Bloomington Birth and Bodywork, LLC

06/22/2026

I tend to go through phases where I fall back in love with certain massage tools and techniques, and lately it's been kinesiology tape.

Honestly? I just started using it on myself again recently to support my growing belly and achy low back, and holy moly, it is a game-changer 🙌🏻 Now I'm taping everybody lol.

So let this serve as a reminder that kinesiology taping is a complimentary service available with any massage session at Bloomington Birth & Bodywork. While many people think of it only for sports injuries, it can be helpful for all kinds of things: pregnancy support, low back pain, shoulder tension, postural strain, joint support, swelling, and more.

Of course, everyone's skin is different, and some people tolerate adhesives better than others. I've actually been testing out a few different brands lately to see which ones my clients (and my own skin!) like best.

Now I'm curious:
Have you ever been taped before? Did it help? And if you're a fellow tape enthusiast, what's your favorite brand?

06/21/2026

Happy Father's Day to all the dads, dads-to-be, stepdads, bonus dads, grandpas, and father figures out there. 💙

One of my favorite things about supporting growing families is watching partners discover just how important they are during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. You don't have to be a medical professional to make a huge difference—you just need a few tools and the confidence to use them.

That's exactly why I created my Comfort for Birth Workshop.

On Saturday, June 27, I'll be teaching couples practical, hands-on techniques for labor support, including:
✨ Comfort measures and pain-coping techniques
✨ Massage and touch for labor
✨ Position changes and movement strategies
✨ Ways partners can provide meaningful support throughout birth

The workshop is intentionally small (just 5 couples) so everyone gets plenty of personalized guidance and practice.

📅 Saturday, June 27
⏰ 10:30 AM–12:00 PM
📍 Bloomington Birth & Bodywork, 207 N Washington St
💲 Sliding Scale: $60–$80 per couple

There are currently only 3 spots remaining, and this may be the only Comfort for Birth Workshop I offer in 2026 before maternity leave.

If you're expecting a baby and want to feel more prepared, I'd love to have you join us.

Happy Father's Day! 💙

06/20/2026

Had the absolute pleasure of sharing coffee yesterday morning with some of the incredible facilitators and birth workers from Tandem. 💜

Many of my clients already know that I volunteer there once a month teaching Infant Massage & Tummy Time (third Tuesdays at 11:00 a.m. if you've been meaning to join us!), but I realized a lot of people may not know about the many other ways Tandem supports families in our community.

Tandem is so much more than classes. They offer free perinatal mental health support groups, partner support groups, community education, postpartum doula services, and their groundbreaking Postpartum House—a space where new parents can receive hands-on support, rest, meals, infant care guidance, and compassionate postpartum care from trained doulas. Many services are available on a sliding scale to help make support accessible for all families.

As someone who spends every day supporting families through fertility, pregnancy, postpartum, infant feeding, and newborn care, I can't tell you how much I value organizations like Tandem. Parenting was never meant to be done in isolation, and it's such a gift to have a place in Bloomington dedicated to helping families find connection, resources, and community. ❤️

If you're pregnant, newly postpartum, supporting a loved one through this season, or simply curious about what's available in our area, I highly encourage you to check them out:
Tandem Birth & Postpartum House - http://www.tandembloomington.org

06/16/2026

Starts in 1 hour! 🥳

Join us tomorrow morning from 11-12 for TummyTime! This is a free, drop in class for pre-crawling babies led by Kari Cantrell. We are so excited to see you there!

06/14/2026

Thank you to everyone who came out to our It Takes a Village fundraiser today! 💙

We had such a wonderful turnout, and I'm so grateful for every person who stopped by, got a tattoo, bought a treat, donated, shared the event, or purchased raffle tickets. Your support means so much.

And now for the raffle winners...

🥇 First Prize: Dustin 🥈 Second Prize: Elspeth

Congratulations! I'll be reaching out to coordinate your prizes.

Thank you all for helping us build the village. It was a beautiful day, and my heart is very full. ✨

06/14/2026

Today's the day! 💛

We're putting the finishing touches on everything and would love to see you this afternoon at our It Takes a Village fundraiser.

We'll have:
🍪 Homemade cookies, brownies, cupcakes, bread, and lemon bars 🎟️ Raffle prizes
💆 Massage mini sessions
🖤 Tattoos by donation with Sage
🤝 Community, connection, and support

This fundraiser helps support our family during baby Sully's birth and Kari's maternity leave.

If you can make it, come say hi. If you can't, a share is deeply appreciated.

It truly takes a village, and I am so grateful for mine. ❤️

06/12/2026

Join us THIS SUNDAY for our It Takes a Village Community Fundraiser! 💛

We're bringing together local families, birth workers, and community members for an afternoon of connection, fun, and fundraising.

✨ Massage raffle prizes
✨ Tattoo raffle prizes
✨ Bake sale
✨ Flash tattoos by Sage
✨ Chair massages by Kari

Every donation helps support the work of our doula team and homebirth midwife. Extra funds will be used towards Kari's maternity leave.

📅 Sunday, June 14, 12-4pm
📍 Bloomington Birth & Bodywork

Click the FB event link for details and let us know you're coming—we'd love to see you there!

06/08/2026

Things I wish more pregnant people knew:

You don't have to earn rest.

Lately, I've been feeling frustrated by how little energy I have compared to what I'm used to. Between moving, unpacking a new home, running a business, and growing a baby, there are days when my to-do list feels a whole lot bigger than my capacity.

Part of me keeps wanting to operate like my pre-pregnancy self. To push through. To do just one more thing.

But this pregnancy has been teaching me something different.
The more I've stopped fighting my need for rest and actually taken it when my body asks for it, the more everything else seems to work. My energy is better. My mood is better. My body hurts less. I'm more productive when I am working.

It's funny, because I spend my days encouraging clients to slow down, listen to their bodies, and receive care. Sometimes I need the reminder, too.

Growing a baby is work.

Rest is productive. Support matters. And you don't have to wait until you're completely exhausted to deserve either one. 💛

06/07/2026

✨ Artist Spotlight: Sage ✨

One of the things I am most excited about for next Sunday's It Takes a Village fundraiser is welcoming Sage as the tattoo artist for the event!

Sage will have flash designs available to choose from (swipe to see a preview!), or you're welcome to submit a small, simple design ahead of time if there's something specific you'd like.

✨ Suggested donation: $75 per flash tattoo
All tattoos will be offered by donation, with 100% of proceeds benefiting our doula team and helping us continue supporting local families through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.

Take a peek at some of Sage's work below, and come spend the afternoon with us for community, connection, local resources, raffle prizes, and some fresh ink for a good cause. 💛

We'll see you next Sunday!

👇 Which design would you choose?

06/06/2026

Apparently Bloomington Birth & Bodywork has expanded its services to include avian postpartum support. 🐦😆

A family of baby birds has made a home in the plant outside my studio, and honestly, I can't think of a more fitting mascot.

Nests. New beginnings. Tiny humans (or tiny birds) being cared for. Growing families. Learning as we go.

It's kind of what we do around here. 💚