We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ellen Patrick a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Ellen, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?

My career as a professional dancer came to an end at 23 when I experienced a painful back injury. My next move was very practical in that I chose to stay in the entertainment business, but worked in the corporate end as a talent agent. I then moved to home video and then book publishing. While I was bringing home a steady paycheck and had health insurance, my soul was being sucked dry.

In my late 20s, I experienced some health issues that included a bout with anxiety and depression. This was my defining moment that set me on track with holistic healing, yoga and meditation. While the moment was defining, it was a process of several years that got me to change careers and become a yoga and meditation teacher.

I have been teaching both for over 20 years now and for 12 of those years owned my own studio that also offered acupuncture and massage therapy. I have never looked back.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers?

I was 18 years old in 1979 when I took my first yoga class. I liked it right away because there were a lot of similarities to dance. But I thought the end of class was a little weird as we were lying down, the lights were turned off and the teacher put a blanket on us. LOL…this part of class, svasana, eventually became my favorite part.

Over the years my yoga practice became very steady and I would talk about becoming a yoga teacher when I retired. Then one day, my husband asked me why I was waiting for retirement? Do it now!!! So at the age of 40, I became a certified teacher. It was just a few years later that I opened my own studio in the suburbs of New York City and became a yoga therapist.

I no longer own a studio, but continue to offer yoga and mindfulness meditation classes in Florida and New York. My classes are therapeutically oriented to offer physical, physiological and psycho-emotional well-being.

Classes and private sessions are curated to address individual students’ abilities, limitations, interest, injuries and stage of life, i.e. youth, householder, senior.

My interest lies in teaching how yoga and meditation can support areas of limitations. Therapeutically, yoga and meditation can reduce back pain and other physical injuries/conditions; support students’ in managing symptoms related to cancer and cancer treatment.; reduce symptoms of Parkinson’s and other chronic diseases. Additionally, those who suffer with nervous system disorders such as insomnia, anxiety and depression can find relief.

I am most happy working with students when they come to realize the potency of yoga and meditation on their well-being. My greatest achievement was to cultivate a community of like-minded individuals through my yoga studio, The Yoga Sanctuary. It was there that I was able to influence the most people and guide them to optimum healing.

Working with me is a fun and enlightening experience. I take the time to explain my methodology and how it will help students in a way that is informative, inspirational and infused with humor. After all, laughter, too, is healing.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

When I had health issues and was also coping with anxiety and depression in my late 20s, I remember asking myself, what is it I need to learn from this experience? There was much to be learned, especially in the area of self-care.

So I spent the following years coming to understand my unique history and what choices may have led to my physical and mental decline in health. I also researched natural means of healing myself through nutrition, supplements, yoga, meditation and psycotherapy.

That journey led me to sharing information and wisdom with others through my teaching and with the goal of empowering them to take charge of their well-being.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

The relationship between student and teacher is a sacred one. It is up to the teacher to create a safe space for students to dive inward and explore their inner landscape, whether that is in a classroom or one-on-one sessions.

It is also of the utmost importance to create a teacher/student relationship that is built on mutual respect and compassion. A student needs to trust a teachers’ guidance and to have faith that the interests and needs of the student are of primary concern.

These 2 qualities require a teacher to have a highly developed intuitive sense while being sensitive to the hopes and fears of each student. Ultimately, the students’ well-being is of the highest priority.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ellenpatrickyoga.com
• Instagram: @ellenpyoga
• Facebook: Ellen Roehrig Patrick
• Linkedin: Ellen Patrick
• Twitter: @MindfulEllen
• Youtube: Ellen Patrick

Image Credits
Andrea Blakesberg Photography Naya Rappaport