Meet Yael Shy — Mindfulness Teacher, Author, and Guide
Hi! My name is Yael Shy, and my mission in life is to help people uncover their inherent worth and capacity for deep joy through mindfulness, meditation and well-being practices. My work is rooted in my 20-years of training in ancient Buddhist and Jewish wisdom, blended with modern research and learnings from the fields of psychology, poetry, and science.
I discovered meditation at 19 years old while struggling with severe anxiety and panic attacks. Through mindfulness, meditation, and therapy, I found a path to healing and transformation.
For over two decades, I have supported others in uncovering their inherent worth and capacity for deep joy through mindfulness. I am the author of the award-winning book What Now? Meditation for Your Twenties and Beyond (Parallax, 2017) and teach at NYU’s Wagner School of Public Service.
I also founded Mindful NYU, the largest campus-based meditation program in the country, and served as the Chief Mindfulness Consultant for Procter & Gamble. My work has been featured on Good Morning America, CBS News, and Fox 5 News, as well as in Time Magazine, Real Simple, and the Harvard Business Review. I am also a regular contributor to the Ten Percent Happier and Roundglass apps.
My Approach: The Path to Flourishing
When I started my consulting business, Sefira, I wanted to create a new model for individual and organizational change rooted in the notion that true transformation goes beyond surface-level wellness practices. My 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.
This unique approach is built around 3 core principles: Radical Presence, Deep Listening, and Authentic Expression.
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Feeling disconnected from yourself and your body can make life feel overwhelming. That’s why we focus on helping you ground yourself in the present moment. By practicing mindfulness and paying attention to your emotions and physical sensations, you’ll reconnect inward, allowing you to face each day with greater clarity and calm.
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It’s easy to get stuck in old stories and beliefs that no longer serve you, making it hard to truly connect with others—or even yourself. We help you cultivate curiosity and examine these narratives, creating space to listen deeply and without judgment. This opens the door to more authentic connections and a deeper understanding of who you really are.
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When your values and actions don’t align, it’s easy to feel unmotivated and lost. We help you tap into your true purpose by igniting your creativity, connection to others, and a growth mindset. By aligning with what truly matters to you, and expressing from that place, you’ll find the passion and motivation to live a more fulfilling life.
INTERVIEW TOPICS
I am excited to chat about:
Joy Without Toxic Positivity: Finding resilience that’s real
What 20 years of mindfulness teaching has taught me
Mindfulness for Modern Anxiety: Practical tools that actually work
Creating Spaces of Belonging: What campuses and workplaces can learn
Deep Listening in Divided Times: How to bridge differences with presence
The Future of Leadership: Why grounded leaders thrive
Speaking Engagements
I lead in-person and virtual talks for universities, conferences, and organizations on topics such as mindful leadership, creating cultures of belonging, building resilience, and the power of desire to set your life aglow. My sessions combine research-backed practices with engaging, interactive experiences that leave audiences inspired and equipped to take action.
For speaking inquiries, please contact info@sefirawellness.com or fill out the form below.
