Cynthia Abulafia, MSNE, C-IAYT, 500ERYT, MA
Masters Degrees in Yogic Studies/Sanskrit, Nutrition

I study and teach the Goddess traditions, the divine feminine, and sacred texts associated with yoga and tantra.

In my work of over 20 years as a devotee of the Goddess, a yoga therapist, and an author, I aspire to cultivate the conditions within myself and others to understand our embodiment and this sacred life.
I believe we can access life with curiosity, resilience, and the map of the heartbeat, which expands and contracts, evaporates and condenses, breathes in and out. 

I educate individuals and groups on the topics of non-dual self-inquiry, spiritual crisis, & Goddess traditions. I created and led 200 and 300 hr yoga teacher trainings for 10 years, focusing on the sacred texts, history, and philosophy of the yogic traditions.
I provide embodied practice techniques based in a deep understanding of sacred scripture, subtle body anatomy, and modern science.
In partnership with my students, I help open the doors that shine the dynamic, self-reflexive truth of the present moment with depth and reverence into the layers of the sacred Self. 
Embodying the Goddess book, released in 2026 (Monkfish), is inspired by 20 years of kundalini awakening, 20 years of study in non-duality traditions, and the work of the great philosopher Utpaladeva (900s CE). Blessed are those who know the Mother.

Credentials:
I am a 20+ year yoga teacher and yoga therapist, credentialed at the highest levels. I am working on a Masters Degree in Yogic Studies (focus on Tantra and Sanskrit) and have an interest in early medieval Shaiva-Shakta texts.
I have studied for over 30 years with many teachers, including:
Dr.Sravana Borkataky-Varma (current teacher)
Dr.Ben Williams (current teacher)
The late Sally Kempton
Rupert Spira
The late Dr. Bonnie Greenwell
The late Jazmin Lieb (lineage: Indra Devi)
Srivatsa Ramaswami (lineage: Krishnamacharya)

I believe strongly in educating students about Kundalini energy. I offer support and education on this phenomenon.

“As a mother, yogini, teacher, and spouse—and most of all, a human being—Cynthia writes with kindness, humor, wisdom, and compassion for integrating transcendence and every day immanent life. Truly a valuable friend to have along the way!” — Hallie Austen Iglehart (author: The Heart of the Goddess)

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Goddesses that I focus on: Kālī, Kālasaṃkarṣiṇī (all forms of Kālī), Cāmuṇḍā, the yoginī, Mātṛkā, Parā, Kuṇḍalinī, Kuṇḍaleśvarī, Kuṇḍalī, etc. (Tantra), Asherah (Jewish), Ereshkigal (Sumerian).

The Goddess taught:
I will teach you the highest and most precious knowledge in a way so that you will understand the essence that is the true reality of the Goddess clan.
Standing above, the power of creation is the highest form of bliss. Divine power rains down a shower of nectar from the moon.
That reality you call dissolution is below, bringing about destruction through its rays, and that terrifying dissolution, endowed with a constellation of flames, is a treasure house of blazing light.
Shining bright in the middle of those two, beautiful with the bliss of both- fire and the moon, that should be known as the incarnation, the auspicious one pervading both.
Those two inter-penetrate each other: Fire is in the moon and moon is in the fire.
Emanation is the moon. And dissolution is the fire.
Oh supreme Lord! The sun is incarnation, situated in the middle.
— kālikākulapañcaśataka (krama)