“To achieve greatness, start where you are, use what you have, do what you can.”

Arthur Ashe

A simple & effective APPROACH to RESOLVing the ISSUES IN YOUR TISSUES.

Happy Body, Healthy Mind utilizes practices from massage and bodywork, yogic traditions, functional movement, and the most updated research in the scientific community to create a well rounded approach to resolving some of our most common postural and functional challenges.

Our goal is to provide the necessary education and most effective exercises, so that each individual has a comprehensive set of tools to use anytime, to be able to improve or maintain their health and well-being.

OFFERINGS

  • PRIVATE SESSIONS

    Private Sessions can be reserved for 1-3 people at a time, virtually or in-person. We utilize myofascial release techniques, functional training exercises and restorative and yin yoga practices to accomplish the goals of each individual – whether based in strength, mobility, balance, or any combination of the three. Please click here to fill out the contact form, and we can get started!

  • GROUP CLASSES

    Group classes are regularly scheduled classes, virtual or in person, that are open to the public.

    Classes that are open to new attendees will be listed in our schedule with a link to sign up! Click here to see what we’ve got coming up next.

  • WORKSHOPS

    Workshops are special events created for students and practitioners alike. Subject matter ranges from restorative and yin yoga, to functional movement, & myofascial release/massage. If you are interested in signing up for an upcoming workshop you can click here to see our schedule. If your school or studio is interested in hosting a workshop please reach out through the contact page.

  • RETREATS

    Retreats come in all shapes and sizes and can cater to nearly any type of group. Whether fitness based, or focused on mental or emotional wellness, happy body healthy mind can be a great addition (or a great host!) Click here to see what we’ve got coming up or connect with us through our contact page if you’re interested in building a retreat together!

FASCIA

A type of connective tissue that acts like a 3-dimensional web/plastic wrap that weaves throughout the body in one continuous unit – from the skin, down to the nucleus of the cell. Fascia is the great organizer of the body. It surrounds, separates, connects, and provides support for every muscle, bone, nerve, blood vessel and organ and influences their shape and function. It helps us to maintain posture, control body position and make smooth coordinated movements. It also acts as a shock absorber and defensive mechanism. Without it, we do not move, or have a form.

MYOFASCIAL RELEASE

Hydration modality applied through hands on application from a therapist or through fascia based self-care practices. Myofascial release can allow quick changes to range of motion and rehydrate the tissues by lessening the densification of the ground substance - the fluid component of the fascia that can get sticky and thick, inhibiting movement. Can also release weaker crosslinks or adhesions in the fibrous/structural component. Creates freedom of movement allowing more permanent structural remodeling to take place through healthy functional movement practices.

FUNCTIONAL MOVEMENT

Integrated movements, requiring many muscles working together synergistically across multiple joints - that require core muscle activation. Functional movement utilizes whole body myofascial chains, instead of trying to isolate individual muscles or groups. These exercises often look similar to movements you'd make in your daily life. Picking up a heavy object, swinging a baseball bat, or carrying groceries are real-world situations that functional training can help you improve.

MEET KARA SCHABACKER

FOUNDER OF HAPPY BODY, HEALTHY MIND - LMT, RYT500, CPT

Kara is a licensed massage therapist, 500 hour registered yoga teacher, and certified personal trainer.

She started specializing in fascia in 2009 and spent most of her career as a myofascial therapist. She lived in Chicago for over a decade, working with elite professionals in several fields - doctors, lawyers, fortune 500 CEO’s, successful entrepreneurs and professional athletes and coaches. In 2020, her world changed with everyone else’s, and she left the city and the job, and moved back to rural northern Illinois.

Today, she’s dedicated to educating teachers and students alike about their fascia and the value and importance of functional movement - while helping them feel more strong and confident in their bodies.

  • Happy Body, Healthy Mind was created from a place of personal and professional need. After over a decade of working as a myofascial therapist, I was frustrated that the incredible results I was seeing on my table, just weren’t lasting. Range of motion would increase, pain would lessen, and freedom of movement would be restored. But, inevitably for most people, the same problems would return as they fell back into their daily patterns and routines.

    Slowly I realized, that the “undoing” that was happening in the treatment room, was only half of the problem. Without a proper plan for rebuilding, the results from my work just weren’t sustainable. My mental focus had also shifted during this time. What started as a passion for what I could accomplish with my own two hands, transformed into a desire to help people control their own health and healing. I became more of a teacher than a therapist, and found myself talking more about what I wasn’t doing, than what I was. It was obvious that something major was missing from my practice.

    I went back to school in January of 2021, to get certified as a yoga teacher. Shortly after receiving my RYT200, I went on to complete my RYT500 certification through Yoga Medicine. Simultaneously, I completed a personal training program through NASM, and rounded out 2021 with two new titles under my name. In 2022, I fell in love with a movement program called Functional Patterns, and have since been able to offer treatments, classes, workshops and more, based on this new, well-rounded approach to both fascia and functional movement.

    Sharing my passion for education, health and healing in this way has allowed me to (finally!) have confidence in my career path, and I couldn’t be more grateful.

    I look forward to what continues to unfold and I hope that you come along with me!

    Kara

see what people are saying

  • "Kara's Functional Movement class is a must do. Since taking her class, and implementing her teachings, I believe my posture has improved and I have significantly less or no thumb, wrist, and shoulder pain in my everyday life, and/or while working out."

