SWIHA Blog

September is National Yoga Month, a time to celebrate the power of yoga to bring balance, peace, and healing into our lives. It’s also a time to deepen our practice by exploring the “why” behind the movements and traditions we often take for granted. One of those small yet significant traditions is the way yoga teachers cue us to roll onto our right side after savasana. Have you ever wondered why? I did too!

When I think about why I’ve always cued students to roll to the right after savasana — that sacred final relaxation pose — my reasoning was rooted in symbolism. For me, the right side represented the East, where the sun rises each morning. Rolling right felt like an invitation to step into a new day, a new beginning. At the close of practice, my hope is to prepare yogis for renewal, carrying the peace of their practice into the rest of their day.

However, after teaching yoga for more than 14 years, I decided to dive deeper into the wisdom behind this cue. Here’s what I discovered:

In 2004, Becca Schmidt made a decision that would change the entire course of her life. After years of working in the high-stress worlds of marketing, public relations, event planning, and volunteer management, she knew she needed something different. With marriage and motherhood on the horizon, she longed for a career that offered balance, creativity, and flexibility—without sacrificing her passion for connection and communication.

That’s when she found Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA) and enrolled in the Yoga Teacher Training program. Looking back, she calls it one of the most pivotal choices she’s ever made.

When most people think of yoga, they picture downward dogs, warrior poses, and peaceful savasanas. However, those physical movements, known as asanas, are just one small part of what yoga truly is. In fact, they’re only one limb of the 8-limbed path laid out in the ancient yogic texts. The real gift of yoga lies in its ability to awaken the inner world… offering a path to presence, connection, and liberation. Yoga is not just a workout; it is a way of life.

When people think of yoga, they often picture peaceful poses and deep, mindful breaths. However, beyond the physical practice, yoga is a gateway to a fulfilling and financially rewarding career. Whether you're dreaming of teaching in a studio, leading retreats in stunning locations, creating digital content, or building a loyal online community, yoga teacher training (YTT) offers a path to meaningful work that aligns with your passion for wellness.

In today’s fast-paced world, many people are seeking more than just physical rest—they’re craving deep emotional, mental, and spiritual restoration. Enter Yoga Nidra, a powerful practice of conscious relaxation that guides the body into deep rest while keeping the mind aware and receptive. Often called “yogic sleep,” Yoga Nidra is far more than a nap—it’s a doorway to healing, insight, and expanded awareness.

As a passionate Yoga Teacher, you’ve already laid the foundation of your yoga journey by completing your 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to deepen your knowledge, expand your healing capabilities, and transform lives on a more profound level? At the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA), we believe that yoga is more than just a physical practice—it's a path to healing, balance, and personal growth. That’s why we’re inviting you to take the next step in your yoga journey and transfer your 200-hour Yoga Alliance certification into our 1000-hour Integrative Yoga Therapy Diploma program.

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.

Yoga is much more than a physical practice; it’s a transformative journey that nurtures the mind, body, and spirit. For those who feel called to share this ancient art, becoming a certified yoga teacher can be a life-changing decision. With more than 20 years of experience in Yoga Teacher Training education, Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA) is proud to be one of the few nationally accredited schools offering both independent diploma programs and exclusive yoga training integrated with other healing arts.

“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.

Before becoming the life coach and King of Cueing Yogi that Will Zecco is today, he had an impressive and established career being a hairstylist for over 40 years! Having this background allowed Will to have ample amounts of experience working in the industry of “people”. Listening to people talk about their lives, their problems, their dreams, and their goals. Hairstylists don’t just do hair, they are therapists! All things aside, Will Zecco’s journey eventually led him to the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts and the Southwest Institute of Natural Aesthetics. Having many roles at both schools, today, Will Zecco is the Director of Student Success for SWIHA’s Yoga Teacher Training programs.