Reviews of Sama Wellness (Psychologist)

Rachael Hanel

Ellie is an empathetic and caring yoga teaching and Ayurvedic consultant. She has helped me deepen my Ashtanga practice. She also has helped guide me toward what food and other practices are best suited for me, and I already can tell a difference in my health, energy and attitude.

Jessica Keating

I walked into a Mysore room for the first time in the summer of 2004. Since that time I have practiced with experienced teachers in Chicago, Vancouver, Munich, Cologne, Los Angeles, and now Minneapolis. I walked into Ellie's Mysore room in 2015 and have been practicing with her consistently and devotedly ever since. Ellie is an intuitive and careful teacher. She knows my practice very well. Accordingly, she has helped me sustain my practice over the years. Ellie provides nourishment for my practice by pushing me when I need a push, or by helping walk my practice back, when needed. She does this both through discussing my practice and through her careful physical adjustments. Her adjustments are subtle and they are consistent and they help your practice blossom. Beyond the physical practice she cultivates a warm and non-judgmental space. All are welcome regardless of experience. Her roster of students ranges from beginners to seasoned practitioners, and everyone who studies with her is kind, generous, and respectful of her, the practice, and each other. She truly is a wonderful teacher who will be with you and your practices for years.

Vaughn Powell

I’ve been practicing Ashtanga with Ellie for close to a year. Coming out of lock down, Ellie’s teaching style was exactly what I needed. During the heaviest months of the pandemic, I dialed down my practice at home and really struggled to find the motivation to keep up with a consistent practice. When I began practicing in person again, Ellie met me with kindness, understanding and compassion. Her energy allowed me to build up confidence in my practice, and with that newly-found confidence, I am practicing consistently again. I’m very grateful for Ellie’s teaching style and general knowledge about movement, pranayama and Ayurveda. I feel she uses each asset to inform her teaching style.

Haley Cureton

Ellie is incredibly knowledgeable about the sister sciences of Yoga and Ayurveda. As a teacher and counselor she is direct, clear and caring. I saw her for an Ayurvedic Health Consultation halfway through my first pregnancy and she helped me adapt my yoga practice, diet and lifestyle accordingly. I was grateful to have her support!

Laura Bottenfield

Ellie is an amazing and very knowledgeable Yoga teacher. I attend her Ashtanga classes and I can confidently say that she is one of the best Ashtanga teachers, if not the best, in the Twin Cities. She brings in years of teaching experience including her experience(s) at Mysore India the land of Ashtanga. I recommend Ellie without hesitation!

Nicholas Nockel

I’ve been studying with Ellie as my Ashtanga teacher for over 7 years. Her approach to students is tailored, full of respect for individuals, their bodies, and experiences. I really appreciate her ability to balance giving learning space to students with timely and well aimed direct instruction. She is a student of the practice, has a deep respect for and a long standing direct experience with it. She is also very knowledgeable in yoga’s sister practice - Ayurveda. I would highly recommend working with Ellie to anyone interested in yogic learning!