Dana Spates CHTP/I, ERYT500, CTYB, AYS
“We must be the change we wish to see in the world”
How Holistic health options was born
I have always had an interest in Natural Health, and a belief that there is no disconnect between Mind and Body. My belief that in order to achieve true health we need to address all the parts of the holistic body, mind and spirit was a driving force to the creation of Holistic Health Options.
In 2000 while I was manager of a Health Food Store, I began taking classes at Clayton College of Natural Health. I completed their Bachelors and Masters in Natural Health and that proved to be a good background for what was to come. What was to eventually develop into Holistic Health Options was a combination of classes and therapies that would work to bring balance to the holistic body, mind, and spirit.
Energy Therapy
In 2001 I was introduced into Energy Therapies through a Therapy called Three Heart Balancing, and another component of Holistic Health Options was born. After working with Three Heart Balancing for a while and desiring a deeper understanding of Energy, I soon found myself at a Level one class for Healing Touch. This turned out to be the Therapy that I felt at home with and in 2005 I became a Certified Healing Touch Practitioner. In 2005 I also enrolled in another energy therapy known as Integrated Energy Therapy. I completed three level of this training and found it was a good combination with my training as a Healing Touch Practitioner. In 2008 I became Certified as a Healing Touch Instructor and today I teach Level one and two at my studio and in various locations around Minnesota.
Personal trainer and Yoga
Wanting to address the holistic body, and having had an interest in fitness, I became certified as a Personal Trainer in 2003 through NETA, and this allowed me to offer Strength training, and Core Strengthening for women through my studio.
In 2002 I had begun a home yoga practice and it seemed only natural that the next step was to add this to my business, so I began training with Yoga Fit International. I completed three levels of training with them, and was then introduced to Mary Beth Nehl of Yoga Loft in Willmar, MN. Recognizing that there was so much to learn to be an effective and safe yoga instructor, I began training with Mary Beth and completed her 200 hour teacher training in 2004. My next journey in yoga brought me out to Omega in New York State as I began my 500 hour training with Beryl Bender Birch. I completed my training with Beryl in 2012. I am currently registered with Yoga Alliance at the Experienced 500 hour Yoga Instructor level.
I have also trained with Doug Keller, Sara Powers, Doug Swenson, Dr. Indu Arora, and I continue to look for opportunities to learn.
Thai Yoga Bodywork
When I was introduced to Thai Yoga Bodywork, I was looking for one more therapy that I could add to my business and it seemed like a perfect fit. To me it was the perfect combination of Yoga and Energy Work. In Thai Yoga Bodywork the client is reclined on a comfortable mat and I move them into stretches. This is combined with gentle palming and thumbing on the energy lines of the legs, arms, feet, hands, and back. I enrolled in the Thai Yoga Bodywork training at Devanadi Yoga in Minneapolis MN and completed the program of six levels in 2015. I am now a Certified Thai Yoga Bodyworker.
Ayurvedic Yoga Specialist
While studying Thai Yoga Bodywork at Devanadi Yoga I was introduced to the Himalayan Institute training of Ayurvedic Yoga Specialist. I began the training in 2015 and completed the four levels of training in 2016. Ayurveda is based on the theory that everything in the universe is composed of the five elements, ether, air, fire, water, and earth. This training prepared me for working with clients to discover imbalances concerning those five elements that may be affecting their physical or mental health, and then developing recommendations that will help bring them back into balance.
About the studio
Sometimes it is just nice to get out of the congestion of the big city. My studio is located in Paynesville MN which is about 30 miles SW of St. Cloud. Being in a small town of around 2000 people, the studio has a very welcoming feel to all who enter, and new people do not feel "new" for very long. I am proud to say that my yoga students do their best to make everyone feel at home. and as a bonus there is never a concern for traffic or parking.
I have often heard from new-comers to the studio that they are surprised to find a studio that offers as much as I do at Holistic Health Options in such a small town.
My Healing Touch Level one and two classes that I offer in the studio have a very relaxed feel that works to enhance the learning experience, and many students who have traveled from out of town to come to them remark at how nice and friendly the hotel accommodations in Paynesville are.
