SWIHA Blog

There is a quiet revolution happening—one that begins not in the mind, rather in the body. It is a revolution of remembrance, reclamation, and radical self-awareness. At the intersection of ancient yogic wisdom and modern mind-body science lies a profound path to healing known as Yoga Body Psychology, and it is one of the many transformative offerings at Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA).

Have you ever stood in a garden and felt the calming power of lavender, the gentle energy of chamomile, or the invigorating scent of peppermint? These aren’t just pleasant experiences—they’re introductions to the ancient and powerful practice of Western Herbalism, a path of healing that begins with the natural world around us.

When Taryn Ravi Sadesh first stepped onto the campus of the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA) in 2011, she was a recent high school graduate with a vision — one rooted in healing, service, and deep spiritual connection. Today, Taryn is a thriving holistic wellness practitioner and founder of Holistic Wellness Sedona, guiding others through transformative journeys with the wisdom, tools, and heart-centered leadership she has cultivated over the past decade.

At the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA), we believe that the soul speaks loudest when life grows quiet—and often, it’s in the stillness of our struggles that we hear the sacred call to awaken. For Anne Harney, that call came during a season of deep emotional exhaustion, standing at the edge of burnout after years of selfless service in special education. What felt like a breaking point became a breakthrough—a divine invitation to return to her true self. Guided by intuition and the desire to live with greater alignment, Anne stepped onto the path of holistic healing, where purpose and passion are no longer just dreams; they become daily practices.

Sometimes, the path to purpose is born from the deepest uncertainty. For Sherronda Davis, it began with a bold, life-altering choice—to leave behind the familiar, move into her car, and search for something more meaningful. In the midst of emotional and physical transition, she found the courage to rediscover herself. What started as a quest for personal healing soon unfolded into a powerful journey of transformation, leading her toward a life of purpose as a Holistic Health and Wellness Coach.

Before discovering Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA), Katie Carl was already practicing as a massage therapist—doing meaningful work, yet sensing there was something deeper calling to her. She felt the limitations of focusing solely on the physical body and knew true healing required more than just technique; it needed heart, intuition, and a space where the emotional and spiritual could be held just as tenderly as the physical. Drawn to SWIHA’s soul-honoring, holistic approach, Katie found not only a school - she found a sacred catalyst for transformation. What began as a desire to deepen her Massage practice became a powerful journey of purpose, authenticity, and the creation of a healing space where softness meets shadow. Her story is one of courage, clarity, and calling—read on to see how Katie is redefining what it means to be a healer.

Amanda Herring always knew she was meant to help people — it wasn’t until she blended her medical expertise with holistic healing that she truly discovered her purpose. As an ER nurse, she spent over a decade on the front lines of emergency medicine, tending to crises and comforting those in their most vulnerable moments. Yet amidst the chaos and heartbreak of the ER, Amanda began to notice a recurring pattern — many of the emergencies she treated could have been prevented with better self-care, healthier habits, and more education on wellness.

That realization sparked a fire in her: there had to be a better way.

When Adriana Mosqueda walked into the hypnotherapy clinic at SWIHA, she was a mother navigating the uncertainty of a paused nursing career, feeling lost in the aftermath of the pandemic. What she didn’t know was that her first hypnotherapy session would unlock a floodgate of healing, purpose, and transformation. That moment sparked a journey of self-discovery and spiritual awakening that ultimately led her to the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts—and to a calling that now allows her to help others release their own inner blocks. From client to now graduate of the Integrative Healing Arts Practitioner Diploma Program, Adriana’s story is a powerful reminder that sometimes, the path we didn’t plan leads us exactly where we’re meant to be.

Meet Shannon Hogan, a proud graduate of the Integrative Healing Arts Practitioner program at the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA). Once feeling lost and disconnected, Shannon found her true calling through holistic healing and the power of integrative wellness. A single transformative session with a client confirmed she was on the right path—and she hasn’t looked back since. Now ordained and running her own healing practice, Shannon blends Reiki, sound therapy, and aromatherapy to help others find balance, purpose, and peace. Her journey is one of passion, growth, and the profound impact of following your heart.

At the heart of every healer is a calling—a gentle nudge, a sudden synchronicity, or a deep inner knowing that there’s more to life than what we can see with our eyes. For Nicole Santoro, that calling was never a singular, dramatic event. Instead, it was a series of divine nudges—a trail of synchronicities marked by resonant goosebumps, repeating numbers, and perfectly-timed encounters that let her know she was exactly where she was meant to be.