SWIHA Blog

We believe that everyone has a calling, a purpose, and a path that their soul longs to take. Many people spend their entire life waiting for the "right time" to embark on the journey that they've been longing to take. Here's the secret: You can begin at any time! In the words of Eckhart Tolle, spiritual teacher and best-selling author: "Realize deeply that the present moment is all you have. Make the NOW the primary focus of your life."

There is no doubt that this has been an unprecedented year for so many reasons. It has provided a wide variety of global emotion, between bringing human rights to the forefront of the conversation and navigating a pandemic that has forced some difficult decisions to be made. This holiday season may look and feel a little different this year, however there are many ways we can still create a meaningful and conscious connection with those we love, even from afar.

Have you been feeling inexplicably pulled down a new path lately? You're not alone! Many people are anticipating a major shift in mindset on a global level, reflected first in the choices we make as individuals. This upcoming Winter Solstice in particular has some great things in store for us on a planetary level.

Humans have been consciously farming the earth for around 12,000 years. That may seem like a very long period of time, but if all our planets history took place in the course of a single day, we started our agriculture practices at 11:59:59 PM! In that 'one second', we have created a surplus of food and--unfortunately--contributed to a major imbalance of chemicals in our air, water and soil.

At Southwest Institute of Healing Arts, you will often hear talk of “callings” and “signs from Spirit”. Amber Peitzmeier, a Mind Body Wellness Practitioner graduate, has quite the story about how persistent these nudges from the Universe are!

“I started getting ads about SWIHA. I kept ignoring them. I kept telling Facebook they were irrelevant to me. I kept scrolling by,” Amber recalls, “No matter what I did, the ads were still there.”

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:

Dr. Bibih Ero is a University professor with a background in Psychiatric & Mental Health Nursing and experience as a Health Coach/Naturopathic Nutritionist. “I have always been very passionate about the relationship between the subconscious-mind and human behavior,” she tells us.

“I had it in my head that spirituality was against science,” admits Mitra Malaekeh, who has 19 years of experience as a Microbiologist, “I came to understand that they are hand-in-hand for personal development and growth.”

Mitra felt called to expand her understanding of the human experience beyond the physical and biological, and let her curiosity lead her to enroll in both the Life Coaching program and Yoga Teacher Training program at Southwest Institute of Healing Arts.

"I am blessed that I have been able to successfully integrate so many aspects of my life’s personal journey and career into my business model," Brenda Bentley, Life Coach and SWIHA graduate.

As a former international banker, teacher, career consultant, hypnotherapist and facilitator, Brenda has, in her words, "wove various aspects into the tapestry of my coaching business."

"I believe that it's through our own life experiences and challenges that we are able to dig deeper, unearth those hidden treasures so we can step out, make a valuable contribution and be of service to the world during this precious time we have on earth," she affirms.

“I have grown in more ways than one, I have a new appreciation for my life and my experiences. I am forever grateful for the SWIHA community,” Rocio Castellanos, a graduate of the Integrative Healing Arts Practitioner diploma, program tells us, “Even though I was an online student I felt I was always ‘there’.”

Prior to her journey at Southwest Institute of Healing Arts, Rocio had worked in the healthcare field for twelve years as a Respiratory Therapist. “I have to say that I wish I had had this training when I was working in the medical field because it would have helped me be of better service to my patients,” she discloses, “Not that I wasn't, however, I know the skills I now have would have benefitted my patients even more.”