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The Healing: One Woman's Journey from Poverty to Inner Riches
In this memoir of upward mobility through an unexpected route, a young black American woman signs up for lessons in yoga and clean eating as signifiers of her new middle class status, little realizing that her new lifestyle will bring her face to face with the inner demons fed by the domestic violence, addiction, and poverty she witnessed as a child.
Graduating, getting established in your career, and dating another professional are things many young middle-class women expect to do and take for granted. But when your parents don't support you and you have siblings in prison, those milestones seem monumental. What does growing up poor do to your self-esteem? How do patterns of stress and family violence, poor diet and poor health continue to affect you even after you escape to a higher income bracket? And what can one woman do to turn around the cycle of racism, poverty, and intergenerational suffering? Hafiz gives a frank account of the anxiety and rewards of becoming "middle class" through a complete change of diet and adopting habits such as traveling and doing yoga. While her peers pursue one kind of African American dream by climbing the corporate ladder, Hafiz finds meaning in learning to cook macrobiotic food and practice meditation. By doing so, she recovers from chronic health conditions and heals from the family trauma she has inherited.
Graduating, getting established in your career, and dating another professional are things many young middle-class women expect to do and take for granted. But when your parents don't support you and you have siblings in prison, those milestones seem monumental. What does growing up poor do to your self-esteem? How do patterns of stress and family violence, poor diet and poor health continue to affect you even after you escape to a higher income bracket? And what can one woman do to turn around the cycle of racism, poverty, and intergenerational suffering? Hafiz gives a frank account of the anxiety and rewards of becoming "middle class" through a complete change of diet and adopting habits such as traveling and doing yoga. While her peers pursue one kind of African American dream by climbing the corporate ladder, Hafiz finds meaning in learning to cook macrobiotic food and practice meditation. By doing so, she recovers from chronic health conditions and heals from the family trauma she has inherited.
296 pages, Paperback
Published July 17, 2018
14 people are currently reading
596 people want to read
About the author
Saeeda Hafiz
2 books23 followersAbout Saeeda Hafiz
Since January 1990, Saeeda has been experiencing the power of her yoga practice and the benefits of eating a whole foods diet. Her initial encounter with this holistic lifestyle led to a personal transformation that ultimately led her to become a certified yoga instructor and holistic nutrition educator for the last 20 years.
Saeeda currently holds a position at San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) as a site nutrition coordinator, where she has been teaching basic holistic nutrition and yoga to kids and adults for the past 12 years. She also teaches yoga to adults at various San Francisco health clubs and studios, including the YMCA, Active Sports Clubs, and several corporate clients. She has appeared on various radio and television programs and has been featured in several national and regional publications. Her public speaking engagements have educated the public in yoga, holistic nutrition, and healthy living from coast to coast.
Saeeda is a graduate of Temple University in Philadelphia, with a degree in Business and Management Information Systems. She has studied at the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers and Ashrams, and Natural Gourmet in New York City.
Contact Saeeda at saeedahafiz@icloud.com
Since January 1990, Saeeda has been experiencing the power of her yoga practice and the benefits of eating a whole foods diet. Her initial encounter with this holistic lifestyle led to a personal transformation that ultimately led her to become a certified yoga instructor and holistic nutrition educator for the last 20 years.
Saeeda currently holds a position at San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) as a site nutrition coordinator, where she has been teaching basic holistic nutrition and yoga to kids and adults for the past 12 years. She also teaches yoga to adults at various San Francisco health clubs and studios, including the YMCA, Active Sports Clubs, and several corporate clients. She has appeared on various radio and television programs and has been featured in several national and regional publications. Her public speaking engagements have educated the public in yoga, holistic nutrition, and healthy living from coast to coast.
Saeeda is a graduate of Temple University in Philadelphia, with a degree in Business and Management Information Systems. She has studied at the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers and Ashrams, and Natural Gourmet in New York City.
