Peaceful Heart Pilgrimage

Peaceful Heart Pilgrimage Michelle digs relationship: relationship with earth, self, others, and the infinite. Peaceful Heart Wellness Services is the love child of these art forms.

She believes that strengthening these relationships is the Heartbeat of emotional and spiritual healing. Michelle works within herself and with her clients in a high integrity, low razz environment to explore, confront, contemplate, wrestle with, and celebrate the breathtaking (โ€ฆand often maddening) nuances of being human. You can find her leading meditative retreats in the oldgrowth of the Olympic Mountains or meeting 1:1 with clients for reiki, energy analysis, and counseling in Seattle. Michelle obtained her Masters in Counseling Psychology from The Seattle School of Theology and Psychology and Reiki II Certification in 2014. She fancies herself a Rock Goddess: equal parts Led Zeppelin, Amethyst, and Olympic Peninsula.

1 spot left!!Kumano Kodo, JapanApril 2 - April 7, 2026   ๐ŸŒณ๐ŸŒธโ›ฉ๏ธ๐Ÿ”๏ธ๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต
01/30/2026

1 spot left!!

Kumano Kodo, Japan
April 2 - April 7, 2026 ๐ŸŒณ๐ŸŒธโ›ฉ๏ธ๐Ÿ”๏ธ๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต

Cedar trees? cherry blossoms? onsen baths?  Yes please. I'm in.  ๐Ÿฅพ๐ŸŒธ๐ŸŒณโ›ฉ๏ธJust a few spots remain for next Spring's walk on ...
12/12/2025

Cedar trees? cherry blossoms? onsen baths?

Yes please. I'm in. ๐Ÿฅพ๐ŸŒธ๐ŸŒณโ›ฉ๏ธ

Just a few spots remain for next Spring's walk on the Kumano Kodo in Japan. I took 2025 off from guiding this trek... my cells are *ready* to get back in those mountains. ๐Ÿ”๏ธ๐Ÿ’ž

This one is tough to describe, friends. I remember saying once on the trail... "I feel like I'm in a storybook". Absolutely enchanting.

Come. Give yourself the gift of Immersion. Slowly traipse through Foreign Worlds. It would be a *true joy* to walk with you.

_____________________________

March 27 - April 1
April 2 - April 7

Pilgrimage is not reserved for the wealthy, the world traveler, or the ultra-athletic. Let's talk.

Payment plans starting at $150. ๐Ÿ’ž

edit to add: Past Pilgrims... say hi if you see this! feeling nostalgic for you all... mucho hugs! ๐Ÿ’ž๐Ÿ’ž๐Ÿ’ž

Early August.As a guide on the Camino de Santiago, I'm settled here at home... squarely between "the end" of our Summer ...
08/07/2025

Early August.

As a guide on the Camino de Santiago, I'm settled here at home... squarely between "the end" of our Summer walks and "the beginning" of the walks that will come this Fall.

My heart is in two places: reflecting and celebrating the beauty that was gained over ~270 miles (for me), and also anticipating WHAT IN THE WORLD could possibly come in the next ~270 miles.

If you follow along in my emails, you know that I learn soooooo much through my job, and through those that I walk with. I get to foster this experience for you - yes - but I think myyyyyyy rewards might be tenfold.

So, friends, a smattering of my favorite photos from June. You guys... my heart is so full. Still.

My peaceful heart to yours,
-Michelle ๐Ÿ’–๐Ÿ’ซ๐ŸŒณ๐Ÿ”๏ธ

(September Pilgrims... your time is coming. Your sunrises, your sunsets... we're getting closer. I can't wait)

Countdown to orientation: t-minus 20 minutes. Our first group of 6 will start walking tomorrow morning and arrive in San...
06/06/2025

Countdown to orientation: t-minus 20 minutes.

Our first group of 6 will start walking tomorrow morning and arrive in Santiago de Compostela in 1 week. I couldnโ€™t be happier to be on my โ€œhome away from homeโ€ ๐Ÿฅฐ๐Ÿฅฐ I couldnโ€™t be happier to share it with 5 new friends.

More to come! Send us your love!

I missed this live last Saturday morning, but *wow* it brought tears to my eyes when I caught it online   ๐Ÿฅฒ๐Ÿฅฒ๐ŸฅฒAs people.....
04/25/2025

I missed this live last Saturday morning, but *wow* it brought tears to my eyes when I caught it online ๐Ÿฅฒ๐Ÿฅฒ๐Ÿฅฒ

As people...
We know what it means to pray.
We know what it means to be in community.
We know what it means to enjoy a good meal.
We know what it means to be immersed in nature.

But its impossible to imagine - at home - that all day, everyday is spent like this on The Way.

Out there, peace doesn't come in 20 minute snippets between chaos. Peace is an overlay throughout the entire Adventure. It's a lifestyle. The whole thing is a spiritual practice.

Is it challenging out there on the Camino? Yes. But it is the type of challenge that we *choose* to face. And we're equipped to face. These challenges empower us. They don't break us down.

