About Us
We are an experienced group of practitioners, offering the best in holistic reproductive care in the TC.
We believe that you are a whole person, with an innate capacity to heal. We’ll work together as partners to tune into what is right and true for you and your body, customizing an approach that’ll best support you and your goals.
At Fertile Ground, we have the expertise and experience to build upon what has happened in your life and health so far, and our goal is to prepare you for the future you desire.
Together, we can dig down to the root of your issues and take empowered actions that promote optimal fertility and health. Using ancient healing wisdom, we’ll help bring your body back into balance.
Our mission is to tend to your reproductive health using an individualized holistic approach that helps you reach your specific goals.
Our exceptional team of practitioners have helped hundreds of couples achieve their family-building dreams with greater health, comfort and ease. We’ve also supported women with a broad range of health issues through multiple life stages.
Kara Yorkhall
L.Ac., MAOM, FABORM
Kara (she/her) founded Fertile Ground in 2007 and leads an exceptional team of practitioners, providing the best that the Twin Cities has to offer in holistic reproductive care. Her clinical approach is based on over 20 years of experience in women's health and her extensive knowledge of reproductive medicine.
Kara is passionate about helping women find the key pivotal areas that will create balance and greater health for them. Besides expertly providing care to fit the individual patient’s needs and goals, she is dedicated to empowering women to make the lifestyle changes that are going to have the greatest impact on their overall health and fertility.
Kara believes in the profound healing power of the food that we eat, and enjoys helping patients discover the diet, supplement, herbal and exercise routine that will be most supportive for them. She holds a deep respect for the authentic experience of each patient and is committed to offering a safe and compassionate space for women to explore their healing at a deeper level.
Kara is board certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) and licensed by the Minnesota State Medical Board. Kara graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Master’s degree in Oriental medicine from Northwestern Health Sciences University in Bloomington, MN. She has completed the comprehensive training and examination to become certified by the American Board of Oriental Reproductive Medicine (ABORM), and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Studies from Oberlin College.
In her free time Kara enjoys being with her family and friends, community building through music and song, doing movement forms such as yoga and dance and spending time in nature. Kara is dedicated to trying to make the world a better place for everyone; she loves living in Minneapolis and being part of the vibrant mix of people, community and activities that the city has to offer. She is grateful to be married to her husband Chandler since 2002 and together parenting their 4 children.
Lauren Mathews
L.Ac, MAOM
Lauren (she/her) joined Fertile Ground in 2012 and has played a significant role in the growth and expansion of the practice. Over the past several years, Lauren has worked with hundreds of women on their journey to parenthood, and has refined and expanded her expertise in fertility and pregnancy. Additionally, she has undertaken a high volume of onsite pre- and post-embryo transfer treatments at various fertility clinics around the Twin Cities metro area, including the Center for Reproductive Medicine (CRM), Reproductive Medicine and Infertility Associates (RMIA), and the Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine (CCRM).
Lauren is board certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) and licensed by the Minnesota State Medical Board. She graduated Cum Laude from Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia with her bachelor’s degree, and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Master’s degree in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine from Northwestern Health Sciences University in Minneapolis, MN.
In addition to using acupuncture, herbs, and other modalities in her practice, Lauren is particularly passionate about nutrition. She is a firm believer in the transformative power of good nutrition, and she loves to use food therapy in tandem with acupuncture to help others on their journey towards wellness. In her spare time she enjoys cooking, baking, reading cheesy mystery novels, and yoga.
Sarah Wilson
L.Ac, MAOM
Sarah Wilson (she/her)is an acupuncturist who studied at The San Francisco College of Chinese Medicine then returned to her hometown of Minneapolis as a nationally certified and Minnesota licensed acupuncturist in 1991. She helped to establish acupuncture within The United Hospital’s Pain clinic, Shakopee Women’s Prison, HealthPartners Mental Health, Health Recovery Center and multiple chemical dependency programs. She developed a holistic health program that utilized acupuncture, herbal medicine and education that provided an inclusive, community style healing environment within the chemical dependency, pregnancy and elders programs at The Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center for over 12 years. Along with 32 years in private practice, Sarah has recently focused on helping people through life transitions such as cancer, ptsd, loss, grief and fertility issues using acupuncture, along with educational methods to relieve anxiety, stress and insomnia.
Jess Noble
AOBTA, Arvigo Maya Abdominal Therapist
Jess's bodywork integrates The Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Therapy, Shiatsu, Western Therapeutic massage, and Craniosacral therapy (CST) to aid the body’s ability to heal itself and support women’s health care. She has spent years cultivating an expert approach to women's health through bodywork .
Jess (she/her) finds that the importance of self care in our society is often over looked and it is easy for women to become worn down and depleted. She is committed to offering a healing space to relax and reap the benefits of specialized bodywork so that people can leave feeling relaxed, rejuvenated, and refreshed. Jess's work supports fertility, pregnancy, postpartum, helps resolve menstrual issues and digestive complaints as well as decreasing pain and tension in the body.
Jess graduated from Center Point Massage and Shiatsu Therapy School in the East West program in 2014 and has also completed the Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Therapy.
