Inspiring Connections and Well-Being
by Nia Martin • Photos by Jamie Conners
Set against the stunning backdrop of the Saratoga Passage, you’ll find a 100-year-old, two-story shingled house on Camano Avenue. Boasting a tranquil courtyard and patio, it has served as a location dedicated to human connection and community in South Whidbey for ten years.
“Rachel Naomi Remen said, ‘The places in which we are seen and heard are holy places. They remind us of our value as human beings. They give us the strength to go on,’” said Elin Stebbins Waldal, director of Healing Circles Langley. “I think that essentially sums up who we are.”
Stepping inside Healing Circles Langley, visitors experience a warm, windowed space containing a spacious area to gather people in a circle. Visitors are encouraged to take in “The Tree of Intentional Healing”—a tree painted on the wall, with roots representing the foundational aspects of wellness and leaves depicting the myriad ways one can engage in healing. Upstairs is “the room of infinite possibilities,” which enjoys a view of the Cascade Mountain range and is devoid of furniture, making it ideal for meditation, a healing songbath, or Qigong. Across the hall, a living area lends itself to intimate circles such as reflective writing, art, and grief circles. The overall environment is calming and inviting, an intentional place for people to discover meaning and belonging.