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:
Read MoreTopics: Life Coaching, life coach, KC Miller, Inspirational, Podcast
A few weeks ago, I posted what I thought was an innocent plea, encouraging friends to “Pray for Israel”. This post was motivated by the fact that two of our graduates and longtime teachers were in harm's way, living on the banks of the Jordan and being forced to flee their homes. The morning after making the post, I woke up to a heart-wrenching message from another graduate with a Palestinian heritage, asking why I took sides against her. My heart sank. As a result, I’ve embarked on a deep, soul-searching, and self-education journey as to how “peace on earth” could be possible. What I share here is part of my personal plan, summarized in the acronym of P.E.A.C.E.
Read MoreTopics: yoga, KC Miller, Inner Peace, Peace, Year of the Dragon, Form a Yoga Habit
An ancient sage told of a rich man having all of life's luxuries — money, property, a doting wife, sons who bore him grandsons, adoring daughters, prize-winning steeds, overflowing barns from fruitful harvests. Despite his bounty, he was not happy because of his obsessive, worrisome attitude. His worry preoccupied his thoughts day and night, causing him untold paranoia and mental anguish. His wife, daughters, and servants began to avoid him for fear of his accusations and confabulations.
Read MoreTopics: Gratitude, Mindfulness, KC Miller, yoga, Thanksgiving, Yoga Philosophy, The Bhagavad Gita
In this age of transparency and vulnerability, when questioned as to whether you believe in Santa or not, you might experience some consternation or dissidence. What do you say without lying or compromising the trust little ones place in you?
Recently my youngest granddaughter confessed she was very concerned that “the Bigs” (meaning the older kids) were telling “the Littles” (the younger kids) that Santa wasn’t real.
Me, the Granny, “Oh, tell me what you believe?”
Granddaughter, “Granny, I don’t have it all figured out yet …. I just think if we keep believin’ then Santa will keep showing up!”
My heart melted. She went on to plead, “Let’s let the Littles believe a little longer!”
Read MoreTopics: Southwest Institute of Healing Arts, SWIHA, KC Miller, Christmas, Holistic Education, Holiday Season, Blessings, Christmas 2022, Santa
This time of year, it’s easy to begin to recite unconscious, redundant holiday greetings such as Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Holidays, or Happy New Year. While a sincere sentiment might be your intention, could we just stop a minute and acknowledge those who aren’t feeling so merry and bright this season?
Holidays can be an emotional time of year for some, especially those who mark the holidays with anniversaries such as “This is the first holiday without (insert loved one’s name)!” Or, “I cannot believe it’s been so many years that (loved one) hasn’t been here for the holidays.” Remembering and reminiscing are part of the grieving process.
Rather than skirt around the grief or try to act as if it’s not there, consider these thoughtful and compassionate HAPPY options:
Read MoreTopics: Southwest Institute of Healing Arts, SWIHA, Mindfulness, Holistic Healing, KC Miller, Arizona, Tempe, integrative healing arts practitioner, Holding Space, Christmas, Holidays, IHAP, winter solstice, Connection, Solstice, Healing Procress, Healing Process, Space Holder, Grief Stages, Grief
“If you give thanks every day, every day is then Thanksgiving!”
Many scientific studies have been done documenting the benefits of gratitude and the practice of giving thanks including a study conducted by the Association of Psychological Science. Their findings showed those who had deeper, vulnerable conversations and made the effort to socialize more frequently with others were significantly and statistically happier and healthier.
Let’s look at six easy steps to ensure your health and happiness using the acronym THANKS.
Read MoreTopics: Southwest Institute of Healing Arts, Gratitude, SWIHA, Self-care, Psychology, Arizona, Tempe, Brene Brown, chakras, Holistic Education, Thanksgiving, Holiday Season, Honor, Giving Thanks, Chakra System
30 years ago this year, with a prayer and a small loan from my husband, Southwest Institute of Healing Arts, came into existence. Starting with two classrooms and 6 students, the college has grown to 16 classrooms, in three buildings, serving nearly 600 on-campus students, and nearly as many online students across the country.
