VITAL STATS

Studio: Owners of Lava Barre in Arlington, VA

Classes They Teach: Ballet Barre Fitness

Hometowns: Vanessa, Guatemala City; Lauren, New York City

Vanessa’s Background: Vanessa (aka “The Core Queen”) was first introduced to the barre technique after moving to the DC area in 2005 and immediately became a barre-addict. She found that the unique workout was a perfect complement to other cardio activities. Each class made her stronger, more flexible, increased her endurance and gave her a heightened sense of rejuvenation. Through her background in psychology and from personal experience, Vanessa learned even more about the strong connection between physical fitness and emotions. She believes exercise (and laughter) is one of the best forms of medicine and shares that through Lava Barre.

Lauren’s Background: Lauren (aka “The Booty Goddess”) graduated in 2004 from Hamilton College with a degree in World Politics and French. She has always been involved in sports and fitness activities, obtaining her black belt in Tae Kwon Do and participating on the Division 1 Squash team.  She is thrilled to have finally found the best job in the world that blends interpersonal skills, teaching, marketing and booty shaking!

Vanessa and Lauren have been featured in Washingtonian’s blogs “Well & Being” and “Shoparound” as well as in The Daily Muse.

ABOUT LAVA BARRE

What is Lava Barre and what makes it unique? Lava Barre provides a unique and fun fitness experience by offering high energy, music-driven workouts that incorporate a wide variety of props, barre sequences and interval training. We raise the barre by pushing our clients outside of their comfort zone while keeping them in perfect alignment. Two classes are never the same since we love to mix things up; the exercises, the props, the experience!

Where does the name Lava Barre come from? The name Lava Barre comes from the combination of our names, Lauren and Vanessa, to bring you one HOT workout!

What inspired you to open Lava Barre? Our joint passion to create a challenging barre technique with the flexibility to evolve with current fitness trends inspired us to create Lava Barre.  Considering how much time we spent working out, we wanted to create a fun, welcoming environment where clients felt comfortable to hang out and chat after barring with us.  We’re thrilled to say we’ve succeeded!

Outside of “Lava Barre”, what other classes do you offer to best complement someone looking for the perfect Barre Body? Lava Rock, Lava Core, and Lava Flow, Lava Burn and Lavalicious round out the rest of our classes. You’ll really kick it up a notch in Lava Rock, increasing your heart rate and your endurance!

How does Lavalicious differ from your other classes? Lavalicious is our new taboo barre class.  It’s a fun, sexy, challenging workout and might just give you a more fiery love life!

Tell us about Art Barre: We care for our community and vow to give back! That’s why we decided not only to focus on our area non-profits, but also on our community artists by sharing our studio space.  Each month a new Art Barre artist hangs their original works up at Lava Barre. We are happy to stop staring at blank walls while we tuck at the barre and are inspired by the creativity that surrounds us on a daily basis.

GETTING TO KNOW VANESSA & LAUREN: 

What are your go-to workout songs? We can’t get enough “seat” songs! Some favorites: Booty by Here Come the Mummies, Bottoms Up (feat. Nicki Minaj) by Trey Songz and My Humps by The Black Eyed Peas

Any favorite recipes?The go-to, family favorite for both of us is a Thai summer roll.  It is so easy to make with rice paper wraps. Just fill them with whatever you want! Shrimp or chicken, cilantro, avocado, julienned carrots, cucumber etc. and dip into peanut sauce mixed with extra chunky peanut butter.

When you’re not teaching, how do you spend your time? Any favorite spots/things to do in Arlington or Washington? We love to hike around Great Falls National Park together with our husbands and end the evening on the patio at Old Angler’s Inn.

Favorite workout brands? lululemon and Stella McCartney for Adidas

If you could give GoRecess users one piece of fitness advice, what would it be? Perfect form is key for all workouts.  Make sure you are properly aligned and know the technique when performing your exercises.  Your instructors will make corrections when necessary but if you have any questions for them, don’t be shy to ask after class.

Ready to raise the barre? Book a class at Lava Barre today!