SWIHA Blog

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is an activist group that researches and advocates for reducing toxic chemicals and drinking water pollutants as well as corporate accountability for releasing such things into the environment. Each year, they review testing from the U.S Department of Agriculture regarding pesticide residue and release two lists: “The Clean Fifteen” and “The Dirty Dozen”. This year's ranking of pesticide contamination takes into account 47 varieties of fruits and vegetables based on 43,000 plus data points.

Our bodies are filled with electrical and chemical impulses that keep our brain and body in constant communication. Most of the time, we actively decipher the information and can quickly interpret it; a common example of this is when we accidentally touch a hot surface, our body moves away without conscious thought to do so.

However, in traumatic situations, our body can’t tell the difference between physical danger and emotional distress. It logs the memory deep within our tissues, which triggers the body to release the same chemical and electrical impulses anytime a sound, smell, sight or sensation comes along that reminds our subconscious of the trauma. The primal part of the brain believes its body to be in physical danger, which is why trauma survivors have physical symptoms for weeks, months and, many times, years.

“I grew up in steak and potato country. My close friends can confirm that I never ate a vegetable,” says Amanda Webster, a graduate of the Mind Body Wellness Practitioner program  “Not surprisingly, I was plagued with symptoms of depression and anxiety and had trouble coping with life.”

During her first month at SWIHA, Amanda recalls sitting in Dr. Mahdi's classes wondering "What the heck is the picture on the screen?"

Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA) has joined forces with San Francisco based DaoCloud, the largest and fastest network of vetted wellness professionals, to bring awareness to holistic health! With SWIHA educating future wellness professionals in healing modalities, this partnership allows those professionals to build their practice and clientele through DaoCloud’s community network.

Southwest Institute of Healing Arts recently launched GuidanceOnCall.com, an outreach initiative to connect clients to coaches within a matter of minutes. Guidance On Call serves those seeking immediate support for health and wellness. Becca Briley, Student Success & Guidance On Call, Head Coach says, “This is the perfect gateway to connect our SWIHA graduates, (Coaches, Holistic Practitioners and Guides) with clients in as little time as possible. As we embrace the power of 2020, we know it’s time to implement a pro-active, trusted source for holistic guidance.”

“Life coaching is a powerful way to develop new ways of thinking and discover the mental and emotional roadblocks that prevent us from achieving our life's goals,” explains Michael Cavalier, a Mind Body Transformational Psychology graduate, “With this newfound awareness, tools to empower us, and an system of accountability there is no limit to the world opening up to us and to the personal and professional growth we're seeking.”

“To be a good coach, your clients want to know your experience,” says Trina Scott, a graduate of the Transformational Life Coaching program at SWIHA, “Oftentimes, it's hard for someone to trust you if you haven't experienced something similar. You want them to feel safe opening up to you.”

Experience is something that Trina has plenty of. She shares with us: “My life was a struggle for me because I had lost my husband. He was a police officer killed in the line of duty. I was searching for my purpose as I was trying to raise four daughters alone.

“Effective life coaching provides relief, restores hope and offers ease so that life feels manageable and meaningful,” says Suzanne Wigginton, “The work helps to clear the way, connect the dots and align clients with healing pathways and perspectives.”

Suzanne served as a Massage Therapist for many years after getting her education at Southwest Institute of Healings Arts. Before her venture into the healing arts, she worked as a paralegal and knew that she was destined for more.

“There are a lot of different types of coaches out there and a lot that spent more time learning marketing than how to be a strong coach,” Tami Sharp, creator of The F You Point, tells us, “For me, life coaching is like hiring a personal trainer for your soul. Sure, if you want to get in shape you can do it on your own. However, if you want to expedite the experience, have deeper and more noticeable results in less time, you hire someone that's been trained to help you push past your limits and holds you accountable for achieving your goals.”

“Life Coaching is a way for others to have someone to be a sounding board, to have someone ask simple questions that trigger a positive plan of action without telling the client what to do and to have them explore outside of their comfort zone,” Reilynn Sarmiento, a Massage Therapy graduate of Southwest Institute of Healing Arts explains, “We guide by allowing them to explore their own horizons and have them set goals for themselves.”