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.
Joshua enrolled in SWIHA’s Ayurvedic Master Massage Practitioner program, where he didn’t just stop at massage. He dove deeply into the healing arts, completing additional certifications in Polarity Therapy, Cranial Sacral Therapy, Shamanic Reiki, and Myotherapy. Today, he proudly holds his Massage Therapy License and is the founder of Shua the Alchemist, a mobile healing practice serving the Phoenix area.
Before SWIHA, Joshua was already deeply immersed in energy work, Human Design, shamanic practices, and his own healing journey. What he lacked was a tangible, professional path to offer this kind of transformation to others. “I was drawn to Massage Therapy and Polarity because they bridge the physical and energetic worlds,” he says. “SWIHA felt like the right fit because of its integrative approach and emphasis on personal growth.”
That integrative foundation became the bedrock of his practice—and a mirror to his own soul’s evolution.
There was one defining moment during his time in the student clinic that confirmed he was on the right path. After a session, a client tearfully told Joshua, “I haven’t felt this safe in my body in years.” That moment struck a deep chord. “It reminded me why I chose this path—to hold space for healing in a way that is grounded, intuitive, and deeply human.”
Joshua describes his post-SWIHA life as one filled with clarity, community, and purpose. His business, Shua the Alchemist, is a reflection of his passion to support the full spectrum of human healing—mind, body, and spirit. He offers a range of intuitive and trauma-informed services, including:
In addition to one-on-one work, Joshua leads a community group called Tribe of Phoenix, which hosts weekly wellness gatherings with breathwork, sound healing, yoga, and other sacred practices.
Among the many insights Joshua gained at SWIHA, the greatest was learning to show up as his whole self. “Healing doesn’t just come from technique—it comes from presence, empathy, and authenticity,” he reflects. He also credits SWIHA with helping him learn how to care for his own energy, an essential skill for any practitioner.
Some of his most impactful teachers include John Sanders, Gilad Shoham, and Gary Strauss, whose guidance in classes like Cranial Sacral Therapy, Polarity, and Shamanic Pathways helped him fully step into his role as a healing facilitator.
To future students, Joshua offers this heartfelt advice:
“Trust your journey, even when it feels messy. The path of becoming a healer is just as much about your own transformation as it is about gaining skills. You are your own medicine.”
For Joshua, healing doesn’t end at the massage table. His mission is to create intentional spaces for transformation, where people feel safe, seen, and connected. Whether through a healing session or a community circle, Joshua brings his unique blend of intuition, training, and presence into every offering.
Connect with Joshua
Website: https://shuathealchemist.com/
Instagram: @shuathealchemist