SWIHA Blog

Healing Ourselves

We are all looking for “a quick fix,” and most of the time it doesn’t go as planned. When we seek to master our health, quick fixes rarely work. We can heal if we are willing to dig deep, hold ourselves accountable, and explore!

Humans have evolved and this progression has led us from the caves to creating exquisite communities. We are still hard-wired with primal instinct and this instinct is vital for survival. Now, we are using this same wiring for our current reality, which is working overtime. As humans progress, we no longer need our primal brain to protect us from animal predators, however, it is still in use in the modern era triggered by different stimuli. We still face the predator, yet it may be a car with an inattentive driver or someone running out before you. After severe enough events, there can be everlasting scars left.

Valentine’s Day isn’t just about romantic love—it’s the perfect time to embrace self-love and nourish your body, mind, and soul. At SWIHA, our Nutrition Program inspires a holistic approach to health, teaching students how food can nurture both physical well-being and emotional balance. So today, we’re sharing a recipe to help you celebrate love in all its forms: Strawberry Rose Bliss Bites!

A “motivator” is a charismatic person who provides encouragement and inspiration to others to take action, pursue goals, improve performance, or take on a new, more positive outlook on life. They are described as cheerleaders, coaches, caregivers, or even Firewalkers!  

Before SWIHA, Shelley had already impacted lives as an intuitive guide and yoga/meditation teacher. Despite her success, she felt something was missing. "I found that in the readings I provided clients, there was a feeling like I was left hanging," she shares. Shelley yearned to create a business rooted in integrity, where she could support clients fully and see them through their personal journeys.

Connection to the Natural World

My connection to the natural world began in childhood, as is often the case with many herbalists. Having spent countless hours turning over rocks to uncover bugs, gathering plants from the garden, and concocting my own “potions”, I found peace, creativity, and joy in those moments.

It wasn’t until my teenage years that I began to recognize the essential and medicinal qualities of plants. I stumbled upon a book of natural remedies, and it felt like being let in on a grand secret. That discovery sparked a deep passion, and at 16, I began my self-study of herbal medicine, eagerly absorbing every resource I could find.

Yoga is much more than a physical practice; it’s a transformative journey that nurtures the mind, body, and spirit. For those who feel called to share this ancient art, becoming a certified yoga teacher can be a life-changing decision. With more than 20 years of experience in Yoga Teacher Training education, Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA) is proud to be one of the few nationally accredited schools offering both independent diploma programs and exclusive yoga training integrated with other healing arts.

What was your life like before SWIHA? What led you to SWIHA and to your particular program of study? Why are you passionate about this modality?

In 2022, I faced a pivotal moment: I was denied a promotion. A day before the interview, I was told to withdraw my application because, in their words, “You don’t have the skills I’m looking for.” This rejection shook me to my core. I spiraled into depression, sought counseling, and felt utterly alone, disconnected from the life I thought I had built. The old beliefs I had buried came rushing to the surface, leaving me speaking in a self-defeating and critical manner that pulled me even further down.

Tonya Cook’s story illustrates the unique intersection of coaching skills and end-of-life care. As a recent graduate of the Southwest Insitute of Healing Arts (SWIHA), Tonya pursued the Integrative Healing Arts Practitioner Diploma Program with a specialization in End of Life Doula. Her Journey highlights the profound role that compassionate coaching can play in supporting individuals and families through life’s final chapter.

Before enrolling, Tyisha Simpson had begun building her practice, yet had not fully immersed herself in the work. Her introduction to SWIHA came unexpectedly—initially, she was preparing to take a course from a different school. However, when she discovered SWIHA, she felt an immediate connection to its mission and knew it was aligned with her purpose.

At the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA), students come from diverse walks of life, each on a unique path of healing and transformation. Among them is Jaylin Fisher, a recent graduate of the Integrative Healing Arts Practitioner program. Jaylin’s story is one of resilience, purpose, and a commitment to empowering women during one of life’s most transformative moments: childbirth.