Spiritual Remembering

That face This photo popped up on my fb memories recently. I remember holding him in my arms that first night when all of the visitors were gone and studying his little face. In awe. His face felt like the most familiar face I’d ever seen. It was definitely a “whoosh” moment. A spiritual remembering. After an unplanned pregnancy with someone I barely knew. My life completely my upended. Nine months in a fog of prenatal depression and confusion. Holding him that first night it all made sense. I remember feeling like, “Oh yeah, now I remember, we meant to meet up here.” We had found each other again. This time as mother and son. Previous incarnations were fuzzy. But I could feel the many lifetime connection. And in that moment I felt deep gratitude and relief that we had managed to meet up again. It felt like a miracle. And it was.

Meet the founder…that’s me!

Hello 

If we haven’t met yet, I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself. 

I’m Katie Englund. I’ve called West Seattle home since 2006. My kids are heading into their 6th and 12th grade years. I’m also mom to two sweet pups and two very special kitties. 

My husband and I met while working at Salty’s on Alki together. He’s lived in West Seattle his entire life. If you grew up here too, maybe you know him? His name is Nick Johnston.

I spent the first few years of my life in Southern California but grew up in Federal Way, WA.

I’ve always been a deep thinker and feeler. My earliest memory of contemplating (and philosophizing) about life and spirituality is in Kindergarten. Although my parents tell me I came home from the Christian preschool they sent me to preaching to them like I was standing on a pulpit. 

I grew up Catholic, but I don’t currently subscribe to a particular religion. If I had to choose, I would say my beliefs and personal practices most align with Buddhism. Two Buddhist nuns I met when my son was an infant changed my life profoundly! I carry a lot of their teachings with me in the work I do at Mama Be Well. 

Reiki was actually founded by a Japanese man who practiced Tendai Buddhism. So my prior experience with Dharma and meditation classes beautifully prepared me for my Reiki practice. 

Receiving a Reiki treatment is a deeply personal experience. My number one value as a practitioner is safety. I want it to be a safe and positive experience for you! And so I’m very tuned into your comfort and needs when you’re on my Reiki table. 

If you ever have any questions about Reiki or my path, I’m happy to connect and share more!

Thank you for taking the time to read this little bio. 

Sending peace & Reiki, 
~Katie 

Meditation changed my life.

16 years ago, one of my dear cousins went through a sudden breakup that left her without housing, so she crashed with Nick, Henry and I for a couple of months. 

I was amazed to see how she was navigating this heartbreak. 

-> She quit drinking, so she had a clear head while she was going through it. 

-> She was seeing a therapist.

-> And she befriended a Buddhist nun who she’d go for walks with and receive beautiful spiritual support from. 

-> Also, every Monday night she would attend a dharma and meditation class taught by this nun.

I became curious about this class, so I asked her if I could tag along. 

She put me in contact with the nun who asked that I pick up the book Bhuddism for Mothers and begin reading it before I attended my first class. 

That book was life changing. And so were the dharma & meditation classes that I ended up attending for the next several years.

I experienced profound emotional transformation as I learned the dharma and learned to sit with myself and my thoughts. 

What a gift. 

It’s strange to think that my cousin’s heartbreak paved the way for this gift to find me at that particular moment on my life’s path. 

Life is surprising that way. Our heartbreak can become a portal for healing not just for ourselves, but for others as well. 

My son was 14 months old when I began my dharma and meditation journey. 

And just last week I had a mom of a 14 month old attend her first meditation class at Mama Be Well. 

It immediately took me back to the turmoil that I, 16 years ago, with my own 14 month old, was experiencing when I found my meditation community. Motherhood is not an easy ride. My meditation community back then made it feel profoundly less bumpy. 

It’s so meaningful to think that the meditation circle I now host at Mama Be Well could have the same impact on another woman’s journey. 

What a blessing to be able to pay it forward. I’m so grateful for this path. 

Sending peace & Reiki,
~Katie

Unexpected motherhood and delayed grief.

