Nancy Santana ~ Living in a State of Gratitude
If you were to pinpoint Nancy Santana’s philosophy on life you could use her Pinterest description: “I am an empowerment lifestyle spirit junkie — loving anything mind-body wellness! I love holistic… intuitive…spiritual! I am the founder of the #chooseLOVE movement and The Lotus Wellness Center. Follow me!” Nancy Santana was going through some major transitions and shifts in her life when a friend first told her about SWIHA. “I had transformed my body . . . yet something was missing and that was the mind-body-spirit connection,” shared Nancy, who recently completed the Mind-Body Transformational Psychology program at Southwest Institute of Healing Arts. Her passion for this program developed from deep within her soul. She recalled how she lit up when first saw the list of Spiritual Studies courses that were part of her program: “I believe that my Spirit fired up my passion. In everything that I do, I am … Read More
Give Yourself Permission: Tips from Great Graduate Suzie Emiliozzi
It may sound strange, but often people seek or wait for permission before moving forward in their lives. I would be willing to bet that, in one area of life, or another, you’ve been stalled around permission too. As you already know, inner conflicts may occur around all sorts of ideas, experiences, and goals. We could explore how the conflicts arose and why they’re present, but why? That takes forever! It’s so much quicker and easier to just resolve the conflict. Most internal conflicts are resolved easily. One approach is to give yourself permission to either experience something (i.e. healing) or to otherwise move forward in some way (i.e. change). Throughout my career, I’ve noticed that conflicts tend to cluster around certain issues: Wellness/Health Money Success Being present to and focused on the moment of now (rather than the past or future) Relationships Personal responsibility – obligations – sacrifices – … Read More
Sarah Peters: Finding Zen
Before she found SWIHA, Sarah Peters a young woman, working a stressful job in a medical office – She was sick, overweight, and lost. “I was just starting to expand my health knowledge and learning how to self-heal. As I was searching for photography schools online, I ‘accidentally’ stumbled upon SWIHA,” shared Sarah. After ‘stumbling’ onto SWIHA’s website, Sarah enrolled into the Mind/Body Transformational Psychology program, specializing in hypnotherapy, Reiki, Life Coaching and yoga. Sarah became fascinated with almost every subject in her program: “I love the psychology of the mind; I love having deep conversations with people and I have always been sensitive to energies – other people’s energy as well as mine! It was so amazing to find a program that connected everything together for me – mind, body, energy and coaching!” Sarah is currently transitioning into a Sound/Energy Healer and Yoga Teacher position at Knead Me Wellness … Read More
Chandler Dentist finds healing from SWIHA graduate
I am a dentist and have been practicing here in the East Valley for the last four years. I love my profession but it is hard on my body, specifically my shoulders and neck. Each year I seem to notice more and more discomfort as I practice and occasionally even when I am away from work. It eventually got to a point where I could actually feel a burning and tingling sensation around my shoulder blades. I would notice this one to two times a day, sometimes while working, but sometimes just driving down the freeway. Knowing I want to practice dentistry for a very long time I have sought out many different professional opinions on how to best manage this issue and to hopefully find some relief. The only real relief I have found has been with massage. I have become a regular to several of the spas in … Read More
No Perfect Parents ~ A perfect niche for Sarah Senst to claim as a Life Coach
It was in the wee hours of the evening that Spirit spoke to Sarah Senst. “I was unable to sleep one night feeling depressed and anxious about my future. A late night TV commercial for the Life Coaching program at SWIHA was shown! The commercial, the program and the school immediately spoke to me!” What fueled Sarah’s passion and consuming interest in the Life Coaching program, stemmed from her position as the ultimate life coach – parenting! “I’ve always enjoyed engaging with people and learning their ‘stories.’ This strength has allowed me to connect with many different people from many different backgrounds. People really do care that you care – they don’t care as much about what you know. I think people can feel that I care when they are around me. My passion became more focused after my own personal experience of raising three children in a one-adult home; … Read More
