Studio Owner

Hi, everyone! My name is Mandy Lal and I was born and bred right here in Akron, Ohio. Besides yoga, I love to cook up new recipes, read about far away places, and play mom to my three favorite not-so-little anymore kids. I grew up without the slightest inclination of what yoga is and didn’t fully come into my practice until my early 30s. What drew me to yoga in the first place was that when I stepped on to my mat, I had an entire hour dedicated to myself, and all the distractions of my everyday melted away. I realized that a lot of my time was spent helping other people, which I love to do, but when I was on my mat I was able to connect to myself and just breathe. After a few years of practicing regularly, I decided that I wanted to expand my knowledge and delve into the origins and intricacies of yoga, thus I began my yoga teacher training journey. When I graduated from YTT, I just knew that I wanted to share my passions of both yoga and helping others achieve their dreams by opening a studio space. My hope is that this studio will create a place where people, of all kinds, can come and feel at home.

Falls Yoga Studio Manager

E-RYT 500, YACEP

My journey towards becoming a yoga teacher began with a deep desire to transform my life through the practice of yoga. I started practicing yoga in 2015 and since then have completed my 200 and 300 hour yoga teacher trainings.

I have found that through the practice of yoga, I have been able to cultivate a greater understanding of what it means to be mindful, self-aware and how to live a life of bliss.

In addition to my passion for yoga, I have also delved deeply into the practice of Ayurveda; the ancient Indian science of health and healing. Through this practice, I have learned how to achieve balance and harmony in my body and mind, and how to use natural remedies and therapies to maintain my health and vitality.

Ultimately, my goal is to help others find their own path to bliss and inner peace, by sharing the insights and practices that have been so transformative for me.

Contact : alexa@fallsyogaandbarre.com

In 2014, my yoga journey began and in December 2023, I completed my 200-hour training becoming a Register Yoga Teacher.

After several years of practice, yoga has become my passion—a moving meditation that resonates deeply with me, where the synergy of mind and body takes place. While my initial attraction to yoga was rooted in its physical benefits, I soon discovered the impact it had on my personal growth. Yoga’s foundational philosophy has

provided me tools to navigate life’s challenges, supporting my continuous mission in bettering myself.

My goal is to infuse each yoga class with transformative energy, fostering an authentic and inclusive space. I strive to blend challenge with joy and to help people unlock powerful potential that can be used in every aspect of their lives.

Desk Yogi

I began my yoga journey 8 years ago when I attended my first class with my older sister. As a soon to be physical therapist, I truly understand the importance of movement and the mind-body connection. Yoga gives me the time to focus on myself, my personal growth, and being fully present. It has also gifted me a supportive community and friendships that I know will last a lifetime. This practice has become essential for my physical and mental well-being, and I’m grateful for the balance it brings to my life.

Hello :) I received my 200-hr certification in June of 2022 at Shoshoni Yoga Ashram in Rollinsville, Colorado. I spent a month living in the mountains where I was able to connect with myself, learn what yoga means to me & discover how I can make a beautiful experience for other yogis. My classes are intentional in challenging the physical body and mind. I always remind my students that once they step on their mat, it's their own experience, so they should find what feels good in their body. You'll hear me say "come back to your breath", as I think it's the best way to connect the mind and body through a meditative movement. I also spend a good amount of time creating music playlists to get you into the best flow state possible. If you see me in the studio, say hi

What I love about teaching:

I take my personal practice seriously, which means I know the blissful feeling of a good yoga class. The feeling I get when I practice is the reason I became an instructor. I want to spread more of that blissful energy to those around me. It gives me peace knowing I had a positive impact on someone else’s experience.

As a yoga teacher, my journey began with my own personal practice over a decade ago. I quickly fell in love with the physical, mental, and spiritual benefits that yoga had to offer and knew that I wanted to share this practice with others.

I completed my 200 hour training in June 2022 and quickly after my Buti yoga certification in August 2022. I continue to enrich my knowledge and understanding of yoga by attending workshops, trainings, and retreats, and integrating the principles of mindfulness, meditation, and breathwork into my practice and teaching.

As a teacher, my mission is to create a safe and supportive environment where students can explore and connect with their bodies, minds, and spirits. I strive to create classes that are challenging yet accessible, and offer modifications and variations to meet the unique needs of each student.

Through my teachings, I hope to inspire and empower students to cultivate a greater sense of self-awareness, compassion, and inner peace both on and off the mat.

