Hi, we’re Ben and Karina, the founders of Mind Body Lab - a holistic health centre and community café nestled in the peaceful countryside of Calf Heath, just north of Wolverhampton.

Mind Body Lab is the result of Karina’s 10-year vision coming to life. Her deep interest in moral philosophy, truth-seeking and a lifelong fascination with the human mind and the nature of existence led her to the yogic path in her early 20s. What began as a personal exploration quickly evolved into a lifelong passion for health, ethics and the human experience.

After a decade of personal study and dedicated practice, Karina felt ready to share the tools that had so profoundly supported her own journey and travelled to Varkala, Kerala in Southern India to train under Mahesh Chandra, completing her 200-hour yoga teacher training in 2016.

For six years, she ran her own yoga classes in community centres, offered private sessions from her home studio and taught in various local studios whilst continuing her studies in yogic methodology and adding plant-based nutrition coaching to her repertoire - always holding onto the dream of creating her own space one day. A place where more people could benefit from these practices in a welcoming, supportive environment.

In 2019, Karina’s world was shaken by the untimely death of her brother, Dr. Angelo Grubisic - a rocket scientist, avid skydiver and wingsuit base jumper - who tragically lost his life during a close-proximity wingsuit flight at a festival in Saudi Arabia. Karina was incredibly close to her brother and the devastation of his passing took her to the depths of despair. Yet through that darkness, she found strength - a deep, transformative resilience that reshaped her perspective. Coupled with the forced pause during the COVID years, which prevented her from teaching publicly, this period became a powerful turning point. It made her realise that life is too short to wait for the right time - that you must trust your journey and go for your dreams, however scary that can feel.

In 2021, we began searching for a venue. From old Victorian factories in central Wolverhampton to two-storey retail units just outside town, nowhere felt quite right - until we discovered Calf Heath Marina. Set on an acre of land in a quiet, tranquil location, surrounded by water, wildlife and natural beauty, we knew instantly: this was it!

As Mind Body Lab grew into more than just a yoga studio, Ben officially came on board to help run the business in 2023. Coming from a construction background, Ben brings years of experience in the trades and looks after the general upkeep and maintenance of the building, managing the studio and making sure the space runs smoothly and safely for everyone who walks through our doors.

With Ben on board, the space also allowed us to realise another long-held dream, to open a vegan café: bringing our love of plant-based food to the local community. Ben has a passion for cooking and creates flavourful dishes so it made sense, in year 2, that Canalside Kitchen was born - a peaceful café serving healthy, wholesome plant-based food that doesn’t cost the earth. Open Monday to Saturday, 11am–2pm, it’s become a well-loved spot for nourishing meals and meaningful connection. Our lovely chef, Trusha, heads up our kitchen Monday-Friday and is a great fit for our team, creating incredible meals with Ben for the Canalside Kitchen menu.

Whether Ben’s in the kitchen, fixing something behind the scenes or welcoming a guest with warmth and humour, there’s little this man can’t turn his hand to - he’s the scaffolding of the business, holding it all together with quiet strength, creativity and care.

Together, we bring a balance of masculine and feminine energy to this space and a shared passion for health, service and community.

We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve created - and we’re only just getting started.

We now offer:

• Daily yoga and calisthenics classes

• Health-focused workshops and day retreats

• Community events and gatherings

• A therapy room offering Holistic Massage, Sound Therapy and Nutrition Coaching

• A brand-new recovery suite with a floatation tank, two-person infrared sauna and two-person cold plunge pool

Everything we do is rooted in compassion, community and a genuine desire to help people feel better and live well. No fluff, no fads - just science-backed wellness practices, taught and shared with heart.

Mind Body Lab is a space for real people, building real community through meaningful health practices and wholesome food. If you care about your health, your community and your planet, come join our tribe - and let’s move mountains together.