SWIHA Blog

Are you feeling called to live a more purposeful life—one that blends personal growth, spiritual connection, and a meaningful career? At the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA), we offer more than just an education—we offer a transformational journey.

Whether you’re interested in becoming a massage therapist, yoga teacher, holistic wellness coach, or energy healer, SWIHA invites you to step onto our campus and experience what makes our community truly unique.

If you've ever felt called to walk a more spiritual, earth-connected path — one that honors ancient wisdom, deep healing, and personal transformation — the Shamanic Principles and Pathways 100-Hour Certificate of Excellence at the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA) may be your next step.

This on-campus program offers a rare opportunity to study shamanism in a structured and supportive environment, with respected guides who are passionate about preserving sacred traditions while making them accessible to modern seekers.

If you've ever opened a bottle of essential oil and felt your shoulders drop, your mind clear, or your mood lift—congratulations! You've just experienced the magic of Aromatherapy. This ancient art isn't just about lovely scents; it's a deeply intuitive and holistic practice that works with your body's own healing wisdom.

Used for centuries across cultures, Aromatherapy taps into the natural intelligence of plants to help us feel more grounded, energized, and in tune with ourselves. Whether you're looking to find your calm, energize your day, or support emotional wellness, blending essential oils can be a deeply intentional and healing practice.

At Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA), we celebrate the ancient art and modern science of Aromatherapy. Today, we’re sharing some of our favorite fun blends to spark joy, soothe stress, and help you connect with your senses — and your soul.

At Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA), we are constantly inspired by the transformational journeys our students undertake—both personally and professionally. One such journey belongs to Joshua Martin, a recent graduate whose path to becoming a healer is as heartfelt as it is powerful.

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.