“I am completely devoted to sharing the wisdom of yoga with the world for the rest of my life. As soon as I graduate I am going back to India for the first time, with my baby, and we are going to continue to embody the teachings forever. This is a lifelong journey.”
After completing 500 hours of yoga teacher training in Rishikesh, India, Coco Taylor discovered SWIHA when she returned home. Coco felt deeply infatuated by the yoga programs offer at SWIHA. Coco seemingly couldn't get them out of her head for the next two years as she relocated to live in New Zealand. While living abroad, Coco found herself thinking about SWIHA every day. “One day, I finally decided to put what I was doing there on pause, and answer my soul calling to study yoga therapy at such a magical school. I left my friends, job, and all my belongings. Booked a flight back to Phoenix, and moved in with my parents so I could begin my journey at SWIHA from the bottom up!”
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Topics:
Southwest Institute of Healing Arts,
yoga therapy,
Body,
SWIHA,
Yoga Teacher Training,
Spirit,
Mind,
yoga,
Arizona,
asana,
Tempe,
Yogi,
Yoga studio,
Manifestation,
Samskaras,
Holistic Modalities,
Divine Timing,
Yoga Retreat,
Divine,
Private Yoga Classes
“Holding Space for myself means permission to feel what I need to feel, space to just be here, exactly who and how I am, and to find my way forward - gently.” - Unknown
Before coming to SWIHA, Great Graduate of the 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training program, Mario Jiannino, was swept up in the whirlwind of life. Always go, go, going, and not really breathing through life. Mario explains, “I was really reactive to everything around me. I really thought that what I was reacting to before was so important. I realized that while taking Yoga, I have the ability to slow down and analyze things before I create my reaction.” Rather than experiencing and witnessing things, Mario found himself in a place of reaction. Having known and worked with KC Miller, Founder of Southwest Institute of Healing Arts, for several years, she finally approached Mario about the Yoga Program. Mario’s reflection was, “KC is insightful - she saw something in me that I didn't see in myself. Somebody out there believed that I was capable of doing something beyond myself, and she was right. I am passionate about this specific modality because Yoga taught me to breathe. I thought I knew so many things about life, until Yoga. Then, I woke up and witnessed so much beauty that was always with me.”
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Topics:
Southwest Institute of Healing Arts,
transformational,
SWIHA,
Mindfulness,
200 Hour Yoga Training,
KC Miller,
Yoga Teacher Training,
yoga,
Arizona,
Breath,
YTT,
spirit of yoga,
Tempe,
Yoga studio,
yoga teacher,
Holding Space,
Holistic Modalities,
breathing,
Personal Development
Breath and life… when we enter this world we take our first breath, and when we leave this world, we take our last. Breathing seems like it is the most natural bodily function, as we don’t have to think about breathing, every second of every day. However, breath controls so much more in our life than we are aware of. Pranayama. In Sanskrit, Prana translates to “vital life force” and Yama translates to “gain control”. In yoga, breath is associated with Prana, and many ancient breath techniques were born which involve learning how to control your breath with different styles and lengths. When we learn more about the art of breathing, we may be able to take more control of our lives, and not just save our peace for the yoga mat.
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Topics:
Southwest Institute of Healing Arts,
SWIHA,
Yoga Teacher Training,
Breathing Techniques,
yoga,
Arizona,
Breath,
YTT,
Tempe,
Yogi,
Yoga studio,
Holistic Education,
Calm,
My Spirit of Yoga,
Bellows Breath,
Alternate Nostril Breathing,
Tranquility
“Meditation is the practice of falling in love with life. Follow your desires.” ~ Lorin Roche
It might surprise you to know that desire is a word traceable back to the ancient yogis used to describe our Soul journey and not just a word you see used on Valentine‘s cards.
An ancient text known as the Vijnana Bhairava Tantra (VBT) is an encyclopedia of yogic breath awareness techniques. It is sometimes called “A Divine Love Letter to Self” offering inspiration and guidance for self-care and self-love.
Let’s explore the acronym DESIRE with the transliteration of the VBT by Lorin Roche, author of The Radiance Sutras: 112 Gateways to the Yoga of Wonder & Delight.
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Topics:
Southwest Institute of Healing Arts,
SWIHA,
Meditation,
Yoga Teacher Training,
Breathing Techniques,
Yoga Sutras,
yoga,
Arizona,
Tempe,
Yoga Philosophy,
Soul,
Valentine's Day,
The Radiance Sutras,
Desire,
Yogis
Journaling is about creating clarity, prioritizing your energy, and provides an opportunity for positive self-talk. It is also an amazing way to see how much you’ve grown, changes in mindset, and your progress toward your goals.
Through documenting our thoughts and feelings, we advance our self-awareness and self-control. It gives us the ability to analyze how we are currently showing up in the world and provides us the opportunity to feel empowered in our decisions.
Consider these 10 ways below on how to utilize journaling as Svadhyaya, or self-reflection, either through life, or especially during your experience of going through Yoga Teacher Training. Ultimately, your journal is a place to practice vulnerability and honesty, and bring that in to the world to truly live yoga!
