My elf is married to Aela and has already completed the Companion main-quest line.
Afterwards, I decided to do some of the remaining Companion quests but after completing "The Totems of Hircine", Aela stays in the Underforge praying. I tell her to follow me, she agrees, only to strictly go to the totem again, and prays. Damn zealot.
UPDATE: 2nd item, same old problem. This time my own workaround did not work for some reason. I hence unchecked my own answer and looking for a more specific solution if there is any.
Best Answer
I have found one myself. I wanted to give Aela some self-crafted items and so I took some of her old stuff and gave her new weapons, apparel and enchanted rings -- and afterwards she did not want to run back to the totem. It goes without saying that I instantly left the Underforge, and heureka, she was at my side again behaving normally.
Fashion and shiny things. Beats religion anytime. I should have known :)
UPDATE: The second time, I could solve it by commanding Aela to go to the entry of the Underforge. Then I told her to follow me, and left the Underforge. You can see if it's working if she doesn't try to run back to the totem. If she stays on the spot after you tell her to follow you, everything is fine again.