SWIHA Blog

When Amy Smith began searching for an End-of-Life Doula program in October 2024, she didn’t expect to find a path that would transform every area of her life. What she discovered at Southwest Institute of Healing Arts was more than an education—it was a calling fully realized.

Enrolling in the Integrative Healing Arts Practitioner program with the End-of-Life Doula certification, Amy stepped into a journey that would affirm what her heart had known for years.

At Southwest Institute of Healing Arts, we often say that healing is not a destination—it’s a journey. For recent Integrative Healing Arts Practitioner graduate Anna Laniewski, that journey has been nothing short of life-changing.

Before enrolling at SWIHA, Anna knew one thing for certain: she wanted her life to mean something.

“I have long wanted to do something meaningful with my life. This would have to involve using my past traumas to help others.”

When Shakeela Smith graduated from the Integrative Healing Arts Practitioner program at Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA), with specialties in Healing Botanicals and Earth Ceremonies, it was more than a diploma—it was the embodiment of a journey that had been quietly unfolding for years.

Her path was not linear. It was layered, intuitive, and Divinely timed.

As a longtime yogi, the Bhagavad Gita, often referred to as “The Gita,” has always been part of my awareness and has recently become my Guidebook. In preparing for the March 2026 Gifts & Graces event titled “The ABCs of Manifestation,” the wisdom of the Gita offers profound and practical insight for the times we are living in.

“The Gita” is a specific story within the revered Indian epic known as the Mahabharata, the longest poem ever written. With over 100,000 verses, it is roughly ten times the length of the Iliad and the Odyssey combined. This epic classic encompasses a vast array of stories, teachings, and philosophical discourses, reflecting the complexity of human experience and morality. While framed as a historical account, it serves as a powerful metaphorical parable.

The narrative begins on a battlefield, depicting a war between two sets of cousins. It quickly becomes clear that this battlefield symbolizes our minds. The cousins—the Pandavas and the Kauravas—serve as powerful metaphors for the internal struggles within each of us.

For many students, the path to SWIHA begins in a moment of deep inner questioning. For Shanda Mack, that moment was marked by what she lovingly describes as a time of spiritual limbo—a powerful in-between space where clarity had not yet arrived; however, the calling was undeniable.

Before enrolling at the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts, Shanda found herself standing at a crossroads. She knew she was meant to spiritually inspire others, yet she was still discerning how to align that calling with a sustainable, prosperous career. The desire to create meaningful impact—while honoring both her spiritual gifts and her professional goals—ultimately led her to the Integrative Healing Arts Practitioner (IHAP) program.

For Michelle Rodriguez, healing has never been just a job—it has been a calling. With over 22 years in the healthcare field and nine years as a Licensed Vocational Nurse, Michelle has walked alongside countless individuals and families during some of life’s most vulnerable moments. Yet, despite her deep dedication to nursing, something within her began to shift.

“I have held the view that each individual’s situation should be approached holistically, honoring the triune beings—body, mind, and soul—that each person is,” Michelle shares. “I especially believe this when it comes to those who are in the transition of death.”

That belief became the compass guiding her toward a new path—one rooted in care and reverence.

For many, life doesn’t follow a straight path, and for Alissa Germond, that winding journey led her to Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA). Now a student in the Integrative Healing Arts Practitioner (IHAP) program, Alissa is on track to graduate in February 2026 with a diploma, along with certificates in Spiritual Coaching, End of Life Doula work, and Yoga Nidra. She has also enriched her studies with Holistic Entrepreneur and Business Development classes—each step shaping the foundation for her transformative work with others.

It’s a valid question. In an often emotionally suppressed world, managing our feelings and engaging with others is a process of trial and error; a journey that can be quite difficult. Discovering healthy ways to relate emotionally can be a significant challenge. 

We’ve learned over the years that thoughts, feelings, and emotions expand beyond our limited physical forms, affecting others, and we can sometimes pick up on energies that are not our own. These once-rare subjects are now rising to the surface of daily dialogue. Growing awareness of our interconnectedness with others and our overall environment can be a challenging shift in awareness if you’re the more grounded, practical type of person. Accepting that another person’s thoughts can affect you in any way could be a bridge too far for you to bear.

For recent Integrative Healing Arts Practitioner (IHAP) graduate Courtney Easterling, the path to SWIHA was guided by a lifelong love of natural living, holistic wellness, and earth-based practices. What began as a desire to learn more about the healing arts ultimately became a deeply personal journey of growth, grounding, and purpose.

“I came to SWIHA because I was interested in the healing arts,” Courtney shares. “I’ve always loved natural practices and agriculture. I love holistic nutrition, chakras, and yoga.” Drawn to these interconnected modalities, she found SWIHA to be the place where her values and passions could come together in a meaningful, professional way.

Life has a way of guiding us exactly where we need to be—sometimes through gentle nudges, and other times through moments that make us pause entirely. For Maggie Coe, her journey into the Integrative Healing Arts Practitioner (IHAP) program at Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA) was a combination of both.

Before enrolling at SWIHA, Maggie’s life revolved around her family, her pottery business, and deepening her relationship with her partner. In 2024, a significant accident forced her to slow down, listen to her body, and reflect on what truly mattered. “I became more intentional with my life, listening to what I was being called to do,” Maggie shares. That reflection led her to SWIHA, and she immediately felt that this was the path she was meant to follow. “This is how I could show up for others and also for myself,” she explains.