SWIHA Blog

Before joining the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA), Yana Atim felt her life lacked guidance. Having endured profound personal losses, including the passing of beloved family members, Yana was drawn to a program that could help her heal and grow. Yana enrolled in the Integrative Healing Arts program with a focus on Spiritual Coaching, Healing Botanicals & Earth Ceremonies Facilitation. Her passion for this modality stemmed from her own healing journey, inspiring her to create a sacred space for others navigating grief through the celebration of life and love.

At Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA), we know that each healing journey is as unique as the individual walking it. That’s why we offer flexible learning options designed to meet students exactly where they are—whether that’s in a classroom or in the comfort of their own home.

Why Flexibility Matters

Life can be beautifully full—whether you're raising a family, managing a job, or navigating personal growth. Our online and on-campus learning formats give you the freedom to choose a path that aligns with your lifestyle, learning style, and professional goals. We believe that education should support your transformation, not stress it.

At Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA), we celebrate the incredible transformations our students undergo as they step into their calling as holistic healers. One such inspiring graduate is Shamiya Taver, a passionate Holistic Health and Wellness Coach who turned her personal journey of healing into a mission to help others.

In today’s world, more people than ever are seeking alternative and holistic approaches to health and well-being. As the demand for holistic wellness services continues to grow, so does the need for skilled practitioners who are experts in their fields and also capable of running successful businesses. At the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA), we believe in empowering individuals to step into their purpose, share their healing gifts, and build sustainable, thriving businesses in the holistic wellness industry.

Before attending the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA), Natalie Bowker felt called to help others yet wasn’t sure how. The Hypnotherapy program gave her the skills to guide clients which also led her on her own healing journey. Seeing profound transformations within her clients confirmed she was on the right path. Now, as the founder of Space Between Wellness LLC, she empowers others through hypnotherapy and coaching, integrating the lessons learned at SWIHA into her practice and personal life.

In a world that increasingly values whole-person healing, holistic wellness education is more than just a path to personal transformation—it’s an opportunity to build a fulfilling and profitable career. At the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA), we believe that everyone has unique gifts and graces to share with the world, and our mission is to support individuals in turning their passion for healing into a meaningful profession. Whether you’re seeking a new career, expanding your current wellness practice, or beginning your journey of personal growth, holistic wellness education opens doors you may never have imagined.

At the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA), we celebrate the journeys of our students and graduates—each unique, powerful, and transformative. Annmarie Lieto, a recent graduate of the Integrative Healing Arts Practitioner (IHAP) program, shares her inspiring story of self-discovery, passion, and purpose.

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.

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.

Coaching is more than a profession—it’s a calling to create safe spaces for transformation. Lori Dye, founder of Village of Islands Yoga & Wellness, embodies this ethos. Her journey from social work and hospitality to coaching and holistic wellness is a testament to the power of aligning passion with purpose.