Mindful Freedom Yoga Studio, Reisterstown

When doctors recommended surgery to treat Jennifer Heinstadt's painful scoliosis—a condition in which the spine forms a lateral "S" or "C" curve—she began researching alternative healing methods to avoid going under the knife. Her search led her to Elise B. Miller, a yoga guru who focused specifically on treating scoliosis. Miller taught her how to get in touch with her body through the ancient practice of yoga, helping her to arrest the spinal curve, correct postural misalignment, and diminish the pain altogether. Heinstadt was so affected by these techniques that she wanted to share her positive experiences with patrons suffering from similar afflictions, eventually following in Miller's footsteps and studying yoga for scoliosis.

Today, she and her staff lead pupils of all ages, skill levels, and body types through a wide range of therapeutic yoga styles, including shanti flow, yin yoga, and Vinyasa. Amid a tranquil ambiance, each class centers around gentle movements, and many include meditation practice to help free students' minds from the 21st century stresses of working long hours and raising families of bionic androids.