Dana Spates is a Certified Healing Touch Practitioner/Instructor, Registered Yoga Teacher, Personal Trainer and has a Masters of Natural Health from Clayton College of Natural Health.

"It has been my goal over the last twelve years to help people to understand how they can improve their health by improving their lifestyle.  I began my journey about fifteen years ago when my first son graduated from high school.  I had previously completed an AA degree in business and was managing a health food store, but it was at that time that I began taking classes through Clayton College of Natural Health.   I completed the Bachelors and Masters program and began teaching classes at Country Cupboard Wellness Center in Paynesville.  

I was certified as a personal trainer through NETA in 1998 and have continued to study various aspects of personal training keeping my certification up to date.  My specialty is working with women to build strength through the use of weights and core strengthening exercises both on the mat and on the ball.   I also use my training as a yoga instructor to teach stretching along with strengthening.

 In 2000 having developed an interest in yoga, I began a personal practice and then looked for training to become a yoga instructor.   I started with Yoga Fit and took two levels of their training after which I was introduced to Mary Beth Nehl at the Yoga Loft in Willmar.   As I believe that there are no accidents, I am sure I was led to the Yoga Loft to continue my education as a yoga instructor.  I enrolled in Mary Beth's teacher training and completed the 200 hour training.   I am now registered with yoga alliance at the ERYT200 level.  For more information about yoga alliance go to www.yogaalliance.org  .Since then I have continued my education with classes from Beryl Bender Birch of New York, and various other yoga teachers.  I acheived my 500 hour certification with Beryl in June of 2012.   I continue to enroll in classes as I realize that our learning is never done.

In 2005 I was certified as a Healing Touch Practitioner, and began my Healing Touch practice in my home.  For more information on the practice of Healing Touch you can click on the Healing Touch page or go to www.healingtouchinternational.org .   In 2008 I was certified as a Healing Touch Instructor, and now in addition to teaching the "Introduction to Healing Touch" classes, I teach "Level one and two Healing Touch".   Both of these classes are continuing education for nurses and massage therapists, but are available to all who have an interest in Energy Medicine.  For information on currently scheduled level one classes you can go to the healing touch website listed above or click on the Healing Touch page of this website.  If you would be interested in hosting a class or participating in a class contact me at dspates@mchsi.com.   I am also trained in Integrated Energy Therapy, and Three Heart Balancing.

One of my passions has been to bring the techniques of Stress Reduction to all who will listen.  I developed a class that I teach in either a 2 1/2 hour format or a 5 hour format.  In this class we discuss the physical effects of stress, and then move into lifestyle changes you can make to reduce stress and experience stress reduction techniques such as meditation, relaxation breathing, biofeedback, guided imagery and shaking and dancing.   I have taught this class in the community setting through community ed programs, in the hospital setting through wellness classes, and in business settings for employees.   Contact me at 320-266-5476 or email me at dspates@mchsi.com  if you would like more information on hosting a class, or participating in one."