Chandler Yorkhall
BCTMB, Qigong Healing, Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), Pain Neutralization Technique (PNT)
Chandler is a board-certified (*NCBTMB) bodyworker, healer, and health educator who has been practicing since 1995. With thousands of contact hours in hospital, hospice, and clinical settings Chandler has refined his manual therapy approach to effectively address pain, trauma, and functional issues of many kinds.
Chandler has worked extensively with fertility, pregnancy and postpartum, as well as children of all ages, and has completed the course sequence to be a Spinning Babies Aware practitioner. All pregnancy sessions after 30 weeks include the Mclaughlin Assessment Protocol (MAP) for Better Birth, which has been found to reliably reduce fetal positioning issues. Chandler has particular interest and expertise working with late-term breech presentation.
Chandler’s sessions can include slow, subtle modalities such as Craniosacral Therapy, Fasciatherapy, and various neurological release methods, as well as more vigorous methods like Shiatsu and Tuina. He also uses Japanese abdominal therapy (Anpuku), a versatile approach to the internal organs that is beneficial for fertility and menstrual complaints, digestive issues, scar tissue, and detoxification.
Trained as a hospice provider and hospital chaplain, Chandler can provide support for life transitions and trauma work of many kinds. He uses Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), Somatic Energy Work, Sufi Healing (a form of spiritual healing), and a variety of other coaching and healing methods to help clients process difficult experiences, build inner resilience, and create greater health and vitality.
Chandler began studying Asian Bodywork, T’ai Chi, and Qigong with Bruce Moran, AOBTA Certified Instructor in 1995. In 1997 he began a 5-year apprenticeship in Craniosacral Therapy. He graduated from Oberlin College with a degree in Biology in 2001 and went on to complete his training at Centerpoint Massage and Shiatsu School in 2004. He trained bodyworkers at Centerpoint from 2005-2012 and has continued teaching in various capacities throughout his career. Chandler is a certified instructor of Zhineng Qigong (Wisdom Healing Qigong) and has been teaching Qigong since 2006.
He lives in Minneapolis with his wonderful wife and four children, with whom he loves cooking, singing, and spending time in the great outdoors.
*by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork
Anna Schneider-Bryan
ABMP, Bodywork
Anna (she/they) arrives at Fertile Ground with gratitude to be joining this supportive community. Since 2011 they have cultivated a holistic, intuitive and skillful approach to offer people deeply therapeutic, restorative and balancing bodywork. With her initial training being at CenterPoint Massage and Shiatsu Therapy School & Clinic, she has continued learning and growing since with training in full spectrum doula care, craniosacral therapy, end of life/death care and energy work- to name a few! She is passionate about meeting each person wherever they find themselves and inviting their whole being to connect with and remember their innate ability to integrate and heal. Anna’s hope is that the foundation of each session is based in compassion and trust so that you feel safe and supported to be heard, held and cared for.
Katy Martin
Office Staff
Katy (she/they) joined Fertile Ground in 2022. She is a free spirited adventurer. She grew up in southern California but has recently found herself at home in Minnesota. She spends her time exploring the healing arts, such as meditation, yoga, pottery and poetry. She is a full time student reaching for her BSN with intent to specialize in a holistic women's health path. She is currently in her 230 hr yoga teacher training program. Alternative medicine and holistic healing have always had a place in her heart. Acupuncture has helped Katy in various ways, including: grounding, realignment, tinnitus, and migraine relief. She loves spending time in her community, sharing stories and mixing with different energies. You can find her barefoot in a garden or elbows-deep in clay on the weekends.
Sophia Genz
Office Staff
Sophia (she/her) joined the Fertile Ground team in April 2023. Her interest in holistic health practices stem from her own health and wellness journey; having struggled with irregular cycles and hormonal imbalances her entire life. She is likes learning about acupuncture, Chinese herbs, and supplements to support her and her wellness. Sophia also regularly practices healing methods including yoga, meditation, and breathwork.
Sophia graduated from University of Minnesota - Duluth with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. She is currently attending St. Catherine University in the Master of Social Work program. She will be starting an internship for Clinical Social Work in Fall 2023. Her dream is to open a private practice and specialize in treatment for individuals experiencing trauma and intense emotions. When not at work, school, or her internship, you can find Sophia spending time with her family, friends, dog Moose, and cat Marsha. Sophia enjoys crochet, embroidery, listening to music/true crime podcasts, and going on walks in the sunshine.
Lilia Yorkhall
Office Staff
Lilia (she/her) is a high school student at Breck School, graduating in 2024. Lilia is a multi-sport captain for soccer and nordic skiing and plays club soccer year-round. She has played cello since she was 5, played in orchestras for many years, and performs in a cello rock-n-roll group. She is fluent in Mandarin Chinese and involved in student government at school. Lilia loves spending time in nature, hanging out with her friends and family, harmony singing, dancing, thrifting, and traveling. Lilia has grown up with a kitchen cupboard stocked full of Chinese herbal formulas and has been accustomed to receiving regular acupuncture and bodywork since she was young. She's grateful to have had the first-hand experience of holistic, non-pharmaceutical models of care ingrained in her understanding of health and wellness.