“I cannot do all the good that the world needs. However, the world needs all the good that I can do.” - Jana Stanfield
Lourdes Silva, Southwest Institute of Healing Arts Great Graduate, realized that her life’s purpose was to serve others with her gifts and graces. To spread the healing arts of Reiki, Sound Healing, Yoga, and more to those who speak Spanish and use Sign Language. Lourdes states, “I realized that the purpose of my life is to give love and be in service reaching all that community that needed the most because I truly believe yoga is for everyone regardless of age, weight, beliefs, or race! We are Onésimo.” One day, during a Polarity class that Lourdes was taking, she had the realization that each experience that she had in her life leading up to that moment was preparing her for her soul purpose. Her soul purpose is to “become a healer, to be on the yoga path, share my acknowledgment, and with empathy - be an instrument of service!”
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Topics:
Sound Healing,
Southwest Institute of Healing Arts,
Life Coaching,
Toe Reading,
Great Graduate,
SWIHA,
Advanced Yoga Training,
Reiki,
Yoga Teacher Training,
yoga nidra,
Arizona,
Tempe,
Holistic Healer,
Sign Language,
Spanish Speaking,
Service
As youngsters, we are often asked, “What do you want to BE when you grow up?” The question being asked is really what do you want to DO for a living?
For Will Zecco, he knew in middle school he wanted to BE a hairstylist. And yet his dad wouldn’t hear of it! He wanted Will to do “college”. So Will attended a community college and became a Fashion Designer, doing costume design for a local theatre group. He was good at what he was doing, including singing and dancing in the local productions, yet he still had a dream of being something else.
A hometown newspaper did an article featuring Will with the headline “Local Boy Becomes Designer.” A state Senator sent Will a letter congratulating him and offering that if there was ever anything he could do for him, to let him know. As Will often says, “We only get what you’re brave enough to ask for!” Will boldly asked the Senator about a grant and got a full ride to go to Cosmetology school.
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Topics:
SWINA,
Southwest Institute of Healing Arts,
Aesthetician,
SWIHA,
yoga,
200 Hour Yoga Training,
Yoga Teacher Training,
Southwest Institute of Natural Aesthetics,
YTT,
spirit of yoga,
Yogi,
Safe Space,
Holding Space,
Trauma-Aware,
Hairdresser,
Makeup Artist,
Esthetician School,
SOY
“Before SWIHA I was an active duty military member serving in the air force. Once I became a veteran, I knew I wanted to seek deeper healing for myself and the communities I am a part of. I also wanted to facilitate and curate spaces that allowed for that healing to occur. Being a trauma-informed and intuitively lead yoga instructor/ guide allow me to do just that in every space I’ve grown into.”
Great Graduate, Khariah Clark, of SWIHA’s 200 hr Yoga Teacher Training program as well as the Intuitive Guide program, has blossomed into her new life since attending Southwest Institute of Healing Arts. Like many other students who enroll at SWIHA, Khariah was at a point in her life where she had to stop and reflect on what she wanted to do next with her life. Khariah had just dropped out of a very rigorous law program and felt defeated, not really knowing what to do next. Clark explains, “...not knowing my next move, I went into my backyard to do some yoga, I looked up to see a rainbow in the sky, it was awesome.” And one step aligning after another, Khariah found herself studying yoga and intuitive guidance at SWIHA.
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Topics:
Southwest Institute of Healing Arts,
SWIHA,
entrepreneur,
healing,
Yoga Teacher Training,
yoga,
Arizona,
business,
Tempe,
intuitve guide,
Yogi,
Yoga studio,
yoga classes,
intuitive guidance,
Energy,
Sharon Rose,
Aura,
James Patrick,
Higher Learning,
Higher Education
“I am completely devoted to sharing the wisdom of yoga with the world for the rest of my life. As soon as I graduate I am going back to India for the first time, with my baby, and we are going to continue to embody the teachings forever. This is a lifelong journey.”
After completing 500 hours of yoga teacher training in Rishikesh, India, Coco Taylor discovered SWIHA when she returned home. Coco felt deeply infatuated by the yoga programs offer at SWIHA. Coco seemingly couldn't get them out of her head for the next two years as she relocated to live in New Zealand. While living abroad, Coco found herself thinking about SWIHA every day. “One day, I finally decided to put what I was doing there on pause, and answer my soul calling to study yoga therapy at such a magical school. I left my friends, job, and all my belongings. Booked a flight back to Phoenix, and moved in with my parents so I could begin my journey at SWIHA from the bottom up!”
