Kara is a licensed massage therapist, certified birth doula, postpartum doula, and childbirth educator. Kara is also a writer and teacher of women's healing arts and pregnancy massage. She has a private practice in Eugene, Oregon, and can be found on the web at MaiaHealingArts.com  and the Birth Ecology Project

Kara does the Birth Arts on-site trainings for the Western Region of the US. Contact Kara for more information.

She graduated in 1998 from the Brenneke School of Massage in Seattle.  Kara specializes in prenatal and postpartum massage and is Certified in Bodywork for the Childbearing Year. She has also completed a teaching preceptorship with Kate Jordan in Bodywork for the Childbearing Year.

Kara trained as a birth doula and postpartum doula at the Seattle Midwifery School, and has been in professional practice as a doula since 1999. She trained as a childbirth educator with the Association of Labor Assistants and Childbirth Educators (ALACE). She was certified as a Birth Doula with the Pacific Association of Labor Support (PALS) in 2000. Kara is Certified in Neonatal Resuscitation and has current Infant and Adult CPR certificates.

She is a member of the Pacific Association of Labor Support, the Birth Companion Network, the Lane County Birth Network, and BirthArts Doulas. Kara is on the board of the Birth Companion Network as Chairperson, and BirthArts as the West Coast Doula Coordinator.

Kara is a wise woman herbalist and she apprenticed with Demetria Clark of the Heart of Herbs School in Vermont. She has also attended herbal healing workshops with Susun Weed and Jeannine Parvati Baker.

Kara enjoys teaching, speaking, and writing about massage, healing arts, childbirth, and parenting. Kara is also a skilled facilitator of women's circles and blessingways. Kara is a life-long student of healing arts, massage, bodywork, women's health, midwifery arts, herbal healing, ecstatic dance, and yoga. She frequently attends workshops and conferences to enrich her studies and advocate for a healthier world for women, children, and families.

Kara was a Keynote Panelist at the 2005 Association for Pre- and Perinatal Psychology and Health (APPPAH) International Congress, where she received a standing ovation for her talk on 'Radical Mothering'. Speaking and teaching engagements have included the Brenneke School of Massage, Renton Technical College, Green Mountain Doula Guild, Richard Hugo House, LadyFest Seattle, and the HipMama Gathering.

Her writing is published in magazines, websites, and anthologies. Her articles have been featured in Midwifery Today, SageWoman, HipMama.com, Alternet.org, and Birthlove.com. Kara produces YoMamaSays.org, a project of HipMama magazine.

Kara is also a HoopDance & HoopYoga teacher. She is the creator of Mandala Hoops, handcrafted hoops for dance, yoga, and play. There is abundant information on her handcrafted hoops and the healing art of hooping at MandalaHoops.com.

Kara is grateful to her friends, family, clients, mentors, teachers, and community who have supported and inspired her. Her greatest teacher and inspiration is her son Ari, who was joyfully born at home in 2000.

Oregon Massage License #12297