In this news clip, it was powerful for me to see something that I *so ferociously* believe in be presented for all of America. The Camino is one of the most welcoming, generous medicines that I know. CBS did a beautiful job.

May you have the courage, if it's on your heart. ๐Ÿ’•

XO, friends,
-Michelle

For more than a thousand years, Christian pilgrims and those seeking self-reflection have embarked on the Camino de Santiago, a network of hiking routes through France, Portugal and Spain that all meet in the Spanish city of Santiago de Compostela. The ancient tradition is finding new life in the 21...

it's that time again, friends!! preparation season is (almost) as juicy as pilgrimage itself. I'm so happy to be gearing...
04/04/2025

it's that time again, friends!!

preparation season is (almost) as juicy as pilgrimage itself. I'm so happy to be gearing up. ๐Ÿ’–๐ŸŒณ๐Ÿ‘ฃ๐Ÿ’ซ๐Ÿ’ช

Camino Frances, final 100km
1 week, gentle terrain & ample amenities
June 6 - 12
September 6 - 12

Camino Primitivo, 200 miles
2 weeks, rural & 100% worth the challenge
June 17 - July 1
September 17 - October 1

payment plans in 5, 8, and 12 months. ๐Ÿ’•

Springgggg. The thaw. Rebirth. One step closer. I received this link from a dear Pilgrim friend, and if you've got 26 mi...
03/07/2025

Springgggg. The thaw. Rebirth. One step closer.

I received this link from a dear Pilgrim friend, and if you've got 26 minutes, I *highly* recommend.

Heart and Soul
Herve's Way: the story of a one-legged Pilgrim

A few of my favorite nuggets:

"The Camino - The Way - you have to learn to respect it. And to respect The Way you have to respect yourself. and respecting yourself means looking after yourself. You have to learn to deal with your wounds in order to keep going, in order to arrive at your destination, which is Santiago de Compostela"

"I'm starting to understand something about pilgrimages. They're not so much about discovering Great Truths as rediscovering Simple ones."

"What happens when you walk is that you eliminate the superficial and unnecessary, leaving you with the essential."

"Walking The Way you enter into a sort of contemplative bubble. You are concentrated on an aim: arriving in Santiago de Compostela. And all the worries you might have you don't think about them anymore. It simplifies your relations with other people, as well. Pilgrims are all equal. Class distinctions disappear. We've all got a pack on our backs and blisters on our feet. On The Way, the respect that we owe every single other person comes back to the surface. And that is extraordinary."

"The Way to Compostela is about rediscovering your Freedom. You are freed from the daily worries that you have at work or with your family or whatever. It is a gift that God offers us, that its up to us to take. That is what I did - taking the time when you owe nothing to anybody except to God."

The amputee who recovered his will to live walking a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela.

It's that tiiimmmeee again, Soul Friends!  ๐Ÿ’–๐Ÿ’ซ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿ’ฅRegistration for the 2025 walks on the Camino de Santiago is underway an...
02/21/2025

It's that tiiimmmeee again, Soul Friends! ๐Ÿ’–๐Ÿ’ซ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿ’ฅ

Registration for the 2025 walks on the Camino de Santiago is underway and I COULDN'T BE HAPPIER ABOUT IT.

Groups are currently about 1/2 full for Summer and Fall, but we're really just now beginning our eeaarrrrlllyyyy preparations for Summer. The Off-Season Thaw Out has begun!

If you've been curious about this Adventure, it's time to warm your heart and imagination back up. I've got about 30 of these under my belt. It would be an *absolute joy* to walk with you and support your journey.

I hope your Seasons of Hibernation has been restorative, my friends. Last year was beautiful, and I already can't wait to see what we'll create together in 2025.

My peaceful heart to yours,
-Michelle ๐Ÿ’–๐Ÿ’ซ๐Ÿ”๐ŸŒณ๐Ÿ‘ฃ

a big chunk of melon in my hotel room sinkโ€ฆ this can only mean one thingโ€ฆ.the Camino is only days away! ๐Ÿฅฐ๐Ÿ’–๐Ÿฅณfor some reas...
09/09/2024

a big chunk of melon in my hotel room sinkโ€ฆ this can only mean one thingโ€ฆ.

the Camino is only days away! ๐Ÿฅฐ๐Ÿ’–๐Ÿฅณ

for some reason this has become a habit/tradition of mine when I arrive early to our meeting place in Spainโ€ฆ holding down the fortโ€ฆ as members of our group slowly make their way from their hometown in the US.

itโ€™s a strange symbol, but a symbol nevertheless ๐Ÿคฃ

join me in celebration as 6 beautiful soon-to-be friends will come together on Wednesday to begin our 1 week walk. ๐Ÿฅณ

and join me in prayers of soothing confidence for 7 more that will come later this month for 200 miles in the hills and meadows of the Camino Primitivo. ๐Ÿ”๏ธ

I couldnโ€™t be more excited. I have the best job in the world. my heart is ready to give generously to my traveling companions.

