SWIHA Blog

Life Coach and SWIHA graduate, Anjana Nambissan, is passionate about helping others heal. It was a turning point in her life when she realized that self-love is the supreme quality one can aim for. Being kind, gentle, and giving tender care to the self is so important in leading a happy, peaceful life. From that moment on, she knew she had to take that message forward and help others who were struggling. She enrolled in a life coaching program and became certified. Now, she dedicates her time to helping others find the same peace and happiness that she found through self-love.

Like many who are led to Southwest Institute of Healing Arts, Kay Rose Miller was focused on fulfilling her purpose in life and determined to find a career she felt passionately about. “I was led to SWIHA after I meditated and used my pendulum to clear my mind of whether or not I wanted to enroll in classes at a local university for my Bachelor in psychology,” she tells us, “I found that was not what I wanted to do anymore.”

Kay Rose realized she was feeling a tug to do something holistic & to be of service to others and enrolled in the online Integrative Healing Arts Practitioner diploma program. Despite not being on campus, Kay Rose found a sense of community with her classmates by connecting virtually.

Around the year of 2010 and Kamini Desai, Education Director and Core Curriculum Developer for the Amrit Yoga Institute, was living in Phoenix and doing a lot of traveling, speaking and teaching about yoga and yoga nidra. A friend of hers mentioned that there was a school called the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA), and that she thought she should connect with them. Kamini sent a message to KC Miller, Owner, Founder and Chief Spiritual Officer. The Universe brought them together when the timing was right about a year later.

1. When choosing a Yoga Teacher Training program, it’s important you choose a program recognized by reputable licensing or a credential is involved is so that when you present yourself for employment your training will be recognized.

Yoga Alliance (YA) is the largest independent organized credentials body available in the world. Their standards for a Yoga Teacher Training facility include:

• Has a definite, pre-defined curriculum with competencies and sub-competencies that meet Yoga Alliance’s standards;
• Offers a training program that is taught by experienced yoga teachers who are qualified to train others to become yoga teachers; and
• Offers a consistent approach that supports authenticity of lineage, style, or methodology, rather than a survey of different approaches.

Urban Farming encompasses a vast array of interests: growing produce for personal consumption, involvement in a community garden or even with the intention of selling product at a local farmer's market. You may have a modest dream of a salsa garden on your patio, or loftier aspirations of creating a homestead with multiple plots. Whatever your ‘green goals’ may be, Urban Farming connects you back to the basics and gives you an enhanced appreciation of the magic of nature and how food is grown.

We all have days where we’re in an inexplicable funk and can’t seem to shake it; nothing out of the ordinary is happening externally yet we feel unmotivated, sad, foggy or simply just blah. In recent years, scientific research into the connection between our brains and our bellies has suggested that these moods may not be as random as they seem.

In 2015, the National Center for Biotechnology Information concluded that: “Insights into the gut-brain crosstalk have revealed a complex communication system that not only ensures the proper maintenance of gastrointestinal homeostasis, but is likely to have multiple effects on affect, motivation, and higher cognitive functions.

Diversifying food choices is essential for keeping our gut’s microbiome healthy. When our digestion is performing optimally, our bodies can absorb the maximum amount of nutrients from the foods we consume, thereby improving the performance of all of the systems that keep us healthy!

There is also mounting evidence showing that what we eat affects physical health and mental health. A great way to keep our mind, body and spirit happy is by consuming a rainbow...in the form of a salad, of course!

This dish is able to be completely tailored to your personal preference. Read the guide below for suggestions on creating your own Rainbow Superfood Salad!

The term ‘seitan’ is of Japanese origin, coined in 1961 by George Ohsawa who was an advocate of the macrobiotic diet. Sei, meaning "made of” and tan, the first character in the Japanese word tanpaku, which means protein. However, this vegan meat alternative can be traced as far back as 1500 years ago to Buddhist monks in China. Seitan has proven itself to plant-based eaters and beyond thanks to it's chewier texture versus other soy-based meat alternatives.

Although it is made of flour, seitan is low in carbohydrates, contains almost no fat, and is an excellent source of protein. It's widely available in grocery stores in many forms, however we'll be exploring how you can make it at home -- with no fancy ingredients or machines necessary. In fact, all you need is flour, water, your hands and a little imagination!

Squash is a dietary staple for many cultures around the world. From its more common cousins, such as the zucchini and spaghetti squash, to the more obscure varieties such as the kabocha and zephyr squashes, these herbaceous vines are both delectable and nutritious! Today, we’ll be looking at basic squash preparation and ideas for stuffing them to create a complete and satisfying meal.

Are you feeling ready for a change? Do you desire to positively influence the lives of others? If lifelong learning, human connection and steady employment are appealing to you, you may be perfect for a career in Massage Therapy.

In just eleven months, you could be on your way to a fun and fulfilling career through our Massage Therapy program, beginning on March 1st (AM schedule) and April 5th (PM schedule). Southwest Institute of Healing Arts offers the flexibility to choose what works best for YOU, with a wide range of electives and diverse scheduling options.