Kari Skaggs, Owner and Operator of BLISS Wellness Essentials, LLC is a Licensed Massage Therapist (2015), Certified Aromatherapist (2016) and Reiki Level Master Practitioner (2022). Kari served 22 years on Active Duty in the United States Air Force within the occupations of Law Enforcement, Communications, Intelligence and Executive Support. She had a very successful military career and retired as a Senior Master Sergeant in 2014.  After retirement and being a lifelong believer and receiver of the healing benefits of bodywork herself, she followed her heart and decided to take some personal time to unravel from her long military career.  She enrolled at the Body Therapy Center and School of Massage in Swansea, Illinois where she learned more about holistic wellness and the central nervous system than she could have ever imagined. Taking this path as her second career has been one of the most rewarding and liberating experiences of her life. 

During massage school, Kari also discovered she had a passion for plants and essential oils. Almost immediately after graduation she pursued her certification in Aromatherapy. Adding customized aromatherapy into her massage practice was an absolute game changer. The two combined filled her heart with joy and passion. She soon realized she wanted her own practice and this is when BLISS Wellness Essentials was birthed in 2015. She had a highly successful and rewarding practice in Illinois, but she also had big dreams to travel the world with her husband while they were young and able. 

In late 2017, she and her beloved Sam decided to pursue their dream. Together they developed a travel plan and put the rest into God’s hands. Within a matter of just a few months everything fell into place with ease. They sold their home and belongings, bought an RV and set off on the journey they named “Seas, Trees and RVs…On the Road Making Memories”. They spent nearly 4 years traveling across 38 states and 3 countries with their loving pets Faith, Paco and Gracie.  These years were rich in opportunity, self exploration and healing as they deepened their connection with nature and each other. They fell particularly in love with areas in the Southwest, Pacific Northwest Coast and small charming islands of Mexico and Hawaii.  During these years of travel, Kari kept her massage practice alive by attending workshops around the country and offering bodywork sessions out of her portable traveling tent known as the “ZenDen Massage Studio”.  Today she has both a traveling studio as well as a gentle home practice in beautiful Sedona, Arizona, where she offers massage, sound healing, women’s healing circles, ceremonies and private, customized wellness retreats in both Sedona and Isla Mujeres, Mexico. 

Kari’s intention has always been to make bodywork affordable and available to everyone, regardless of economic status. She’s an advocate for the institution of higher learning and refers to herself as both the student and the teacher, at ALL times. She loves to create the trusted space where the body can show up, relax, unravel and receive healing.  Her intention is always to bring homeostasis back into the central nervous system through the body, mind, spirit connection.  Her most favorite forms of practice are Intuitive Massage combined with Energy and Chakra Alignment, Active Isolated Stretching, Reflexology and the Esalen® Modality.  As she works from a heart centered space, she feels every session is sacred and holy and believes giving is just as important as receiving. It is of her soul’s highest calling to create customized sessions that meet the desires and expectations of her clients. 

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"Life should not be a Journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming...Wow! What a Ride!"  Hunter S. Thompson

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“You are the Guide of your Soul~~Steer it towards Peace.” White Raven