Contact Saeeda at saeedahafiz@icloud.com
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
July 24, 2018
The Healing: One Woman’s Journey from Poverty to Inner Riches, author Saeeda Hafiz shares her life story of her discovery of the healing elements of yoga and following whole foods macrobiotic diet. Throughout her career which has lasted over two decades, Hafiz has studied yoga at ashrams located in Istanbul, Budapest, and Cyprus to the Sahadri Mountain in Kerala, India. Though these exotic locations abroad sound exciting, and they are—Hafiz has also had to work through her own challenges resulting from a neglectful and dysfunctional family background that included serious problems related to alcohol and substance abuse, and the loss of a family member to gun violence.
As teen, Hafiz was determined to graduate from college, and following her graduation she worked in the corporate banking industry. Being a role model for black college bound teen girls was important to her. Eventually her own mentor was terribly disappointed in Hafiz when she decided to quit her job to follow her aspirations to teach yoga (1993) and remarked: “Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, Rosa Parks and Lena Horne didn’t sacrifice so you could do the same work as your grandmother.” While it was true she might need to do domestic work and being a yoga instructor didn’t require a college degree, she was excited to do something she loved.
Hafiz began her formal training at the Sivanandia Yoga Center located in NYC, under the Swami Shan Kara. At the ashram, she believed her studies should be peaceful and non-confrontational, nor did she wish to begin a new romantic relationship during this transitional period. It was surprising to her that not everything met her expectations and how challenging it actually was to support herself on her new career path, with frequent moves, and forming a mutually fulfilling relationship with a partner.
It is helpful for reader’s to know the basic facts about yoga, special diets and the holistic lifestyle; otherwise the story is hard to follow. We learn that some health conditions can be healed with diet and eliminating sugar is likely the best decision a person can make regarding diet. Hafiz wrote honestly about her PTSD, depression and anxiety and family problems regarding her sibling’s substance abuse and incarceration. It was really inspiring to see how following holistic principles can help and improve ones lifestyle. The author was eventually nationally recognized for her health consciousness and skills in Essence Magazine (May 1998) after prior interviews and promises to run a story. Hafiz was also a yoga and holistic educator at the Women’s Holistic Wellness Center (YWCA) and taught at Carnegie Mellon University. ~ 3* GOOD. With thanks to Parallax Press via NetGalley for the DDC for the purpose of review.
As teen, Hafiz was determined to graduate from college, and following her graduation she worked in the corporate banking industry. Being a role model for black college bound teen girls was important to her. Eventually her own mentor was terribly disappointed in Hafiz when she decided to quit her job to follow her aspirations to teach yoga (1993) and remarked: “Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, Rosa Parks and Lena Horne didn’t sacrifice so you could do the same work as your grandmother.” While it was true she might need to do domestic work and being a yoga instructor didn’t require a college degree, she was excited to do something she loved.
Hafiz began her formal training at the Sivanandia Yoga Center located in NYC, under the Swami Shan Kara. At the ashram, she believed her studies should be peaceful and non-confrontational, nor did she wish to begin a new romantic relationship during this transitional period. It was surprising to her that not everything met her expectations and how challenging it actually was to support herself on her new career path, with frequent moves, and forming a mutually fulfilling relationship with a partner.
It is helpful for reader’s to know the basic facts about yoga, special diets and the holistic lifestyle; otherwise the story is hard to follow. We learn that some health conditions can be healed with diet and eliminating sugar is likely the best decision a person can make regarding diet. Hafiz wrote honestly about her PTSD, depression and anxiety and family problems regarding her sibling’s substance abuse and incarceration. It was really inspiring to see how following holistic principles can help and improve ones lifestyle. The author was eventually nationally recognized for her health consciousness and skills in Essence Magazine (May 1998) after prior interviews and promises to run a story. Hafiz was also a yoga and holistic educator at the Women’s Holistic Wellness Center (YWCA) and taught at Carnegie Mellon University. ~ 3* GOOD. With thanks to Parallax Press via NetGalley for the DDC for the purpose of review.
September 4, 2020
This memoir is an honest story of a path towards self healing. Saeeda retells her journey from growing up in poverty surrounded by domestic violence, and poor health to turning around self destructive behaviors. She describes how changing diet and doing yoga opened up her life to a spiritual path of self compassion. Saeeda teaches us in this beautifully written memoir that the power of self transformation is in our hands. A must read for anyone that is looking for inspiration to create a well nourished and balanced life.
