Today we’d like to introduce you to Carrie Mandigo.
Carrie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I have a B.S in Exercise Science and a B.S.N. I worked as an R.N. for many years specializing in all forms of cardiac care with my favorite being Cardiac Rehab. I simultaneously worked as a certified fitness instructor before making the life altering decision to stay at home with my two boys. When boys were ready to be on their own, I was ready to enter the work force again, I decided to start by getting my Yoga Teacher Certification. Lava Yoga was an established business where I went to practice yoga the first day it opened and absolutely fell in love with the style of practice and the people. I became an instructor at the studio, easing back in to working both for myself and my family. Who knew what was coming! Enter COVID. With the hard times of the pandemic, I was given the opportunity to own the yoga studio I had just started teaching at. I wanted to do this not only to continue to share my passion for yoga, but because it had become a place of peace and community for so many clients and I just couldn’t imagine letting it go. Our community had already lost two local studios due to the pandemic and I was determined to keep it open knowing that we needed yoga now more than ever, not only for the physical health benefits, but also for the stress release/mental health. I have now owned the business for five years and cannot imagine it any other way.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Of course there were struggles with the first 2 years of owning and operating a yoga studio being during the pandemic. But I knew it wasn’t going to be easy and just dug in and kept going. I offered free classes on FaceBook Live. When we were allowed to be in small groups again, I reopened the studio and kept classes very small while also offering several classes so we could get as many in throughout the day as possible. And we continued to grow. I truly believe we saved people’s lives during this emotionally and mentally volatile time.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Lava Yoga Lawrence, LLC was formed in the fall of 2020. A pandemic baby. Lava Yoga is a hot yoga studio with the majority of our classes embracing clients with heat and humidity during Vinyasa flow for flexibility, strength, balance, detox, mental stability/clarity and stress release. We also offer non-heated Restorative & Gentle yoga classes. In addition, we host several educational workshops throughout the year for both students and instructors as well as RYT Teacher Training Certification.
Lava Yoga has a small boutique carrying handmade items from local artisans such as handmade jewelry, yoga apparel and skin care. I strive to support the community in whatever way I can and this is another small way I can help.
We set ourselves apart from the several other wonderful studios in Lawrence by heating the studio with 6 electric commercial heaters and an industrial humidifier. REAL heat. Not infrared.
I am most proud of the kindness our instructors bring to our community and the way we approach teaching yoga. We don’t expect anyone to walk into the door knowing yoga poses or Sanskrit. We teach everyone, no matter how experienced, how to get into a pose and out of it. We may say a few words in Sanskrit after saying the word in English just as a teaching moment, but that’s it. We encourage rest and self-kindness during every class. It is a very welcoming, very non-intimidating atmosphere. Pretentiousness does not belong in yoga. We believe in kindness so much, it’s in our logo.
Any big plans?
We are remodeling! In 2026, we plan to remodel the studio to ensure it remains a sustainable part of our community for years to come. We’ll be reconfiguring the space to make it more efficient – se we can continue to offer the classes and experiences our community loves well into the future.
Pricing:
- Intro Special: $60 for 30 Days
- $20 Drop In
- Community Classes $10 2 x a week
- Student and Military Specials
Contact Info:
- Website: [email protected]
- Instagram: @lavayogalawrence
- Facebook: @lavayogalawrence
