Tara Lee, @taraleeyoga on Instagram, is internationally recognised as one of Britain's foremost yoga teachers. She specialises in Vinyasa flow yoga, pregnancy yoga and postnatal yoga. Tara regularly appears on television, in magazines and online and has been named one of the UK's top five teachers by the London Evening Standard.
How can yoga help us to set intentions at the beginning of a new year?
Yoga is not just a physical practice, it is also a way to connect deeply with our inner self. By calming the mind, yoga allows us to hear the subtle voice of our inner wisdom, which is often drowned out by external distractions and pressures. When we practice yoga with mindfulness and tune into the breath, we cultivate self-awareness and discernment (viveka), which help us differentiate between what we truly desire and what we’ve been conditioned to strive for.
What's the difference between resolution and intention?
A resolution is often a fixed goal focused on external outcomes, such as “do yoga every day”, “lose weight” or “get a promotion.” It tends to be future-oriented and sometimes rooted in societal ideals of success. Resolutions can feel rigid and failure to achieve them often leads to disappointment and self-criticism.
An intention, in contrast, focuses on aligning with your inner values—emphasising how you want to be rather than what you want to achieve. Intentions deeply resonate with yoga philosophy as they centre on the present moment and the qualities you wish to embody, such as compassion and mindfulness. Intentions aren’t about “fixing” yourself; they’re about celebrating and honouring who you already are while fostering how you want to feel.
What does returning to your truest self mean in the context of yoga and mindfulness?
When we connect to our truest self, we reconnect with our essence, that part of ourselves that is pure, unchanging and authentic.
It is not defined by our roles in life, our achievements or the expectations of others. Yoga philosophy describes this as peeling back the layers of the ego to reveal your inner light or ‘Purusha’. It is about connecting to your truest identity which is already within you.
How can yoga help us shed stress and external pressures that keep us from living authentically?
Yoga integrates body, mind and breath to shed stress, tension and distractions. It calms the nervous system with pranayama (breath practices) and mindful, movements.
We are so often thinking of the past or planning for the next moment and the future. Yoga focuses our attention on the way we are breathing in that moment so we can become more present in the here and now.
Examples of Grounding poses:
- Mountain pose (tadasana)
- Child’s pose (balasana)
- Seated forward fold (paschimottanasana)
Poses to help release stress:
- Legs up the wall (vipariti karani)
- Child’s pose (balasana)
- Pigeon pose (eka pada Rajakapotasana)
For reflection:
- Pranayama practices
- Meditation
What does your yoga practice look like at the start of a new year?
I took some time off over Christmas to recharge and connect with family and friends. After not doing yoga for a week, my body felt achy and stiff, so I began incorporating some gentle stretching which felt amazing! I created a yoga class for my library, designed for those easing back into movement after a break. Sometimes our bodies need a gentle, mindful approach to reintroduce yoga, and this class is perfect for that.
If there's one message or mantra you'd encourage us to carry into 2025, what would it be?
A quote I like to end my classes with - ‘Our bodies live in the past, our minds in the future when these two come together this is yoga’.
A mantra for 2025 - ‘This year, I will nurture my mind, body, and soul with kindness and care.’
How can we stay compassionate towards ourselves when we stray from our intentions?
Remember we are gifted the opportunity to start each day anew! Celebrate each small win, speak to yourself as you would a good friend, let go of guilt and start again, reaffirm your why. Repeat the mantra - I am doing my best and that is enough.
What's one principle that you believe everyone should embody in the coming year?
Authenticity- Commit to living in alignment with your true self, expressing your values, and honouring your unique voice.
I love this quote by Mahatma Gandhi- "Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony."
You can access Tara's online classes here.