March 8, 2019
Just finished reading this book!
Brilliant!! I cried, laughed, felt everything.
I actually went out and bought a second copy this morning to send to my sister.
Brilliant!! I cried, laughed, felt everything.
I actually went out and bought a second copy this morning to send to my sister.
April 22, 2019
I love that this is such an honest portrait of a woman’s spiritual journey toward healing childhood trauma. There’s no pretense. She doesn’t have easy answers. Just day by day progress.
This book made me want to do yoga and to eat whole grains if I can achieve even part of her clarity of mind. But it’s also sobering just how much a person can be required to survive.
I admire Hafiz’ journey not only toward her own enlightenment, but her generous willingness to show her journey to others and to encourage the rest of us along the way. Two of my good friends have experienced health scares this last year and I’ve given them copies of this book. Even the title is encouraging. The Healing.
This book made me want to do yoga and to eat whole grains if I can achieve even part of her clarity of mind. But it’s also sobering just how much a person can be required to survive.
I admire Hafiz’ journey not only toward her own enlightenment, but her generous willingness to show her journey to others and to encourage the rest of us along the way. Two of my good friends have experienced health scares this last year and I’ve given them copies of this book. Even the title is encouraging. The Healing.
August 20, 2018
Saeeda Hafiz takes us on a journey of mind, body, and soul as she brings to light the truth of a dark childhood, one rattled with domestic violence, absence, and addiction, and the relationships that grew out of it. Determined to push herself above the backdrop of her youth, she soon finds herself established among the middle class in the corporate world of banking only to realize that she still feels out of place. Interspersed with emotional flashbacks to what she fears is “the typical black American family”, this is one woman’s struggle to leave behind a stereotype that can feel like a legacy. Her story is not one without shame, which makes it all the more courageous.
Leaving her corporate status behind, she literally follows her gut and decides to adopt a macrobiotic diet which eventually leads to living out her dream of being a holistic health practitioner, live-in chef, yoga instructor, and teacher, continually redefining her life’s path. However, the dreams are short lived and she often finds herself falling back down the rabbit hole of shame and eventually on the brink of depression. The troubles of her past seem to always find a way to haunt her until she is able to face -and accept- them. Along the way, she gains perspective through traveling, new relationships, and therapy, but holistic health is at the heart of it all, guiding her forward. Hafiz’s story is both wretched and relatable; the story of finding oneself born among the rubble and the tedious fight to rise above it, scarred, but intact. In the end, she learns that the constant ups and downs are simply a part of finding one’s balance.
I had high hopes for the newest release from Parallax Press, the publishing company founded by renowned Zen master Thích Nhất Hanh. On one hand it had everything I expected and hoped for; it depicted a holistic lifestyle, told of the author’s journey both through travels and her yoga practice, and had some Oprah-worthy insights along the way. However, it was also the one thing a memoir should never be: a story of the author’s life from beginning to present day. The lack of framing made an otherwise good story a tedious read. The reader is shown the author’s thoughts and habits on a loop, beginning in her early twenties and continuing through three jobs, two yoga retreats, three failed relationships and two decades before finally bringing forth any real resolution. This may mimic the ups and downs of life and stay true to Hafiz’s experiences, but it was the same message being dolled up in different clothing over and over. Hafiz is gifted in metaphor, but certain passages toe the line of being vague and unnecessary. Even the afterword, which is peppered with macrobiotic whole-food recipes, was a bit lackluster when compared to even the most banal of food blogs. No doubt there is a message worth hearing here, but perhaps like the practice of yoga, patience is key with this novel.
Leaving her corporate status behind, she literally follows her gut and decides to adopt a macrobiotic diet which eventually leads to living out her dream of being a holistic health practitioner, live-in chef, yoga instructor, and teacher, continually redefining her life’s path. However, the dreams are short lived and she often finds herself falling back down the rabbit hole of shame and eventually on the brink of depression. The troubles of her past seem to always find a way to haunt her until she is able to face -and accept- them. Along the way, she gains perspective through traveling, new relationships, and therapy, but holistic health is at the heart of it all, guiding her forward. Hafiz’s story is both wretched and relatable; the story of finding oneself born among the rubble and the tedious fight to rise above it, scarred, but intact. In the end, she learns that the constant ups and downs are simply a part of finding one’s balance.
