Dan Leone started LOTUS in about 1996.  His son and daughter were taking class in Bend with Ajarn Jeremy Lewis and Ajarn Tim Hollembaek and Dan was invited to attend.  That was the start of a great relationship.  Dan trained with them until he had to move in June 1999.  Dan was a brown belt at the time and upon relocation started training under Ajarn Lily (Quick) Graves.  Dan started his own LOTUS school in Cashton, Wisconsin.  Dan received his black belt in August 2001 under Ajarn Lily.  Dan continued teaching after arriving in La Grande, Oregon in April 2002 through the town's university.  Dan plans on staying put and continuing the LOTUS tradition in La Grande.