Taryn Toomey, the visionary behind “The Class,” has cultivated a wellness philosophy that extends far beyond physical exertion, embracing a holistic daily routine designed to nurture the mind, body, and spirit. Her approach, which has garnered a devoted following including celebrities like Jennifer Aniston and Gisele Bündchen, emphasizes self-awareness, emotional release, and consistent self-care practices. Toomey’s daily rituals are a testament to her belief that true well-being stems from a deep connection to oneself and the world around.
The Morning Awakening: Setting the Tone for the Day
Toomey’s mornings are intentionally structured to foster inner peace and prepare her for the day ahead. She emphasizes waking with the sun, recognizing herself as an early riser.
Mindful Start
Her very first actions involve basic self-care like brushing her teeth and scraping her tongue. This is quickly followed by a large glass of warm water with lemon, sometimes enhanced with cayenne, ginger, or turmeric, along with a probiotic and collagen. This internal cleanse is a cornerstone of her morning.
Breathwork and Meditation
A non-negotiable part of Toomey’s morning is meditation, even if it’s only for a few minutes. She incorporates breathwork, specifically a few rounds of Uddiyana Bandha, a yogic breathing technique that massages internal organs and stimulates digestion. Toomey also finds solace in her harmonium, using its reverberatory power to steady her thoughts and connect to something larger than herself.
Prioritizing Movement
Movement is a vital and medicinal aspect of Toomey’s life, and she prioritizes it daily. She prefers to work out in the morning on an empty stomach, finding it most effective for both her headspace and body. Her go-to workout is naturally “The Class,” which she often teaches and takes herself. She aims to dedicate an hour to movement to set herself up for the day, even if she sometimes needs to convince herself to start with just 10 minutes. When she isn’t teaching, she explores other fitness modalities like SLT or SoulCycle, demonstrating a keen interest in experimenting with and supporting other fitness movements.
Nourishing the Body: Intentional Eating and Hydration
Toomey views food as nourishment and advocates for a personalized, intuitive approach to eating.
Breakfast and Beyond
After her fasting workout, her first meal is typically protein-based, often including eggs and avocado, or a smoothie with ingredients like blueberries, almond milk, banana, almond butter, spinach, and various superfood powders and probiotics. She has experimented with different eating styles, including incorporating celery juice in the mornings to reduce coffee consumption.
Seasonal and Conscious Eating
Toomey practices seasonal eating, believing that what the earth offers is what the body should consume. In winter, she gravitates towards root vegetables for grounding, while in summer, she prefers lighter, easier-to-digest foods. Her meals often consist of salads with roasted vegetables, lean protein like fish or turkey meatballs, and sometimes even a bit of mayonnaise-based salads wrapped in seaweed. While largely plant-based, she occasionally incorporates fish and, if feeling anemic, grass-fed red meat. She’s not a fan of juice cleanses, advocating for whole foods to cleanse the body, and she practices intermittent fasting.
Healthy Indulgences
Toomey allows for healthy indulgences, preferring dark chocolate or vegan pudding, and notes that when sugar intake is low, the body’s cravings diminish. She permits herself to eat whatever she desires on weekends when dining out.
Evening Rituals: Winding Down and Releasing the Day
Toomey’s evenings are dedicated to unwinding, releasing accumulated energy, and preparing for restorative sleep.
The Water Ritual
A crucial part of her nightly routine is a “water ritual,” which involves taking a shower or bath to physically and energetically cleanse herself of the day. This can be as brief as two minutes, and she often uses a salt scrub to draw out toxins.
Rest and Reflection
Toomey takes sleep seriously, recognizing it as vital for mental, physical, and emotional health, and aims for around eight hours. Before bed, she avoids drinking water for an hour or two to prevent nighttime disruptions. She also takes magnesium and other supplements to aid relaxation. She makes an effort to turn off electronics at least an hour before sleep, allowing this to be the final moment for digital interaction. She enjoys reading and journaling before bed, finding writing helpful for “draining her brain” and reflecting on her day without over-analyzing.
Advanced Recovery Practices
Beyond the daily basics, Toomey incorporates more advanced recovery techniques. She frequently uses a sauna, including a higher-dose sauna at her office. She also engages in DIY cryotherapy, rotating between hot showers and ice-cold baths, or filling her bathtub with ice if her body craves a deeper freeze. Compression boots and a BioMat are also part of her end-of-day recovery regimen.
The Philosophy of “The Class” and Daily Life
Toomey’s daily routine is deeply intertwined with the principles of “The Class,” her unique somatic exercise method. This practice combines elements of calisthenics, plyometrics, guided breathwork, and emotional release, encouraging participants to strengthen the body while observing the mind to restore balance.
Mind-Body Connection and Emotional Release
The Class focuses on the mind-body connection, using repetitive movements and music to create sensation in the body and allow for emotional release, often through expressive sounds. Toomey believes that movement, music, and breath are key tools for processing life, and that “most of what’s going on [in the body] is in the mind,” and that individuals have the choice to reroute their thoughts and feelings.
Self-Regulation and Resilience
Through practices like breathwork and shaking, The Class aims to regulate the nervous system and release stuck energy. Toomey applies these same principles in her daily life, using breathing and grounding techniques whenever she feels overwhelmed or destabilized. She also stresses the importance of play and embracing silliness to maintain balance.
Taryn Toomey’s daily routine is a comprehensive testament to her philosophy: a conscious, consistent commitment to physical movement, mindful eating, emotional awareness, and restorative practices creates a foundation for a balanced and fulfilling life.
