Today we’d like to introduce you to Gloria Hagood.
Hi Gloria, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Unconditional belonging has been both my personal quest and the essence of my mission: helping others find that deep sense of connection within. This journey began when I was merely five. Transitioning from Haiti to the U.S. was a major shift, introducing me to entirely new cultures, languages, and customs. It was hard not to feel out of place.
Early on, I gravitated towards the role of a helper, thinking it would cement my place in this new world. As the eldest of seven, I became a pillar of support for my parents, and at school, I was always there to lend a helping hand. The appreciation I received was heartwarming, but beneath the surface, there was a lingering sense of invisibility. I found myself constantly adapting, fearing that showing my true self would jeopardize my connections.
My natural inclination to support, coupled with a deeply spiritual upbringing, directed me towards a life in ministry. I pursued my education in the field and gradually advanced in my ministerial career, ultimately joining hands with my husband in Long Beach to lead a congregation. Yet, even within these sacred walls, that familiar feeling of estrangement persisted.
The turning point came during my time as a hospital chaplain. I had an epiphany: my entire life, I’d been seeking external validation, adjusting my identity to align with external expectations. Chaplaincy unveiled the truth – real belonging originates from self-acceptance. Embracing this realization, my ministerial approach transformed, leading to more genuine and profound connections.
However, the emotional weight of managing critical cases in the hospital setting was taxing. Recognizing a need for proactive healing, I envisioned creating a space where individuals could connect with their authentic selves. With additional training in sound healing for me and breath work for my husband, we co-founded ‘HealYourLovePeriod’ (HYL.). It’s a sanctuary for holistic healing, encompassing breathwork, sound therapy, and support groups.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
One of the major growing pains along the way has been learning how to run a business, especially learning how to manage a business and the bookkeeping side of things. My husband and I are trained ministers, so becoming businesspeople has brought us back into the classroom, so to speak; our business continues to teach and grow us.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about HealYourLovePeriod (HYL.)?
At HYL. we combine our ministry experience, breath work, sound healing, and support groups to create a dynamic spiritual experience. We’re all about building a vibrant, supportive, inclusive, and interfaith spiritual community. We know lasting healing happens in the community. So, the way we lead HYL. is through eight-week online cohorts. Our sessions are simple: We breathe together, meditate together, enter into our shared circles, and close with affirmations and “self-work” for the week. We have ground rules to ensure that everyone can safely participate, and we always encourage everyone to go at their own pace (don’t rush the process!). HYL. stands out as a brand because, even though we have a ministry or “church” training, our spiritual experiences are not centered on dogma, doctrine or teaching. We simply bring people together to experience healing and then share their experiences in a non-judgmental space. In addition to our cohorts, we created a branch of HYL. called “Lavender Light Breath and Sound” that makes our services available to businesses and organizations. Within these businesses and organizations, we create safe spaces for their teams, staff, or clients to experience the relaxing and rejuvenating effects of breathwork and sound therapy.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
What’s not to love about LB? I love the diversity in Long Beach; we’re diverse spiritually, ethnically, and socially. Furthermore, there’s always an activity or event going on. I’m a foodie and also vegan (most days), so I love the variety and plethora of vegan restaurants we have. I would love for the cost of living to go down, but other than that, Long Beach is my city.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://healyourloveperiod.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healyourloveperiod/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@healyourloveperiod
- Other: https://lavenderlightbreathwork.com/
Image Credits
Jerel Smith
