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Yoga guru Tara Stiles' coolest spots in New York City

SINGAPORE — Tara Stiles might be one of the chill-est yoga instructors we’ve met.

Tara Stiles, showing her 
yoga prowess at 
W Singapore - Sentosa Cove.

Tara Stiles, showing her
yoga prowess at
W Singapore - Sentosa Cove.

SINGAPORE — Tara Stiles might be one of the chill-est yoga instructors we’ve met.

During our breezy, early morning yoga lesson with Stiles at W Singapore – Sentosa Cove, the 33-year-old showed us why practising yoga doesn’t always have to be a stressful, sweaty affair — while effortlessly contorting her body into a pose we didn’t know was humanly possible.

Stiles popularised Strala Yoga, which is known for “its laid-back, energetic and open vibe”, and now has a studio in New York City, where she is based. Besides partnering gyms and studios around the world to teach Strala classes to thousands of yoga enthusiasts, she also has her W Hotels’ FIT With Tara Stiles programme, which comprises a series of short in-room yoga videos for guests as well as exclusive yoga packages hosted by Stiles herself at some of their most idyllic retreats, including Bali and the Maldives.

“The biggest thing I’ve learned from yoga — and continue to learn — is finding ease in my body and mind,” the former model said. “Once I’m in that state of being easy, everything is a lot easier. A lot of us grew up thinking we have to work really hard to achieve our goals, but I think it’s about working in a very efficient way to achieve our goals.”

Which was why we asked her to recommend the best spots in New York City to relax. Because even the world’s most easy-going yoga instructor needs to chill out, once in a while.

 

BACK TO THE WOODS

“I go to Central Park when I start to feel a little tense. I grew up around the woods, so I love trees. I guess I am just a hippie like that! I like to go and sit around, hang out around a tree. The High Line is also really beautiful and it’s a nice walk that you can do. You get beautiful views of the city, but also of nature. In New York, people think you have to go inside or go to a spa to relax. But there is a lot outdoors that is free. You don’t have to spend money — just put on some sneakers and have some fun.”

 

JUICE IT

“I make my own juice at home and I am always cooking or trying out new smoothies. But when I am on the go, I like to grab a juice or smoothie. There are a lot of juice places popping up now — Organic Avenue (http://www.organicavenue.com) is on every corner. Juice Press (http://www.juicepress.com) is a really fun place. It has more of a cool story and a bit of an edgier branding. There are also many healthy restaurants everywhere like Pure Food and Wine, which has been around for a long time.”

 

STAY BOOKISH

“I always love to hang out at this bookstore, McNally Jackson (http://mcnallyjackson.com). It has a good cafe and nice coffee. It’s also right in my neighbourhood. It has many international magazines, so it’s fun to see what’s going on in the world and to read up. It carries a lot more interesting books than a traditional, regular bookstore. I read a lot of strange books about space and the universe, and the consciousness and meditation. It’s a fun afternoon when I can squeeze one in.”

 

The three-day FIT With Tara Stiles at W Retreat & Spa – Maldives package takes place from Dec 1 to 4. Priced at US$2,040 (S$2,600) per night, it includes accommodation, a three-course dinner curated by Tara Stiles, yoga sessions, spa treatments and other activities. Visit http://www.whotels.com/fitwithtarastiles for details.

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