“I grew up using herbs and had wanted to become an herbal pharmacist. The training I was looking into was in China, and then life happened, and going was discouraged. Then in my second half of revolving around the Sun, I walked by SWIHA and noticed the sign that I never paid attention to, it said ‘Herbalism and Reiki’. I had just started a new chapter in life and finally saw what I needed to do to get on the path to my original plan A.”
Signs can come into our lives metaphorically, and sometimes literally. For Eliza Zwolsky, she saw a literal sign that pointed her back in the direction of her passion for working and healing with herbs. While walking past the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts campus building, the ‘Herbalism and Reiki’ sign on the window stood out to her. It was time to put herself and her passion first! Events in life always seemed to get in the way before, and Eliza was not about to let anything stand in her way of studying her passion!
Not even COVID, which closed down in-person classes before she had enrolled, making her class the first ‘back to in-person’ class since the shutdown. This made for a higher level of gratefulness that Eliza experienced in the program. Eliza shares, “Being part of the first in-person class for Herbalism after COVID made our little group feel like a sisterhood. I realized I understood the plant's value in assisting an individual's needs and seemed to feel guided as to which herb was needed for that person. When I finally added Reiki it just made it the perfect marriage.”
Being a student at SWIHA has changed Eliza’s life path forever. Eliza used to hide parts of her ‘real self’ from the world, yet after SWIHA, she realized it was okay to be herself completely and not shy away from who she truly is and what she is capable of. Eliza expands, “I have more inner peace and love being with myself without thinking I need another person to complete me, as I am a whole person who is lovingly comfortable with just me, myself, and I.”
Now having completed her program at SWIHA, Eliza is transitioning from working her 9-5 job and starting her own business. Eliza is searching for a new home that she can live in and have a workspace that makes sense for her business! Her up-and-coming business is called ‘Eliza Z-Bruja’ where she will be offering Herbal-Reiki services. Eliza asserts, “I married the modalities as it completely fits the way I provide healing. I use nature in the room during Reiki sessions and also provide nutritional support. Nutritional support is advised if they want to use herbals so that they can achieve their goal in complete balance.” Eliza aims to work with people who are highly stressed from either their career or life in general and be able to guide them by relaxing their minds and balancing their bodies.
While reflecting on her time during the Western Herbalism program, Eliza shares that she could not pick one favorite Instructor or one favorite class, as they were all wonderful! “I had so many teachers who were wonderful and passionate about what they were teaching. I also can't pick a favorite class as I have enjoyed them all, even the business classes that I thought wouldn't be my cup of tea.”
If Eliza could offer up one piece of advice for future/potential SWIHA students it would be, “Listen to your inner voice and take the classes that are calling you. You may start on one path and end up finding a road that is your pot of gold.”
“SWIHA introduced me to volunteering at Amanda Hope which has been my joy to go and provide services for the family members who need their me time. It is a place of pure positivity. I have a goal that I am working towards and SWIHA has helped me build my tool belt to accomplish it.”
Connect with Eliza
Website: https://www.elizazbruja.com/
Facebook: Eliza Z-Bruja
Instagram: @elizazbruja