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Topics:
Southwest Institute of Healing Arts,
yoga therapy,
Body,
SWIHA,
Yoga Teacher Training,
Spirit,
Mind,
yoga,
Arizona,
asana,
Tempe,
Yogi,
Yoga studio,
Manifestation,
Samskaras,
Holistic Modalities,
Divine Timing,
Yoga Retreat,
Divine,
Private Yoga Classes
“Holding Space for myself means permission to feel what I need to feel, space to just be here, exactly who and how I am, and to find my way forward - gently.” - Unknown
Before coming to SWIHA, Great Graduate of the 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training program, Mario Jiannino, was swept up in the whirlwind of life. Always go, go, going, and not really breathing through life. Mario explains, “I was really reactive to everything around me. I really thought that what I was reacting to before was so important. I realized that while taking Yoga, I have the ability to slow down and analyze things before I create my reaction.” Rather than experiencing and witnessing things, Mario found himself in a place of reaction. Having known and worked with KC Miller, Founder of Southwest Institute of Healing Arts, for several years, she finally approached Mario about the Yoga Program. Mario’s reflection was, “KC is insightful - she saw something in me that I didn't see in myself. Somebody out there believed that I was capable of doing something beyond myself, and she was right. I am passionate about this specific modality because Yoga taught me to breathe. I thought I knew so many things about life, until Yoga. Then, I woke up and witnessed so much beauty that was always with me.”
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Topics:
Southwest Institute of Healing Arts,
transformational,
SWIHA,
Mindfulness,
200 Hour Yoga Training,
KC Miller,
Yoga Teacher Training,
yoga,
Arizona,
Breath,
YTT,
spirit of yoga,
Tempe,
Yoga studio,
yoga teacher,
Holding Space,
Holistic Modalities,
breathing,
Personal Development
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.
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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
“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.
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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
Journaling is about creating clarity, prioritizing your energy, and provides an opportunity for positive self-talk. It is also an amazing way to see how much you’ve grown, changes in mindset, and your progress toward your goals.
Through documenting our thoughts and feelings, we advance our self-awareness and self-control. It gives us the ability to analyze how we are currently showing up in the world and provides us the opportunity to feel empowered in our decisions.
Consider these 10 ways below on how to utilize journaling as Svadhyaya, or self-reflection, either through life, or especially during your experience of going through Yoga Teacher Training. Ultimately, your journal is a place to practice vulnerability and honesty, and bring that in to the world to truly live yoga!
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Topics:
Gratitude,
yoga,
Mindfulness,
journaling,
Yoga Teacher Training,
Yoga Sutras,
Arizona,
YTT,
Tempe,
Yogi,
yoga teacher,
Sacred Space,
Holistic Education,
Ahimsa,
Self-Awareness,
Gratitude Journal,
My Spirit of Yoga,
Svadhyaya,
Self-Control,
Principles of Yoga,
Alter,
Satya,
Self-Reflection
“You are stronger than your challenges. And your challenges are making you stronger. Deep within is a hidden reserve of inner power. Breathe. Get quiet. You will access it. You’re far stronger than you realize - with a capacity to stretch and grow in exciting ways.” - Karen Salmansohn
Before Eve Garifo-Morelli started her healing journey at SWIHA, she was a full-time caregiver for her father. Her entire life, 24/7 was surrounding her father who had suffered from a stroke and lost his speech, the use of his right arm, and now walked with a cane and brace on his right leg. For Eve, this became a high-stress situation having to be a full-time caregiver for her father. On one side, she loved him and fervently stood up to the job of taking care of her father. On the other hand, there were days that Eve found herself not leaving her house, showering, or taking care of herself. There needed to be a change.
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Topics:
Southwest Institute of Healing Arts,
yoga therapy,
SWIHA,
Intuition,
Meditation,
Yoga Teacher Training,
yoga nidra,
Transformation,
yoga,
Arizona,
Tempe,
Yogi,
Yoga studio,
chakras,
Yoga Body Psychology,
healing pages bookstore,
My Spirit of Yoga,
Yoga Cueing,
Arizona Yoga Studio
Many people think they can’t meditate. Maybe it’s not that they can’t meditate, rather the way they have been instructed to meditate doesn’t resonate with their Soul!
In the past, much of what was taught about meditation came from a restrictive mindset, often couched in needing to be more disciplined or committed to be a good yogi or person.
Restrictive meditation is a form of meditation where concentration is emphasized and epitomized. One is to focus on a singular object to the exclusion of all other thoughts. It can almost be described as the “sit down-shut up-suck up” approach to meditation. Clearing the mind of all thoughts is the guiding edict. And while the goal is to really experience whatever you are focusing on, whether it's your breath, a specific word, or a mantra in order to reach a higher state of being, the result is often a feeling of defeat because total concentration is almost impossible for most of us.
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Topics:
Southwest Institute of Healing Arts,
SWIHA,
Mindfulness,
Self-care,
Guided meditation,
Holistic Healing,
Meditation,
Yoga Teacher Training,
yoga,
Arizona,
YTT,
Yogi,
Holistic Education,
Mindset,
Soul-care,
Invitational Meditation,
Soul
