Directory of Graduates of Southwest Institute of Healing Arts

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Modalitie Definitions

Click on a link below to view definition of the different modalities offered by the Great Therapists listed in the directory on this site.

Aromatherapy

The inhalation and bodily application of essential oils from aromatic plants is utilized to relax, balance, rejuvenate, restore or enhance body, mind and spirit. A basic principle of Aromatherapy is to strengthen the self-healing processes by indirect stimulation of the immune system. Aromatherapy is considered by some to be an ancient yet timely and modern approach to total well being that is in tune with nature.

Auriculotherapy

This clinically effective treatment modality is utilized for the relief of chronic pain and the alleviation of substance abuse. The external ear has been shown to have a somatotopic organization where each part of the auricle corresponds to a specific part of the body. Detection tenderness from palpation can reveal specific auricular reflex points which can be stimulated to alter pathological reflex patterns in the brain, internal organs, and in different peripheral regions of the musculoskeletal body.

Ayurveda

Ayurveda is an ancient wisdom of health and healing which dates back thousands of years. Ayurveda is the art of living in harmony with the laws of nature and bases its foundation that every aspect of nature, is composed of five essential elements, ether, air, fire, water and earth.

Cranial Unwinding

This form of cranialsacral therapy utilizes gentle manipulation to facilitate the body's inherent wisdom to balance and heal itself. Not only is this a powerful tool in creating structural balance in the body, it’s also useful for treating migraines, headaches, sinus tension, stiff neck, and has been shown to be beneficial for individuals with cerebral palsy.

Craniosacral Therapy

Craniosacral Therapy is a carefully developed method of normalizing the function of the craniosacral system, which is composed of cerebrospinal fluid that flows inside a membrane from the sacrum (low back) to the cranium (head). The therapy employs a gentle hands-on technique that reduces accumulated stress levels and enhances movement of blood and other fluids through the body tissues, thereby treating and increasing resistance to disease. Craniosacral Therapy is especially effective in treating neck and back pain, headaches, depression, stress related disorders, physical injuries, musculo-skeletal conditions, head and body trauma and connected emotional issues. Pediatric Craniosacral Therapy is the same work modified for infants and children.

Deep Tissue Massage

Deep Tissue Massage is used to release chronic patterns of muscular tension using slow strokes, direct pressure or friction directed across the grain of the muscles with fingers, thumbs or elbows. It is applied with greater pressure and to deeper layers of muscle than massage.

Dream Yoga

The practice of dream yoga deepens our awareness during all our experiences: the dreams of the night and the dream-like experience of the day. The practices of dream and sleep are powerful tools of awakening, used for hundreds of years by the great masters of the Tibetan traditions. Unlike the Western psychological approach to dreams where the content of the dream is interpreted for meaning, the ultimate goal of Tibetan dream and sleep yoga is the recognition of the nature of mind itself, or enlightenment.

Energy Healing

Energy Healing addresses the 'subtle energy body' that governs the physical body. Working directly with the emotional, mental and spiritual dimensions of this energy body, the healer affects the healing and release of blocked and distorted energy patterns, enabling the innate intelligence to operate freely, restoring physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health. Truly a mind-body discipline, Energy Healing accelerates personal growth. Energetic techniques include: radiant healing, hands-on, Reiki, Healing Touch, Therapeutic Touch, and shamanic healing practices. Energy healers work with individuals, couples and groups. Energy Healing works in conjunction with and as an adjunct to medical and non-medical therapies.

Healing Touch

Healing Touch is a modern form of hands-on healing. It attunes the practitioner to the client's energy field, directing energy for the purpose of helping or healing the client. It can alleviate anxiety, chronic pain, even infection. It promotes wound healing, relaxation and cellular metabolism.

Holistic Nutrition

Understanding food as the source of yin and yang, or "life energy," is an important aspect of holistic healthcare. Recognizing energy in each food and cooking accordingly to create wholesome meals is the focus. An appreciation for and understanding of organic and seasonal foods, and the harmful effects of condiments and sweeteners, and how to combine nutrients is key. Proper nutrition influences personal energy, weight, anxiety, sex life, longevity, and overall health.