I had high hopes for the newest release from Parallax Press, the publishing company founded by renowned Zen master Thích Nhất Hanh. On one hand it had everything I expected and hoped for; it depicted a holistic lifestyle, told of the author’s journey both through travels and her yoga practice, and had some Oprah-worthy insights along the way. However, it was also the one thing a memoir should never be: a story of the author’s life from beginning to present day. The lack of framing made an otherwise good story a tedious read. The reader is shown the author’s thoughts and habits on a loop, beginning in her early twenties and continuing through three jobs, two yoga retreats, three failed relationships and two decades before finally bringing forth any real resolution. This may mimic the ups and downs of life and stay true to Hafiz’s experiences, but it was the same message being dolled up in different clothing over and over. Hafiz is gifted in metaphor, but certain passages toe the line of being vague and unnecessary. Even the afterword, which is peppered with macrobiotic whole-food recipes, was a bit lackluster when compared to even the most banal of food blogs. No doubt there is a message worth hearing here, but perhaps like the practice of yoga, patience is key with this novel.
July 17, 2018
Note: I got the book for free, a gift from the author, as a participant in an online book club I’m part of.
A powerful story of a woman that overcame an abusive upbringing and found herself through yoga and a holistic approach. The Healing is an appropriate name since that is what she did with her life, healed her childhood wounds. The book starts at the moment where change started, even though she didn’t realize it then. Her story is a testament that we should live our life at our own pace, stay true to yourself, and that if things go wrong we got to adjust our course and carry on.
The book showcases how domestic violence, family, social pressure, race, diet and your personal need for success will put a stress on you and your decisions. She found that yoga and clean eating will send her on a journey of self-discovery, acceptance, and forgiveness, consequently beating the odds. Found herself lost several times but bouncing back every time. Also, her spirituality and doing what she loves showed her the way.
I would recommend the book to anyone that needs encouragement or to anyone who believes that their life is set in stone because of their upbringing. You can be healed, you can change your fate, it is your choice.
A powerful story of a woman that overcame an abusive upbringing and found herself through yoga and a holistic approach. The Healing is an appropriate name since that is what she did with her life, healed her childhood wounds. The book starts at the moment where change started, even though she didn’t realize it then. Her story is a testament that we should live our life at our own pace, stay true to yourself, and that if things go wrong we got to adjust our course and carry on.
The book showcases how domestic violence, family, social pressure, race, diet and your personal need for success will put a stress on you and your decisions. She found that yoga and clean eating will send her on a journey of self-discovery, acceptance, and forgiveness, consequently beating the odds. Found herself lost several times but bouncing back every time. Also, her spirituality and doing what she loves showed her the way.
I would recommend the book to anyone that needs encouragement or to anyone who believes that their life is set in stone because of their upbringing. You can be healed, you can change your fate, it is your choice.
October 11, 2018
Wow! This book is POWERFUL! GREAT GIFT for EVERYONE on your LIST!
The Author does a beautiful job of taking the reader along with her on her journey from Poverty to Inner Riches. I felt like I was with her every step of the journey.
I have suffered from and had to learn how to manage the symptoms of a digestive disorder for the past 20+ years. I constantly remind myself that what goes into my body should be looked at as medicine to remain healthy. A question I constantly ask before putting food into my body - "Is this good medicine for my body or is it hurtful to me?" If it is not good food for my body - it doesn't enter my mouth.
We can all learn a VALUABLE lesson from her SPIRITUALITY and the success she has had using good food for NUTRITION and YOGA/ EXERCISE for good PHYSICAL and MENTAL HEALTH.
I have recommended this book to my many friends who attend book club meetings! It is so very ENLIGHTENING and INSPIRING!
J. Dudas
The Author does a beautiful job of taking the reader along with her on her journey from Poverty to Inner Riches. I felt like I was with her every step of the journey.