Your prayers and support offer a fuel that goes far beyond words on a screen.

My peaceful heart to yours,
-Michelle ๐Ÿ’–๐Ÿ’ซ๐ŸŒณ๐Ÿ”๏ธ

**2025 dates for the Camino de Santiago**will be released via email NEXT WEEK!  ๐Ÿฅณ๐ŸŒณ๐Ÿ‘ฃ๐Ÿพ๐Ÿ’Œmessage me below or privately with ...
08/08/2024

**2025 dates for the Camino de Santiago**

will be released via email NEXT WEEK! ๐Ÿฅณ๐ŸŒณ๐Ÿ‘ฃ๐Ÿพ๐Ÿ’Œ

message me below or privately with your email address if you don't already receive my newsletters

_____________________________

AND... although I meant to only include a single picture with this post, I stumbled upon a WHOLE BUCKET of photos that I haven't seen since 2022....

therefore... I'm sharing the wealth with you, too. ๐Ÿ˜‰

THOSE SMILES!!!

WOWZA!!! ๐Ÿคฉ๐Ÿคฉ๐Ÿคฉ

I MISSSSS YOU GUYS!!!!!!

10 days post- Camino de Santiago:Friends, 10 days off the trail after ~30 days (for me) on. WOOF. I have post-walk words...
07/16/2024

10 days post- Camino de Santiago:

Friends, 10 days off the trail after ~30 days (for me) on.

WOOF.

I have post-walk words for you today, and I will have more post-walk words for you soon.... ๐Ÿ’–๐Ÿ’ซ๐Ÿ™

you've heard me talk *a lot* about all the work that goes innnnn to preparing for an Adventure as GRAND as the Camino de Santiago.

we all spend MONTHS in physical, logistical, mental, and spiritual preparation for this experience. for some, it is YEARS in the making.

and then we go to Spain, and a lot of things happen, and we arrive at the Cathedral, and then... what? just like that, it's over?

No, friends.

The two pictures here were taken 10 days ago, hours after completing our 200 mile group walk on the Camino Primitivo.

Look at my face, look at my shoes.

Haggard. Yeesh. ๐Ÿ˜ณ๐Ÿซฃ๐Ÿซ 

** We are impacted by what happens to us out on The Way **

We go to learn. We go to expand. Effort and energy is asked of us. We give it in order to become better and fuller people.

Just as it has taken us MONTHS to prepare ourselves for this Grand Adventure, it will take us MONTHS to restore and recuperate and metabolize and synthesize all that has transpired.

and it is an HONOR to do so. ๐Ÿ‘

and it is an HONOR to do so. ๐Ÿ‘

and it is an HONOR to do so. ๐Ÿ‘

So. Trust that I am happy, and trust that I am safe, and trust that I have restored well enough to write to you today. ๐Ÿฅฐ๐Ÿฅฐ

(side note: if I had to write a book, it would be about how to become a human again after being drained of our very last drop. it is a very gentle art and science that I do several times/year).

I will come back with more tales of the Adventure soon...

What a wild ride...

Until then, please send your continued prayers for both myself and the Peaceful Heart Pilgrims that I was able to share my Summer walks with. They, no doubt, are recuperating too. ๐Ÿ’ช๐ŸŒˆ

(and please don't let this post scare you. my job is a beautiful balance. not all Pilgrims feel as extreme as I do. ๐Ÿ˜‰)

Warmly,
-Michelle ๐Ÿ’–๐Ÿ’ซโ›ฐ๏ธ๐ŸŒณ๐Ÿ‘ฃ

currently on Day 6 of 14 on the Camino Primitivo. *much much much* to say later when I have some space for words, but un...
06/26/2024

currently on Day 6 of 14 on the Camino Primitivo. *much much much* to say later when I have some space for words, but until thenโ€ฆ

when I say weโ€™ve been treated like Family this weekโ€ฆ I mean it from deep in my bones.

My heart is so full. So happy. What a gift. Best job ever. ๐Ÿ’–๐Ÿ’ซ๐ŸŒณ๐Ÿ‘ฃ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ

Address

1167 Republican Street
Seattle, WA
98109

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Peaceful Heart Pilgrimage posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Peaceful Heart Pilgrimage:

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram

Our Story

Michelle digs relationship: relationship with earth, self, others, and the infinite. She believes that strengthening these relationships is the Heartbeat of emotional and spiritual healing. Michelle works within herself and with her clients in a high integrity, low razz environment to explore, confront, contemplate, wrestle with, and celebrate the breathtaking (โ€ฆand often maddening) nuances of being human. You can find her leading hiking meditative retreats in the oldgrowth of the Pacific Northwest or exploring the secrets of the universe while on pilgrimage in Spain and Japan. Michelle obtained her Masters in Counseling Psychology from The Seattle School of Theology and Psychology and Reiki II Certification in 2014. Peaceful Heart Pilgrimage is the love child of these art forms. She fancies herself a Rock Goddess: equal parts Led Zeppelin, Amethyst, and Olympic Peninsula.