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Topics:
Gratitude,
yoga,
Mindfulness,
journaling,
Yoga Teacher Training,
Yoga Sutras,
Arizona,
YTT,
Tempe,
Yogi,
yoga teacher,
Sacred Space,
Holistic Education,
Ahimsa,
Self-Awareness,
Gratitude Journal,
My Spirit of Yoga,
Svadhyaya,
Self-Control,
Principles of Yoga,
Alter,
Satya,
Self-Reflection
“You are stronger than your challenges. And your challenges are making you stronger. Deep within is a hidden reserve of inner power. Breathe. Get quiet. You will access it. You’re far stronger than you realize - with a capacity to stretch and grow in exciting ways.” - Karen Salmansohn
Before Eve Garifo-Morelli started her healing journey at SWIHA, she was a full-time caregiver for her father. Her entire life, 24/7 was surrounding her father who had suffered from a stroke and lost his speech, the use of his right arm, and now walked with a cane and brace on his right leg. For Eve, this became a high-stress situation having to be a full-time caregiver for her father. On one side, she loved him and fervently stood up to the job of taking care of her father. On the other hand, there were days that Eve found herself not leaving her house, showering, or taking care of herself. There needed to be a change.
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Topics:
Southwest Institute of Healing Arts,
yoga therapy,
SWIHA,
Intuition,
Meditation,
Yoga Teacher Training,
yoga nidra,
Transformation,
yoga,
Arizona,
Tempe,
Yogi,
Yoga studio,
chakras,
Yoga Body Psychology,
healing pages bookstore,
My Spirit of Yoga,
Yoga Cueing,
Arizona Yoga Studio
Many people think they can’t meditate. Maybe it’s not that they can’t meditate, rather the way they have been instructed to meditate doesn’t resonate with their Soul!
In the past, much of what was taught about meditation came from a restrictive mindset, often couched in needing to be more disciplined or committed to be a good yogi or person.
Restrictive meditation is a form of meditation where concentration is emphasized and epitomized. One is to focus on a singular object to the exclusion of all other thoughts. It can almost be described as the “sit down-shut up-suck up” approach to meditation. Clearing the mind of all thoughts is the guiding edict. And while the goal is to really experience whatever you are focusing on, whether it's your breath, a specific word, or a mantra in order to reach a higher state of being, the result is often a feeling of defeat because total concentration is almost impossible for most of us.
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Topics:
Southwest Institute of Healing Arts,
SWIHA,
Mindfulness,
Self-care,
Guided meditation,
Holistic Healing,
Meditation,
Yoga Teacher Training,
yoga,
Arizona,
YTT,
Yogi,
Holistic Education,
Mindset,
Soul-care,
Invitational Meditation,
Soul
There is a story told of a guru who was approached by many people wanting to know the secrets of manifestation. He closed his eyes, and so did those saying they were seeking wisdom. The yogi took a deep breath, as did those waiting. After what seemed to be a long time, the wise man opened his eyes and said, “If you want pears, plant pear seeds!” With that, he descended the mountain, leaving some to understand, while many only mumbled in their confusion.
The first Friday in September of 2019, over 300 people gathered to listen to Yogi Amrit Desai, one of the few remaining living yoga masters who originally brought over the authentic teachings of yoga in the early 1960’s. Nine years before his arrival, the seeds were planted!
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Topics:
Southwest Institute of Healing Arts,
spirituality,
SWIHA,
Amrit Desai,
Yoga Teacher Training,
yoga nidra,
Gifts and Graces,
Yoga Sutras,
yoga,
Arizona,
YTT,
Spiritual,
community,
Yogi,
Yoga studio,
yoga teacher,
Manifestation,
Amrit Institute,
New Years Resolution,
Amrit,
Yoga Practice,
Divine Timing
G-IVE GRATITUDE A TRY
Gratitude has always been familiar to me; basically, I’ve been a pretty happy-go-lucky person my whole life. By nature, I’m an optimist! As a longtime student of A Course in Miracles, I consciously choose to be “miracle ready” which means choosing to be in a state of gratitude and readiness as a daily practice. An “attitude of gratitude” was fully reinforced during my travels to India.
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Topics:
Southwest Institute of Healing Arts,
Kamini Desai,
Gratitude,
SWIHA,
Mindfulness,
KC Miller,
Yoga Teacher Training,
yoga nidra,
Spirit,
Holistic wellness,
yoga,
Arizona,
India,
Holistic Education,
Amrit Institute,
Thanksgiving,
Gratitude Journal,
Amrit Yoga,
Grateful,
Blessings,
Blessons,
Wisdom
“Balance is not something you find, it’s something you create.” - Jana Kingsford
Sweet. Salty. Dark. Light. Hot. Cold. Yin. Yang. There is a balance to everything. The ‘Wheel of Balance’, also commonly known as the ‘Life Balance Wheel’ or ‘Life Wheel’ is used to assess and understand how areas in your life are currently balanced and to help achieve a better work-life balance. This tool and perspective is a great way for us to look inward and assess what may need some adjusting in order to produce harmony in our lives. Sharon Rose, the program director of the Intuitive Guidance program, asserts, “It is incredibly effective in showing people where they can plant seeds and grow their garden in their own lives.”
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Topics:
Southwest Institute of Healing Arts,
Holistic Nutrition,
SWIHA,
Recipe,
Holistic Healing,
Yoga Teacher Training,
balance,
yoga,
Arizona,
Holistic Living,
yoga teacher,
Wheel of Balance,
Thanksgiving,
Holistic Modalities,
Dessert Recipe,
Grateful,
Wheel of Life,
Appetizer Recipe,
Open House
