I so much value the positive experiences my students have practicing yoga with me.  Below are a sampling of comments from some of my students regarding their experiences taking my classes. I welcome new testimonials and/or stories you might like to share.  Please be in touch.  Thank you!

I have been taking yoga for over 50 years and am a certified instructor myself.  I’ve been taking Ellen Spivak’s classes for the past several months and she is, to put it simply, a gifted teacher.  She is truly one of the best I’ve ever encountered.  Everything about how she conducts a class is superb; her knowledge of the poses, her creativity and innovation, her great attention to alignment, the precision of her words. In addition, she has one of the best, soothing voices I have ever heard.

It is a privilege and an honor to take yoga with Ellen.  We need more teachers of her caliber! - Nora G.

I've known Ellen Spivak over five years and have been taking her yoga class for almost as long.  Her vinyasa class is vigorous, rigorous, mind-and-body bending (in the best of ways), and when I leave her class, there is this feeling that I've done the world a bit better because not only am I de-stressed; I have given myself the chance to breathe.  I have the patience again to deal with what life has in store for me.  That is due in large part to how Ellen conducts her class. 

She walks in, and right away you feel this great relief that she is there.  She always has something to say that's humorous, and puts everyone in class at ease.  It's lovely that she is so interactive with us.  Ellen has a genuine way about her, she listens as well as teaches, she watches every nuance and enthusiastically shows us new poses (I love that she is always taking workshops to expand her practice and therefore, her teaching).  She is so thorough at explaining things, and gives you different ways to look at positions; often one discovers, then, new benefits that hadn’t been there before.  I'm happy to call her my Yogi and my friend.  She is truly one-of-a-kind and one of the best.  - Lauren M.

Ellen Spivak is a wonderful yoga teacher. I have been taking Ellen’s classes for over four years. I’ve taken yoga from other instructors and none come close to her unique and creative style of teaching. She is extremely knowledgeable, passionate about what she does, continually shares new and pertinent information, and genuinely cares that each student has a great experience.  

Her class not only keeps my body in peak shape, but most importantly, it is my mental therapy for the week. If it were not for Ellen I would have huge therapy bills!  Ellen is a true gem, and I highly recommend her. - Adam U.

I joined my gym in March 2007.  I believe I found Ellen's yoga class shortly after that.  At the time I was in a job that I intensely disliked.  In fact, for six years, from 2003 to 2009, I sat at my desk almost each and every day feeling completely desperate. 

Ellen's class allowed me to rebuild myself one hour at a time one week at a time.  Some weeks I felt stronger than others; some weeks I couldn’t do something I did the week before, but that was still okay.  No matter how badly I felt during the week, I could always look forward to Ellen's class on Saturday morning.  Her class gave me the personal balance I needed to literally survive.

Then something happened.  In 2009, I got another job, a job that I liked, where I am valued and respected.  Then something occurred to me.  I no longer needed the class for the same reasons as before; I had to reaccess my need for the class.  Now, instead of the class being a counterbalance to a negative force, it enhances a positive situation. 

In summary, Ellen's class has become part of me and something I just do. As a practical matter, while it’s still not as natural as breathing, (or even uji breathing), it’s as emotionally close.  To express it another way, Ellen's class has enabled me to add my practice to my person and allowed me to use my practice as another filter to view and hopefully, better interpret and interact with all things.  Thank you, Ellen.

- Steven I. 

Ellen Spivak – The Best Yoga Teacher!

I had never connected to a yoga teacher until I started practicing yoga with Ellen.   She has an amazing ability to incorporate new and classic poses, allowing each class to be as challenging as that first class.

Many of us who practice yoga have different reasons (to stretch, to meditate or to work out), but practicing with Ellen takes the experience to another level.  She welcomes all, has a great sense of humor, plays the best music and reads poetry toward the end of each class.  Who could ask for anything more?  I am fortunate the universe has allowed our paths to cross.  - Gregoire W.

I have been a gym member for almost a year. I joined for infrequent visits (I am a runner and prefer to be outside) and to take yoga. I have been to many yoga classes throughout New York.  I have very high expectations, as I moved here from Colorado, where yoga flows like water. I must express how impressed I am by Ellen Spivak’s classes.  She is consistent, inspiring, strong and knows what she is talking about. I never feel as though I am in danger of hurting myself, and I walk away from her classes stretched, worked and energized. Thanks for integrating such a strong teacher into your program.  - Rebecca J.

I wouldn't have a yoga practice were it not for Ellen Spivak.  I once thought yoga was a waste of an hour, but after an injury kept me from the weight room, I happened upon her class; more than three years later, I am following her to every class I can fit into my schedule, I have started reading "Yoga Journal" to learn more about yoga, and I am leaner and stronger than I ever was before I began my yoga practice.

Simply put, Ellen is an extremely thorough instructor with a verbally illustrative style that is so easy to follow, you could literally do her class with your eyes closed.  She demonstrates complex poses as needed, and carefully tends to her students on an individual level as well, making any necessary adjustments.  Her teaching style ensures proper learning as well as safety.  In Ellen's classes I  feel inspired and able to do most poses (I can do a headstand now!), and importantly, do not feel that my safety is ever compromised.  In addition, she takes the time after class to help with any individual questions or concerns.  

Ellen is my favorite yoga teacher in New York - in fact, since primarily I like to run outdoors for my fitness, it wouldn't be a stretch to say she is the reason I do yoga. Others clearly feel the same way - she draws a very large following of students in all her classes; her classes are so well attended students regularly make a point of arriving early to ensure a spot.  I highly recommend Ellen's classes! - Claire A.

I stumbled into a yoga class at my gym at a time in my life when I was searching for something, but not quite sure what.  Then I took Ellen’s class.  The level of focus, care, attention and presentness was palpable, and I felt different.  It was after taking Ellen’s class that my journey with yoga as a life-long practice truly began, and it was her style and energy that made me think “I want to be like that; this is what I’m looking for”.  Years later, after finishing two yoga teacher training programs myself and teaching my own classes for the last two and a half years, I still enjoy Ellen’s class as I did the very first time I made the decision to dive into yoga, and I know that Ellen was part of that journey.  Thank you Ellen! - Tatiana P.

I recently took my first yoga class with Ellen and I have to say it was totally different from what I expected - the athleticism, the flow of the movements, the power and balance, the unity of mind and body, release and centered feeling.  I felt incredible afterwards!  To put it mildly - I loved it!

Since finishing my sporting career I have been searching for something to fill the hours of training now open.  I wanted this to be something that requires discipline and dedication, but that is fun and in harmony with my life and the universe.  Ellen’s class has inspired me to do much more yoga!  It will be a huge part of my life from now on.  Thank you so much Ellen, for your encouraging way and helping me find a new passion!  - Stuart L.