Marcia Appel

Marcia Appel

In 2006, Marcia, a former journalist and corporate executive, wrote the plan that launched Green Lotus. In 2007, Green Lotus opened, and Marcia and business partner Merry Beth Hovey, who joined in 2009, planted the seeds of service that are the foundation of the Green Lotus philosophy. "As teachers and healers," Marcia says, "we meet students and clients where they are. We learn and grow from each other -- and have fun doing it."

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Andrea Claassen

Andrea Claassen

Andrea Claassen is an Ayurvedic Wellness Coach, RYT 500 yoga teacher, author, and Wild Woman Project Circle Leader who has been in the wellness field since 2007. Her mission is to help you slow down, tune in, and connect to your divine body wisdom. She uses mother nature as the guide, inviting you to learn to live a cyclical and more aligned life.

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Amy Dirksen

Amy Dirksen

Amy Dirksen has combined her passion for wellness, for service to others, and for business by opening Green Lotus in Eden Prairie, Minnesota in 2015. A former marketing executive for a national banking company she also has many years of experience in teaching fitness and yoga classes in the Y system and at Green Lotus. She gives attention to students' individuals needs and is adept at adapting poses to make yoga accessible to as many people as possible. As owner of Green Lotus' first license, Amy brings new insight and energy, laughter, and care to its mission of integrated wellness. She lives in Eden Prairie with her wonderful husband and son (The Dude).

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Merry Beth Freienmuth

Merry Beth Freienmuth

Merry Beth became a partner in Green Lotus in 2009 and in 2013 retired from her corporate position as vice president of marketing for a global franchise company to focus full-time on Green Lotus. Now Green Lotus’s sole owner, she is also director of training for Green Lotus's Registered Yoga School and a core faculty member of the training programs.

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Dr. Greg Freitag

Dr. Greg Freitag

Greg was skeptical of chiropractic until a car accident in 2001 left him with constant headaches and severe neck and back pain. Desperate for relief, he saw a gentle chiropractor and was amazed by how good he felt after chiropractic care. Several years later, with the support of his loving wife and family, the Freitags moved from Maryland to Minnesota for chiropractic school. The rest is history. Dr. Gregory Freitag offers chiropractic care at Green Lotus Yoga and Healing Center in Lakeville.

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Denise Lewis

Denise Lewis

Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine

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Denise Lewis, a native Minnesotan, earned her Masters in Oriental Medicine in 2005 at the Minnesota College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.  She is certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) and is licensed through the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice.  Her journey toward becoming a provider of health and healing services began with a career as a Family Medicine physician; as she approached mid-life burnout, her patients were telling her stories of their healing experiences with acupuncture.  She made the decision to study this traditional medicine as she continued her conventional medicine practice.  As she learned the foundations of Traditional Chinese Medicine, she felt she had come home to the medicine she had always wanted to practice: holistic, honoring the body’s own capacity for healing, natural support of that process, and an appreciation of the unique needs of each individual seeking health and healing.  Although Denise’s medical license is no longer active, she approaches her practice of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine grounded in the base of knowledge from conventional medicine.  She offers acupuncture, cupping, herbal consultation, nutrition counseling, meditation and guided imagery, and auricular acupuncture, and treats a broad range of conditions including pain syndromes, fertility support, menstrual issues, menopause symptoms, digestive disorders, respiratory conditions, sleep disorders, anxiety, and depression.  Denise also completed the Green Lotus 200-hour yoga teacher training program and is enjoying exploring the intersections between Chinese Medicine principles and yogic philosophy and practice. Denise has two adult daughters and enjoys gardening, cross-country skiing, and Gopher football. 

 

See Denise in Mendota Heights

Cindy Messer

Cindy Messer

Massage Therapist & Reiki Practitioner

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Cindy is passionate about health and wellness especially in how the mind-body connection effects us and shapes the experience of our lives.  She was raised in a holistic-minded family that utilized preventive medicine, recognizing the link between body, mind, and soul and the value of human touch.

Cindy became a massage therapist in 2010 with an associate's degree in Clinical Therapeutic Sports Massage from St. Paul College. She is an experienced practitioner of Swedish, deep tissue, myofascial release, sports, pregnancy, warm stone, and reflexology massage techniques.  She also performs cupping and scraping, is a level two reiki practitioner and is trained in polarity therapy and matrix energetics balancing modalities.

Cindy recognizes the necessity of movement and exercise to well-being and longevity.  After seeing how a regular Pilates practice, along with diet and lifestyle modifications, changed how she was living in her body - she lost 80 pounds - she became a STOTT Pilates instructor in 2012.   She now is thrilled to be able to guide her clients and students and to witness the changes they are able to make in their health, in their bodies, and in their overall well-being.  She teaches Pilates and offers massage at Lakeville and Mendota Heights.

 

See Cindy in Mendota Heights or Lakeville

Matt Schoenecker

Matt Schoenecker

Matt Schoenecker is a licensed acupuncturist practicing at Green Lotus Yoga and Healing Center of Eden Prairie. With special training in China, Matt has a wide range of clinical interests and experiences, including male and female fertility, men’s health, women’s health, diabetes, thyroid disorders, MS, chronic & acute musculoskeletal pain, digestive issues, mental and emotional issues, insomnia and sleep disorders, respiratory disorders, and many more. He is experienced in many different modalities, including acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, Tuina (Chinese massage), and cupping.

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