SWIHA Blog

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is an activist group that researches and advocates for reducing toxic chemicals and drinking water pollutants as well as corporate accountability for releasing such things into the environment. Each year, they review testing from the U.S Department of Agriculture regarding pesticide residue and release two lists: “The Clean Fifteen” and “The Dirty Dozen”. This year's ranking of pesticide contamination takes into account 47 varieties of fruits and vegetables based on 43,000 plus data points.

Our bodies are filled with electrical and chemical impulses that keep our brain and body in constant communication. Most of the time, we actively decipher the information and can quickly interpret it; a common example of this is when we accidentally touch a hot surface, our body moves away without conscious thought to do so.

However, in traumatic situations, our body can’t tell the difference between physical danger and emotional distress. It logs the memory deep within our tissues, which triggers the body to release the same chemical and electrical impulses anytime a sound, smell, sight or sensation comes along that reminds our subconscious of the trauma. The primal part of the brain believes its body to be in physical danger, which is why trauma survivors have physical symptoms for weeks, months and, many times, years.

Dear Great Community of SWIHA,

Please, above all, let us choose to be alert, conscious and calm as we seek to respond to the COVID-19 (Novel coronavirus). Let us not get consumed in doom, gloom or panic.

Like so many other organizations and colleges in the country, Southwest Institute of Healing Arts is taking the occurrence of the COVID-19 (Novel coronavirus) very seriously.  We have consciously chosen to remain calm and cautious.

It’s so easy to focus on the good, and it’s also really easy to be positive when things are going great. What about when they aren’t? We are all in different places in our journey, riding the waves of some of the highest highs, and the lowest of lows… and how are you doing? When was the last time you stopped where you are and looked around? We can become so focused on the end result that we forget to acknowledge the progress we have made, especially if it is small progress.

Trust me when I tell you, I am no expert at this! Every day is some kind of lesson for me and, just when I think I have it all figured out, the universe keeps me humble and on my feet.

You are standing in line at the grocery store and look over to see a fitness magazine. The front cover dons a woman in the latest workout clothing, smiling, with dew kissed skin, shiny hair, toned muscles and exuding a strong sense of self. You look down to consider your basket of grocery items and realize your selections aren’t going to get you to that place of wellness you are reaching for and this woman smiling at you from the cover of the fitness magazine is not helping.That woman, however, is a model, touched up and made-up and dressed up to give a certain vibe. You are feeling that vibe as you gaze at the picture. It makes you want more for yourself, yet how do you get there and do the recommendations within the pages work? Will they work for you? Are you considering every aspect of health and wellness when you look at this magazine? What we can’t see is what’s on the inside of a person.

“I grew up in steak and potato country. My close friends can confirm that I never ate a vegetable,” says Amanda Webster, a graduate of the Mind Body Wellness Practitioner program  “Not surprisingly, I was plagued with symptoms of depression and anxiety and had trouble coping with life.”

During her first month at SWIHA, Amanda recalls sitting in Dr. Mahdi's classes wondering "What the heck is the picture on the screen?"

One of my dear friends, Liz Dawn, is celebrating her 25th year of producing Celebrate Your Life events and retreats. I am honored to have participated in these transformative spiritual gatherings where love, adventure, soul to soul connections and radical shifts flow among speakers and attendees alike.

One of Liz’s dreams has always been to share and spread the wisdom of these renowned spiritual teachers with people all over the world. This year, she is making that dream come true by hosting the FIRST EVER Celebrate Your Life Online SOULFEST!

Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA) has joined forces with San Francisco based DaoCloud, the largest and fastest network of vetted wellness professionals, to bring awareness to holistic health! With SWIHA educating future wellness professionals in healing modalities, this partnership allows those professionals to build their practice and clientele through DaoCloud’s community network.

Southwest Institute of Healing Arts recently launched GuidanceOnCall.com, an outreach initiative to connect clients to coaches within a matter of minutes. Guidance On Call serves those seeking immediate support for health and wellness. Becca Briley, Student Success & Guidance On Call, Head Coach says, “This is the perfect gateway to connect our SWIHA graduates, (Coaches, Holistic Practitioners and Guides) with clients in as little time as possible. As we embrace the power of 2020, we know it’s time to implement a pro-active, trusted source for holistic guidance.”

“Life coaching is a powerful way to develop new ways of thinking and discover the mental and emotional roadblocks that prevent us from achieving our life's goals,” explains Michael Cavalier, a Mind Body Transformational Psychology graduate, “With this newfound awareness, tools to empower us, and an system of accountability there is no limit to the world opening up to us and to the personal and professional growth we're seeking.”