Kristin Apodaca – Using Her Mind-Body Transformational Psychology Degree To Bring Healing To Others
Like many SWIHA students, Kristin Apodaca’s path to SWIHA was full of trials and tribulations. Nearly seven years ago, Kristin and her family moved to Arizona for her husband’s new job, leaving her family and old life behind in Boca Raton, Florida. On the outside, she had it all: a loving husband, four beautiful and healthy children, a large home and many friend — and yet, as Kristin revealed, she felt like she had no idea who she was as a person. Seven years of being a stay-at-home-mom took their toll on her.She spent that time feeling very resentful towards her husband for having to work such long hours, taking him away from their family and herself. All of these factors led her to a breaking point. “I had lost my identity,” confessed Kristin. After briefly using anti-depressants to help cope with her anxiety and depression, she knew there had … Read More
StevieAnne Petitt: Lightening Up Enlightenment
StevieAnne Petitt is well on her purposeful path to be an internationally-known and well-received Conscious Comedian and Inspirational Speaker. Stevie’s comedic approach to conscious living prompts her audience to “Lighten up Enlightenment”, finding the humor in this human experience! Stevie’s journey has been nothing shy of miraculous. She lived in foster and group homes after childhood abuse that resulted in her becoming a ward of the state. Stevie remembers being divinely-guided by one or two mentors at each significant turning point in her journey. “Looking back now, I find that every event was divinely orchestrated to bring me to who I evolved into today. I have the vague memory of several mentors, counselors and therapists whose brief comments of praise and inspiration fueled me for months and motivated me to dream big.” Despite occasional hospitalizations for suicide attempts, Stevie found that she was most herself when she was writing and … Read More
Jennifer Csajko: Helping Others Discover Love As A Life Coach
Jennifer Csajko was so miserable at her job and she needed a little ‘divine intervention’. She didn’t know what she wanted to do with her life. “I started learning about the Law of Attraction and I attracted SWIHA (Southwest Institute of Healing Arts) into my life. My yoga teacher liked the SWIHA Facebook page and when I clicked on it, I knew that this was what I was meant to do. I had to be a part of the program. That was in October and by January I had quit my job and was enrolled. Best decision I ever made!” During her time at SWIHA, Jennifer said that the most valuable thing she learned was to be her authentic self, to find her voice and share it with the world. “I learned that everyone has a unique gift to share.” Jennifer enrolled in the Holistic Wellness Practitioner Online Program. While … Read More
Glenda Bokamper: Walking Her Path in Reflexology
Glenda Bokamper, just like many before her, was divinely led to Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA). Glenda had an idea about what she wanted to do and had embarked on a more traditional path towards her dreams. After she hit some bumps in the road, SWIHA made an appearance in her life and that has made a huge difference. “In nail school I became allergic to the fake nail products, leaving the spas in Scottsdale as my only option for employment. At the first spa that I worked, I was told to fake a Reflexology treatment with my pedicures. Instead of faking it, I found SWIHA and took an introductory class. That was 15 years ago. I fell in love during that one class with feet and the mysteries that they hold. I have been loving feet from that day forward.” Her next class at SWIHA was 10 years … Read More
Paul Smith: Finds Purpose Through Massage, Coaching, Ministering & More
Paul Smith is the epitome of a SWIHA #GreatGraduate, displaying the reverent and resilient balance between action and stillness. Paul is a life-long student who has used every ounce of his experience to expand his own personal growth and empower that in others. He shares that he has found his life purpose through integrating his past experiences and observations: “Human beings have the capacity to be so healthy and so happy. All people can have a very loving connection between family, friends, colleagues and teammates. I have been observing and studying throughout my entire life so that I could help others. Unfortunately a few tragedies have occurred: my grandfather died of cancer, my high school head football coach died of cancer, my little cousin overdosed on prescription medication and my little brother took his own life. I’ve observed so many other tragedies and challenges – and numerous disheartening news stories … Read More