Graduates from Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA) do BIG things in the world. They have launched successful holistic wellness businesses, created non-profits to help those in need, and even hold events to raise awareness within their community.
One such graduate and event is Nicole Duran. Nicole began her healing journey as a SWIHA student in late 2000, mostly studying Reiki. Once she completed her studies at SWIHA, she was able to bring her Reiki healing energy to community events and share it with children and youth.
Currently, Nicole is involved with an upcoming event called Neotribal the Gathering. Neotribal has been in collaboration for only about three months, and this will be the first major event for the group. The event will be held March 20th to March 22nd at Estrella Mountain Regional Park in Goodyear, Arizona.
Nicole has worked in the field of behavioral health for 12 years, specifically working with teens and youth. This work instilled a passion within her for working with and helping people of all ages who could benefit from advocacy. "I believe in spreading awareness through action and love to bring people together with the healing arts to honor our culture and roots," Nicole shared. "This event is about service and healing."
A family friendly, community sponsored event that honors indigenous technologies such as music, art, dance and healing in a contemporary setting, Neotribal will help the community grow and understand its interdependence and connectivity.
This is a spiritual gathering focusing on art, music & healing. The intention of this gathering is to honor, restore and heal our indigenous roots to empower spirituality and culture in the community. An eclectic group of performers, artists, healers, educators and community builders will be brought together to achieve the goal of transformation.
Neotribal the Gathering, in conjunction with the organization Agency on Aging, will be honoring a group of elders from Mosaic Senior Center, a local Senior Center. The Senior Center services low income seniors from 15 different Native American Tribes and over 40 refugee groups. Neotribal the Gathering will have an opening ceremony to honor, acknowledge and heal the community’s relationship to our elders on March 20th at 11 am. The rest of this weekend-long festival will be a transformational art and music gathering, as well as three days of camping and healing.
SWIHA students are invited to take 13% off a weekend or day pass to the event by entering the code "REIKI" when registering. Everyone can register by going to www.neotribalthegathering.com and clicking the button that says “Buy YOUR Tickets NOW.”
Some activities that will be a part of this event will be drumming, dancing, reiki, yoga and organic movement. For more information visit the website.
