Sophia Duhon is a recent graduate of Southwest Institute of Healing Arts’ Spiritual Coach & Celebrant program as well as the Life Coaching Program. Today, Sophia shares her story of how she incorporates intentionality into her everyday life as well as her holistic practice. With practicing intention, Sophia was able to find her life’s calling to help others on their healing journey.
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Life Coach and SWIHA graduate, Anjana Nambissan, is passionate about helping others heal. It was a turning point in her life when she realized that self-love is the supreme quality one can aim for. Being kind, gentle, and giving tender care to the self is so important in leading a happy, peaceful life. From that moment on, she knew she had to take that message forward and help others who were struggling. She enrolled in a life coaching program and became certified. Now, she dedicates her time to helping others find the same peace and happiness that she found through self-love.
Read MoreTopics: self love, Great Graduates, Life Coaching, Inspiration, National Be on Purpose Month 2023
I was overweight, mentally drained and an emotional eater (and drinker). My own traumas and dramas became my triggers. After five years of struggling through starvation and rationalizing my circumstances—I realized it was all due to my own insecurities and bad decisions. Choices that I made while my self-worth was lacking, oh who am I kidding, it was non-existent. I was not living purposefully; I was just existing. At the time I had no idea there was a place called Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA).
All my life, I had compared myself to others. I compared my life to how others were living, and I believed that I was not living life as I should have been. I felt as though I was not giving my children the life that so many others were giving theirs, therefore I was a bad parent.
Read MoreTopics: Southwest Institute of Healing Arts, western herbalism, SWIHA, Urban Farming, Arizona, Tempe, mind body wellness pracitioner, integrative healing arts practitioner, Herbalist, National Be on Purpose Month 2023, Self-worth
In honor of our intention to ‘Be on Purpose’ in the month of January, SWIHA staff member and Yoga Teacher, Joan Lloyd Collins, shares her story of discovering the power of holistic modalities.
What brought you to SWIHA?
My spirit guides and divine intervention. I called the Bay Area home for 25 years. Because I was driven by the teachings of western medicine, I pursued my Master’s in Public Health and my Bachelor’s in Nursing. However, things changed in 2010 when I developed a health issue. I went to my regular doctors—had scans, and tests of all kinds—and in the end the advice I received was that I had to live with it. That there was nothing that can be done.
Read MoreTopics: yoga, Meditation, SWIHA Staff, Inspiration, National Be on Purpose Month 2023
Jessica Chapman is a recent graduate from Southwest Institute of Healing Arts’ Massage Therapy program, with a focus in Polarity and Cranial therapy. Prior to that, she completed the Reiki Master Teacher program. Today, she tells us about her journey, and offers inspiration to those seeking to step fully into their purpose!
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?
I'm aware, it's the on-going giggle: "SWIHA finds you".
Read MoreTopics: Great Graduates, Massage Therapy, Mindfulness, Reiki, energy work, Inspiration, Intention, National Be on Purpose Month 2023
Addiction is a neuropsychological disorder characterized by a persistent and intense urge to use a drug or engage in certain behaviors, despite substantial harm and other negative consequences. Repetitive drug use often alters brain functions in ways that perpetuate cravings and weakens self-control. According to hhs.gov, in 2017, the US department of Health and Human Services declared a public health emergency calling it the US opioid Epidemic. As American Addiction Center states “according to the national survey on drug use and health (NSDUH), 19.7 million American adults (12 and older) battle a substance use disorder in 2017.” Addiction touches so many lives directly, or indirectly through loved ones. My hope is to share my strength and the tools I have found to combat addiction.
Read MoreTopics: Southwest Institute of Healing Arts, Life Coaching, SWIHA, Hypnotherapy, Arizona, Recovery, Tempe, Addiction, Inspiration, National Be on Purpose Month 2023
“There is no greater gift you can give or receive than to honor your calling. It’s why you were born. And how you become most truly alive.” - Oprah Winfrey
The way that I have learned, and continue to practice, living on purpose is by doing what is in alignment with my core values and beliefs. This has always come from a passionate place within myself and trusting that space. It’s a true place of awareness deep within. You may think that you have to find your purpose, but from my experience, your path finds you when you start focusing inward and trusting the process. My challenges, fears, hardships, and un-comfort zones have all been a huge part of discovering and developing my purpose.
Topics: wellness, Self-care, Yoga Teacher Training, entrepreneurship, National Be on Purpose Month 2023
With January 2023 right around the corner, it is almost time to celebrate National Be On-Purpose Month! This holiday is intended to encourage us to start the New Year by putting our good intentions into action, personally and professionally! It’s time to say goodbye to confusion and hello to clarity as we integrate more purpose, meaning, and intentionality into our lives. It can be easy to be caught up in the monotony of everyday life. We can oftentimes forget to live life with intention. The excuses come rolling in and before we know it, it’s been a whole year and you haven’t achieved anything you wrote down on your New Years' Resolutions list. With January 2023 being National Be On-Purpose Month, let’s set the intention right now to live life with purpose and to put our dreams into action!
Read MoreTopics: Southwest Institute of Healing Arts, SWIHA, Arizona, Tempe, New Year, Intention, Purpose, National Be On-Purpose Month, New Years' Eve
In this age of transparency and vulnerability, when questioned as to whether you believe in Santa or not, you might experience some consternation or dissidence. What do you say without lying or compromising the trust little ones place in you?
Recently my youngest granddaughter confessed she was very concerned that “the Bigs” (meaning the older kids) were telling “the Littles” (the younger kids) that Santa wasn’t real.
Me, the Granny, “Oh, tell me what you believe?”
Granddaughter, “Granny, I don’t have it all figured out yet …. I just think if we keep believin’ then Santa will keep showing up!”
My heart melted. She went on to plead, “Let’s let the Littles believe a little longer!”
Read MoreTopics: Southwest Institute of Healing Arts, SWIHA, KC Miller, Christmas, Holistic Education, Holiday Season, Blessings, Christmas 2022, Santa
This time of year, it’s easy to begin to recite unconscious, redundant holiday greetings such as Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Holidays, or Happy New Year. While a sincere sentiment might be your intention, could we just stop a minute and acknowledge those who aren’t feeling so merry and bright this season?
Holidays can be an emotional time of year for some, especially those who mark the holidays with anniversaries such as “This is the first holiday without (insert loved one’s name)!” Or, “I cannot believe it’s been so many years that (loved one) hasn’t been here for the holidays.” Remembering and reminiscing are part of the grieving process.
Rather than skirt around the grief or try to act as if it’s not there, consider these thoughtful and compassionate HAPPY options:
Read MoreTopics: Southwest Institute of Healing Arts, SWIHA, Mindfulness, Holistic Healing, KC Miller, Arizona, Tempe, integrative healing arts practitioner, Holding Space, Christmas, Holidays, IHAP, winter solstice, Connection, Solstice, Healing Procress, Healing Process, Space Holder, Grief Stages, Grief
