SWIHA Blog

Yogic Breathing: It’s Not Just for Yoga

Posted by Jade Marvin on 2/15/22 4:00 PM

Breath and life… when we enter this world we take our first breath, and when we leave this world, we take our last. Breathing seems like it is the most natural bodily function, as we don’t have to think about breathing, every second of every day. However, breath controls so much more in our life than we are aware of. Pranayama. In Sanskrit, Prana translates to “vital life force” and Yama translates to “gain control”. In yoga, breath is associated with Prana, and many ancient breath techniques were born which involve learning how to control your breath with different styles and lengths. When we learn more about the art of breathing, we may be able to take more control of our lives, and not just save our peace for the yoga mat.

Read More

Topics: Southwest Institute of Healing Arts, SWIHA, Yoga Teacher Training, Breathing Techniques, yoga, Arizona, Breath, YTT, Tempe, Yogi, Yoga studio, Holistic Education, Calm, My Spirit of Yoga, Bellows Breath, Alternate Nostril Breathing, Tranquility

Desire: Valentines for the Soul – by KC Miller

Posted by KC Miller on 2/10/22 4:00 PM

Meditation is the practice of falling in love with life. Follow your desires.” ~ Lorin Roche

It might surprise you to know that desire is a word traceable back to the ancient yogis used to describe our Soul journey and not just a word you see used on Valentine‘s cards.

An ancient text known as the Vijnana Bhairava Tantra (VBT) is an encyclopedia of yogic breath awareness techniques. It is sometimes called “A Divine Love Letter to Self” offering inspiration and guidance for self-care and self-love.

Let’s explore the acronym DESIRE with the transliteration of the VBT by Lorin Roche, author of The Radiance Sutras: 112 Gateways to the Yoga of Wonder & Delight.

Read More

Topics: Southwest Institute of Healing Arts, SWIHA, Meditation, Yoga Teacher Training, Breathing Techniques, Yoga Sutras, yoga, Arizona, Tempe, Yoga Philosophy, Soul, Valentine's Day, The Radiance Sutras, Desire, Yogis

5 Grounding Techniques to Cultivate Success & Self-Regulation

Posted by Jade Marvin on 1/18/22 4:00 PM

Anxiety is a primal human experience to anticipate and prepare for threats, which can serve as a good thing. However, too much anxiety can quickly turn into mental health issues and can disrupt your daily life, relationships, work, and more. Anxiety can feel different for everyone, luckily, there are some very effective and scientifically proven ways to help us become more grounded, balanced, and in tune with our bodies. Here are 5 Grounding Techniques you can utilize to self-regulate when life is feeling out of place:

Read More

Topics: Southwest Institute of Healing Arts, Massage Therapy, SWIHA, Mindfulness, massage, Holistic wellness, exercise, Holistic health, Breathing Techniques, Arizona, LMT, Mindfulness Exerise, Grounding Techniques, Earthing, Stretching, Massage Therapy Program, Grounding

Postures of Consciousness — A Gateway into Meditation in Motion

Posted by KC Miller on 9/30/21 4:00 PM

For over 20 years Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA) has been offering a 200-hour yoga alliance approved yoga teacher training under the banner of Unity Yoga”. Students are encouraged to find their own authentic expression of yoga, with an emphasis on cueing safe, anatomically correct asana-based studio classes. Weve successfully graduated hundreds of students over the years that have found their own voices and adapted what theyve learned into compelling and creative studio classes that they offer all across the country.

As we have sought to enrich our Advanced Yoga Teacher offerings we have begun to focus on the deeper aspects of yoga including meditation in the form of Yoga Nidra —a guided yogic sleep system refined by Kamini Desai, PhD.