Hypnotherapy

In Hypnotherapy, a deep state of relaxation is achieved through focused attention. While in this trance-like state, the unconscious mind is highly receptive to new perspectives and ideas. The use of imagery and positive suggestions at this time can help a client imagine and actually experience herself in the future, as she desires to be. This makes the changes she wants in her life happen much faster and with less resistance, as a result of the hypnosis experience. Hypnotherapy is particularly effective for addictive habits such as overeating and smoking, as well as for stress control, behavior modification and resolution of personal conflicts.

Life Coaching

Life Coaching is an on-going partnership that helps others produce fulfilling results in their personal and professional lives. Through the process of coaching, clients deepen their learning, improve their performance, and enhance their quality of life. Beginning with their desires, coaching uses reporting, exploring, and a consistent commitment to move the client forward. This technique provides greater focus and awareness of choice and helps accelerate the achievement of life goals. Coaching concentrates on where clients are today and what they are willing to do to get where they want to be tomorrow.

Lymphatic Drainage Therapy

Lymphatic Drainage Therapy is a well documented method of stimulating the lymph system to activate fluid circulation, detoxify, rejuvenate and strengthen the body's natural defenses. Lymphatic Drainage Therapy is a very gentle hands-on procedure that will help eliminate fluid retention, cleanse the body and eliminate toxins and trapped proteins in the tissues. It is highly recommended for most pre and post surgical procedures.

Massage Therapy

Massage Therapy uses basic mechanical hand movements to manipulate the body's soft tissues, targeting muscles, tendons, nerves, and circulatory structures to facilitate the body to heal itself in a natural way. Massage therapy helps relieve pain, reduce stress and promote healing by improving circulation, deepening relaxation and providing an increased sense of physical awareness and emotional well-being. It specifically relieves discomforts such as headaches, muscle cramps & spasms, low back & neck pain, tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis, and sciatica to name a few.

Medical/Spiritual Intuitive Reading

Medical/Spiritual Intuitive Reading is the art of tuning in to the subtle messages of the client's energy field (also known as the 'subtle energy body') in order to discover the patterns, habits, emotions, and thoughts which have distorted the perfection of the human being. This distortion will, over time, eventually lead to disease. As the causes of the distortions are uncovered, information is also accessed as to the best course of action. Each intuitive has a unique way of receiving the information. Some hear it as words, some feel it in the client's body, and others see it. Every person stores immense amounts of information in their subtle body, some of which can be used at the present time, and some at a later time. Medical Intuition is the ability to read a client's stored information and act on it or reject it, in order to clear the body and the mind.

Meditation

Meditation is simply a way to awaken to our lives. It is a practice that utilizes breathing and breath control, mantras and/or imagery in order to focus one's attention on the present moment instead of future or past events and concerns. Conscious clarity of the "now" helps to dissolve fear and anger, and promotes healing on every level. Meditation works in conjunction with, and as an adjunct to, other medical and non-medical therapies.

Myofascial Release

Myofascial Release is a bodywork modality that gently releases restrictions in the connective tissue layer. This tissue layer, which connects every muscle, tendon, ligament, bone, and organ in our bodies, can store memories of physical trauma. Releasing these restrictions produces a healing effect upon the body tissues allowing us to discharge recurring emotional as well as physical pain while restoring motion, improving circulation and nervous system transmission. Sessions can include craniosacral work, stretching techniques, and deep touch. It greatly benefits those with longstanding back pain, fibromyalgia, recurring headaches, sports injuries, to name a few.

Myotherapy

Myotherapy is a hands-on, non-invasive method of relieving muscle related pain which emphasizes speedy, cost effective recovery and active patient participation for long-term relief. It relaxes muscles, improves circulation and alleviates pain in all parts of the body while it increases strength, flexibility, coordination, stamina and energy and improves posture, gait, sleep patterns and work and play performance quickly and effectively.

