting, I consider myself a thrift-ninja.

What’s one thing your students might be surprised to learn about you? 

I have a 30 year old son. I was a young single mom. After graduating Nursing School, I gave birth to him at 19. He’s my favorite person in the world to hang out with, and travel the world with.

Describe yourself in three words.

Music

Love

Connection

What originally brought you to yoga?

The fun people at WE. I used to think yoga was boring, until I met the WE gang. Fun friends that have turned into family.

How long have you been teaching yoga and what are your certifications? 

I did my 200 hours for yoga at WE in 2021.

I have 20+ years experience in teaching Group Fitness Classes in various gym settings, including my own.  I’m a WayFinder certified LifeCoach. High energy ACE certified Personal Trainer, Pilates, Barre Fundamentals, Les Mills Body Pump, Group Fitness, Youth Fitness/Kids in Motion, TurboKick, Piloxing, TRX, Bender Barre Method, Schwinn Cycling, Johnny G-Mad Dogg Cycling, Nutrition, PiYo, Piloxing, Willpower & Grace, Balletone, Leadership, and Zumba. Warrior: Strength, Rhythm + Revolution. Self taught in Dance.  I have competed in multiple professional NPC bodybuilding competitions as a bikini competitor. First Aid + CPR.

What’s your favorite pose right now and your “love-to-hate” pose?

Favorite: Sugarcane. Working on my Dancer.

My love to hate: Chair! Who doesn’t?!

How do you want your students to feel when they leave your classes?

Ideally:  Elevated. Inspired. Stronger. Sexier. Connected. Empowered. Revived. Euphoric.

Realistically: Seeing others unlock their potential through breakthroughs in exercise is what drives me. I thrive on teaching others to live their best life by empowering them with the strength and confidence gained through working out. As a seasoned trainer, I enjoy advancing participants to their next level, and also meeting them where they’re at while providing a FUN , positive exercise experience.  I’m a huge believer in connecting my peeps and creating lifelong relationships. Some of my proudest moments are watching the relationships formed during classes, that continue to remain years down the road.

What’s the biggest lesson yoga has taught you off the mat?

As a recovering perfectionist, these two lightbulb moments dropped by my favorite instructor Nicole Murray were huge for me:

“Let the falls be part of the flow.” And “Let it be Messy.”

Not just on the mat but in life!

And also, simply to Breathe! Breathe! Breathe! Wherever we are! Breathe!!!