Read More

Topics: Southwest Institute of Healing Arts, Mind Body Wellness, SWIHA, Certified Yoga Teacher, 200 Hour Yoga Training, Guided meditation, Advanced Yoga Training, Meditation, KC Miller, Yoga Teacher Training, yoga nidra, Breathing Techniques, yoga, YTT, spirit of yoga, Namaste, chakras, Wellness Industry, Amrit Institute, Yoga Philosophy, Postures of Consciousness, Amrit Yoga, Amrit, Meditation in Motion

Three Self-Healing Techniques to Use When You're Feeling Dysregulated This Winter

Posted by Taylor Jablonowski on 12/3/20 4:00 PM

It's long been known that the winter can be especially difficult for people. With shorter hours of sunlight, colder weather and the Holiday season, many of us may be experiencing a feeling of "off-ness" -- compounded with the events of 2020 already collectively difficult to process. However, we often have more power over our emotions than we may consciously realize. Here are three self-healing techniques that you can use when you need to take back the reins of your well-being:

Read More

Topics: Conscious Touch, Breathing Techniques, Body Awareness, emotional Regulation, Self-Healing

Listen Up: Laura Barnes Talks “Tuning In” to the Sacredness of Life

Posted by KC Miller on 1/8/18 8:00 AM

Tune-in! Tune-up! Attune your life to your true passions! These are often the themes for a life coaching session, especially the ones offered by longtime life coach and instructor Laura Barnes, who is a true fan of tuning forks.

A tuning fork is a fork-shaped acoustic resonator that can be used to produce a very pure tone from which others can harmonize. Similar to adjusting a piano, the body and mind can be tuned to achieve optimal physical and mental balance by tapping two tuning forks instantaneously, altering the body's biochemistry and bringing the nervous system, muscles, and organs into harmonic balance. In seconds, the body and mind enters a deep state of relaxation once it experiences the non-judgmental, non-directive, gentle vibrational energy from the tuning forks.

This is a perfect metaphor for life coaching. Laura Barnes, who has taught Life Coaching online for Southwest Institute of Healing Arts for over seven years, explains, Life coaches help their clients ‘tune in’ to the sacredness of life by being with those they serve in a non-judgmental, non-directive, gentle way! The goal of a coaching session is to bring balance to body, mind, and spirit. It’s known as creating ‘sacred resonance’ with another.”

Read More

Topics: Life Coaching, Mindfulness, Meditation, Breathing Techniques, mantras, Tuning Forks, Body Awareness, Imagery, Profound Questions, Storytelling, Symbolism, Sound Therapy

Treat Stress with Holistic Medicine

Posted by Deanna Putts on 11/14/16 9:20 AM

Stress is a natural reaction as a response for our bodies to protect us from threats. The sympathetic and parasympathetic system work together to create the fight-or-flight reaction. Hormones are released to make your heart beat faster, blood vessels constrict, and digestion slows so your body can react quickly. When you’re in danger, your mind and body take over to do what it has to protect itself. Once you’re out of danger, your body goes back to its normal state. The longer stress lasts, the worse it can become for your mind and your body, and then it is considered chronic. Chronic stress can create disease and many other issues that can stop you from living the full life you deserve.  

Read More

Topics: sleep, Whole Foods, Mindfulness, breathe, Stress, Be Present, exercise, Breathing Techniques, Healthy Eating, Healthy Eating Tips, Diet, Reduce Stress, Chronic Stress, Breath

Yogic Breathing For Both On & Off the Mat

Posted by Kerry Burki on 9/19/16 10:53 AM

Today we are sharing a breathing technique taught in our Yoga Teacher Training programs! It is commonly used during yoga practice and meditation. It can also be a great way to start your day, recharge midday, and unwind at the end of the day.  

It is the Ujjayi Breath or Victorious Breath. Ujjayi (pronounced oo-jai) breath creates a sound that helps synchronize the movements with the breath during a yoga practice. In the Yoga Sutra, Patanjali suggests that the breath should be both long and smooth.  

Begin by sitting tall and comfortably and you can close the eyes for more focus. Start to take deep breaths, in through your nose and out through your mouth. Then, start to exhale like you are trying to fog up a mirror. Continue breathing like this. Notice the contraction you are creating in the back of your throat. Half way through your next exhale, begin to close your mouth while still exhaling like you are trying to fog up a mirror. 

Read More

Topics: yoga, breathe, Yoga Teacher Training, Yogic Breathing, Ujjayi Breath, Breathing Techniques, Patanjali, Yoga Sutras, Breathwork, Pranayama, YTT

Subscribe to Email Updates



Recent Posts

Posts by Topic

see all