SWIHA Blog

Before I became a licensed aesthetician, my life looked a lot like most people’s: clocking in at 9, clocking out at 5, living for weekends, and quietly dreaming of “someday.” I knew I wanted more—more purpose, more flexibility, and more time doing something I actually loved. Yet I also knew I was about to step into the biggest role of my life: motherhood.

Before she ever imagined herself leading wellness workshops or helping women reclaim their self-worth, Markayla Clinton worked as a bank teller—efficient, dependable, and quietly dreaming of something more. Her lifelong curiosity about the human mind and passion for helping others had once led her to study psychology in college. Although life’s twists and turns meant she didn’t complete her degree, that inner calling never faded.

Eventually, Markayla’s desire to serve others in a more personal, transformational way reignited. That’s when she discovered Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA). “I found the perfect program,” she says. “My experience at SWIHA taught me a great deal about myself—my capabilities and potential.” Enrolling in the Holistic Health and Wellness Coaching program, she embarked on a life-changing journey that would help her impact others while deeply healing herself.

When Desarie Lee first found SWIHA, she wasn’t seeking a certificate—she was seeking spiritual alignment. Already practicing Reiki and deeply connected to the metaphysical world, Desarie had read Journey of Souls and felt called to guide others toward the magic and depth of the spirit realm. After a transformative “life between lives” session with a hypnotherapist who happened to be a SWIHA graduate, Desarie’s path was clear. Spirit said “YES,” and so did she.

When you hear the word hypnotherapy, what comes to mind? A swinging pocket watch? Stage performers making people cluck like chickens? It’s time to clear the smoke and mirrors—because real hypnotherapy is a powerful, evidence-based tool for healing, transformation, and empowerment.

In a world where stress, anxiety, and burnout are at an all-time high, hypnotherapy is quickly gaining recognition for its ability to create lasting change from the inside out. And it’s not magic—it’s neuroscience.

Before Beth Stratton discovered Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA), she was on a quest for purpose. With a business degree and entrepreneurial experience behind her, life took an unexpected turn when she had to close her business. Feeling lost and uncertain, she enrolled in an accelerated nursing program—driven by her deep desire to help others—yet her plans shifted again when she became pregnant. Life, as it often does, paused one dream to make space for another. Beth devoted the next several years to raising her children and embracing the journey of full-time motherhood.

For two decades, Sarah Bundy worked as a dental assistant—committed to the job, yet deeply aware that something was missing. Each day, she felt the toll of showing up to a career that no longer resonated with her. The stress followed her home, impacting her children and dimming the joy in her daily life. Beneath the surface, Sarah knew she was meant for something more—something aligned with healing, growth, and the soul’s deeper purpose.

At some point in life, many of us feel a deep inner calling—a whisper that says, “There’s more for you out there.” For Paulette Brown, a retired police officer with a lifelong passion for helping others, that call came with a desire for a new beginning. She knew she wanted to live a more meaningful life, one aligned with spiritual purpose and healing service. That calling led her straight to Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA), where she enrolled in the Integrative Healing Arts Practitioner (IHAP) program with the dream of becoming a Spiritual Life Coach.

If you're passionate about wellness, healing, and helping others thrive, pursuing a career in Holistic Health & Wellness Coaching may be your next inspired step. At Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA), we’ve recently updated and expanded our Health & Wellness Coach curriculum to better meet the needs of today’s wellness professionals—and the individuals and communities they serve.

This newly revised program is more hands-on, integrative, and aligned with real-world wellness practices than ever before. Whether you're just starting your path or looking to deepen your practice, this program equips you with practical tools and holistic knowledge to make a meaningful impact.

Are you feeling called to live a more purposeful life—one that blends personal growth, spiritual connection, and a meaningful career? At the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA), we offer more than just an education—we offer a transformational journey.

Whether you’re interested in becoming a massage therapist, yoga teacher, holistic wellness coach, or energy healer, SWIHA invites you to step onto our campus and experience what makes our community truly unique.

If you've ever felt called to walk a more spiritual, earth-connected path — one that honors ancient wisdom, deep healing, and personal transformation — the Shamanic Principles and Pathways 100-Hour Certificate of Excellence at the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA) may be your next step.

This on-campus program offers a rare opportunity to study shamanism in a structured and supportive environment, with respected guides who are passionate about preserving sacred traditions while making them accessible to modern seekers.