Student-Turned-Teacher Helps Others Find Relief in Yoga

Ever since opening the doors at Mindful Freedom Yoga Studio in January, owner Jennifer Heinstadt has been “mindful” of helping the community in a variety of ways.

The Main Street yoga studio doesn’t just offer Anusara, therapeutic and prenatal yoga for participants of all skills levels, Heinstadt also gives back via two free classes a month and donating proceeds of certain classes to worthy causes.

“It is my intention to run a portion of the studio as a nonprofit,” said Heinstadt, 47. “My goal is to offer yoga and other alternative healing to special-needs populations, free of charge.”

Heinstadt focuses primarily on back care, drawing on her experience with scoliosis, curvature of the spine, which she was diagnosed with at the age of 12. At age 37, she began researching alternative methods for pain relief in hopes of avoiding surgery. She found yoga.

“I found the most relief from massage and yoga,” she said. “I started researching further and found a woman in California, Elise Browning Miller, who teaches yoga for scoliosis.”

Heinstadt trained with her and discovered such relief from a dedicated yoga practice that she was inspired to teach. These days, she provides that relief for others.

“I've had back problems since the 1980s,” explained Nancy Cole of Reisterstown, who has been doing yoga for 10 years. “I love Jenn and the yoga at Mindful Freedom. Jenn combines the active stretching with the more passive stretching in the session so you get a workout without being worn out.”

Heinstadt, who has two certificates in yoga, is currently studying yin yoga and body balance yoga. She has been teaching since 2003 at her current studio, which went through two ownerships before Heinstadt and her husband Tom Culbertson, 48, took over.

With help from friends, the couple fixed up the studio with construction, remodeling and new yoga equipment. They created a tranquil environment using various antiques and wares uncovered at Goodwill and opened Mindful Freedom Yoga Studio on Jan. 1, 2011.

The studio is fully equipped with blankets, mats, blocks and straps for yoga students to use. Classes include yoga for beginners, mixed yoga, intermediate yoga, yin yoga, back care classes and gentle yoga.

"Mindful Freedom Yoga offers a very personalized experience,” said Baltimore County Councilwoman and Reisterstown resident Vicki Almond, 62. “We are able to learn at our own pace with a very skilled teacher in Jenn.”

On the second and fourth Sunday of every month, free community classes are offered. Recently, the couple held a free class on organic gardening at their home in Owings Mills.

Heinstadt hopes to partner with local charities and nonprofits in the future by offering services and contributions, and the couple hopes to expand the studio.