I have suffered from and had to learn how to manage the symptoms of a digestive disorder for the past 20+ years. I constantly remind myself that what goes into my body should be looked at as medicine to remain healthy. A question I constantly ask before putting food into my body - "Is this good medicine for my body or is it hurtful to me?" If it is not good food for my body - it doesn't enter my mouth.
We can all learn a VALUABLE lesson from her SPIRITUALITY and the success she has had using good food for NUTRITION and YOGA/ EXERCISE for good PHYSICAL and MENTAL HEALTH.
I have recommended this book to my many friends who attend book club meetings! It is so very ENLIGHTENING and INSPIRING!
J. Dudas
April 17, 2018
(Please note: The author gifted me with an advance reading copy in exchange for an honest review.)
“Brave”. That’s the word that kept coming to me as I read Saeeda Hafiz’s wonderful memoir of transformation. Ms. Hafiz takes you along on her journey to faraway places and into the deepest parts of her soul as she seeks physical, emotional, and spiritual healing and growth. There is so much hard-won wisdom in this story. She touches upon making peace with family dynamics, the agony of codependency when loved ones battle with addictions, and what it means to be a “successful” woman. I found myself taking notes and working some of her ideas into my days, and I am truly inspired to make some changes in my own life.
"The Healing" is scheduled for release on July 17, 2018. It's available for pre-order on Amazon.
“Brave”. That’s the word that kept coming to me as I read Saeeda Hafiz’s wonderful memoir of transformation. Ms. Hafiz takes you along on her journey to faraway places and into the deepest parts of her soul as she seeks physical, emotional, and spiritual healing and growth. There is so much hard-won wisdom in this story. She touches upon making peace with family dynamics, the agony of codependency when loved ones battle with addictions, and what it means to be a “successful” woman. I found myself taking notes and working some of her ideas into my days, and I am truly inspired to make some changes in my own life.
"The Healing" is scheduled for release on July 17, 2018. It's available for pre-order on Amazon.
February 10, 2020
As someone who has been through my own set of early struggles and sought my meditative space, I picked up The Healing and couldn't let it go. Through Saeeda Hafiz' example, The Healing provides a courageous example of healing through meditation and food. Saeeda's early humbe upbringing is an inspiration for persons who have similar backgrounds, yet at the same time, the book educates persons who have not experienced the cycles of poverty and trauma that are more often than not embedded in Black culture. Saeeda was able to find a way out of poverty, get a university education and corporate job, which left her struggling still. Her personal journey drew her inward to find inner healing through food and yoga. These life experiences have given her a gift to share her past and her journey. Her book is an inspiration to others and a guide for those seeking a path inwards.
January 16, 2021
The Healing is such a beautiful invitation into the unfolding journey that is Saeeda's Life. Gently opening her heart to her readers to join in this journey, she describes the challenges that led her to find herself despite the huge odds against success. I cried, I laughed, I felt deeply again. Anyone who doubts the power of small, positive steps, taken consistently will be rewarded as they travel with Saeeda. Her courage to face uncomfortable, often ugly truths gives us all strength to do the same in our lives. And this will empower us to be authentic everywhere. It is this authenticity that shines so brightly throughout her story. Brava, Saeeda! You are an amazing example for us all!
June 6, 2024
Saeeda’s story is so inspiring. Reading this memoir is helping me to examine my own family history and trauma. Her honesty and openness to share her story open the door to one’s own self examination as to live the best life that one can. And to know that it isn’t always perfect. And to know that it isn’t always a linear path. But that we have choices in this life to carve our own path to happiness and to not be bound to the past or the path set in motion from our beginnings as human beings.
August 14, 2018
Hafiz’s memoir is refreshing and powerful. I loved the author’s openness in discussing how she lived with and through violence in her family. She shares vulnerabilities and the second-guessing that can beset first-generation college students. Hafiz writes honestly about fears around repeating the mistakes of one’s family, and struggles to fit in as one gains class mobility. The Healing is an inspiring story of empowerment that is not often told.
