Change Career | Improve Your Own Health | Help Others, Explore our CNM Diploma courses
For over two decades, renowned yoga teacher Tara Lee has supported women through life’s most transformative stages, from pregnancy to motherhood and beyond. Known for her calming presence and holistic approach, Tara wanted to deepen the way she could support her clients’ overall wellbeing. That search led her to study Nutrition at CNM, combining her passion for movement with a deeper understanding of how food can nourish body and mind.
We spoke with Tara to learn more about her journey, how she balanced study with running a business and raising a family, and how she’s now integrating nutrition into her work with women around the world.
Got a health issue you want to resolve? Ready to take charge of your family’s health or explore a career change?
You’ve what inspired you to study nutrition?
I’ve always been fascinated by the connection between nutrition and overall well-being. Over the years, many people have come to my yoga classes not just for movement, but for support with energy, mood and stress. I wanted to offer more than yoga alone to help them feel their best. Studying nutrition felt like the missing piece. It gave me the knowledge and tools to support people in a more integrated and holistic way, addressing not just how they move and breathe, but also how they nourish themselves with their food choices.
What drew you to study at CNM?
I had a few friends who were either studying there or had already graduated, and they recommended it to me. I wanted to find a course that took place one day a week, which I could juggle alongside my work and family, and that was not too far to travel to. I was looking for something that could fit in around my other commitments.
Any standout modules or teachers?
There were some incredible lecturers, and the information was so interesting, covering a much broader range of topics than I had expected. I finished the training during lockdown, so we had to transition to online lectures and clinics at the end. I found the course to be significantly more demanding than I expected, like the work I had done for my university degree many years ago. Therefore, I would only recommend it to someone who has the time to properly dedicate to it. Bobby Qureshi was a standout teacher for biomedicine.

How did you balance studying with other commitments?
It was a huge commitment, and there were definitely times when balancing it all felt overwhelming. Running a business, raising a family and studying, especially during assignments, exam and clinic work, was a real challenge. I had to be very organised and often had to let go of perfection and do my best. I was lucky that I had a very good friend on the course with me and we supported each other. It taught me a great deal about boundaries, time management, and asking for help when I needed it. Looking back, it was intense, but fascinating and incredibly rewarding.
What surprised you most during your studies?
What surprised me most was just how individualised everything really is. The overriding message throughout the course was that each person and every case is entirely unique. It challenged the idea that there’s a one-size-fits-all approach to nutrition or health. I realised how much nuance there is, and that proper support means looking at the whole person- their lifestyle, history, mindset, and environment, not just applying general rules or guidelines. It really shifted how I think about health and how I work with others.
How has your training influenced the way you now think about health?
I realised that food is far more than just fuel. It’s information, it’s communication, and it plays a central role in everything from hormone balance and mood to immune resilience and ageing well. I think of good nutrition in terms of nourishment. It also taught me the importance of lifestyle alongside nutrition for creating optimal health. You can have great nutrition, but you also need to ensure that you prioritise lifestyle factors like sleep, stress, movement and good social connections.
Did studying nutrition lead to any changes in your own health or daily habits?
Yes, it definitely made me more aware of certain things, especially how small shifts can have a significant impact very quickly. I already had a healthy diet before studying nutrition but learning the science behind concepts like blood sugar regulation, nutrient absorption, the gut–brain connection, nutrigenomics, and supporting the gut microbiome really deepened my understanding. It gave me a greater appreciation for how all our systems are interconnected and that we should view the body as a whole, looking for the root cause of issues rather than merely covering up any symptoms with quick-fix solutions or medication.

What areas of nutrition are you most passionate about?
I’ve always been passionate about supporting pregnant women (through yoga and nutrition) because it’s such a profound and transformative time in a woman’s life. The body is doing something extraordinary, and it deserves our support. I love helping women feel empowered through understanding how nutrition can support their energy, mood, physical health, and the development of their baby.
I’m particularly interested in how nutrition can ease common prenatal and postnatal challenges and symptoms, while also laying the foundation for a smoother postpartum recovery. Supporting mothers nutritionally can make a real difference in reducing the risk of postnatal depletion or depression and can help them feel more grounded and confident in early motherhood. It’s also about establishing long-term health for both mother and baby, as well as the next generation.


How are you applying your nutrition knowledge in your business?
I integrate my nutrition training into all areas of my work and personal life, whether I’m supporting pregnant women, teaching yoga, or preparing meals for my family and friends. I love helping women understand how food and lifestyle can support their hormones, energy, digestion and emotional well-being, especially during pregnancy, postpartum, or other big life transitions. In my yoga classes, workshops and when I’m working on retreats, I often incorporate simple tips on topics such as blood sugar balance, gut health and the microbiome, energy production and nourishment for the nervous system. It’s not about rigid plans but about giving women tools to feel better in their bodies. I’m using some of the information for a new book I’m writing for pregnant women!
What’s your advice for anyone thinking of studying at CNM?
Only take it on if you have the time and space to fully commit to it – it’s a big commitment, and you’ll get the most out of it if you can really dedicate yourself. The course is incredibly rewarding, but it’s also intensive, so make sure the timing feels right in your life. If you’re passionate about health and wellbeing, and ready to dive deep, it can be a truly transformative experience.
What’s next for you – any exciting projects on the horizon?
I have some exciting things coming up! I’m working as a yoga teacher and nutritional therapist on several retreats in beautiful destinations around the world over the next year. I’m conducting teacher training courses for yoga teachers at Yogarise in Peckham. I’m also releasing a new book for pregnant women next year, with yoga and nutrition advice, which I am currently working on.
Curious how nutrition can transform your health or help others?
Start your nutrition journey at CNM and discover how food can be used as medicine to support body and mind.
Explore our Nutrition for Everyday Living short course to gain practical tools for you and your family, or take your passion further with CNM’s Diploma in Nutrition or BSc (Hons) Nutritional Therapy, designed to train you as a confident, qualified practitioner.



