Ever since he suffered a life-threatening accident at age 7, Ignacio Filippini has lived with orthopedic challenges. It took him until his 20s, but he finally found relief in Bikram yoga, a simple, yet challenging exercise technique that helped him ease his chronic pain while boosting his physical and mental fitness. The rest is history—Ignacio began studying with senior instructors who taught him not only the basics of teaching yoga, but the intricacies of working with those of all ages, backgrounds, and mental and physical abilities. To develop his ability to help women ease the pain and stress of pregnancy, he also trained with Rajashree Choudhury, a yoga expert who has created a modified form of Bikram yoga for mothers-to-be.

At Bikram Yoga Mt. Lebanon, the studio that Ignacio now owns and leads, students master 26 poses and two breathing exercises in a welcoming atmosphere that opens minds—and a high-temperature environment that cleans out the cardiovascular system. A team of certified instructors guides pupils through the flexibility-boosting movements of Bikram yoga in a spotless, spacious studio.