For recent Integrative Healing Arts Practitioner (IHAP) graduate Courtney Easterling, the path to SWIHA was guided by a lifelong love of natural living, holistic wellness, and earth-based practices. What began as a desire to learn more about the healing arts ultimately became a deeply personal journey of growth, grounding, and purpose.
“I came to SWIHA because I was interested in the healing arts,” Courtney shares. “I’ve always loved natural practices and agriculture. I love holistic nutrition, chakras, and yoga.” Drawn to these interconnected modalities, she found SWIHA to be the place where her values and passions could come together in a meaningful, professional way.
Choosing a Path Rooted in the Earth
Courtney chose the Integrative Healing Arts Practitioner program with a focus in Earth Ceremonies because it aligned seamlessly with her desire to support others while honoring earth-based wisdom. “I love to heal others and teach them what I know, while doing it professionally,” she explains. “This program aligns with my values and my passion for holistic and earth-based healing, and it feels like the right path for me.”
That sense of alignment became even more profound during a time of personal loss. After the passing of her mother, Courtney experienced a powerful inner knowing that led her to SWIHA. “I knew I was on the right path when I had an epiphany to come to school here after my mother died,” she says. “SWIHA helped me through hard times, both with the economy and with my grief.”
Rather than one single defining moment, Courtney describes her experience as a series of meaningful experiences that shaped her growth. “As a student, there have been a few moments that have helped shape me into the practitioner I want to be. Each experience has supported my growth and reinforced that I am exactly where I’m meant to be.”
Growth Through Consistency and Intention
While Courtney doesn’t describe her life as having drastically changed, she notes a powerful internal shift. “I’ve gained more grit,” she shares. Through her studies, she developed greater patience, consistency, and organization—skills that have impacted both her personal life and her professional goals.
“My life has changed in the sense that I don’t go out to party with friends as much anymore,” she reflects. “Instead, I’m more focused on developing and growing my business and improving my own life and health.” This intentional shift has helped her feel more grounded and conscious about where she places her energy.
Building a Heart-Centered Business
Alongside her studies, Courtney has been growing her business, Ky & Kundalini, a health, wellness, and beauty brand rooted in spiritual empowerment. “We sell Reiki-infused lip gloss, manifesting tools, and self-care items, along with spiritual life coaching and more,” she explains. The brand is designed to help clients build confidence, embrace spiritual wellness, and actively create the lives they desire.
The skills Courtney gained at SWIHA played a key role in shaping her business foundation. “This program has supported my business by giving it more structure and organization, which has strengthened how I show up professionally,” she says. Her inspiration to start Ky & Kundalini came from within. “It felt natural. I’ve always been drawn to sales… I wanted to use my creativity in a way that supports others while also allowing me to make a living doing something meaningful.”
Lessons That Last a Lifetime
When asked about the greatest lessons she learned at SWIHA, Courtney points to grounding, patience, and consistency. “I learned how to stay centered while growing my intuitive abilities,” she says. “I have learned how to trust the process without rushing it.”
She also discovered the importance of balance. “SWIHA taught me that structure and boundaries are important, and so is my creativity.” These lessons have helped her show up with confidence, clarity, and balance as both a practitioner and a business owner.
Courtney credits several instructors with making a lasting impact on her journey, including Michael, Jodi, Lori Dye, and Gisele. “They all have supported me in different ways and have helped challenge my thought processes,” she shares. Some of her favorite classes focused on grit and resistance, yoga nidra, earth ceremonies, and angels—each one helping shape how she shows up in the world today.
Advice for Future Students
For those considering their own path at SWIHA, Courtney keeps her advice simple and powerful: “Stay persistent. Keep showing up, trust the process, and be patient with yourself. Growth and success come with consistency and persistence.”
As she looks ahead, Courtney is focused on continuing to grow her business, maintaining balance, and deepening her ability to serve her clients and community. “I’m just happy to be a student and grateful for the opportunity to serve my clients and community in a positive way.”
Courtney’s journey is a beautiful reminder that healing paths unfold in their own time—and that with persistence, grounding, and heart, meaningful transformation is always possible.
