SWIHA Blog

At the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA), we celebrate the journeys of our students and graduates—each unique, powerful, and transformative. Annmarie Lieto, a recent graduate of the Integrative Healing Arts Practitioner (IHAP) program, shares her inspiring story of self-discovery, passion, and purpose.

Before SWIHA, Shelley had already impacted lives as an intuitive guide and yoga/meditation teacher. Despite her success, she felt something was missing. "I found that in the readings I provided clients, there was a feeling like I was left hanging," she shares. Shelley yearned to create a business rooted in integrity, where she could support clients fully and see them through their personal journeys.

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 2022, I faced a pivotal moment: I was denied a promotion. A day before the interview, I was told to withdraw my application because, in their words, “You don’t have the skills I’m looking for.” This rejection shook me to my core. I spiraled into depression, sought counseling, and felt utterly alone, disconnected from the life I thought I had built. The old beliefs I had buried came rushing to the surface, leaving me speaking in a self-defeating and critical manner that pulled me even further down.

Tonya Cook’s story illustrates the unique intersection of coaching skills and end-of-life care. As a recent graduate of the Southwest Insitute of Healing Arts (SWIHA), Tonya pursued the Integrative Healing Arts Practitioner Diploma Program with a specialization in End of Life Doula. Her Journey highlights the profound role that compassionate coaching can play in supporting individuals and families through life’s final chapter.

At the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA), students come from diverse walks of life, each on a unique path of healing and transformation. Among them is Jaylin Fisher, a recent graduate of the Integrative Healing Arts Practitioner program. Jaylin’s story is one of resilience, purpose, and a commitment to empowering women during one of life’s most transformative moments: childbirth.

Life is a journey; for Bri Senter, it has been a profound tapestry of challenges, triumphs, and transformation. As a recent graduate of the Integrative Healing Arts Practitioner program at the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA), Bri’s story is a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of holistic coaching.

Before discovering SWIHA, Tanya had already achieved an impressive academic milestone—a Master’s Degree in Health and Human Performance. However, something vital was missing. Despite her knowledge of research methods, metabolic pathways, and academic writing, she longed for practical tools to genuinely help people transform their lives. “SWIHA provides this,” Tanya explains, emphasizing SWIHA’s unique, hands-on approach to holistic health education. Tanya’s journey is a shining example of how passion, education, and a deep commitment to helping others can converge into a meaningful career.

Coaching is more than a profession—it’s a calling to create safe spaces for transformation. Lori Dye, founder of Village of Islands Yoga & Wellness, embodies this ethos. Her journey from social work and hospitality to coaching and holistic wellness is a testament to the power of aligning passion with purpose.

In the world of holistic health and wellness, few stories resonate as deeply as that of Keisha Peele, the inspiring founder of Healing InnerG - Holistic Health and Wellness Center. With a background that weaves together years of experience and a passion for helping others, Keisha has crafted a unique coaching style that empowers individuals to achieve holistic balance in their lives.

Life often presents challenges that can feel isolating or insurmountable—especially for those navigating the complexities of hearing loss. Maureen Covinsky, founder of Hear 2 Hear U, is a SWIHA Life Coaching Graduate who has turned her personal journey with hearing loss into a mission of empowerment, guidance, and connection for others.