    Sandy Bruch - Student & Certified Personal Trainer

  • "Kara brings an incredible energy & knowledge base to her workshops and classes. They are exciting and interesting because she is so excited about the content that she knows so well. She has an uncanny ability to get her audience just as excited to learn as she is to discuss. Her workshops are always interactive, comfortable and full of new information. I would highly recommend a workshop, discussion or class with Kara for you or your studio."

    Susan Burns - E-RYT200, YACEP & Co-Owner of Pulsation Yoga

  • "Kara pays attention to each individual in the class and makes sure they are in correct form for each movement we are working on. She is encouraging, knowledgeable, and funny! I feel very at ease in her class, and I feel stronger and more confident in my body’s abilities!"

    Timarie Padilla - Student

  • "I'm so glad I started taking classes with Kara. I've taken many yoga classes in the past, but kara is the first instructor that focuses so fully on proper form. kara breaks down each movement of a pose, explaining how and why we move the way we do. We're learning how to really know our body and to become stronger and healthier as we age. this is a functional yoga class that anyone can benefit from. thank you Kara!"

    Barb Davis - Student

  • "Any time spent with kara is an encounter with profound caring, compassion, balanced by insight and intelligence, and an obviously deep urge to be of service to others."

    Neil Theise - MD, Physician, Scientist, NYU Grossman School of Medicine & Author of “Notes on Complexity: A Scientific Theory of Connection, Consciousness, and Being”

  • "I love this class. It is building up my strength and balance, which I'm super excited about. The way Kara takes her time and goes through each movement really gives you confidence and helps you to understand exactly what and why it does for your body. She is patient and really makes you feel at ease, and everyone in the class is very supportive. I would recommend giving this class a try. You will be amazed at what it can do for you and how you can use it in your daily life."

    Corinne Haberstich - Student

  • "Kara has been a huge help throughout my healing journey. She is so wise beyond her years, and this planet honestly. She is so incredibly passionate about helping others, it is truly inspiring. If you want to better your health, mind and body, I highly suggest working with her."

    Jesi Kirk - Friend & Client

  • "When I signed up for this class, I thought it would be the standard yoga class of lots of stretches and bends. But we got started and I was thrilled to see how my arthritic joints reacted. Yes, they kicked a little the first day but then they settled down and allowed me to try hard to do my best. It has turned out to be a class I love going to each week."

    Susan Murges - Student

  • "Kara is kind, open and honest. She immediately makes you feel welcomed, comfortable, and at ease. Kara has authentic conversations and supports your physical health. I recommend Kara to every single person, whether you have "something" or not."

    Jessica Nienhueser - Bodywork Client

  • "Kara's work is profound - you leave feeling light, open, and energized. You truly release the tension from your body and mind. She intuitively knows for each session the areas to focus on and what type of touch is needed. She gets to know her clients and listens to their needs."

    Susanne Hoover - Bodywork Client

  • "Kara is in exceptional myofascial release therapist, teacher, and speaker. Her compassionate, humorous, and down to earth demeanor coupled with her vast experience & knowledge are the perfect recipe for receiving the highest quality care. if you desire to work with someone who can help guide you through healing from the inside out, you will want Kara by your side. I highly recommend working with her."

    Heather Fraelick - Owner @ The Healing Eclectic

  • "I've been doing yoga for over 30 years off and on and have been with Kara's class at the oregon library for over a year. She has instructed us on the proper form - not a traditional yoga class!"

    Joan Heng - Student

  • "For 2+ years I have been seeing kara for myofascial therapy. as someone who has a very physical job and is closing in on 50, my body doesn't feel like it did when I Was in my 20's. Through kara, I have received excellent care. She's been able to make my legs, back & neck feel amazing. Not only have I received excellent treatments, I've learned a lot. I highly recommend to anyone who is in need of treatment, to get it from kara."

    Dan Palubicki - Bodywork Client, UPS Driver

  • "Kara's class is by far one of the most informative, fun and relaxed classes I have ever taken. The things I have learned about taking care of the body are too many to write. Great for all ages, especially those of us looking to keep our bodies moving. I hear Kara's voice in my head daily. I am seeing improvements in postureand a shift in my mindset on taking better care of my joints. Try it out, you won't be sorry."

    Janet Webster - Student

  • I’VE PRACTICED YOGA FOR THE PAST 7 YEARS, SO I THOUGHT I UNDERSTOOD HOW TO MOVE MY BODY SAFELY AND EFFECTIVELY. DESPITE THIS, I FOUND MYSELF GETTING MORE AND MORE INJURIES OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS. BEING HYPER FLEXIBLE, I KNEW I HAD TO FOCUS ON STRENGTH, BUT FELT AT A COMPLETE LOSS AS TO HOW TO DO THIS. ENTER: KARA! SHE'S HELPED ME GAIN A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF HOW TO MOVE IN MY OWN BODY & WAS ABLE TO HELP ME CHANGE MY PATTERN OF MOVEMENT WITH A FEW SEEMINGLY SIMPLE CUES. KARA HAS SUCH AN ABILITY TO RECOGNIZE WHAT YOUR BODY NEEDS AND EXPLAIN IT IN A WAY THAT IS SO EMPOWERING. I’M SO GRATEFUL FOR OUR WORK TOGETHER!

    Ashley Lakin - RYT200, Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist