Blissfully Balanced

08/29/2026

✨ Something new has been unfolding on my table…

I’ve recently started incorporating more myo-somatic work into my sessions, and the response has been incredible.

Clients are leaving deeply relaxed—not just “that was a great massage” relaxed, but that heavy, settled, something shifted kind of relaxed.

Someone even described it as “untangling.”

And I think that might be one of my favorite descriptions yet.

This work gives the body time and space to soften, unwind and release patterns it may have been holding onto for a very long time. Rather than forcing change, we slow down, listen and follow what the body is showing us.

And I’m realizing that sometimes 60 minutes simply isn’t enough time for the deeper work.

For those who want to go further, I’ll be offering 90- and 120-minute sessions. The additional time gives us space to address what brought you in while also following the layers we uncover along the way without feeling like we have to rush to fit everything into an hour.

These longer sessions aren’t necessarily about getting “more massage.” They’re for the person who wants the time and space to really do the work.

Massage. Myo-somatic work. Energy. Stillness. Intuition. Whatever your body needs that day.

Sometimes we don’t need to push harder.

Sometimes we just need enough time to untangle. ✨

Blissfully Balanced Massage & Bodywork
New Lenox IL

08/25/2026

✨ Something new is unfolding at Blissfully Balanced…

Although “new” doesn’t feel quite right.

It feels more like 20+ years of experience finally coming together in a different way.

Over the years, I’ve studied and worked with the body through massage, fascia, craniosacral work, energy, movement, the nervous system and intuition. And recently, I’ve been bringing all of those pieces together in a way that feels incredibly natural.

Instead of simply asking “Where does it hurt?” and working on that area, I’m looking at the body as a whole.

What is connected to it?
What is compensating for it?
Where did the pattern actually begin?

Because the place you feel something isn’t always where it started.

This work is slower, curious and incredibly intentional. We may work with fascia, movement, positioning, the nervous system, subtle bodywork and intuitive listening—following the patterns your body gives us rather than following a predetermined massage routine.

Sometimes we work somewhere completely different than where you expected.

And that’s where it gets really interesting.

The more I work this way, the more it feels like the culmination of everything I’ve learned over the last two decades.

I’m still deciding exactly what I’m going to call this session… The Unwinding, The Unwinding Session, Intuitive Bodywork… who knows, maybe the name will reveal itself as the work continues to evolve. 🤍

But I don’t need the perfect name yet to know this:

I absolutely LOVE this work.

And I’m officially beginning to offer it at Blissfully Balanced.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing all the things—massage, stretching, working on the same tight spot over and over—and your body keeps returning to the same pattern…

this might be the session you’ve been waiting for. ✨

08/17/2026

Something new is weaving its way into my work… ✨

This week, I’m stepping deeper into the language of the body—learning, listening, and exploring another layer of how we hold, process, release, and remember.

I’ve always known the body carries more than muscle and tension. It holds stories. Patterns. Protection. Wisdom.

And I have a feeling what I’m learning this week is going to become a beautiful new layer of the work I already do.

More soon. 🌿✨

08/08/2026

🌊 Hecate Strait 🌙

There was something about seeing this name that made me stop.

Hecate.

Goddess of the crossroads, intuition, transformation, and the mysteries that exist between worlds.

She has popped in my head many times lately. When things come up repeatedly, it is a message from somewhere deep and is something worth paying attention.

Standing here, surrounded by this incredible water and wilderness, I felt like it was a little reminder to remember.

Remember who we are.
Remember our intuition.
Remember the wisdom of the feminine.
Remember that we are connected to the Earth and to something much older than ourselves.

We are all standing at a crossroads in some way.

Maybe the path doesn’t need to be clear yet.

Maybe we just need to trust ourselves enough to take the next step. 🌙

Follow what feels good…

Honoring Hecate. Honoring the Earth. Honoring the remembering.

08/06/2026

There are places on Earth that don’t ask us to become anything.

They simply invite us to remember.

Standing before the ancient glaciers of Glacier Bay, I wasn’t thinking about productivity, goals, or the endless list of things waiting at home. I was reminded of something much older…

That beneath the noise…
beneath the roles we play…
beneath the tension we carry in our bodies…

we are already whole.

Healing isn’t always about fixing what is broken.

Sometimes it’s the gentle act of remembering who you were before the world told you who you needed to be.

Nature has always been one of our greatest teachers. The glaciers don’t rush. The mountains don’t compare themselves. The tides don’t question their rhythm. They simply trust the wisdom that has always lived within them.

Maybe that’s our invitation, too.

To slow down.
To listen.
To soften.
To come home to ourselves.

This is what I believe healing truly is.

Not becoming someone new…
but remembering who you’ve always been.

💜 With love from Glacier Bay, Alaska.

— Kara
Blissfully Balanced Massage & Bodywork

10/26/2025

Limited spots available this week:
Tues 10/28 @ 5p
Wed 10/29 @ 12p
Thurs 10/30 @ 1:30p

09/10/2025

🌸 Welcome to Blissfully Balanced! I’m Kara, and I help people feel lighter, calmer, and more connected through therapeutic massage, Reiki, and distant energy healing.
Whether you’re here for stress relief, physical healing, or a soul reset—you’re in the right place.

💬 Question for you: What’s your favorite way to restore balance when life feels hectic?

Send a message to learn more

03/08/2024

WOMEN

In this life we women are many things,
mothers, sisters, wives, friends, carers.

We are creators,
we are nurture,
we are home.

But above all,
we women are the magic.
We are the intuition.

We are the product of generations,
who fought to be heard,
to be believed,
to be empowered.
And that runs very deep.

When women come together,
magic happens my friend.
And those who tell you otherwise are afraid.
We are not.
So come together in all your glory today and every day.

Because you can,
because you must,
because you are called by deep-seated ancestry to do so.

And because, most of all,
we hold up half the sky,
and our half must show the other
how to be.

Musings by Donna Ashworth
Artist Irina Vitalievna Karkabi

12/29/2023

💆🏻‍♀️Embrace Wellness in the New Year: The Transformative Power of Massage Therapy

As we usher in a new calendar year, there's no better time to prioritize self-care and embark on a journey to holistic well-being. One incredibly effective and rejuvenating way to kickstart this journey is by embracing the healing touch of massage therapy. Beyond mere relaxation, massage therapy offers a myriad of physical, mental, and emotional benefits that can set the tone for a healthier and more balanced life in the coming year.

1️⃣ Stress Relief and Relaxation:
The hustle and bustle of daily life can leave us feeling overwhelmed and stressed. Massage therapy acts as a powerful antidote by promoting relaxation and reducing stress levels. Through expertly applied techniques, tension in the muscles is released, and the mind is given the opportunity to unwind. As the soothing strokes melt away stress, you'll find yourself better equipped to face the challenges of the new year with a calm and collected mindset.

2️⃣ Enhanced Circulation and Detoxification:
Massage therapy stimulates blood flow throughout the body, promoting better circulation. Improved circulation means oxygen and nutrients can reach tissues more efficiently, aiding in the body's natural healing processes. Additionally, the gentle manipulation of muscles during a massage promotes the release of toxins, allowing the body to detoxify and renew itself.

3️⃣ Alleviation of Physical Discomfort:
Whether you're grappling with chronic pain or the aftermath of an intense workout, massage therapy can provide targeted relief. Skilled therapists can address specific areas of discomfort, helping to alleviate muscle soreness, reduce inflammation, and enhance flexibility. By addressing physical discomfort, you'll be better equipped to embrace an active and health-conscious lifestyle in the year ahead.

4️⃣ Improved Sleep Quality:
Quality sleep is crucial for overall well-being, and massage therapy has been shown to enhance the quality of sleep for many individuals. By promoting relaxation and reducing stress hormones, a massage can create an environment conducive to restful sleep. As you embark on a new year, ensuring a good night's sleep will contribute to increased energy levels, improved mood, and heightened cognitive function.

5️⃣ Emotional Well-Being and Mental Clarity:
Massage therapy doesn't just benefit the body; it also has a profound impact on mental and emotional well-being. The release of endorphins, often referred to as the body's natural feel-good chemicals, can elevate mood and combat feelings of anxiety or depression. Additionally, the meditative aspect of a massage provides a mental escape, fostering a sense of clarity and mindfulness.

As you set your intentions for the new year, consider incorporating regular massage therapy sessions into your self-care routine. The investment in your well-being will not only pay off in physical benefits but will also contribute to a more positive and resilient mindset. Embrace the transformative power of massage therapy, and let the new year be a celebration of a healthier, more balanced you.

💆🏻 Schedule an appointment today! 815-258-5153

03/15/2022

Wishing everyone a Happy St. Patrick’s Day ☘️

This week the shop will be open from 11:30am-4pm through Friday and 11:30am-3pm on Saturday

This beauty of a mineral is green calcite. The color can range from pale to emerald green. They have a very refreshing quality to them. Other properties of green calcite include:

~ encourages relaxation
~ cooling to ‘hot’ emotions such as anger and irritability
~ nurtures positive traits like compassion and altruism
~ stimulates the heart chakra and the healing ability of the physical body
~ brings a sense of freshness and vitality to the body and spirit
~ assists one in regaining one’s sense of purpose and possibility
💚☘️💚☘️💚