SWIHA Blog

Before attending Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA), Annalissa found herself feeling lost and unsure about her future. She describes a time when she was simply living day by day, without a clear plan or vision for what was ahead. Life lacked direction, however, everything changed when she discovered the chance to help others through nutrition and holistic wellness with SWIHA’s Holistic Health and Wellness Coaching program.

Charles LaPac’s life underwent a remarkable transformation after enrolling in SWIHA’s Integrative Yoga Therapy program. His path began with an interest in Reiki, a spiritual healing technique that opened his eyes to the profound connection between mind, body, and spirit. This initial curiosity eventually guided him to pursue Yoga Teacher Training, where he discovered the powerful practices and philosophies that define yoga. Now, he is on an inspiring journey to becoming a Certified Yoga Therapist, dedicating his time and energy to mastering the art of yoga and teaching others how to harness its benefits for their own healing journeys.

"Meditation is not reserved for saints and sages; it is a practice for everyday people seeking peace and clarity in their lives." - Ram Dass

Have you ever felt like meditation is this elusive secret club reserved for the Zen masters of the world? You're not alone. The idea of sitting in silence, attempting to silence the endless chatter of the mind, can feel daunting, if not downright impossible. What if I told you that meditation isn't about achieving perfection or silencing your thoughts completely? What if I told you that you, yes you, can meditate too? Let's dive into this transformative practice together and discover its myriad benefits, debunking myths along the way.

What was your life like before SWIHA? What led you to SWIHA and to your particular program of study? Why are you passionate about this modality?

In 2021, I reached my eleven year anniversary at an insurance company I had been working at since I was 20 years old. I grew up with a passion for art, always painting and drawing, however, like most young adults, I was encouraged to take a job that paid well and had “great benefits”. I always knew that I loved to help others, and I tried to incorporate that in the corporate world by training and assisting coworkers who needed additional help. Yet eventually I began to burn out, and my soul just knew this wasn’t what I was meant to be doing.

Hey there, beautiful souls! Today, let's explore a topic that resonates deeply with me – the postpartum journey. After the whirlwind of emotions that comes with welcoming your little one into the world, the postpartum period can feel like a rollercoaster ride. Fear not, with some thoughtful planning and self-care, it can also be a time of incredible growth and connection with your new mini-me.

Our dreams hold so much information and healing…if we take the time to listen to them. Listen to them? I barely remember them. How am I supposed to listen to my dreams if I can barely remember my dreams? We remember our dreams by becoming active participants in our dreams.

“This Joy that I have, the world didn’t give it and the world can’t take it away.” - Shirley Caesar

Wellness doesn’t mean we’re happy and joyous every day.  What it means is when the hard days come, when your emotions are all over the place, when your anger gets the best of you, you have the tools to get through it a little easier. Many of us struggle with mental well-being issues at one point or another. When you are diagnosed with mental illness, it’s imperative that you receive help from an expert in the field. There are things we can do daily to work on our mental well-being.

“Why am I here?” “What am I supposed to be doing with my life?” “What’s my life purpose?” “Am I even on track?”

Throughout my astrology readings, I hear these questions over and over again.  We are taught from a very early age to seek out a purpose and direction in our lives.  We ask, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” of our 3 and 4-year-olds as if they will declare their dream and direct the rest of their life by it.  Flash forward 40 or 50 years, and as adults, for many, the dream is gone and we feel unfulfilled and “off track” or altogether lost on what our purpose is.

Bam! Mic drop! These words really caught my attention: “You can’t criticize yourself into changing!”

During a recent road trip, my husband and I were listening to a podcast by Jay Shetty known as ON PURPOSE.  The topic was “The Inner Critic”. The following are the notes I felt compelled to write down and share with you all today:

What was your life like before SWIHA? What led you to SWIHA and to your particular program of study? Why are you passionate about this modality?

Prior to SWIHA, I was a career tattoo artist, a single mother of two, and a laundry list of health issues that were lessening my quality of life until November of 2021. In November of 2021, I suffered a series of seizures while in the shower with multiple falls. I could not walk, talk, eat, or breathe without assistance. 90 days after that fateful evening, I was diagnosed with a rare neurological condition called Functional Neurologic Disorder with Extreme Autonomic Systems Dysfunction. In layman’s terms, the right and left hemispheres of my brain were no longer communicating properly, and my brain was no longer communicating with my body. A body designed to be automatic, I would have to learn to operate manually (consciously).