Polarity Therapy

This nurturing, powerful hands-on work makes strategic use of the positive and negative energy flows in the body to get obstructed energy released and properly balanced. It helps to reduce stress and anxiety, relieve pain, aid in relaxation and revitalization, and promote well-being and enhance the body's own innate healing abilities.

Reflexology

The ancient art of foot massage to promote deep relaxation, emotional balance, and overall well-being. It is an age-old practice to detoxify the body's energy flow and encourage self-healing by identifying the energy pathways and reflexes in the feet, traditionally used to correct mind-body imbalances.

Reiki

Reiki is a Japanese word meaning Universal Life Force, or the energy inherent to all creation. It describes an ancient healing art and science whose principles are closely aligned with those of acupuncture and Shiatsu massage. Reiki differs in that it is a non-manipulative, "hands-on-healing" technique that helps to stimulate immune system function and maximize an individual's innate healing potential. It's profoundly relaxing effects make it an effective treatment for anxiety, stress, and the management of difficult emotions..

Spiritual Healing/Coaching

There are various approaches and practices that apply to spiritual healing/coaching based on different spiritual traditions. Many are centered on bringing awareness to the client of the active presence of a divine force or energy that heals. Practices may include forms of meditation, movement, rituals, art, hands-on healing and prayer.

Thai Massage

Thai Massage is an oil-less massage performed on the floor and designed to increase flexibility, decrease stress, relieve tension and promote a balanced state of mind, body and spirit. The application of slow, rhythmic compressions and stretches along ten of the most important "sen" (the body's energy lines), using the palms of the hands, thumbs, elbows and feet elongates the spine and decompresses the body. Practitioners position the body into yoga-like poses and gently rock the body to more deeply open joints and facilitate limbering.

Therapeutic Touch

Therapeutic Touch is a form of energy healing. Its well-documented effects of accelerated wound healing and pain reduction have made this practice a popular adjunct treatment of acutely ill hospitalized patients. Its benefits, however, can be experienced by anyone. By virtue of its simplicity and efficacy, Therapeutic Touch is now taught in more than 80 universities and is practiced by 30,000 health professionals.

Tui Na

Tui Na (pronounced 'twee-nah') is a form of Chinese manipulative therapy that uses many different strokes that are applied to acupressure points, channels and muscle groups. It is believed that the strokes and techniques stimulate an exchange of Qi between the practitioner and the patient. It has been used to treat or compliment the treatment of many conditions, especially specific musculo-skeletal disorders and chronic stress-related disorders of the digestive, respiratory, and reproductive systems.

Western Herbalism

Western Herbalism utilizes the healing properties of herbs found in the Western hemisphere (as opposed to Oriental Herbology). Herbs contain many naturally occurring chemicals that have powerful biological activity and are the basis for much of conventional pharmacology. Treatment with whole plant substances rather than isolated elements allows the body to catalyze its own healing powers more effectively, strengthening its natural functions, usually without significant side effects. Herbs are prepared for internal and external use as teas, ointments, capsules, tinctures, compresses, and oils.

Yoga

Yoga The word 'yoga' means 'yoke or 'unity' - the joining with our higher nature. As an art and science, the roots of yoga can be traced back over 2,000 years to India. It is a combination of techniques, which include breath control, physical postures, and meditation. It can be used as a form of physical exercise to enhance one's health, as well as a tool for relaxation and self-discovery. There are many different styles and approaches to teaching yoga, but all acknowledge and work with the physical, mental, and spiritual dimensions of a person towards achieving a higher state of consciousness.

Zen Shiatsu

Zen Shiatsu is a form of bodywork administered by thumbs, fingers, palms and elbows, feet and knees. It depends for its success on a meditative activity of the practitioner, aimed especially at detecting the body responses to the treatment, which influences the subsequent treatment step by step. Pressure is applied to all parts of the body along specific pathways (meridians) which are essentially the same meridians that are used in traditional Chinese medicine for acupuncture. It is understood that this technique stimulates the natural healing powers of the body, wherefore symptoms of disease lessen and vitality is regained.

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