From the first day of kindergarten to college tours. I’m honestly so proud of myself. I took a huge life twist (an unplanned pregnancy with someone I barely knew) and I rocked it! I’ve done an incredible job of being his mom. Of doing the healing work when my wounds and shortcomings revealed themselves along the way. And honestly, this phase of parenting is creating space for a whole new chapter of healing for me.

In order to “rock it” as his mom, I suppressed a huge trauma I experienced when I found out I was pregnant with him. Two days before I found out I was pregnant, my college love had moved to Seattle to reunite with me. Telling him I was pregnant and that the baby wasn’t his was the hardest, most heartbreaking moment of my life.

Most people didn’t know that detail. I was deeply ashamed and in so much pain. I couldn’t talk about it. And now, apparently the time is ripe for me to feel the full depth of grief of that experience.

As my heart prepares to send my baby boy off to college, my body decided it was finally time to process the heartbreak of that Big Love relationship abruptly ending 18 years ago.

My body is like, “We did it! We raised him! Now we can rest and heal.”

I’m sharing because it feels good to share. And maybe somehow my story and healing journey will provide a clue for you about your own.

Sending peace & Reiki,
~Katie

The full human experience.

I’ve been in some acute emotional pain lately.

About a month ago the opportunity arose for me to finally feel the full depth of grief from a sudden ending that happened in my world 18 years ago. And when that grief rose to the surface, instead of numbing her or stuffing her back down, I said, “Hello Grief, I see you, I feel you. I think I’m ready for you. What do you want me to know?”

This sudden and heartbreaking ending that I’m now processing, also coincided with an exciting new beginning. And so at the time, my brain and body chose to focus on that. Because I was not in a stable place to process the ending that was also occurring.

I’m grateful for my brain and body’s wisdom at that time. I wasn’t ready. I barely feel ready now.

But today, I am stable. I have all of the tools and so much support. I can sit with this deep pain. And I know I’m gonna be ok.

Life is hard and then it’s beautiful, over and over again. This is a hard moment. I don’t know how long it’s here to stay. But I do know, just like everything, it’s impermanent. This too shall pass.

I know that above all else, I came here to have the full human experience. Which means I came here to feel. Love. Loss. Heartbreak. Regret. Confusion. Joy. It’s all a part of the journey that my soul asked for.

There’s something to be gained from all of it. And my experience so far on this planet has taught that there is always something beautiful waiting for me on the other side of the pain.

The friends I have made through Mama Be Well are a testament to that. My spiritual practice was born out of pain and a need to heal. You likely found me because of some sort of pain or confusion you were in. Pain is a powerful connection point. I’m glad it led me to you.

Sending peace & Reiki,

~Katie

It’s a July tradition 💖

This is the 3rd year that I’m offering 50% off Reiki Gift Certificates.

Why do I offer this every July? One~ because it feels fun to me! I love the idea of you saying yes to Reiki for yourself or a friend because of this deal. 

And two~ July has historically been my slowest month of the year. The past couple of summers this sale has helped me to pay the rent at Mama Be Well :)  So thank you to everyone who has purchased in the past! And also, thank you to everyone who supports my work and my mission by signing up for sessions, classes and packages all year round. The fact that I get to do this work full-time is truly a dream!

This year, July has not been so slow. I’ve gotten to give a lot more Reiki than usual. Yay! 🙌🏼  But I’m still going to stick with tradition this year because I know some of you look forward to it and like to stock up. And I love seeing you for Reiki!

You can click HERE to purchase your 1/2 off Reiki Gift Certificate(s) until the end of the day on July 31st. There is no limit, so please purchase as many certificates as you’d like for yourself or loved ones. 

I’m so excited to work with everyone who is able to book with me because of this deal!

Sending peace & Reiki,

~Katie

I made it in the window at Moon Room! 🙌🏼🌙✨

My flyer is the one with the woman meditating in yellow, spreading the word about Tuesday Night Beauty.

I’m so grateful to be a part of the amazing healing community we have here in West Seattle!

Look at all of these opportunities to connect, heal & grow. I love it here. 💕💕

If you’ve never visited Moon Room, I suggest you check it out. The owner, Hannah and her partner Sean are both remarkable humans who can help you find the perfect crystal or fun treasure to support you on your journey.

