SWIHA Blog

Turning a New Leaf: Introducing SWIHA’s New Director of Western Herbalism Shannon Stapleton

Posted by Shannon Stapleton on 2/7/25 8:00 AM

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.

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Topics: western herbalism, Great Graduate, Herbal Medicine, Herbalist, JoAnn Sanchez

Transforming Lives with Yoga: Benefits of Becoming a Certified Yoga Teacher

Posted by Jasper Marie on 2/5/25 8:00 AM

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.

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Topics: Certified Yoga Teacher, 200 Hour Yoga Training, Yoga Teacher Training, YTT, My Spirit of Yoga

From Darkness to Light: Claudia Batres' Journey of Healing, Growth, and Purpose at SWIHA

Posted by Jade Marvin on 2/3/25 8:00 AM

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.

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Topics: Great Graduate, hypnotherapy program, Hypnotherapy, integrative healing arts practitioner

Coaching as a Death Doula: Empowering Final Journeys with Tonya Cook

Posted by Jade Marvin on 1/31/25 8:00 AM

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.

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Topics: Great Graduate, national life coaching month, integrative healing arts practitioner, End of Life Doula, National Coaching Month

How Tyisha Simpson Ignited Her Passion for Service

Posted by Jasper Marie on 1/29/25 8:00 AM

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.

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Topics: Great Graduate, national life coaching month, integrative healing arts practitioner, National Coaching Month

Birth Worker, Jaylin Fisher, Utilizes Coaching and Holistic Wellness to Empower Mothers

Posted by Jade Marvin on 1/27/25 8:00 AM

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.

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Topics: Great Graduate, national life coaching month, integrative healing arts practitioner, National Coaching Month, birth worker

From Adversity to Empowerment: Bri Senter’s Journey through Coaching and Healing Arts at SWIHA

Posted by Jade Marvin on 1/24/25 8:00 AM


Life is a journey; for Bri Senter, it has been a profound tapestry of challenges, triumphs, and transformation. As a recent graduate of the Integrative Healing Arts Practitioner program at the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA), Bri’s story is a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of holistic coaching.

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Topics: Great Graduate, national life coaching month, integrative healing arts practitioner, National Coaching Month

How Clementine Coutantic Coaches Women to Honor and Achieve Their Wellness Vision

Posted by Jasper Marie on 1/22/25 8:00 AM

At the heart of Holistic by Nature – Women’s Health is Clementine Coutantic, a dedicated Integrative Health Professional, Women’s Health Expert, and National Board Certified Health Coach (NBC-HWC). Clementine’s journey to becoming a health and wellness coach has been deeply rooted in her passion for empowering women to reconnect with their bodies, minds, and environments to achieve optimal health and well-being.

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Topics: Great Graduate, national life coaching month, Health and Wellness Coach, National Coaching Month

Healthy and Happy: Tanya Phillips’ Journey to Holistic Health Coaching

Posted by Jade Marvin on 1/20/25 8:00 AM

Before discovering SWIHA, Tanya had already achieved an impressive academic milestone—a Master’s Degree in Health and Human Performance. However, something vital was missing. Despite her knowledge of research methods, metabolic pathways, and academic writing, she longed for practical tools to genuinely help people transform their lives. “SWIHA provides this,” Tanya explains, emphasizing SWIHA’s unique, hands-on approach to holistic health education. Tanya’s journey is a shining example of how passion, education, and a deep commitment to helping others can converge into a meaningful career.

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Topics: Great Graduate, NBHWC, Holistic Health and Wellness Coach, National Coaching Month

The Power of Coaching: Supporting Transformation with Lori Dye

Posted by Jade Marvin on 1/17/25 8:00 AM

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.

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Topics: Life Coaching, Great Graduate, Holistic Entrepreneurship, National Coaching Month

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