Teacher photo
Cynthia Abulafia
CYT-L3
Santa Barbara, CA, US
Level 3 Yoga Teacher Badge

Owner of

Embodying the Goddess 

I teach the history and philosophy of yoga, including the sacred texts of yoga and tantra. I am a published author, have 20 yrs teaching yoga/ yoga therapy, lead 500YTTs. I teach chanting, & hold a MA in Yogic Studies, I now focus on Goddess traditions rooted in Sanskrit text.

I study and teach the non-dual divine feminine with a focus on Goddess traditions.

In my work of over 20 years as a yoga teacher and writer, I aspire to cultivate the conditions within myself and others that inspire focused self-inquiry and the ability to turn toward the complex with curiosity, resilience, and reverence.

I teach teachers and students.
I specialize in topics related to non-dual self-inquiry, spiritual crisis, Goddess traditions, and sacred traditional texts of yoga and tantra across historic and geographical timelines. I provide specific embodied practice techniques based in breathwork, meditation, a deep understanding of sacred scripture, subtle body anatomy, and cutting edge modern movement science.

For information on these teachings, please read Embodying the Goddess book (Jan 20, 2026).
Some texts that I teach include:
Upaniṣads, Bhagavad Gītā, Yoga Sutras of Patañjali, Śivastotrāvalī, Yoga Vāsiṣṭha, Haṭha Yoga, and many more.

Credentials:
I have been instrumental in the creation and leadership of Yoga Soup’s 200 and 300 Hour Teacher Trainings since 2016, am E-RYT 500, YACEP (I teach continuing education), C-IAYT (certified Yoga Therapist), and I hold a Masters degree in Nutrition (MSNE). I am working on a Masters Degree in Yogic Studies (focus on Tantra and Sanskrit) and have an interest in early medieval Śaiva-Śākta texts. I am certified by Bonnie Greenwell in supporting those with Kundalini awakening.

I have over 30 years of study with world class teachers in several schools of yoga, including: Yoga Therapy, Ashtanga, Iyengar, Indra Devi's teaching lineage, Vinyasa Krama with Srivatsa Ramaswami, and modern flow blends.
I have studied with many beloved meditation, Advaita, non-dual Tantra, kundalini-Shakti, and self-inquiry teachers, particularly Rupert Spira, the late Bonnie Greenwell, the late Sally Kempton, the late Jazmin Lieb, Sravana Borkataky-Varma, and Ben Williams.

Current influences

Śaiva-Śākta Traditions
Non-dual Tantra
Sacred Texts of Yoga and Tantra
Goddess: Divine Feminine
Sally Kempton
Jazmin Lieb (Indra Devi lineage)
Annie Carpenter
Bonnie Greenwell (Kundalini)
Sravana Borkataky-Varma
Ben Williams
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