It’s my favorite place to buy gifts for loved ones too :)

Plus, they are a big supporter of all of the healers and healing spaces in our community. I love checking out all of the healing community flyers in their window.

✨paint it gold✨

The flooring in our kitchen began separating a couple of years ago. We’re not ready to replace it (waiting on a larger kitchen remodel to do that). But it just felt low vibe to have the dingy subflooring showing through. So one day last Spring I bought some gold paint and filled that crack in gold. Now it makes me smile everytime I see it.

My idea to fill the crack with gold was inspired by the Japanese art of Kintsugi, where broken pottery is glued back together, and the cracks are highlighted with gold rather than hidden.

Kinstugi is about honoring the journey, and the breaks and healing we experience along the way. Our “imperfect” stories make us more beautiful, not less. I love having this gold-filled reminder in my kitchen.

What scars or cracks in your life could be honored with some gold fill?

Sending peace & Reiki,

~Katie

introducing ✨soft girl summer✨

returning to oneness with the vibrations of nature

body on the earth

soaking up the sun

dipping in the sea

cohabitating with the precious creatures all around me

doing less

feeling more

reacquainting myself with beingness

this is ✨soft girl summer✨

Who’s with me? 🥰☀️🌊🌳🦋🐝

Sending peace & Reiki,

~Katie

New Morning Ritual

I ran across the “555 practice” recently and I thought it would be a fun self care experiment for this month. And I’d love to have you join me!

The goal is to carve out 15 minutes each morning for 5 minutes of meditation, followed by 5 minutes of stretching, and finishing with 5 minutes of journaling to prepare you for your day.

I actually ran across an article about this practice as I was looking up the angel number 555. The spiritual significance of 555 (change, transformation, personal growth) coupled with the energy of the 555 morning practice feels very timely for the energy of the 5th month and what’s going on in my life at the moment. How about you?

I’m excited to support myself through the changes I’m opening to in my life with the 555 Morning Ritual. I’ll be starting on 5/5/25!

If you feel called to join me, please shoot me an email via the button below. And let me know if you’d like to be added to a special email list which will offer opportunities for check-ins this month.

I’ll also be sharing my 555 journey over on Instagram, so you’re welcome to check-in with me there!

Here’s to supporting ourselves on this wild human journey we’re on.

Sending peace & Reiki,
~Katie

Celebrating Women’s History, Reiki Style

March 8, 2025

On this International Women's Day, I would like to honor and

express gratitude for the woman who's personal healing journey led her on a path that would eventually introduce Reiki to the United States. Where many decades later it would find me :)

Born in Hawaii (on the island of Kauai) in 1900, Hawayo Takata traveled to Japan in her early 30's to receive medical treatment for several chronic, debilitating health conditions. She was scheduled for surgery, but in the meantime, she began receiving Reiki treatment from one of the early Reiki clinics in Japan.

After 4 months of Reiki treatment, Hawayo Takata found herself completely healed and no longer requiring surgery. She then began her Reiki Training to become a Reiki Practitioner herself.

Hawayo Takata was the first American attuned to Reiki, as well as the first woman. She brought her Reiki practice to Hawaii and eventually introduced it to the mainland US.

I'm so honored to be a part of the powerful ripple effect of this one woman's personal healing journey.

Her legacy of healing and personal empowerment around spirituality, health and well-being is profound.

When women heal, we spread our healing to all we meet, and leave a healing legacy that will continue to bless the earth long past our time here.

To all of the women who are making time for their personal healing right now, thank you. Your efforts bless us all.

Little helpers everywhere.

I don’t talk about it much, but I use crystals for grounding, wisdom and support every single day. As a Reiki practitioner, my appreciation for and relationship with crystals has definitely deepened and grown. One of my favorite new crystals that I’ve recently connected with is Green Aventurine. And based on my personal experience with this crystal, as well as what I’ve learned through a little bit of research, this one is worth highlighting as a powerful helper for our human journeys here on the earthly plane. I’m going to defer to the experts here, so if you’re interested in learning more about this crystal, click below to find the most thorough (and delightful) online article I found during my exploration. But if you’re just wanting the cliff notes- here are my favorite two lines, “Green Aventurine releases old patterns, habits, and disappointments so new growth can take place. It brings optimism and a zest for life, allowing one to move forward with confidence and to embrace change.”

What Spirit says

I’m feeling called to help more women access their direct line to Spirit right now.

Please read on if this appeals to you.

In my spiritual development program, The Personal Peace Project, I teach a method of Spirit communication called “chanelled journaling.”

Out of the 35 women I’ve taken through the steps of this program over the past few years, all have been able to access powerful messages from Spirit this way. It’s incredible to witness! And for times like these, it’s a priceless skill to be able to tap into.

Would you like to learn how to open your channels to the Divine? I’d love to provide the time, space and guidance for you to do just that.

The format for the Personal Peace Project is (7) one-to-one sessions over the course of 7 weeks, with me! These sessions are deeply grounding, clearing, aligning and healing! By week 5 you’ll be connecting and conversing with your Divine Support Team. It’s so fun!

The Personal Peace Project works beautifully over Zoom, or if you’re local, you can come in-person to my office in West Seattle for your sessions.

Anyone who feels called to sign up for the Personal Peace Project now through March 1st will receive either $400 off or 2 bonus 90-minute Reiki + Insight Sessions with me (worth $444). Your choice!

If you’re interested in signing up and/or would like to learn more, the next step is scheduling a complimentary info call/intention setting session with me.  I look forward to connecting with you!

Sending peace & Reiki,

~Katie

Let’s Meditate!

There’s something I’m craving, and maybe you’ve been craving it too…

In-person, small group meditation. Weekly. To build our meditation practice AND to build community. 

So I’m beginning to offer small Group Meditation Experiences at the Mama Be Well Healing Studio.

I have space for 7 women to join me each Tuesday (trans and non-binary friends included :).

I will guide the group in a meditative grounding process followed by silent meditation time. Then we’ll wrap up by sharing about our experience and setting intentions for the rest of our week. We’ll be done by 8:15pm.

The cost is just $12. 

If this appeals to you, you can reserve your spot HERE.

And if you have any questions, or any requests for offering this on a different day/time, please send me an email at mamabewellreiki@gmail.com

I look forward to seeing who the Universe brings together for this.

Sending peace & Reiki,

~Katie

🧡 West Seattle Grief Support 🧡

I’m so thrilled and honored to announce that Tamara Kubacki, founder of Listening to Grief, will be hosting in-person grief support groups at the Mama Be Well Healing Studio on Monday evenings this Fall.

I’m so grateful that Tamara is answering the call for in-person Grief Support Groups here in West Seattle. What a beautiful and important offering. 

Reach out to Tamara via her website for more info 💫

Sending peace & Reiki to all who are grieving and healing right now. 

With love, 
~Katie

A prayer for hard times

Recently I was meeting with my Women in Recovery Circle and someone shared something that I really needed to hear.

She had recently been through a very difficult season, which required her to spend a lot of time with her family of origin. Emotions were high and triggers were constant. This is the prayer helped her:

“Dear God, please help me to not make this worse.”

As a fiery Aries who loves to speak her mind and “fix” what doesn’t feel right, this prayer immediately resonated with me.  In the few days since I heard it, I’ve already found myself using it for some challenging situations in my own life.

Maybe there’s a situation you’re dealing with that this prayer could be helpful with?

As always, if you’re craving support around a situation in your life, and could use some quiet space for Divine Guidance to come through, a Reiki + Insight Session never fails to provide clarity and comfort when life is feeling confusing or hard.

Please email me with any special appointment requests (such as evening or weekends). Or click here to book during my regularly scheduled times.

Sending Peace & Reiki,

~Katie

Journal Prompts for the Astrological New Year

Up until this year, I’ve always set New Year’s Intention and Goals on January 1st. However, this year that just didn’t feel aligned for me.

You see, the farther I get along in this spiritual journey, the more I find myself aligning the the rhythm of nature, rather than the rhythm of our modern world. Can you relate?

So now, as we are coming out the darkness of winter, and buds, blooms and new growth are popping up all around, New Year Intention Setting is feeling more naturally aligned for me and hopefully for you too!