October 4, 2020
This is a beautifully written hard to read book that you cannot put down. All the feels show up, often at the same time as you travel with Saeeda on her healing journey from a very traumatic childhood and the ups and downs of trying to create her authentic life. She has a way of drawing the reader in and allowing you to travel with her empathizing with her as your root for her success and become inspired to dive deeper into your own. The tears are humor are deep. This book is so worth a read.
October 14, 2020
The Healing: One Women's Journey from Poverty to Inner Riches. I loved this book for its clarity and honesty. This is about a real person struggling to find and develop her authentic self, to overcome the identities that her family and society want for her, and to forge her own. In all journeys, there are no easy answers, but for those struggling to find their true selves, this book gives motivation and inspiration. It is possible to heal and prosper.
July 8, 2019
“Since I was no longer numbed by the wrong kind of sweetness, I sensed that I wanted to taste a richer and fuller life. I wanted a delicious life, where my inside environment was at peace with my outside environment”
Beautiful writing, beautiful journey! I greatly appreciated this story that reminded me that following my heart/soul/intuition is not always easy, but is always worth it.
Beautiful writing, beautiful journey! I greatly appreciated this story that reminded me that following my heart/soul/intuition is not always easy, but is always worth it.
April 1, 2025
An engaging and candid story that will inspire the reader to rethink the limitations of the past and traditional expectations for success and to find your own happiness and health.
And there are some healthy and tasty recipes in the back!
And there are some healthy and tasty recipes in the back!
January 14, 2021
Loved this book so much! The authenticity, honest, and vulnerability were beautiful to share.
March 9, 2021
While searching for the meaning of her life through yoga and diet, she lost her mind and common-sense.
July 9, 2021
Not afraid to reinvent herself
Sy is not afraid to reinvent herself. Leaving her high power career behind she sought to heal herself with whole grains and yoga.
Sy is not afraid to reinvent herself. Leaving her high power career behind she sought to heal herself with whole grains and yoga.
April 4, 2023
Beautiful, brave, inspiring story about an incredible woman! I cried, I laughed, and I loved this book!
October 6, 2025
Not for me even though it looked intriguing. Just couldn't get through it. DNF.
April 14, 2019
I saw this book on the new nonfiction books shelves at the library and was intrigued by the title and the author's story concept. I really liked "The Healing" because it called to me in my own self-care journey now. Saeeda's way of weaving in pieces from her past and being honest that she didn't always have an idea how to make enough money doing what "felt right and good for herself at the time" to feel whole and still pay the rent, also spoke to me.
August 29, 2021
This was an incredibly moving story which I couldn’t stop reading once I started. It helped encourage me to eat better, exercise more, and take care of myself as well. It’s a book that will appeal to anyone wanting to read about a life journey as well as yoga enthusiasts.
January 2, 2020
Outstanding! A must read!
April 18, 2019
The story written by Saeeda Hafiz looks very honest even though it hurts. Violence and drug abuse overshadow Hafiz's life. But this story goes with a gentle but strong healing, yoga and macrobiotic diet.
After getting a decent education and an established job while living a painful life, Hafiz still felt uneasy and always faltered. Until finally yoga becomes a way out for a healthier life and meaningful healthy food. The prose in this story is really interesting and made me aware.
The structure and storyline in this book are well illustrated. Interwoven through past stories that are difficult to express but still forced. The story is solely emotional. And healthy recipes that can be emulated are important things to appreciate.
Finally I have to say that, Hafiz found her own bright path with her own world. She found her soul which had been abandoned and dared to dream. And this inspirational story remains a hope for readers, including me.
After getting a decent education and an established job while living a painful life, Hafiz still felt uneasy and always faltered. Until finally yoga becomes a way out for a healthier life and meaningful healthy food. The prose in this story is really interesting and made me aware.
The structure and storyline in this book are well illustrated. Interwoven through past stories that are difficult to express but still forced. The story is solely emotional. And healthy recipes that can be emulated are important things to appreciate.
Finally I have to say that, Hafiz found her own bright path with her own world. She found her soul which had been abandoned and dared to dream. And this inspirational story remains a hope for readers, including me.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews