by Taylor Jablonowski
“If there is one message we want everyone to understand, it’s that there
are no extra people in this world,” says KC Miller, founder and chief spiritual
director of Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA). “We believe if you’re
here on Earth, there’s a reason.”
As SWIHA celebrated its 27th anniversary on September 15, that sentiment
holds stronger than ever. What humbly began in 1992 as a two-room massage
school with eight employees has now reached its latest evolution on Southern
and McClintock, in Tempe, as a 26,000-square-foot main campus, with a clinic
offering an array of healing modalities, a yoga studio and training center
(Spirit of Yoga), and a state-of-the-art aesthetics facility and student spa
(Southwest Institute of Natural Aesthetics).
SWIHA is a nationally accredited college employing 108 staff members as
well as many long-time committed instructors, some of whom travel across the
world to come teach the transformational classes the college has built its
reputation upon. Additionally, the school is honored to be affiliated with
respected organizations such as the National Academy for Sports Medicine, the
National Association of Nutrition Professionals, and the American Council of
Hypnotist Examiners. True to its massage roots, SWIHA is one of the largest
providers of continuing education units for massage therapists in Arizona.
The offerings include certificates, diplomas and degrees encompassing
modalities such as holistic nutrition, life coaching, natural aesthetics, reflexology,
reiki, Western herbalism, and yoga teacher training, and with the opportunity
to combine many of them in SWIHA’s larger programs to truly fulfill each
individual's unique vision for their future. The curriculum provides the
opportunity to learn business development, transpersonal psychology, resiliency
building and more, as well as abundant opportunities for practice sessions,
which instill a level of confidence in graduates that is unmistakable.
The college’s reach is worldwide; SWIHA offers online education with
dedicated instructors, engaging coursework, and community discussion forums. The
online student population is equal to the on-campus population in size,
importance and success. Students enroll from all across the country—many of
whom have visited the campus and lovingly refer to it as “home.”
It is impossible not to be transformed simply by walking through the
doors at SWIHA. You will find entrepreneurs hard at work on computers in the
Success Center, students lining the halls excitedly buzzing about their latest
breakthrough in class, and a staff and faculty from all backgrounds bringing their
own unique experience and insight. Everyone has a fascinating story to share,
as well as an open heart and an eager ear for those seeking acceptance and
purpose.
SWIHA graduates have become wellness experts, successful coaches, public
speakers, authors, retail shop owners, and so much more. The staff and faculty
at SWIHA can’t emphasize enough how proud they are of every soul who has been
called to the college’s doors and moved through their fears to truly step into
their soul’s purpose.
SWIHA would like to invite you for a campus tour, a complimentary
four-hour guest pass to a class, or to join its monthly Gifts & Graces
event on the first Friday of each month where SWIHA hosts inspirational
speakers and gives its student practitioners a chance to practice their
modalities at no cost to you. As you walk through the college’s doors, you’ll
be greeted by the scent of essential oils and tea from the bookstore, Healing
Pages, and a community full of love, grace and service to others.
As Miller would say, “I see you!” It is SWIHA’s commitment to see each
person’s individual gifts and support them in becoming instruments in the peace
and healing of others.
Taylor Jablonowski, marketing specialist at SWIHA, can be reached at [email protected].
For more information on classes or events, call 480-994-9244 or visit swiha.edu.