As a longtime student of A Course In Miracles, one day long ago I prayed in earnest what is known as the ‘miracle prayer’: “What would you have me do? Where would you have me go? What would you have me say, and to whom?” From that prayer came the vision of creating a place where individuals could come to discover their gifts, where education would not be a “cookie cutter” experience and where individual expression and diversity was encouraged and honored. Starting as a massage college, SWIHA is striving 30 years later by offering 16 Certificates of Excellences, 10 different diplomas, Associates in Healing Arts, and over 300 individual continuing education classes.
Read MoreTopics: Southwest Institute of Healing Arts, SWIHA, KC Miller, Massage School, Southwest Institute of Natural Aesthetics, Arizona, spirit of yoga, Tempe, Yoga studio, Holistic Education, Arizona Yoga Studio, Arizona Massage School, Thirty Years, ACCET, Massage Clinic, Thirty Year Anniversary, Thirty and Thriving
As youngsters, we are often asked, “What do you want to BE when you grow up?” The question being asked is really what do you want to DO for a living?
For Will Zecco, he knew in middle school he wanted to BE a hairstylist. And yet his dad wouldn’t hear of it! He wanted Will to do “college”. So Will attended a community college and became a Fashion Designer, doing costume design for a local theatre group. He was good at what he was doing, including singing and dancing in the local productions, yet he still had a dream of being something else.
A hometown newspaper did an article featuring Will with the headline “Local Boy Becomes Designer.” A state Senator sent Will a letter congratulating him and offering that if there was ever anything he could do for him, to let him know. As Will often says, “We only get what you’re brave enough to ask for!” Will boldly asked the Senator about a grant and got a full ride to go to Cosmetology school.
Read MoreTopics: SWINA, Southwest Institute of Healing Arts, Aesthetician, SWIHA, yoga, 200 Hour Yoga Training, Yoga Teacher Training, Southwest Institute of Natural Aesthetics, YTT, spirit of yoga, Yogi, Safe Space, Holding Space, Trauma-Aware, Hairdresser, Makeup Artist, Esthetician School, SOY
“Meditation is the practice of falling in love with life. Follow your desires.” ~ Lorin Roche
It might surprise you to know that desire is a word traceable back to the ancient yogis used to describe our Soul journey and not just a word you see used on Valentine‘s cards.
An ancient text known as the Vijnana Bhairava Tantra (VBT) is an encyclopedia of yogic breath awareness techniques. It is sometimes called “A Divine Love Letter to Self” offering inspiration and guidance for self-care and self-love.
Let’s explore the acronym DESIRE with the transliteration of the VBT by Lorin Roche, author of The Radiance Sutras: 112 Gateways to the Yoga of Wonder & Delight.
Read MoreTopics: Southwest Institute of Healing Arts, SWIHA, Meditation, Yoga Teacher Training, Breathing Techniques, Yoga Sutras, yoga, Arizona, Tempe, Yoga Philosophy, Soul, Valentine's Day, The Radiance Sutras, Desire, Yogis
Journaling is about creating clarity, prioritizing your energy, and provides an opportunity for positive self-talk. It is also an amazing way to see how much you’ve grown, changes in mindset, and your progress toward your goals.
Through documenting our thoughts and feelings, we advance our self-awareness and self-control. It gives us the ability to analyze how we are currently showing up in the world and provides us the opportunity to feel empowered in our decisions.
Consider these 10 ways below on how to utilize journaling as Svadhyaya, or self-reflection, either through life, or especially during your experience of going through Yoga Teacher Training. Ultimately, your journal is a place to practice vulnerability and honesty, and bring that in to the world to truly live yoga!
Read MoreTopics: Gratitude, yoga, Mindfulness, journaling, Yoga Teacher Training, Yoga Sutras, Arizona, YTT, Tempe, Yogi, yoga teacher, Sacred Space, Holistic Education, Ahimsa, Self-Awareness, Gratitude Journal, My Spirit of Yoga, Svadhyaya, Self-Control, Principles of Yoga, Alter, Satya, Self-Reflection