Katie Ann's journey with yoga began during her childhood, inspired by her mother, who became certified in hatha yoga. Her personal practice evolved and flourished during high school and college, eventually leading her to pursue her own 200-hour vinyasa certification.

Katie Ann is an E-RYT 200 vinyasa yoga instructor with over 1,000 hours of teaching experience since earning her certification in 2016. She is known for creating intelligent sequences that emphasize proper alignment and adapt to individual needs, ensuring a safe and inclusive practice for everyone.

Katie Ann holds a Master's in Healthcare Administration and a Bachelor's in Public Health & Social Justice, which deepens her understanding of holistic wellness. Her healthcare background drives her passion for integrating yoga and wellness, allowing her to share the profound benefits of a mindful practice with others. Her teaching philosophy centers on fostering mindfulness, personal growth, and overall well-being, guiding her students to achieve balance, strength, and personal growth.

Hi! My name is Kristen. I have been an avid CrossFitter for a decade and started practicing yoga about five years ago to compliment my weekly workouts. I soon realized that yoga brought me a sense of strength and calm that I wasn’t getting anywhere else in my daily life. I decided to learn more and completed my 200-level yoga teacher training in mid-2022. Yoga goes beyond the asanas, and studying all the various aspects, such as meditation, breathwork, Ayurveda, and the historical texts has brought me to a new chapter of my life that I am excited to share with others.

Outside of yoga, I love spending time reading and being outside in nature hiking with my husband and two stumpy corgis.

My yoga journey began in 2013 as a college student desperately seeking a form of exercise that I actually enjoyed. My aunt took me to my first class and I remember feeling an immediate pull to the practice. While initially I began yoga for the physical benefits, it was and is the mental benefits that keep me coming back time and time again. To be able to move my body and also clear my head, I thought that I struck gold. After many years of debate, In 2022, I decided it was time to complete my Yoga Teacher Training. I went into my training to deepen my own practice to learn about the philosophies and history behind yoga, still unsure if I wanted to ever teach a class. Fast forward to now, as I am actively teaching yoga! In my classes, I strive to find the balance between challenges and modifications. I encourage every student to honor what they are feeling on any given day. I want everyone to feel welcome and I hope they leave feeling better than they did when they came in, mentally & physically. I aspire to be able to give students the amazing benefits yoga has given me on the mat and in everyday life as well. 

Certified in Yoga, Pilates, TRX, Reiki and Barre , Nikki enjoys inspiring others to empower themselves physically, mentally, and spiritually through the practice of yoga and barre. She has been a member of the fitness professional community for over 17 years. As a strength coach, Nikki has always had a tremendous appreciation and connection to the transformative power of physical activity. Nikki’s goal is to create a safe, challenging and empowering experience that allows students to tap in to the best version of themselves on and off the mat.

My yoga practice started several years ago with occasional classes as a means of exercise. As I attended more frequently, I began to explore my mental and physical health more deeply. Through wonderful yoga teachers, a personal study of yoga philosophy, and a committed physical practice, yoga has helped me find greater joy, inspiration, and grace with myself and others. I signed up for teacher training as a way to deepen my own practice. Quickly into it, I realized what a privilege it was to learn how to have a safe and thoughtful physical practice as well as a mental framework for how to create a meaningful and blissful life. It would be such a disservice to not offer others the same access. As a teacher, I prioritize holding space for you to experience self-exploration and empowerment.

Desk Yogi

Hi, my name is Emily! I began my yoga journey in 2018 and in February of 2024 I came to Falls Yoga and Barre and truly committed to my practice. I fell in love with the community here and I’m thrilled to work with so many beautiful people. Yoga has always been a part of the most transformative moments of my life and grounded me when I most needed it. I now carry my practice with me on and off my mat and it makes such a difference in every day life.

When I’m not at the studio, you can find me hanging out with my husband and our pets, hiking, reading, or spending time with our families.

Desk Yogi

Desk Yogi

My yoga journey started back in 2022 when I won a free month of yoga at FYB at a raffle. I fell in love with the practice and the studio immediately, and FYB became a second home to me. Yoga has made me stronger in both my body and my mind, and it has helped me to find the peace that I had been seeking. I plan to deepen my practice by taking part in Alexa's YTT program in January of 2025, and I am so excited to start my journey as a yoga teacher come spring of next year!