At Sefira, we believe in creating a “sacred container” for growth, inspired by the concept of the Ten Sefirot in Jewish mysticism. In this tradition, each “sefira” represents a step in the journey of transformation, where light flows through stages to shape our world.

For us, Sefira represents a mindful space where inner potential can unfold, combining modern mindfulness with timeless wisdom.

A woman with shoulder-length light brown hair smiling, standing outdoors in front of a green wooden door. She is wearing a navy blue top and colorful, patterned red and orange pants with a drawstring belt.

Yael Shy, Founder & CEO

Yael Shy discovered meditation at 19 years old when she was struggling with severe anxiety and panic attacks. Through mindfulness, meditation, and therapy, she found a path to healing and transformation.

For over 20 years, Yael has supported others in uncovering their inherent worth and capacity for deep joy through mindfulness. She is the author of the award-winning book What Now? Meditation for Your Twenties and Beyond (Parallax, 2017) and teaches at NYU’s Wagner School of Public Service.

Yael founded Mindful NYU, the largest campus-based meditation program in the country, and has served as the Chief Mindfulness Consultant for Procter and Gamble. Her work has been featured on platforms such as Good Morning America, CBS News, and Fox 5 News, as well as in Time Magazine, Real Simple, and the Harvard Business Review. She is a regular contributor to the Ten Percent Happier and Roundglass apps.

Our Services

Sefira offers transformative mindfulness coaching and consulting rooted in the latest scientific research and thousands of years of ancient wisdom for more ease, healing, and joy.

  • We offer numerous coaching programs designed to support individuals, teams, and groups in cultivating mindfulness, resilience, and well-being. Our coaching is deeply rooted in our core values and principles, ensuring that every session is meaningful, transformative, and aligned with your unique journey.

    We currently have two curricula for individuals and groups:

    1. Choose Joy, a 5-part online course, suited for beginners, where you gain practical, accessible meditation techniques to deepen resilience, prevent or heal from burnout, and strengthen your well-being toolkit.

    2. Flourish, a transformative 12-week program that immerses you in mindfulness practice and certifies you to lead others in meditation.

  • Are you struggling with employee retention, wellness, and burnout? Do you want to create a well-being program at your institution that cultivates self-awareness, builds resilient relationships, and creates systemic cultures of well-being?

    Sefira can bring best practices in well-being to your product and/or service with our 20+ years of experience in designing, strategizing, and implementing award-winning programs.

    Previous clients include Proctor & Gamble, Columbia Law School, NYU, and more. Click here to learn more.

  • Listening Labs is our premier peer-listening program used at universities and workplaces across the country, including New York University, University of Hawaii at Hilo, and Quinnipiac University. The program radically improves participant mental health outcomes while building strong and resilient communities.

    Click here to learn more.

  • Our one-on-one mindfulness coaching is tailored to meet you where you are on your path. Whether you’re new to mindfulness or looking to deepen your practice, our coaching will help you reconnect with your inner self, find clarity, and live with greater ease and authenticity. Guided by our core principles, we’ll work together to create a personalized plan that supports your growth and well-being. Send us an email at info@mindfulnessconsulting.net to set up a consultation to see if we are a fit.

Get in Touch

Our Approach: The Path to Flourishing

At Sefira, we believe that true transformation goes beyond surface-level wellness practices. Our mission is to facilitate profound personal and organizational growth by integrating evidence-based practices with ancient wisdom, enabling our clients to live with greater ease, healing, and joy.

In a world where quick fixes and "take a deep breath" band-aid solutions are common, we recognize the need for experienced, sophisticated, and systemic approaches to addressing the complex challenges of depression, anxiety, and loneliness. Our work is informed by over two decades of guiding individuals, businesses, and educational institutions toward meaningful change.

Our approach is built around three core principles: Radical Presence, Deep Listening, and Authentic Expression.

A circular diagram illustrating three interconnected steps for personal growth. Step 1: Cultivate Radical Presence with an icon of a person surrounded by radiant lines, encouraging grounding in the present moment. Step 2: Engage in Deep Listening with an ear icon, emphasizing understanding internal and others' stories for stronger connections. Step 3: Express Authentically with a group holding a heart icon, aligning actions with values to ignite creativity. Each step is color-coded and includes descriptive text.
The Sefira team presenting our Listening Labs program at NASPA 2024 in Seattle, WA
Yael leading a mindfulness meditation workshop at Hudson Pier in NYC
Yael giving a presentation on Listening Labs at NYU.
A group shot of a retreat Yael hosted in 2024
Isabel chatting with participants after giving a presentation on Truth & Authenticity at Creative Mornings Seattle
Yael leading a meditation workshop at a Synagogue in NYC
Yael at the launch of her book, What Now? Meditation for Your Twenties & Beyond
Isabel leading a Shabbat meditation at a retreat on Bainbridge Island
Yael sitting for meditation at her workshop at Hudson Piers