At Southwest Institute of Healing Arts, every student arrives with a story—yet some journeys carry a depth of transformation that ripples far beyond the classroom. For recent 1000-hour Yoga Therapy graduate Tara Cutner, the path to healing became a calling rooted in service, resilience, and purpose.
A Calling Born from Service
Before stepping into the world of yoga therapy, Tara spent a decade serving in the Navy. Her commitment to others began long before SWIHA—she even founded a yoga club at the Naval Academy in 2011, planting seeds she didn’t yet realize would grow into her life’s work.
After leaving the military in 2017, Tara followed her curiosity and enrolled in a 200-hour yoga teacher training at a community college. However, something deeper was calling.
When she discovered that SWIHA partnered with the Amrit Yoga Institute and accepted VA Chapter 31 (VR&E) benefits, everything aligned. With clarity and courage, she packed up her life in California, purchased a condo in Arizona, and committed fully to advancing her training.
“I knew I wanted to help veterans just like me,” she shares.
The Moment Everything Changed
For many practitioners, there is a moment when learning becomes knowing—when purpose becomes undeniable.
For Tara, that moment came during Module 10 of her training.
After completing her 1000-hour program at SWIHA and continuing her studies with Amrit, she began working with her first paying client. That client, a therapist navigating PTSD from both a traumatic breakup and a severe car accident, experienced profound healing through their work together.
To this day, she tells Tara, “You saved my life.”
That moment wasn’t just validation—it was transformation.
A Life Rewritten Through Awareness
Yoga therapy didn’t just shape Tara’s career—it reshaped her life.
She describes a newfound awareness of her body, her internal processes, and the energy she allows into her space. With this awareness came empowerment, boundaries, and a deeper sense of presence.
Her journey reflects one of the core teachings within yoga therapy: healing begins within, and from that place, it extends outward.
Building a Practice with Purpose
Today, Tara is actively sharing her gifts across her community. She teaches at multiple studios and a community center while also working one-on-one with private clients. She recently completed her accreditation with the International Association of Yoga Therapists—a major milestone that reflects both her dedication and expertise.
She is also expanding her modalities through shamanic reiki training, continuing to deepen her ability to support others holistically.
Through her business, Your Higher Ground LLC, Tara offers:
- - I AM Yoga Therapy
- - I AM Yoga Nidra
- - Shamanic Reiki Sessions
- - Restorative Yoga
- - Yin Yoga
Her mission is clear: to bring this work to veterans, particularly within the VA system, where she hopes to one day serve those who share similar lived experiences.
Lessons That Last a Lifetime
When asked about the greatest lesson she learned at SWIHA, Tara’s answer is simple yet profound:
“Everything is going to be alright—and things happen in our lives for a reason we will soon discover.”
It’s a belief that carried her through challenges and continues to guide her forward.
The Power of Teachers and Community
Tara credits much of her transformation to the instructors who supported her along the way. Her first class—in Bhakti with Julie B—was a pivotal moment.
“It was like a shockwave,” she recalls. “I had never been in a school like this before.”
Through the guidance of teachers like Julie B, Kamini, Rhonda, and Hasu, Tara found her voice, her confidence, and her path. Their patience and care helped shape her skills and the practitioner she would become.
Advice for Future Yoga Therapists
To those considering the journey, Tara offers this:
“Stay the course. It can be challenging at times, yet that is what makes it so good when you achieve your goals.”
It’s a reminder that growth often lives on the other side of discomfort—and that perseverance is part of the practice.
A Journey Still Unfolding
Tara’s story is still being written. As she continues working toward bringing yoga therapy into the VA system—potentially expanding her credentials to meet evolving requirements—her commitment to service remains unwavering.
Her journey reflects what’s possible when passion meets purpose, and when healing becomes a way of life.
For those called to make a difference through yoga, Tara’s path is a powerful example of what can unfold when you trust the process.
Ready to Begin Your Own Journey?
If you feel called to support others through movement, mindfulness, and holistic healing, the Integrative Yoga Therapy program at SWIHA—offered in collaboration with the Amrit Yoga Institute—can help you turn that calling into a career. Whether you're just beginning or ready to deepen your practice, your path starts here.
