SWIHA Blog

In the deepening quest for a whole, more active lifestyle; the dichotomy between movement and exercise often takes center stage. While both terms are frequently used interchangeably, they embody distinct approaches to physical activity, each offering unique benefits. In the pursuit of well-being, understanding the nuanced relationship between movement and exercise becomes a key guide to creating a balance in lifestyle. From your everyday motor skills to deep HIIT workouts, there’s a lot to unpack.

In our daily lives, there are often demands from work, home, relationships, and other requirements that may take priority. We oftentimes place our well-being on the back burner and are made to feel that any time we set aside for ourselves is selfish. Society will have you believe that you are to give all you have and are to others, even if that means you are left completely depleted. I urge you to change your view and prioritize yourself today! Just think about it…without proper self-care, how will you be of use to anything or anyone else? If your cup is empty how and what do you continue to pour into others?

“Before SWIHA I spent a lot of time in a ‘poor me’ world. From the outside, it looked like I had everything. A wonderful husband, a great paying job, and a beautiful house. In 2021, my grandmother died and it made me look at myself differently. I wasn’t getting any younger… who do I want to be for the rest of my time on earth? I found SWIHA online and had the funds to make it happen. So, I signed up for the 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training program. I was doing this for me. At the end of my program, I realized that since what I had learned had changed my life, maybe I could help change the lives of others. Taking the YTT-200 was just the tip of the iceberg of my yoga journey. I had heard that there was a 1000-hour Yoga Therapy program, so I went all in! This changed the way I practiced yoga and life.”

All people, regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexuality, or whatever of the innumerable differences that exist, need to have a space, an environment where they feel comfortable and can truly be their authentic selves. If people who make poor, destructive choices in their lives had a space where they could talk or get help, then maybe their path would have been able to diverge in a positive way.

“Before I decided to become a practitioner, I had suffered from severe health issues for most of my life. The doctors told me I had lupus and that it was very severe, so I probably wouldn't live to see my 40th birthday. That took me down a road of exploration, where I used myself as a guinea pig, trying out different holistic practices. My goal was to heal my body naturally and I did succeed! Once I got to a place of feeling like a new person, healthwise, I wanted to expand my knowledge, so I could help others. That is when I enrolled in SWIHA. My greatest passion is to educate others on the root causes of sickness and disease, so they can heal themselves!”

What was your life like before SWIHA? What led you to SWIHA and to your particular program of study?

I was working a high-level corporate job as a global leader. As my daughter was approaching completing her Bachelor's Degree, I was planning on life after corporate. I have a BS in Psychology and Kinesiology, obtained my yoga teacher certification, and trained in Qigong, I loved helping people, so I decided a hypnotherapy certification would allow me to start a business as an Alternative Therapy Practitioner (as I later also became certified in EFT). I feel the state of society today is in crisis, however, the power of nature and their mind can heal them, and all they need is guidance. I have always been passionate about empowering others, even in my corporate role.

“Yoga quite literally saved my life. I began my journey at SWIHA after a serious struggle with depression.” Yoga is widely known for its profound impact on physical health, mental well-being, and overall quality of life. By integrating the body, mind, and spirit through breathwork, physical postures, and meditation, yoga offers a holistic approach to personal transformation. This transformative power of yoga emerges in the physical realm and extends deeply into the mental and emotional landscapes of those who practice it regularly. Stefani Skilton, a SWIHA Yoga Teacher Training graduate, saw this transformation in her own life as well, this is her story.

The past few years for Adeum Rivera have been filled with hardship, loss, and physical pain. However, they have also been filled with transformation as well. Let’s rewind to a time before Adeum attended SWIHA for Reflexology. Beginning in 2019, Adeum started experiencing a lot of health issues with his knees that eventually got to the point where he could not walk it was so painful. On top of that, Adeum dealt with the hardship of losing brother and father within 2 months of each other. Dealing with such physical and emotional pain, Adeum knew he wanted a change in his life. Adeum sought out more naturopathic doctors and solutions and eventually wound up getting a massage from a SWIHA Graduate, who told him of how special a place SWIHA really was.

What was your life like before SWIHA? What led you to SWIHA and to your particular program of study?

Before SWIHA I was a very lost soul wandering towards different types of career paths. I struggled a lot trying to find my identity and felt like I was on autopilot. I always knew I wanted to help people so I took an online personality test that guided me towards holistic healing. I chose Hypnotherapy after seeing the impactful results from reviews on platforms like TikTok and YouTube. I became very passionate about this trade because it is something I can take with me over the decades and continue helping people who are also lost and desperate for help on the right path.

“Life should not be a journey to the grave to arrive safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, rather, to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming “Wow! What a Ride!” ~ Hunter S. Thompson

The above is one of my favorite quotes of all time.  If you know me, I mean really know me, you know that I am all about making memories and enjoying experiences. I do plan to slide in yelling “What a helluva ride!”  However, if you know me, you also know that I am all about taking care of this temple of a body that God gracefully blessed me with.  So, for me, it is all about balance, and that means staying healthy and creating joy all at the same time. It can happen, I promise.