This new group fitness class has us feeling all the feels. Taryn Toomey’s The Class is a mash-up trifecta of boot camp, yoga and therapy – and with a motto of “finding peace through strength,” you can expect to have your heart opened and soul shaken (in the very best way possible!) right out the gate. Oh yeah, and your body glowing with sweat: you’ll work each muscle group to its limit as your instructor gets you rethinking your inner dialogue and coaxing you into a positive headspace. Sounds like a lot? That’s because it is. There’s a little something for everyone, from the cardio queen to the spiritual gangsters: think 45-75 minutes of HIIT, yoga flow, alignment, and meditations that will literally bring tears to your eyes (much like another fitness phenomenon, this class is known to go there emotionally).
As founder of The Class, Taryn radiates aspirational – yet relatable – positivity, and seems way more like a wise sister or BFF than a fitness instructor you see a few times a week (this could explain why she’s created such a cult following that includes celebs like Naomi Watts and Christy Turlington). When we sat down with her to chat all things wellness, we couldn’t help but notice how passionately she celebrates the women around her – from her mentors to her fellow teachers, even instructors at other fitness studios. And that is something we can so get behind. Meet your new fave workout buddy:
Class In Session: Taryn Toomey of The Class
Name:
Taryn Toomey
Studio:
Downtown studio in TriBeCa.
My specialty:
Teaching mind-body catharsis in The Class.
Favorite class to teach:
The Class.
Favorite class to take:
The other The Class teachers! I also love Laurie Cole’s class at SoulCycle and Annie Piper’s class at Kula Yoga.
Moment I fell in love with fitness:
I really wanted to teach straight out of the gate. There was a trainer at my gym named Saul who said he saw something special in me. He asked the head trainer to train me. She did and there you have it: 18 years old in South Florida teaching step aerobics. Gotta love the Grapevine, baby!
When you leave my class you feel...
Better, clearer, more equipped to face the ups and downs of your day.
My secret weapon:
Winding people up tightly, getting them into a state of ‘I can’t.’ Bringing them right to the edge – and then unleashing that tension like a shot gun cannon – and in comes the strength. See? You can. I love allowing people to feel their untapped strength.
Go-to workout gear:
Lululemon ‘In The Flows,’ a cotton tank knotted in the back and necklaces.
In my gym bag:
Face wipes, Joanna Vargas Rejuvenating Serum, eyelash curler and bobby pins.
Favorite workout move:
Our heart opening series.
Biggest inspiration:
Mama Kia, who was my mentor, a healer, a mother, and the founder of a beautiful orphanage in Peru called Casa de Milagros.
When I'm not in the studio, I'm...
Working at my desk or being Mama.
Favorite post-workout fuel:
Natalie Kuhn’s smoothies – she’s one of The Class instructors. #bigbowlofhealth (see recipe below!)
Favorite way to hydrate:
Straight up water.
Fave quick workout outside the studio:
The After Burn – it’s very intense but super quick: slow warm up, 1 minute full throttle, 2 minute recovery, repeat for 20 minutes – bam! – done.
Latest healthy obsession:
Nori rolled with guacamole and arugula.
Current mantra:
It’s all going to be okay.
Make-The-Sun-Rise-Inside Smoothie
Ingredients
1 cup coconut water (more if you want it more liquidy)
For toppings:
1 dried fig
Bee pollen, to taste
Directions
Blend all in a high powered blender.
Cut a dried fig into five pieces, slicing from the top of the fig to the bottom to create sectionals. Arrange them as you wish, sprinkle bee pollen on top. This makes two servings to give you and your pal just enough fuel for your workout.