Today is the first day of Spring (March 19th) and it’s also the first day of the Astrological New Year. Hello, Aries season! Hopefully these questions will feel as fun to you as they did for me.

Journal Prompts for Spring Equinox Intention Setting:

1. The color I’m giving to this year is _______. This color makes me feel _______ and reminds me of _______.

2. The flowers I want to smell this year are _______. This smell makes me feel _______ and reminds me of _______.

3. One fear I’d like to release this year is _______.

   I’d like to replace that fear with the feeling of _______.

4. One adulting task I’m going to check off my list this year is _______. (examples- getting your will in order, hiring an accountant, setting up a special savings account, cleaning out a closet or storage unit) What delightful experiences will this create space for?

5. One old skill I want to dust off and start enjoying again is _______. (examples- playing an instrument, singing, picking up the paintbrush, graffiti ;). This activity always made me feel _______ and I can’t wait to bring that feeling back into my life again.

6. One person I want to work towards forgiving this year is _______. How will I start that process? What part of myself do I need to nurture in order to feel safe to forgive? What help or support could I seek around this?

7. What part of my outward appearance do I want to breathe some creative energy into? Do I want to spruce up my wardrobe with more color or better fitting pieces? Do I want to buy a new inspiring shade of lipstick? Maybe it’s time to try the hairstyle I’ve been admiring and saving inspiration photos of in my phone?

8. My word or mantra for the year is _______. This word/mantra reminds me to _______ and makes me feel _______.

9. One relationship I want to nurture/heal this year is _______. (examples- your relationship with yourself, with food, with another human or animal in your life, with money). Improving/nurturing this relationship will make me feel _______ and free me up to _______.

10. Overall, this year, I want to feel _______. I love feeling this way because _______. Being in this feeling and energy more often will help me to _______. I love feeling _______!

Gentle reminder to date the page for future opportunities to revel in all that’s unfolded and marvel at just how insightful your intentions were. Also, feel free to pick and choose which of these prompts feel good! No need to do all 10 :)

If you feel called to share your answers, I’d love to hold them in the light-filled energy of Reiki for you. Please feel free to reply to this email. And, if you’d like to schedule a Reiki + Insight Session for yourself, I’d love to see you and chat about your intentions  in person!

You can book your session HERE or email me for special appointment requests (such as evening or weekend appointments which I love to accommodate when I can!).

Sending peace & Reiki,

~Katie

Year End Journal Prompts

As we feel our way through this calendar year transition, I know many of us are reflecting on all of the life we navigated in 2023.
Surprises.

Triumphs.

Setbacks.

Twist and Turns.

Sorrow.

Sweetness.

The full human experience… it was all there.

If you’re in a reflective mood, like I am right now, I wanted to offer these journal prompts.

And if you’d like to share your answers with me, I’d be honored to share in your reflection and celebration of a year fully lived.

2023 Year End Reflection Questions:

1. What goals, if any, did I set out to accomplish in 2023? (think finances, health, relationships, career, hobbies, routine)

2. What progress did I make towards my goals?

3. What shifts in perspective or values did I experience along the way? Did this change my goals?

4. What was the biggest surprise of 2023?

5. What were my most challenging setbacks?

6. What unexpected help/gifts did I encounter along the way?

7. What felt like my most “star aligned” moment of the year?

8. What experiences caused the most fear?

9. What moments strengthened my faith (in humanity, the Universe, myself)?

10. What mantras or words helped me along the way?

Need some quiet space to reflect? The Reiki table is a great place to reconnect with yourself. You can book your next Reiki + Insight Session below.

Reiki benefits

Every Reiki session is different. And what unfolds never ceases to delight and amaze me. My main job as the practitioner is to get out of the way. As a channel for Reiki energy, I’m not trying to interfere or interject my desired outcome for the session. The Reiki knows what to do and it always flows for the highest good of the recipient. The Universe knows best.

I’m so humbled and grateful to have been placed in this role. Life prepared me for this. Reiki called me to this. And I’m so honored to be a part of my clients’ healing journeys by providing the safe and sacred space for the Reiki to reconnect them with the wholeness of who they are.

