SWIHA Blog

Before Maha enrolled at the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA), her life felt like a dark cloud. She was navigating the depths of adrenal burnout and personal heartbreak, trying to find her footing after a difficult breakup. Though she had applied to SWIHA twice before, it was during this emotional low point that she finally said yes to herself—and to a journey that would change everything.

Before discovering Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA), Samantha Devine was navigating the intense demands of military life, motherhood, and the aftermath of deep trauma and chronic burnout. It was a powerful spiritual awakening during a Kundalini yoga practice that opened the door to her healing—and ultimately led her to enroll in SWIHA’s Holistic Health & Wellness Coaching program. Samantha’s path has been one of profound transformation, marked by courage, embodiment, and a deep desire to help others find their way back to themselves. Through her business, Nurtured by Samantha, she now offers trauma-informed coaching, Kundalini yoga, sound healing, and wellness services that empower others to reconnect with their bodies, rediscover their inner resilience, and heal with intention. Her time at SWIHA gave her practical tools and training, as well as reaffirming her purpose: to hold space for others the way she once needed for herself.

At the heart of every healer is a calling—a gentle nudge, a sudden synchronicity, or a deep inner knowing that there’s more to life than what we can see with our eyes. For Nicole Santoro, that calling was never a singular, dramatic event. Instead, it was a series of divine nudges—a trail of synchronicities marked by resonant goosebumps, repeating numbers, and perfectly-timed encounters that let her know she was exactly where she was meant to be.

At the heart of healing lies a deep calling—one that whispers quietly at first and then grows into a powerful roar that can no longer be ignored. For Allivia Easley, that calling became undeniable when she found her way to the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA). As a recent graduate of the Integrative Healing Arts Practitioner (IHAP) program, with specializations in Hypnotherapy and Healing Botanical & Earth Ceremony Facilitation, Allivia is on a journey of transformation—for herself and the collective.

Life has a way of leading us toward healing when we need it most. For Maria Appelbe, the path to self-discovery, resilience, and purpose unfolded through the 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) program at the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA). Now a graduate, Maria is dedicated to using yoga and mindfulness to support others in their journeys, just as it transformed hers.

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?

Before attending SWIHA, my life felt like it was missing something deeper, a sense of purpose and alignment with who I truly am. I was going through the motions yet felt a pull toward something more meaningful, something that would allow me to grow and help others in a way that felt authentic. I was led to SWIHA because of that inner calling. I had always been interested in personal growth, healing, and connecting with people on a deeper level, and SWIHA offered the perfect space to explore that. The program I chose, Integrative Healing Arts Practitioner, felt like it aligned with my heart and values, giving me the tools to turn my passion into a purpose. I’m passionate about this modality because it allows me to create meaningful connections, bring healing to others, and empower others to discover their own potential. It’s not just about helping other people, it’s also about growing and learning alongside them.

Coaching is a transformative profession, rooted in helping individuals unlock their full potential. Few embody this mission more authentically than Gwendolyn Bailey, the founder of Resilience Wellness Coaching and Consulting, LLC. As a graduate of the Holistic Health and Wellness Coach program at the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA), Gwendolyn combines personal growth with professional expertise to create lasting change in her clients’ lives.

Life is full of transitions, and how we navigate them can shape our future. For Jennifer Labuz, this understanding became both a personal and professional passion that led her to the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA) and a new career in life coaching. In October 2023, she graduated from the Life Coaching Certificate program, and her journey is an inspiring testament to the power of personal growth and transformation.

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?

Before SWIHA I was working in Western Medicine and always felt something was missing. Something deeper than just "the illness". It was stressful, and in my last five years, my calling to find the answers grew stronger. I was always drawn to Holistic Medicine and was gifted, however, I had a fear of acceptance in the community due to childhood trauma.

“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!”