What benefits have you experienced through Reiki? If you’ve spent time on my Reiki table or in my Reiki Zoom room, I’d be grateful if you’d take a moment to share your experience on my page. Your experience could provide a vital clue for another woman on their sacred healing path.

New to Reiki? You can learn more about it and/or book your very own Reiki experience here.

✨the reiki wants more time✨

I tested the waters last month and now I’m officially taking the leap.

I’m offering 90 minute Reiki + Insight sessions from here on out! 🙌🏼

When I first started my healing practice- I couldn’t imagine offering anything longer than 60 minutes. But since then I’ve advanced through two more levels of Reiki training, I’ve deepened my personal Reiki practice and I have a lot more to give! The Reiki wants more time now and I’m delivering. 💫

The 90 minute sessions I conducted in September felt sooo good. I’m excited to share this expansive Reiki + Insight experience with more of you.✨✨

If you’re a current client who has 60 minute sessions left to use, please reach out to me directly and I will help you to book those.

And if you have any questions- please reach out. 💌

Sending peace & Reiki,

~Katie

Why The Personal Peace Project is so dear to me…

I used to ingest my peace. And my “ingestible peace” of choice was alcohol. Maybe you’ll relate…

After getting home from my restaurant job, I would pop open a bottle of white wine to help me shake off the emotions of the day. And when that first wave of liquid warmth would wash over me, I would feel instantly soothed. I would feel like my true self. Happy, peaceful, relaxed.

I called it my “I don’t care juice.” And for a deep feeler and deep thinker like me, that “I don’t care juice” feeling was everything. It was my solution for a long time.

But like many quick fixes, alcohol had a rebound effect and a lot of negative side effects. Also, it was not a “solution” I could pass along to my kids, who are also deep feelers and deep thinkers like me.

So I started seeking other (healthy) ways to give my body and mind that feeling of peaceful relaxation that alcohol had offered me for so many years.

As I began walking my path towards healing and true personal peace, so many amazing healers, teachers and modalities appeared.

4 years ago I put down the wine bottle for good and said yes to this Spiritual Path. And one year ago I created The Personal Peace Project for women on a similar journey.

The Personal Peace Project isn’t a program that’s meant to get you sober if that’s something you’re wrestling with (there are plenty of other wonderful programs for that). But this is a program that’s mean to help you discover your inner well-spring of peace. A peace so deep and powerful that life’s ups and downs cannot permanently shake it. And in that deep peace, you’ll find your power. And with that power, you’ll do so much good.

If this speaks to you, then I’d love to connect. Send me an email and we’ll schedule a time to chat. You can also learn more about the Personal Peace Project and my other 1:1 mentorship programs below.

Your friend in peace,
~Katie

“You’re a goddamn cheetah.”

Saturday morning I woke up with this thought in my head.

It’s the last line of my favorite passage from the book, Untamed by Glennon Doyle. Have you read it? It’s been a couple of years since I read it, but I love that this line greeted me when I woke up yesterday morning. Here’s the rest of the passage, in case you’re needing this kind of encouragement too:

“Something’s off about my life. I feel restless and frustrated. I have this hunch that everything was supposed to be more beautiful than this. I imagine fenceless, wide-open savannas. I want to run and hunt and kill. I want to sleep under an ink-black, silent sky filled with stars. It’s all so real I can taste it.” Then she’d look back at the cage, the only home she’s ever known. She’d look at the smiling zoo keepers, the bored spectators....she’d sigh and say, “I should be grateful. I have a good enough life here. It’s crazy to long for what doesn’t even exist.” I’d say: “Tabitha. You are not crazy. You are a goddamn cheetah.”

How beautiful and relatable is this? The guilt about wanting more. About wanting something you’re not sure even really exists. Talking yourself out of your “knowing” because it doesn’t fit the narrative you’ve been fed all of your life. I’m here to tell you that you CAN trust that knowing. You’re not crazy. You’re a goddamn cheetah. And you were made for more.

Sending Peace, Love & Wide Open Spaces to explore ALL that you are.

~Katie